I had my son unloading the boat today. He didn't get it all the way off the trailer and I pulled out. It drug the back end of the hull and chipped right below the drain plug. It looks like its not to bad, but I dont know what to do. I have some marine tex I can patch it with, but I dont know if its insufficient, or not necessary. Please help me fix my mistake.
I do feel fortunate it isn't worse than it is. I didnt realize it had hit the ramp until I loaded back up. It didn't leak, at least from I could tell, but I dont want this to cause the transom to rot.
I see cracks to the right also. It looks like other chips may be ready to come loose. It is best to get any of those off before you use Marine-tex. Marine-tex over a loose chip won't hold, but if you put it on a solid surface, it will stay there.
Did the boat rear up in the air so that the stern hit the ramp? A little habit I have is to connect the winch strap before the driver pulls the trailer out of the water. It doesn't have to be cranked down hard, just at least with the winch engaged and clipped as a safety harness with just a bit of slack. I've seen several boats come off the trailer at ramps, and it wasn't pretty. That was my motivation to develop that habit decades ago.
We were unloading. I leave the strap hooked on until in the water. Got out, unhooked the strap, and pushed the boat back a little. My son tried to back up as I was getting back in. He didn't run it up high enough and it hung on the trailer bunks as I pulled out. I looked back and the nose was up in the air. I should have waited until he cleared the trailer all the way, but I didn't.
He's only 12 and I knew when I started teaching him to load and unload there would be issues. Still sucks when they happen. A little time and the suggestions above have helped ease my frustration. Thanks
I see cracks to the right also. It looks like other chips may be ready to come loose. It is best to get any of those off before you use Marine-tex. Marine-tex over a loose chip won't hold, but if you put it on a solid surface, it will stay there.
Did the boat rear up in the air so that the stern hit the ramp? A little habit I have is to connect the winch strap before the driver pulls the trailer out of the water. It doesn't have to be cranked down hard, just at least with the winch engaged and clipped as a safety harness with just a bit of slack. I've seen several boats come off the trailer at ramps, and it wasn't pretty. That was my motivation to develop that habit decades ago.