Power Load?

[86Craft]

I was given a 60-dollar ticket yesterday by the local pork producers for power loading my boat. If any of you have ever used the eighties style trailer with the latch bar, would you agree that there is no other way? I did not get up far enough on my first try, so I had to get into reverse heavy to get off the trailer. My wife thinks this is what he got excited about. Is there a law against power unloading? The great thing is a bass tournament was letting out, and every single one-man bass boat power loaded. He knew where to pick his fight, 50 bass fishermen weighing out fish or an out of state ski family. Anybody else have a problem like this?

[BobL]

I know that our local "officers" give out tickest for power loading.
So I guess that there is a law in Wisconsin. Our Ski Team Drivers get warnings all the time, and they are the most professional drivers around. In/out over 18 times a week.

[sfitzgerald351]

The ramp near me says to not power load, but with my 1984 there is simply no other way. I've looked into mounting a winch level with the bow eye, but the tongue on the trailer is so short I'd probably have clearance issues with the spare tire on the back of my Bronco. So power loading is the only way to go. I find that the older trailers are easy to load on a not so steep ramp. The boat generally will stop where it should and can be easily latched. But the lake I usually visit is REALLY STEEP (like 3x the angle of any other launch ramp I've ever seen) so in order to get the boat on the trailer I have to really gun it. It's ugly but works. It also requires my fiance to 'catch' the boat with the latch bar since we've found the best thing to do is to overshoot the latch bar slightly and then let up on the gas to let the boat slide back an inch or two. I'm going to get a boat buddy in the next year or two when I get around to refurbing my trailer. It'll make power loads a one shot affair, but won't keep you from doing it.

[ski_king]

Power loading is the only way I have ever loaded my 82. I didnt even realize it wasnt allowed at some locations until now.

The concrete on my ramp ends at the water line and the bottom is river gravel and sand. Power loading does wash out the gravel. I have to be carefull to keep the trailer centered on the ramp or one side will sit about a foot higher than the other, which makes it close to impossible to load.

To go a step beyond power loading, I know somebody who uses a weak 4 cylinder car. Once they get the boat on the trailer and tied down, they use boat power to get the car moving up the ramp. From what I have seen, it takes good timing between the boat and car drivers.

[Footin]

I can't believe they would actually take the time to write a ticket for this. I have power loaded my MC's for the last ten years and have never even had a second look from anyone.
I guess they have too much time and too much authority.

[east tx skier]

I've never seen a ramp or a lake around here with rules against this. I do it regularly.

[tph]

I've always power loaded as well. Actually, my wife has...I guess she'll get the ticket.....Oh.....that would be a bad thing...

[Tom Wortham]

It's the only way I have loaded my '86. NEVER heard of the term "power loading" until today. Not an issue in Texas. Must be a Nothern issue.

[tex]

That's sorry! Shi%ty, and sorry!

[Dan K]

The ramp I usually use actually has a upright rubber strip partway down to prevent washing out from power loading. yet they have a sign that says no powerloading.