Keel roller and easier loading…

[Hollada]

if I were somehow able to raise the keel roller on my Caracal trailer, would that allow me to load the boat with more trailer in the water and clear the bow roller?

powerloading is illegal in Michigan and this trailer is a royal PITA to load.

 

hoping BCB chimes in here with some recommendations.

[BIGCATTER]

What about putting wind guides on the rear to center the boat up ?? — Then you could set it deep enough to hook the front in and just pull up slowly , allowing the boat to settle onto the bunks . — Might work ?!?

[Hollada]

If it’s in too deep the bow comes in under the roller.

[gclayfam]

Saw a guy on Lake Fork that was from Michigan and he had an electric winch on his Ranger because of the no loading rule. Seemed to work good for

 

him. Just a thought.

 

George

 

[oldtimer57]

I think the biggest problem is ramp angle.  We stayed at the mountain lakes RV resort last week.  They have two ramps.  One is a one-laner that is steeper than any ramp I have seen, Ross Barnett or anywhere.  The other was such a slight incline I had to back in to the point where my truck’s front wheels were into the water.  Back wheels were in water that did not reach the rim.  Launched there once and stuck with the other ramp.  I had to back in normally (front of outside bunks barely showing).  Son pulled boat up to get the bow above the roller.  I then inched the truck back as the motor could not push the boat up that steeply inclined trailer.  Sometimes takes a bit of creativity.  Several were having trouble there.  I was afraid on the other ramp the trailer might fall off the end of the thing we had to back in so far.  Water was in upper 70’s to maybe 80 so a bit chilly to have to wade in to get boat back off if that happened.

 

A winch might be workable.  But boy will it put stress on the bunks and carpeting.  You’d need to make sure bunks are always in good condition so that you would not rip carpet off or rip the lag bolts out.

I’d rather see the ramp maintenance include a small dredging at the bottom rather than avoiding power-loading.  I can think of a ramp in Demopolis AL that is terrible.  You back in and you can stuff the lower unit into mud if you are not careful.  There is about 1′ of water in a very small channel to get out into the river.  Otherwise you will be dragging the bottom and motor in 6″ of water.  These things ought to be maintained properly.

 

[schodackbassman]

Are you putting the strap between two rollers when pulling up on to trailer?  That will make it easier.  One fully loaded move hook back down to towing position under the bottom roller.

[Matt Hayes]

This is a caracal related pain…. That boat sits high on the trailer probably due to its width and the dot allowed max width on the trailer. Theres a very fine spot in the water where it has to be loaded. When the water levels too high Ive actually power loaded and then had it slide back down the bunks. Some times it would take me several attempts going back and forth from the truck. Dan, Honestly If I were in your situation a good fab shop might be able to cut the nose roller mount down and lower it about 2″ which would give ya the drop ya need to just crank it up… ?

[Hollada]

I do run the strap between the two rollers to load and then unstrap and retighten from below in the tie down area.

 

the way the trailer step is designed there is no room for a bigger 2 speed winch like a fulton f2 or an electric one.

 

I’d  think raising that keel roller a tad would have the same effect as lowering the bow roller?  Anyone tried this?

 

update: I just stared at it some more.  I no longer think raising the keel roller would help without it being so high that the boat would lift off the bunks….

 

would love to hear from someone at BCB about things to try – or an easier loading option on future trailers.

[Bass Cat Boats]

If we were designing trailers for non power load applications, it would be a cam system with a triple set (3×2) of rollers that  was raised when empty and the camming (or hydraulics) allowed the hull to rest back on the bunks for trailering. Then you just winch it up easily on the rollers and nest it for travel.

[Shap from La]

Sounds like a great Idea.  I know there are talented folks here on this board and at the factory as well that could make that happen.  Someone could engineer that roller design and you Guys could offer it as an option for those folks building boats in areas that do not allow power loading.

 

Chris Coupel

Paulina, La.

[Author]

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