Retrieving my 242

[John Greenlund]

I recently bought my 242, and its a great boat. It's easy to launch but retrieving is another matter. I had a Bayliner 175 for years and was a master at getting back on the trailer but I can't master the 242. The manual says to have about 3" of the trailer out of the water, and when I do that I can't seem to get the bow all the way up to the rubber bumper even with a lot of power. I end up winching that last foot which the manual says don't do. This is on a steep ramp; but I usually use a very shallow ramp. My shallow ramp at Table Rock Lake is under water right now. It also likes to get off center. What's the recipe for a steep ramp, and then for a very shallow ramp? Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[Julian]

Steep ramps will always be a centering challenge...the best thing you can do is add trailer guides for steep ramps.

 

[John Greenlund]

Thanks Julian; posts were going to be my next investment. At least they will help it stay centered. I like your boat name!

 

[mraz72]

don't try this based on my advice, but it seems like you would have to hit the trailer going faster than you currently are. I don't trailer often but when I do I end up in your position where I have to winch the last foot or so. That is because I am not hitting the trailer with enough speed.

It's either follow the rule of only go as fast as you are willing to hit something with your boat
or
get the boat up to the stopper

 

[subysti]

I alway winch mine up the trailer. Local ramp doesn't allow power loading and I've seen other power load right in to the back to the tow vehicle. I crank 2-3 feet at least.

 

[Neutron]

No matter the ramp i just keep at least 1/3rd of the forward bunks out of water and fenders just above water line and its perfect everytime

 

[Ronnie]

Sometimes at really steep ramps I have to back the trailer in until the winch is almost at the same height as the bow eye while the boat is at idle and the tops of the trailer guides are just barely out of the water to have everything work as it should.

I recommend a boat buddy ii or ramp n clamp as well. Once i hear it lock into place I know the boat is where it should be so I can shut down the engines, put the winch hook and safety cable, release the boat buddy/ ramp n clamp and drive away.

Here is a video of an interesting product, never seen one in person, don't know much about it or what it costs but maybe this would work for you.

 

[swatski]

I recently bought my 242, and its a great boat. It's easy to launch but retrieving is another matter. I had a Bayliner 175 for years and was a master at getting back on the trailer but I can't master the 242. The manual says to have about 3" of the trailer out of the water, and when I do that I can't seem to get the bow all the way up to the rubber bumper even with a lot of power. I end up winching that last foot which the manual says don't do. This is on a steep ramp; but I usually use a very shallow ramp. My shallow ramp at Table Rock Lake is under water right now. It also likes to get off center. What's the recipe for a steep ramp, and then for a very shallow ramp? Any help is greatly appreciated!

There is NOTHING wrong with winching the last foot, or two feet, or whatever, as long as you can set the hook in the bow eye. Some places do not permit power loading, but otherwise there is nothing wrong with that either.

I would NOT under any normal circumstances want to hit the trailer going faster than just bare minimum speed. Once you are in contact with the bunks and centered you can power up, but I would not speed up to hit the trailer to facilitate the loading beforehand. It may well work a few times, but you are inviting a disaster.

--

 

[Speedling]

All depends on conditions but I have found with my boat that if I put the fenders so they are just a bit out of the water, and tires are mostly under water, and then I hit the trailer at no wake mode speed, I still need to winch a bit but it's minimal. I also got the Fulton f2 so my wife can do it no problem and quickly. I have never sprayed anything on the bunks but I think I am going to try some basic silicone spray once this season if/when I go out.

 

[Floyd]

My boat is extremely hard to winch up the last foot, even after spraying dry silicone on the bunks. I think the problem might be that the winch is a bit low, since the boat springs up 3/4" or so after releasing the winch tension. The solution might involve putting spacers under the winch to raise it up. The mount post assembly is all welded on the factory "custom" trailer and is not adjustable.

 

[Neutron]

My boat is extremely hard to winch up the last foot, even after spraying dry silicone on the bunks. I think the problem might be that the winch is a bit low, since the boat springs up 3/4" or so after releasing the winch tension. The solution might involve putting spacers under the winch to raise it up. The mount post assembly is all welded on the factory "custom" trailer and is not adjustable.

What trailer is it. Most are adjustable

 

[Speedling]

My boat is extremely hard to winch up the last foot, even after spraying dry silicone on the bunks. I think the problem might be that the winch is a bit low, since the boat springs up 3/4" or so after releasing the winch tension. The solution might involve putting spacers under the winch to raise it up. The mount post assembly is all welded on the factory "custom" trailer and is not adjustable.

Mine had some goofy bolt on it. I welded a piece on it because it was springing forward with the boat pressure and then down the road i would have to winch up again. But i am one of those people that has a welder and scrap metal at his disposal.

 

[Floyd]

What trailer is it. Most are adjustable

It says "Scarab" on the black-coated trailer. I don't know who made it. I agree...most are adjustable.
In my case, you don't know exactly how the boat will sit on the trailer until the boat and the trailer are made and mated. Whoever drills the holes for the bow eye may have a bit of fudge factor.

 

[Neutron]

Is it springs up when u release the winch, then it is applying pressure on the hull against the bunks. To me that cant be good

A scarab trailer for a Yamaha boat hmmmm