Hi Everyone,
I recently purchased a 2020 GatorTail 1860 Ext Center Console with the 40hp Surface Drive. I am having issues launching and loading the boat. Here are my issues and wanted to see if I can get some guidance.

First Issue:
When launching, I have to put the trailer very deep in the water to get the boat to back off of the trailer. When I say deep, I mean completely submerging the trailer wheels and fenders. The water is also about half way up the side bunks. The boat seems to have to be almost completely floating to back off of the trailer. I have launched many boats and have never had this issue.


Second Issue:
When loading the boat on to the trailer, the front winch post roller goes above the front of the bow and does not load properly. I tried moving the winch post without any luck. I spoke to someone at GatorTail today and he mentioned that I have too much weight in the front of the boat to allow the bow to rise above the roller. I have a trolling motor, 1 battery, and the 13 gallon fuel tank. I can’t be the only person to have these 3 items up front. The only item that I can move is the battery but I will have to run the wires to the back. Can 1 battery make that big of a difference in the rise when loading?

Any knowledge or first hand experiences that ya’ll can share would be greatly appreciated. Please don’t bash me too hard. I just want to be able to launch and recover my boat alone without needing anyone to assist.


Jeremy
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Can you post a picture of how the boat sits on the trailer, and a pic of the front winch? How does it sit when it’s hooked up to your truck? Is it tilted too far up?

Ok, so, first issue: sometimes, depending on the ramp, mine has water almost to the winch post. My bunks are completely under every time I launch. That's not the case on every boat I own or use, but it is on this one. You're definitely overthinking that. Loop your rope over the winch, make sure it's longer than your trailer, and get the boat off the trailer using momentum, then pull forward some (slowly so you dont get the boat moving forward back onto the trailer) so the winch is over dry ground, grab it, and beach the boat while you go park.

Second: Put the boat up to the roller, hook the winch strap and tighten until you have a couple inches of slack to allow the boat to raise, then pull the boat out of the water and onto level ground. You'll notice the bow is now higher than the roller and you can winch it the rest of the way and tie your boat to the trailer like normal. As long as you aren't driving off down the road with it, it'll be fine.

#CFFITR
#mudmotor>physics

Buy a can of silicone spray - next time you come back to the ramp
and the bunks are good and dry - spray the whole can up and down
the carpet on your bunks.... Heaviest in the back where the weight is...

Back in but dont even get your bunks under water - do like Russ said
and run up on the trailer far enough for you winch line to reach and
pull it up most of the way or all the way depending on alignment...

Just dont pull it up the ramp without the winch line being secure it
will slide like butter on a hot skillet now....

Next time you launch - stop short again and just push that bad boy off
by hand - hang on to a lead line - it will slide off easier than you think...

In the last several years I have launched my GD 1844 and GDSD that
way and never even put my trailer wheel bearings under water....

Reverse is over rated - LOL

What Russ said.

I got g2 Gator glide on mine. Come's off trailer when you unhook which strap. Better have the trailer wheels in water. Look at Gator glide web site videos.

Thank you for the responses. I am planning to move the trolling motor battery to the rear on Friday and try that out. I think my next step will be to install some of these trailer bunk slides. If that doesn’t work, then I will price the G2 Gator Glide. Any idea on what it costs to have it done?


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O_o


#CFFITR
#mudmotor>physics

Bow line storage keeps me up at night

It’s gotten the best of us over the years. I still prototype new ways and still haven’t cracked that nut


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