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On ‎2‎/‎21‎/‎2017 at 1:18 PM, Canam13 said: Hello all, i am going to buy a Harbour freight trailer (4x8 1195lb utility)for my 10e. I was wondering how everyone launches and loads thier boat? Have some ideas, but figured I would ask the folks that are doing it with that type of setup already. Driving a 07 sierra, so I doubt I'll be able to see the little boat/trailer while towing. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!! Put your tailgate down if there's room, and you can attach a pole to the back corner of the trailer so you can see where it is in your mirror. I recommend loading it backwards with the trolling motor)bow) at the back of the boat. This gives you two advantages. First you can actually begin the loading by getting the boat started up the trailer. Second, is that you don't have to worry about the trolling motor kitting the back of your tailgate when turning if you forget to move it back into the boat.

OKiefisher great video and really neat ideas. I did some similar upgrades to mine. I ran my fish finder wires under the plywood floors though rather than cut into the boat. My floor is in 3 pieces similar to yours. Like the idea of the magnets siliconed to deck to hold needed accessories.

Vicdougle, nice work and I appreciate the video of your accomplishments. One thing you may want to consider is to load the boat on the trailer with the trolling motor to the rear. There are two advantages to this in that it is easier to get the boat started onto the trailer with the trailer backed onto the ramp. The other advantage is that the trolling motor does not hang out over your hitch without having to loosen the clamp and move it further into the boat. Forgetting to make that adjustment could result in damage to tailgate or trolling motor. Nice work!

I would highly recommend that you review the previous 97 pages as there are some awesome pictures and descriptions of how to accomplish the modifications that you mentioned. A lot of additional ideas and comments that will be a big help to you.

Chet Punisher it sounds like you just need to add a rudder to keep the backend from swinging around. That is what most people have done and it is a lot simpler and less expensive than putting another TC on the back. Go back to the previous page in these posts and there is a good example shown there. Good luck!

Excellent work and pictures Vicdougle! I love the way you did your rudder. Simple and effective!

Bassraider 502 really nice set up. I didn't see how you had your transducer mounted for your fish finder. I have mounted my TM on the front and added a removable rudder to the back which works really well. What are the advantages to TM on back of boat?

If you are thinking of mounting it to your trolling motor which I did, go to YouTube and there are a number of videos to show you how to mount it. I would disregard the one however that shows using flex ties every 3-4 inches on the transducer cable as you will need to leave some slack for when the TM is put into and taken out of the water.

It works fine for me. I got the one that folds up if you want to. added 2x10's as runners and have carpet over them to help slide the boat onto it. Also added 2x4 in the side slots to keep the boat from moving side to side when travelling.

To make it easier to install and remove to replace if needed, I made my floor in 4 sections. The two middle sections are 35" each and the two end ones are 13" each. That leaves about a 4" gap at each end for wires to extend. I had Lowes cut the carpet 22" and 14" widths to aide in the mounting to insure overlap. I then glued and stapled the carpet to the plywood. Someone had posted earlier to be careful of just stapling as they will rust. Apparently that hasn't been a problem for Pond fisher on his. In reviewing Vayned's post regarding adding a handle to the front to assist in loading I have to ask a question that has been on my mind. I have a small harbor freight trailer that I use for my boat. Has anyone backed their boat onto the trailer rather than loading front first? To me, that answers the problem of having the handles added because you already have them on the sides in the back plus you could use your trolling motor if needed to get boat started on the trailer from lake. My main reason for this thought is because the trolling motor is mounted on the front and the trailer has a short tongue. I have to pull the trolling motor all the way into the boat under the seat.

I just installed a Lowrance HDS-5 fish finder. I took the picture before I tucked all the transducer wires, etc. below the flooring. Rain forecast today so probably won't get to try it out.

Poor Boy Rod Holders. I clamped $4.97 rod holders on boards and ran them through the handles on the back. Easily removed for transport and I didn't have to drill holes in my boat

Really glad you got to thoroughly enjoy your boat this past weekend! All really nice fish!

Nice racedad, where did you find the $25 bracket?

Yes the inside is 20.5" wide and I think the overall on the floor length was 104" I left a gap at each end for convenience of removal and possible water removal if necessary. I used 3/8" and it seems sturdy just standing on it. I haven't fished it yet but others had used 3/8 or 1/4. My rudder is easy to remove and install as well since it just slips over the transom. I didn't make it very long as I wanted to avoid hitting any stumps. I will probably remove when loading and unloading from trailer. My boat came with one of the Harbor Freight fold up trailers that the guy had mounted 2X10 runners covered in carpet for a base.