Opinions on power loading boats at ramp?
Bad for boat? Trailer? Ramp washout?

I notice alot of people seem to do it. Even i do. I know it makes loading faster. Just got to thinking on this and wondering if it hurts anything. Maybe some tips or pointers on safe(r) loading. I always worry about my prop even though i keep it a little over halfway tilted up while loading.

Can't comment on all the new technology but we have a 1979 Lowe John Boat with a 40 Merc on the back, have been loading it this way my entire life. For the last 20 years, pops backs in the trailer, I line it up and get er up on there. Been smacking the 2x4 at the front of the trailer for 20 years and hasn't hurt a thing.

Only downside I can see is the prop wash from people that gun it makes a hole at the end of the ramp. In years where the water is down, you can drop a trailer off the end of the ramp because of the wash out I would think.

yeah but that prop wash will hold fish too.

Tell your trailer guy not to dilly dally. He can use the bathroom, take off his clothes, do that stuff later. Get the trailer in the water. As soon as you see he's backing down; tilt your motor and start heading for it. Time it so as soon as the trailer is at the proper depth you are on the trailer. Trailer guy pulls out while you are in gear, on the throttle. Kill the engine as soon as the prop starts clearing the water, and tilt it up. Get out of everyone's way and tie it down. The world will be a better place.

Lots of my trips are by myself, so "power loading" is my only realistic option. Never had an issue.

Just find that sweet spot for trailer depth, no sense in having to go wide open for 15 seconds to get the boat up on the roller when you can just back the truck down another foot.

I agree to a point. I'm going to walk up and hook my bow hook before we pull out. Takes just a second..

I see that tilting the motor up when loading was mentioned. This actually has damaged props by driving the back of the boat down when loading. Trim the motor down all the way and driving it on does not raise the bow and it slides right up if the boards are wet and depth is correct.

I certainly try not to waste any time especially if I'm at a busy ramp, but trying to rush and doing something stupid doesn't help anyone in the long run. If you can't wait long enough for my trailer to get in the right position before I load my boat, then you are in too big of a hurry.

That's how we all do it at Squaw Creek! Wawi taught us, plus make sure your head lights are off.

All I do is power load.. Much quicker and easier. As far as damage goes, the trailer isn't and issue from my experience.. The motor doesn't care, it pushes the boat anyway.

Now for this, I'm not 100% sure about. There are a lot of ramps up north that aren't made very long into the water, so many northern folks look down on power loading. The ramps here in Texas/the south are made plenty long to where you won't drop off the end, so the power loading won't hurt anything. I'm not 100% on this, so correct me if I'm wrong.

Only damage I've done when power loading is to the prop, and that was one time and my fault. Good ole ramp rash

The only time I power load is when my partner is with me and the ramp is busy, other than that why do you need to power load if your by yourself and your going to walk right by the bow hook.

usually when I see someone not power loading I think they must have engine problems

Think I'm going to pass on this suggestion.

EZ loader trailers pretty much require Power Loading, if you go to far back with the trailer then your bow will hang under the roller.