Axis Wakeboard Boat Forum

We launch from a shallow ramp so I keep a bottle of spay wax in my truck and give the bunks a spritz before we load and the boat loads easier. Wayne I've heard the same stories about the bunk lube, one guy said he had unhooked the boat from the winch before backing and the boat started sliding off the trailer before it was in the water.

Great advice folks...thanks. I'll order some "bunk lube" and try that. I feel like I'm already deep. Water is 2 " above fenders and level with the bend in the guide poles.

Has anyone installed these EZ Slide Trailer Pads?
http://amzn.com/B002IV6RCO

I have always just used silicone spray on carpet (very cheap and lasts awhile)

I wouldn't go with the ones you linked to. They are not recommended for fiberglass boats over 1500lbs. You could get by with these instead.

http://www.amazon.com/Trailer-Bunk-Glid ... FWTZM6X4WV

I agree, I'd never use the EZ Slide pads. Those are for PWC and lightweight boats.

I haven't found the perfect way to launch/recover our boat just yet, only launched it 3 times, but I had it down pat with our last boat. I like to back it all the way in to wet all the bunks and then pull it out just to where the fenders are under water. That's what the dealer said and it works for the most part, I might have the truck backed in slightly more at the initial launch or to get it the last foot forward when pulling on. But the bunk lube sounds like something worth trying.

this happened to me backing my buddies malibu into the water. I didn't know he sprayed the bunks, he didn't think twice about it. I backed up the trailer/boat and started coming off the trailer about half way down the ramp. I ended up backing up faster and just dumping it in the water. It came off pretty much when we hit the water. Im pretty sure if I hit the brakes it would have slid off the trailer on to the ramp.

Over Memorial Day I watched a boat slide off the trailer onto the ramp. It was an older I/O with the roller bunks. The guy undid the strap up front, not expecting it to roll off when he started backing down the ramp. It slid off and landed on the outdrive traction fin. Luckily we were able to get it into the water with minimum damage. I believe the guy even used the boat that day.

There are several different ramps we launch from, and they all require different techniques. One is steep and consistent, another is long and pretty shallow, and there is one that's pretty steep then gets steeper towards the bottom. Just have to eye ball it especially with how high water levels are right now.

Also, I always leave the bow secure while backing down the ramp. I can't justify the few seconds it saves to risk anything happening. Never know when you have to move quick to avoid a Wally.

I never disconnect my winch strap or safety strap until the boat is ready to back off the trailer. The ramp I use is probably average angle. I just back in, the rear of the boat floats, I hop into the bed of my truck from the side (I'm still nimble enough to do that from street level), lower the tailgate, sit on the tailgate, remove safety chain, release the winch strap, the boat just floats in place, I climb in, fire it up, bump it into reverse then back to neutral and all done. Launching or recovering a boat shouldn't be an issue with anyone really. You just need to know what method to use depending on the ramp and possibly other conditions or obstacles. If some of you cannot get your boat to float a little after backing it down the ramp...I'd either try and use a steeper ramp reasonably close by or think about a taller tow vehicle if having your exhaust underwater bothers you. I guess I'm lucky that only on a few occasions I've had my truck exhaust only get about half in the water but never all the way. It wouldn't concern me if it did, just keep your motor running.