Roll the page to read.
Bunk Trailers vs. Roller Trailers
By Butch Williams
Here is a question that comes up all the time at boat shows and at the ramp – which is better, bunk trailers or roller trailers? The truth is that both have advantages in certain situations so it’s important to understand the differences and benefits of each.
Proper Support
First of all, let’s dispel the widespread myth that bunk trailers offer better support because they contact more surface area on a boat’s hull than roller trailers. The truth is that in many cases the rollers touch just as much surface area as the bunks.
If you look closely at a bunk trailer with a boat on it, you’ll find that the bunks usually make contact with the boat’s hull only in those areas where the bunk supports mount to the trailer. To test this, take a credit card and slip it between the boat’s hull and the bunk. If it slides back and forth, that area of the bunk is not supporting the boat.
On a good trailer there are a lot of rollers and they are all strategically positioned to support the hull in areas where it needs it most. The best rollers are made of a soft material that flattens out when it contacts the hull. That surface area can add up to over two square inches per roller on some trailers.
Add it all up and you’ll find that there is not much difference in how much surface area is supported by each of the two styles.
Loading and Unloading
In most cases a boat will glide on and off a roller trailer much easier than a bunk trailer. That can be an advantage or a disadvantage. It is ideal up here in the Midwest with our shallow ramps, but down south where you find a lot more reservoirs with steep ramps, it can be a little too easy. In those cases bunk trailers work great.
Another thing to consider is whether or not you will be "power-loading" which simply means to drive the boat onto the trailer using the boat’s motor. This works great with either bunk or roller trailers, but some lakes have begun prohibiting power loading for environmental reasons. In those instances where you cannot power-load, a roller trailer makes it much easier to pull the boat onto the trailer using the winch.
Tips for Each
If you decide to go with a bunk trailer, be sure to look for options like pivoting bunks that tilt for easier loading.
If you go roller, make sure they are high quality, non-marking rollers that have no metal-to-metal contact that could rust and prevent them from spinning properly.
Making a Decision
So, the bottom line is that both styles work well and have their own advantages. The key to finding the trailer that best meets your specific needs is to provide your dealer with plenty of information about how you plan to use your boat. Another great tip - ask lots of questions.
Butch Williams is a Sales Representative for ShoreLand’r Trailers.
For more information about Trailering visit www.shorelandr.com
Tips for Trailering courtesy of ShoreLand'r
http://www.shorelander.com/pages/o_tips.html
A spray wax product like Pledge will improve your fishing. A regular rod cleaning will contribute to looks, cleanliness and make the rod slicker. A slicker rod will decrease line friction and improve your casting distance.
I also use Pledge to keep the shine on the boat.
Umbrella rig
|
|
 |
- Always select a pump that will deliver enough water to replace livewell water every 10 minutes.
- Bigger is not better - too much pump capacity could lead to air locks.
Pumping Power
Gallons per hour @ 13.6v
| HEAD HEIGHT |
| Capacity | 0' | 3.35' | 6.7' |
| 360 | 360 | 265 | 190 |
| 500 | 500 | 360 | 260 |
| 700 | 700 | 540 | 370 |
| 1100 | 1100 | 860 | 600 |
| 2000 | 2000 | 1620 | 1300 |
Down-lining: This is probably best employed mostly in the summer when water temps are warm and fish are hanging deep. Just slip 1/2-1oz. egg sinker on your line, then a bead, then a good barrel swivel, then 2-3 ft. of strong mono, then your hook. You can use cut bait or live. Anchor out or drift over graphed fish and put some rods out at different depths til you start catching. You will also get some cats and could even be large ones, but if you're like me, that's ok too. Be sure to have some rod holders mounted on the boat. the more bait you got out, the better. Try to use sensitive-tipped rods with some good backbone. The lighter the line you can get away with, the better. Put-em out and hang on!
Free lining: is using live bait, big gizzards, with no weights out 50+ feet behind the boat and creeping along with your trolling motor. Some people like to use balloons about 10+ feet above the bait. If you are graphing some fish and/or bait pods I would put a planer board out each side with your bait about 12 feet behind the boards and 2 flat lines (nothing but a swivel between rod and hook/bait) out the back. This method is best all winter long, and even spring and fall for that matter. If you aren't graphing anything put out a rod or 2 of your lead core with a buck tail with a long white or chart. tail about 6 or 7 colors out and troll around with your main motor at idle speed until you graph something, lots of stripers are caught trolling, even in the dead of winter. Be sure you stay in 20+ feet of water when trolling and put a small swivel that will go through the eyes of your rod and into your reel at the end of your lead core and put about 30 feet of regular line (preferably fluorocarbon) between the buck tail and the lead core/swivel. Troll around until you find fish and then put bait on them. That's how I am usually able to keep the skunk out of my boat and you have just as good a chance as anyone to get a monster on free lining live bait, as well as lots of green bass.
WATER CAPACITY FORMULAS:
- To determine the water capacity of your square or rectangular bait tank, multiply length times width times height (all in feet) times the constant 7.5. The result will be in gallons.
- To determine the water capacity of your round bait tank, multiply the depth of the water in feet times the radius squared (radius is 1/2 the width across the top of the container) times 3.14, then multiply this number by 7.5 The result will be in gallons.
SURE-LIFEä Fish Care Products
Formulated By A Scientist And A Fisherman - For Those Who Fish
Please write or call regarding any questions you may have concerning your fish.
SURE-LIFEä LABORATORIES CORPORATION
P.O. BOX 590 · Seguin, Texas 78156 · Office (830) 372-2239 · Fax (830) 372-1824
Cut Bait Fishing from Randy Wood
It is pretty simple. Find a spot were you think stripers will travel to feed. Road bed, humps, trees, ledge, rocks etc. Anchor your boat at both ends so it wont swing allot. Throw the cut bait to the structure you intend to fish. Just do it like your Catfishing. Put the reels in clicker and wait. A catfish or a striper will get your bait. You will catch a little bit of every thing using cut bait. Use as many rods as you have rod holders. Spread the baits all around the boat. If you anchor right you can fish shallow and deep on the same set.
If
you want to dock your boat, whether it be alongside a dock, or in a slip, here's
an easy way to do it, without having to risk falling in reaching for the dock.
This will also work if you want to pull up to the dock at the ramp and let your
partner aboard.
Approach the dock slowly, with the motor at an idle. If it's approaching too fast, drop in neutral till it slows down, then back into gear. Leave the accelerator alone here. You approach the dock at a 45-degree angle, basically touching the area around the front tie down cleat. Just as this cleat area of the boat comes to the dock, shift into neutral, and turn the motor so that the prop faces the dock. If approaching from the starboard side of the boat, turn the wheel to the port side. Now, drop it into reverse, and gently nudge the accelerator.
The front of the boat will stay alongside the dock, and the motor will pull the back of the boat alongside so that you can reach out with your hand and grab the dock, or a partner can easily grab it. You'll stop just inches beside the dock.
Try it, you may be surprised how easy it is. Believe me, it's easier to do, than to explain in writing!
Kelly Denham
Always keep a pair of jumper cables in your boat.
Having done this I have been able to help many folks enjoy a day on the water instead of them staying on the ramp with dead batteries. I’ve also managed to help a few folks stranded out on the water due to dead batteries.
If you own a Chevy with auto lights press the dome override switch three times to disable the automatic lights while backing down the ramp so that your lights don’t blind the next guy.
Won't work on a '99 new body style Chevy, they came out with that feature in 2000.In the '99 model just push the parking brake down just slightly with the motor off.
Start your motor and the lights will be off, so turn your headlight switch to parking lights for safety. Don't forget to turn the parking lights off after you park your truck or you will return from fishing with a dead truck battery.
I use a bungee cord with a loop in the end to quick tie my boat, and I have one at each end. It allows the boat to move some if waves approach so the cleats don't get stressed. I use the railing on my CC to do quick tie sometimes because it's very accessible and doesn't require a knot, only a loop around the rail and around the cleat on the dock. When I step out, the boat rises and the bungee becomes tight.
OK, mosquitoes...prepare to be repelled!!
Use Bounce Fabric Softener Sheets...Best thing ever used in Louisiana.
Just wipe on & go...Great for Babies.
Bob, a fisherman, takes one vitamin B-1 tablet a day.
April through October. He said it works. He was right.
Hasn't had a mosquito bite in 33 years. Try it.
Every one he has talked into trying it works on them.
Vitamin B-1( Thiamin Hydrochloride 100 mg.)
If you eat bananas, the mosquito's like you,
something about the banana oil as your body processes it.
Stop eating bananas for the summer and the mosquito's
will be much less interested.
This is going to floor you, but one of the best
insect repellents someone found (who is in the woods
every day), is Vick's Vapo rub.
Plant marigolds around the yard, the flowers give off
a smell that bugs do not like,
so plant some in that garden also to help ward
off bugs without using insecticides.
"Tough guy" Marines who spend a great deal of time
"camping out" say that the very best mosquito
repellant you can use is
Avon Skin-So-Soft bath oil mixed about
half and half with alcohol.
One of the best natural insect repellants that I've discovered
is made from the clear real vanilla.
This is the pure Vanilla that is sold in Mexico.
It works great for mosquitoes and ticks,
don't know about other insects.
When all else fails--get a frog.
You can check your props performance using the following formula:
pitch divided by gear ratio times RPM divided by 63360 times
60 at zero % slippage
This would be your true GPS speed.
If you multiply this number by .85 this should be your speed at 15% slippage
or less either your set up is wrong or you need to change your prop.
Determining weight of fish without scales.
(Girth x Girth x Length) /800=weight in pounds (girth and length are inches)
Example: If the fish's girth is 15 inches and its length is 29 inches, the formula would be used as follows: 15x15x29, divided by 800=8.16 pounds
Then the ".16" or "16/100" is converted to ounces
(multiply by 16) .16x16=2.56 or 3 ounces so this fish is 8 pounds 3 ounces.
Practice trailer backing: Backing a trailer into tight places or down a launch ramp is easier than it looks, but it does take some practice. It is best to practice in a parking lot and in a vehicle that allows you to see the trailer through the rear view mirror. The winter is a great time to practice backing a trailer, everyone is out hunting and not at the lake. The easiest way to remember which way the trailer turns when you turn your steering wheel is to place your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel. Now, where ever you want the trailer to go, just move your hand in that direction. If you use a couple of street cones you can back between them, this works great. If cones aren't available, then use rocks or whatever is available to back between.
Trailering Your Boat
Choose the proper trailer for your boat. More damage can be done to a boat by the stress of road travel than by normal water operation. A boat hull is designed to be supported evenly by water. When transported on a trailer, your boat should be supported structurally as evenly across the hull as possible. This will allow for even distribution of the weight of the hull, engine, and equipment. It should be long enough to support the whole length of the hull but short enough to allow the lower unit of the boat's engine to extend freely. Rollers and bolsters must be kept in good condition to prevent scratching and gouging of the hull. Tie-downs and lower unit supports must be adjusted properly to prevent the boat from bouncing on the trailer. The bow eye on the boat should be secured with either rope, chain or turnbuckle in addition to the winch cable. Additional straps may be required across the beam of the boat. The capacity of the trailer should be greater than the combined weight of the boat, motor, and equipment. The tow vehicle must be capable to handling the weight of the trailer, boat, equipment, as well as weight of the passengers and equipment, which will be carried inside. This may require that the tow vehicle may need to be specially equipped with an: Engine of adequate power. Transmission designed for towing. Larger cooling systems for the engine and transmission. Heavy duty brakes. Load bearing hitch attached to the frame, not the bumper. (Check your vehicle owner's manual for specific information)
Check Before You Go Out On The Highway
The tow ball and coupler are the same size and bolts with washers are tightly secured. (The vibration of road travel can loosen them.) The coupler is completely over the ball and the latching mechanism is locked down.
The trailer is loaded evenly from front to rear as well as side to side. Too much weight on the hitch will cause the rear wheels of the tow vehicle to drag and may make steering more difficult. Too much weight on the rear of the trailer will cause the trailer to "fishtail" and may reduce traction or even lift the rear wheels of the tow vehicle off the ground.
The safety chains are attached crisscrossing under the coupler to the frame of the tow vehicle. If the ball were to break, the trailer would follow in a straight line and prevent the coupler from dragging on the road. The lights on the trailer function properly.
Check the brakes. On a level parking area roll forward and apply the brakes several times at increasing speeds to determine a safe stopping distance. The side view mirrors are large enough to provide an unobstructed rear view on both sides of the vehicle.
Check tires (including spare) and wheel bearings. Improper inflation may cause difficulty in steering. When trailer wheels are immersed in water, (especially salt water) the bearings should be inspected and greased after each use.
Make certain that water from rain or cleaning has been removed from the boat. Water weighs approximately eight pounds per gallon and can add weight that will shift with the movement of the trailer.
Towing Precautions
Allow more time to brake, accelerate, pass, and stop. Remember the turning radius is also much greater, curb and roadside barriers must be given a wide berth when negotiating corners. Prior to operating on the road, practice turning, backing up, etc. on a level, uncongested parking area.
Pre-Launching Preparations
For the courtesy of others and to prevent rushing, prepare your boat for launching away from the ramp. Check the boat to ensure that no damage was caused by the trip. Raise the lower unit (remove supports) to proper height for launching so that it will not hit bottom. Remove tie-downs and make sure that the winch is properly attached to the bow eye and locked in position. Put the drain plug in securely. Disconnect the trailer lights to prevent shorting of electrical system or burning out a bulb. Attach a line to the bow and the stern of the boat so that the boat cannot drift away after launching and it can be easily maneuvered to a docking area.
Visually inspect the launch ramp for hazards such as a steep drop off, slippery area and sharp objects. When everything has been double checked proceed slowly to the ramp remembering that your boat is just resting on the trailer and attached only at the bow. The ideal situation is to have one person in the boat and one observer at the water's edge to help guide the driver of the tow vehicle.
Launching
Keep the rear wheels of the tow vehicle out of the water. This will generally keep the exhaust pipes out of the water. If the exhaust pipes become immersed in the water, the engine may stall. Set the parking brake and place tire chocks behind the rear wheels. Make sure someone else on shore is holding the lines attached to the boat. Lower the motor and prepare to start the engine (after running blowers and checking for fuel leaks). Start the boat motor and make sure that water is passing through the engine cooling system. Release the winch and disconnect the winch line from the bow when the boat operator is ready. At this point, the boat should be able to be launched with a light shove or by backing off the trailer under power. Finish loading your boat at a sufficient distance from the ramp so that others may use it.
Retrieval
The steps for removing your boat from the water are basically the reverse of those taken to launch it. However, keep in mind that certain conditions may exist during retrieval that did not exist during launching. As you approach the takeout ramp, take special care to note such factors as Change in wind direction and/or velocity. Change in current and/or tide. Increase in boating traffic. Visibility, etc.
First, unload the boat at a dock or mooring if possible. Next, maneuver the boat carefully to the submerged trailer, and raise the lower unit of the engine. Then, winch the boat onto the trailer and secure it. Finally, drive the trailer with the boat aboard carefully out of the ramp to a designated parking area for cleanup, reloading, and an equipment safety check. Practice will make launch and retrieval a simple procedure. The best advise is just, "do it cautiously with safety as your main concern."
Storage
Since your boat may be sitting on its trailer for quite some time before it is used again, it is important that it be stored properly. To avoid damage from sun and weather, cover the boat with a tarp. To remove weight from the wheels, put cinderblocks or wood beams under the tongue and all four corners of the trailer frame.
Good luck and practice, practice, practice.
TIPS FOR SAFE BOATING
Safety Tips
You've probably seen this before but it doesn't hurt to see it again. You may have daughters, wives, moms, sisters, gal-pals you'd like to pass this along to. TIPS ON STAYING SAFE...The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do! If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won't see you but everybody else will. This has saved lives. Pat Malone works for the FBI and teaches police officers and Navy SEALS hand-to-hand combat. This man has seen it all, and knows a lot. He focused his teachings to us on HOW TO AVOID BEING THE VICTIM OF A VIOLENT CRIME. Something like 99% of women will be exposed to, or become a victim of a violent crime. Here are some of the most important points from his presentation:
(1.) The three reasons women are easy targets for random acts of violence are:
(a.) Lack of Awareness You MUST know where you are & what's going on around you.
(b.) Body Language Keep your head up, swing your arms, stand straight up.
(c.) Wrong Place, Wrong Time DON'T walk alone in an alley, or drive in a bad neighborhood at night.
(2.) Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc). DON'T DO THIS! The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR, LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE. (a.) A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage: Be aware: look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor, and in the back seat.
(b.) If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars.
(c.) Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, get a guard/policeman to walk you back out. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.)
(3.) ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs. (Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot).
(4.) If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times. And even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN!
(5.) As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP IT!
It may get you raped, or killed.
Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good looking, well educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked "for help" into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.
Pat Malone said his daughter, who came out of the mall and was walking to her car when she noticed two older ladies in front of her. Then she saw a police car come towards her with cops who said hello. She also noticed that all eight handicap spots in the area were empty. As she neared her car she saw a man a few rows over calling to her for help. He wanted her to close his passenger side door. He was sitting in the back on the driver's side, and said he was handicapped. He continued calling, until she turned and headed back to the mall, and then he began cursing at her. In the meantime, she wondered why he didn't ask the two older ladies, or the policeman for help, and why he was not parked in any of the empty handicap spots. As she got back to the mall, two male friends of hers were exiting, and as she told them the story, and turned to point at the car, the man was getting out of the back seat into the front and the car sped away.
DON'T GET CAUGHT IN THIS TRAP.
I'd like you to forward this to all the women you know. It may save a life. A candle is not dimmed by lighting another candle. If you love your mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, etc., you may want to pass it on to them, as well. Send this to any woman you know that may need to be reminded that the world we live in has a lot of crazies in it....better safe than sorry.
PLEASE BE SAFE AND NOT SORRY! JUST A WARNING TO ALWAYS BE ALERT AND USE YOUR HEAD!!!
Pass this along to every woman you have access to.
Never let your guard down
