video - putting 290da on trailer

Quint4

Quint4

Well-Known Member
TECHNICAL Contributor
Oct 6, 2006
6,750
NC
Boat Info
CY 3375
Engines
7.4 MPI twin
I am bored as hell and wanted to try the youtube video in post function. So here is a short video of my single handed method of loading my 290 on the trailer...this was our last time out this year Oct. 5th..2008...did I mention I'm bored ?
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7TUqF8RHnI[/YOUTUBE]
 
Yep, pretty much how I load both of mine.
 
It was hard to tell from the video but I assume that was a bunk trailer? If so are you worried about the stress that puts on the bow eye while you are winching it? I load mine similarly, but try to back the truck in further as I start to winch the boat on. I just am paraniod about all the stress pulling on the bow eye. Otherwise looks good!

-Ryan
 
My hand powered winch is a whole lot faster than that electric one. I was thinking about adding an electric winch, but it's just not fast enough for me. I only have to pull the 300 DA about two feet and it's pretty easy.

I agree with Ken, make sure you have ALL body parts out of the line of fire if something breaks. I don't know if you use a strap or a cable, but either one are capable of significant damage when they leg go. I stand off to the side when cranking to make sure I don't get hit.

Someone needs to invent a walk through pickup so you can step from the bed into the drivers seat without jumping over the side!
 
If I back in further the boat tends to float too much and often gets mis-aligned on the trailer bunks. I am gong to try some bunk glides or spray next year to reduce the friction a bit. If you notice I position myself behind the powerwinch and duck a bit...just in case something snaps !
 
Quint4 said:
If I back in further the boat tends to float too much and often gets mis-aligned on the trailer bunks.
Click to expand...

That is for sure! And minor boat wakes and a slight breeze do not help either.

I have guides on my trailer and it STILL manages to be off an inch one way or another. It probably loads perfect 1 in 3 times.

Even with the additions to your trailer, I would not change your technique.
 
Very nice. We pulled our 280 today not quite as smooth but we got the job done. Noticed you did not use any wheel chocks. Did you have those nice electric brakes engaged?
 
I leave the trailer plugged in so the brakes work when backing down the ramp. I just set the parking brake on the truck...it's never offered to budge.
 
I realize the last comment to your post is 10 months old. I have a 2001 270 Sundancer, which I understand is similar in size and weight as your older 290.

Since my wife is afraid to help me load or unload the 270 I have to do it all by myself. Being 61 years old does not help either. Unloading is really no big deal, but loading it up sure is.

When loading I do a series of manuevers - powering the boat onto the trailer as far as it will go, get off the boat (interesting process) back the truck a little further down the ramp, get back in the boat, power it a little further onto the trailer, and repeat each step several times until the boat is properly seated on the trailer. I, like you, found that my boat will not center properly if the trailer is backed too far down the ramp to start with.

I have always been concerned that if I winched the 270 onto the trailer as you did (about 9500 pounds fully loaded) that I would rip the eye bolt right out of the bow of the boat. From watching your video, I guess I was wrong.

I am considering buying a 6000 pound vertical lift wireless remote control power winch for the trailer - about $500 at West Marine. That way after connecting the winch cable to the eye bolt, I could use engine power and the remote control winch together to get the boat properly onto the trailer without having to go through all the gyrations mentioned above.

I decided that spending $500 for the remote control winch was cheaper than getting a new wife who would help.
 
Dick,
The bow eye is very strong....but. I would not push your luck. I have altered my method a bit since this post. I added bunk slicks to the front half of my trailer bunks to reduce the friction a bit. I also back it a tad deeper after the initial "seating" of the boat on the trailer and then finish the "pull". Concerning getting on and off the boat while it is on the trailer, here are a few ideas to consider:

trailerladderoe5.jpg


trailerladder2tc2.jpg
 
Last edited:
I like your idea of installing a ladder on the trailer tougue. That would definitely cost less than the remote control electric winch.

Remember I am 61 years old. When launching my 270 Sundancer I remove the winch cable from the bow eye, climb up and stand on top of the winch stand on the trailer tongue, wedge myself up between the bow rail and the anchor, walk across the bow, through the windshield, and into the helm seat. From there I can usually use boat engine power to back the boat off the trailer the first time.

When loading the boat onto the trailer, I have to do the same, only in reverse order and several times. So far I have not removed my "manhood" while standing on top of the trailer winch post with wet shoes, slithering up and under the bow rail, and across the anchor. Unfortunately sooner or later I probably will.

As soon as I install the 6000 lb vertical lift capacity, wireless remote control, winch, I will try to post a video - if it works.

I hope by using engine power coupled with the remote controlled electric winch, I can load the 270 in one step.
 
Quint: The ladder idea isn't going to work as long as you have a bow pulpit. I couldn't really tell from your video, but, it looks like you bring your anchor up onto the bow. I have to do that or the anchor will hit the winch stand.
My son sprays his bunks with silicon. I have not tried that because I have guides and I put the trailer in pretty deep and usually run the boat up to the winch stand.
BTW, I did get a TV, but, gave it to my son. I really don't want to watch any tv whatsoever when on the boat.:smt009
 
Nope, ladder no workie with bow pulpit...Dick W has an '01 270DA which does not have a bow pulpit. As far as the TV goes I don't sit in the cabin and watch soap operas, but it is great for movies at night and a little news in the morning with coffee. Heading to the boat tomorrow for the weekend!
 
Well, have a good week-end!
We are about done with any kind of trailering. We are doing a lot of work to and making changes to the boat. Next year our plan is take the boat up to Clayton, NY and leave the boat there for who knows how long. It will stay in storage up there. The trailer will become a yard trailer. We will probably use the boat two or three times during the season. We will use the boat to cruise the 1000 islands and the Rideau Canal in Canada. I'm getting to old to drag the beast around, so, that's it.
 
This is our second season slipping the boat. I will probably never go back to trailering.
We sometimes anchor near a ramp just to gaze upon the madness.
 
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