Loading Caracal advice

Looking for some advice on loading my new Caracal. First two trips no issue with about 4 inches of outer bunks exposed and front edge of fender just touching the water. On a steep ramp this weekend with a cross wind I had the front edge of fenders out of water about 3 inches more thinking I needed extra height. I was off line a little coming on and scratched the keel about an inch up from the bottom leading edge. I assume I ran along the side of the front frame roller even though she ended up perfectly on the bunks in the end. So on steeper ramps do you suppose I need to be even further out of the water? As it was I had to back the trailer in a little bit more after coming up short of the bow roller with so much of the bunks exposed.

Tagged: Caracal loading

This topic has 13 replies, 12 voices, and was last updated 5 years, 11 months ago by Cajunhunter67.

Viewing 13 posts - 1 through 13 (of 13 total)

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October 17, 2016 at 2:18 pm #280732

BamaCat
Participant

I have learned over the years that a shallow ramp requires the trailer to be deeper and that a steep ramp to very steep requires less trailer in the water. The angle of the steep ramp will float the boat up higher over the trailer so you need a little less than on a shallow or more gradual sloping ramp.

October 17, 2016 at 2:26 pm #280733

basscat tyler
Participant

Yeah on a steep ramp less trailer is needed in the water in my experience.

October 17, 2016 at 2:27 pm #280734

STIP
Participant

No matter what ramp Ive used so far this seems to be perfect. Outer bunks still exposed.

October 17, 2016 at 2:28 pm #280735

GRR884
Participant

STIP nailed it. Same as I do. My wife always loads it on the trailer and has no troubles at this depth.

October 17, 2016 at 3:10 pm #280736

Zoomworms
Participant

My Caracal is a challenge to load also, I just switched to Carpet on my bunks hoping it would help make it a little easier to snug up.

October 17, 2016 at 3:41 pm #280737

KH59
Participant

The first two trips my trailer looked exactly like STIP shows. If you can envision it, on the steeper ramp I had a little more bunk showing up front and about the same amount of the rear fender showing to keep the boat from getting on the fender. My thought is that angle gets the keel in deeper near that front roller and so that is why it is there. I would guess if we had I hit the trailer perfect the keel would have still hit the roller but made no mark and we would not be having this discussion. Winds were 15+ so a little more of a challenge. My wife does the launching/trailer too and I saw she was off a little but let her keep coming so it was on me. Every boat seems to have its little differences but it hurts when the learning comes with a little damage.

October 17, 2016 at 4:18 pm #280738

STIP
Participant

My bunks are about to get switched to carpet also. Hoping it doesnt change much up. Ive learned as Im coming on to the trailer I always drop it into neutral let it settle in then power up.

October 17, 2016 at 9:32 pm #280739

cat19
Participant

My Caracal loads perfect with the outer bunks JUST under the water, even the outboard tips just at the surface of the water. That is on any pitch ramp for me. Pro-Tec Productswww.protecproducts.com

October 18, 2016 at 9:10 pm #280740

DaLa
Participant

Outer bunks 3″ out has been working well for me, but I admit I was struggling for a while. (Had an R boat that loaded easier but my Caracal is WAY better)I have 33 hours on the merc.Dave.

June 3, 2019 at 2:05 pm #674944

Morgmach
Participant

I’m going to try with the outer bunks 3″ out of the water, but this 2016 Caracal is not easy to trailer. I have a 95 Classic too and it’s much easier and has a bigger margin of error. Because of high water all year so far the ramps are steep and my nose (trolling motor) is coming up under the front roller. Yesterday we did better by putting much less trailer in the water, but still was not coming in above the front roller.

I’m afraid of what KH59 had happen to he and his wife. Practice and more practice I guess…. Thanks for the tips.

June 3, 2019 at 5:34 pm #674946

doroger
Participant

Like cat19, 2016 Sabre loads great with just the tips of the short bunks out of the water.

Don

June 3, 2019 at 5:52 pm #674947

TAKFishing
Participant

Morgmach:

I’m going to try with the outer bunks 3″ out of the water, but this 2016 Caracal is not easy to trailer. I have a 95 Classic too and it’s much easier and has a bigger margin of error. Because of high water all year so far the ramps are steep and my nose (trolling motor) is coming up under the front roller. Yesterday we did better by putting much less trailer in the water, but still was not coming in above the front roller.

I’m afraid of what KH59 had happen to he and his wife. Practice and more practice I guess…. Thanks for the tips.

Trim it out more at least out to where the rams are extended. Also if hyd JP Raise it up about half way. This will fulcrum the front end more with less resistance on bunks as you approach the roller. Took me a while to get this down but now never a problem.

June 4, 2019 at 1:58 am #674950

Cajunhunter67
Participant

Remember to trim the motor up. I trim up till it just gets into the fast mode, than stop. As your boat settles, it puts the engine deeper. With it trimmed up, it wants to raise the nose slightly as you apply power and it helps it slide up easier. Most Caracal owners tend to leave 1-3 inches of the outer bunks exposed.
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