1 hour ago, WRB-2.0 said:

Suggest looking at Overton small boat trailer 2’ bunk guides and 2 step ladder step.

Jumping onto the trailer tongue is a accident waiting to happen!

Tom

I actually have the pvc pipe guides and a 2 step ladder the problem is I can’t get the boat far enough up the trailer to hook it and reach the steps, if I bury the trailer deep enough to float on and barely touch the bunks then I’m definitely getting wet. I have some spare aluminum diamond plate I was thinking about attaching some of that to the floor of the trailer next to the winch to step down onto,I really don’t want to drill holes in the trailer to attach it.

Look up boat trailer tongue planks. Don’t need to drill any holes!

I had a plank on my boat trailer tongue and a step mounted to trailer, not the wench stand. This allowed me to get out of the boat in the bow and step over to the tongue plank. Make sure you add non slip strip to plank.
Tom

I agree on both of Tom’s suggestions for anyone else reading this thread later.  A 2’ roller guide on each side is ideal for loading and keeping the boat from being blown off the trailer by a side wind before you can get it winched up. And stepping on the trailer is a slip waiting to happen.  I haven’t yet, but I know I’m due.  I’ll probably grab for something as I’m falling and breaking it which means either the xplore 12 or the ultrex.  I think my dad has a spare trailer plank that he didn’t need to fit on his that he wants to give me and i will gratefully accept.  

Well whatever method you do just be safe.

 

My in-laws know a guy that drowned a couple of weeks ago on the river.

 

Nobody witnessed the event but they THINK he went into the water at the ramp to maybe get his boat and drowned.

 

They are thinking this because it looked like he emptied his pockets before he entered the water.

 

On 10/23/2025 at 4:54 PM, WRB-2.0 said:

Look up boat trailer tongue planks. Don’t need to drill any holes!

Love the old trailer than came with my Alumacraft....has built-in, welded-on supports for a platform

Woops just realized you were asking about extracting the boat,  not launching it. I use the outboard but have done it with the electric many times. Hold the rope and approach, then lift up at the last minute and let her drift on, then winch it on while standing on the tongue 

 

I can get the boat on much better now drifting in with the trolling motor now that I’m leaving the gas motor down to act as a keel. I don’t have a rope to pull the trolling motor up I’m using a Terrova which makes it a bit more challenging but who doesn’t like a challenge right hahaha.

once again thanks for all of the great advice.

Oh dear, no rope.  You’re relying on the electric deploy to do it in time.  That’s a bit more challenging.  At least with a rope I can crank the speed to 10 and really get the boat moving at 3-4 mph and still be able to pull it at the last second.

 

Another thing that will help is that once you’re 2’ before the trailer and the motor is up, step back in the boat to let some weight off the nose.  That will let it slide up further before the nose bites on the trailer. 

16 hours ago, bigbearstroop122 said:

I can get the boat on much better now drifting in with the trolling motor now that I’m leaving the gas motor down to act as a keel. I don’t have a rope to pull the trolling motor up I’m using a Terrova which makes it a bit more challenging but who doesn’t like a challenge right hahaha.

once again thanks for all of the great advice.

 

Sounds like you could really benefit from a push pole.

While usually not a typical deal on bass boats,

shallow-water flats anglers have been using them for years.

The one I use is telescopic from 6 to 12 feet.

Plenty long & strong enough to get the job done and

easy to store on deck out of the way.

I use it several times a year to help maneuver my rig in skinny water.

A-Jay

 

 

7 hours ago, A-Jay said:

 

Sounds like you could really benefit from a push pole.

While usually not a typical deal on bass boats,

shallow-water flats anglers have been using them for years.

The one I use is telescopic from 6 to 12 feet.

Plenty long & strong enough to get the job done and

easy to store on deck out of the way.

I use it several times a year to help maneuver my rig in skinny water.

A-Jay

 

 

I do have a push pole, there is a small lake that’s close to the house that doesn’t have a real ramp and no dock so you are forced to beach the boat after launching it. 

 

On 10/23/2025 at 4:54 PM, WRB-2.0 said:

Look up boat trailer tongue planks. Don’t need to drill any holes!

I had a plank on my boat trailer tongue and a step mounted to trailer, not the wench stand. This allowed me to get out of the boat in the bow and step over to the tongue plank. Make sure you add non slip strip to plank.
Tom

I got one for my Trout boat about 15 years ago, it definitely helps;  think it came from Cabela's.

9 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

Oh dear, no rope.  You’re relying on the electric deploy to do it in time.  That’s a bit more challenging.  At least with a rope I can crank the speed to 10 and really get the boat moving at 3-4 mph and still be able to pull it at the last second.

 

Another thing that will help is that once you’re 2’ before the trailer and the motor is up, step back in the boat to let some weight off the nose.  That will let it slide up further before the nose bites on the trailer. 

No electric deploy I have to partially pick it up and steer it by hand and then pull it out at the last second.