Trailer Modifications

[Mattblack]

Hi All,
Getting a bit jealous of watching people launch & retrieve their boats like an efficient SWAT team whilst I'm juggling ropes and slipping about in bare feet & rolled up pants.
From reading previous posts (apart from using the thrust of engaged outboard) it sounds like there are 2 popular options to achieve a quick and dry launch/retrieval, a "Boatcatch" and a 'L&R Boat Latch'.
I'd appreciate any feedback on either of these (ease of installation and use) and also if I will require a self centering device like one of the attached photos.

easyglide.png (70.32 KiB) Viewed 1035 times

[Nude up]

Check out recoverezy $120 works great very simple. I fitted a easy glide to my first boat a 4.8 halfcab helped me winch the boat on straight when I used to fish with my daughter when she was little worked well but never drove the boat on back then.

[purple5ive]

is your trailer a drive on trailer? if it isn't then none of these things will help really.
and if it already is drive on, then why arent you doing it that way?

[frozenpod]

Matt those items are not much use and they certainly wont help keep you dry if you are winching on.

Boat Catch ect are only helpful when driving on, ie zero value when winching on.

What method are you using now?

[Mattblack]

99% of the time I launch solo, so I'm pushing it off and using a rope to guide it around once it's in the water. If I have someone with me, I can drive it up the trailer to the winch post, but sometimes it doesn't quite go on straight and I have to back down and line it up again. Would a centering roller sort this issue out?
I have a Dunbier R5.OM-13B trailer

[Stewy]

Uncle has that blue roller , spring loaded thing, when the spring broke, damage the underside of the boat.

[Mattblack]

Check out recoverezy $120 works great very simple. I fitted a easy glide to my first boat a 4.8 halfcab helped me winch the boat on straight when I used to fish with my daughter when she was little worked well but never drove the boat on back then.

Those recovereasy's look pretty good (more often than not it's the simple things that work the best)...looks pretty simple to install as well.

[Mjacc]

Depends if you want to Launch and retrieve or just retrieve

I only have an L & R boat latch because it was on the boat when I got it. But I'm glad it is, makes everything a bit easier. Having said that I never really fish solo, so the time it broke and I hadn't had time to fix it (spring wore out) I would just drive the boat forward while a mate unhooks. Same on retrieve, drive on and clip it up.
But the L & R system will allow you to actually pull the boat up the ramp a little so you can latch it up with out getting wet feet. There are videos on youtube which demonstrate how they work pretty effectively.

[frozenpod]

99% of the time I launch solo, so I'm pushing it off and using a rope to guide it around once it's in the water. If I have someone with me, I can drive it up the trailer to the winch post, but sometimes it doesn't quite go on straight and I have to back down and line it up again. Would a centering roller sort this issue out?
I have a Dunbier R5.OM-13B trailer

Sounds like it could be a trailer setup issue or depth issue.

My guess is you are sometimes putting the trailer too deep in the water for retrieval.

[mr plow]

i recon the boat catch is well worth it. i added a couple of teflon blocks angled to the center of the trailer to help keep it centered and just make sure boats not in to deep else it will float off rollers. i dont like the boat latch seen too many boats end up on the concrete. i launch 50% of the time with just my 5year old son and its easy as