Roger,

Do you have the Triad? Mine has self-aligned really well... and we don't have gas engines (not allowed on in-city Minneapolis lakes) to power on to the trailer, so I'm usually having to pretty much float on gently using the electric motor. (Matt can have an outboard on White Bear Lake) I have had someone out on the dock with a really long stern line for possible alignment, but haven't really seemed to need that. The keel nestles into the Triad trailer and gets in lined up on its own. On my small lake we don't typically have waves of any real concern. Wind is another matter.

This year I cranked it up once then pulled the vehicle forward a bit and then backed back in a little and out and then cranked again until I had worked the boat forward to the desired spot on the trailer. In the past I have tried the stop fast method of moving the boat forward, but didn't have much success. Perhaps I was afraid of overdoing it and breaking something.

David Berg
Blue Loon
Minneapolis MN

-----Original Message-----
From: ROGER PIHLAJA <roger_pihlaja at msn.com> 
Sent: Wednesday, October 18, 2023 4:05 PM
To: DAVID BERG <davidmberg at mac.com>; The Rhodes 22 Email List <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] 2007 Trailmaster trailer question

David,

Of course, with the tongue extension, you can often back in far enough to completely submerge the bunks.  However, unless you have a bunch of helpers to hang onto guy lines to keep the boat centered on the trailer, this is not the most efficient option.  If the boat does not engage with the trailer’s bunks to a certain extent; then, it is vulnerable to wind and wave action causing it to get misaligned with the trailer.  By leaving about 12” of the bunks exposed above the water, you give the helmsman an obvious target to aim at.  Just put the bow in between the bunks and the trailer does the rest.  The boat engages with the bunks just enough to keep wind and waves from spoiling the alignment on the trailer long enough to get it winched up against the bow stop.  I often put S/V Dynamic Equilibrium on the trailer single handed.  For a 22 ft LOA boat, it’s not difficult; but, the secret is mostly in the trailer design.

Roger Pihlaja
S/V Dynamic Equilibrium 

Sent from my iPhone

> On Oct 18, 2023, at 4:34 PM, DAVID BERG via Rhodes22-list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org> wrote:
> 
> Matt,
> 
> If your trailer is like mine (Triad) in my experience I think you want to get the entire trailer bunks just below the water surface. Of course depending on the slope of the ramp you may have to back in deep or use the extension. The water was super low at my landing this fall, but I was just able to manage without using the extension.
> 
> I'm willing to come assist you with landing and lowering the mast if I'm available when you're ready.
> 
> Dave
> (612) 716-7510
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Rhodes22-list <rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org> On Behalf Of Matt Wilson
> Sent: Wednesday, October 18, 2023 7:55 AM
> To: The Rhodes 22 Email List <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> Subject: [Rhodes22-list] 2007 Trailmaster trailer question
> 
> Hello everyone,
> 
> I am about to pull my Rhodes for the season and am wondering if anyone knows approximately how much water I need to have at the ramp.  Any perspectives would be super helpful. There are multiple ramp options but the deepest would have to be done by the local boatworks and incur a charge.
> 
> Many thanks,
> Matt Wilson
> Hornblower II
> White Bear Lake, MN
>