Automatic boat loader at any ramp you use.

To really get what this is, click on the video on this link...

http://www.ropeaboat.com/index.html

Love the way he slams into the trailer guides. Nice idea but try this in a cross current on the Mississippi River and see how much damage you sustain

Ha! "Rope-a-boat". Cute name, but you probably have to be old to get it.

Love the way that handle was spinning!

Similar posted on 7/11/08. Did not appear to go over too well with the crowd here.

Remote Launch & Retrieve

Now an automatic powered version. That one (powered) was a WOW at the trade show.

JMO but this still is a version of power loading a boat. This is not allowed at the majority of ramps that we go to. Any ramp thast is owned or operated by the State of Michigan does not allow power loading. If done right the most the person needs to winch on is about 4 or 5 foot. Add a little bunk spray and you can almost pull it on by hand.

Please explain "Power Loading" under MI law.

The gadget is kind of pricey for the full auto version. I'll keep doing it the old fashion way and just stay clear of MI, because I "power" all the way up to the bow stop.
http://www.boat-ed.com/mi/course/p2-4_trailering.htm.
Pretty neat interactive explaining why not to do it, though.

You are kidding...right?

This ramp is in Sutton's Bay Michigan

Yup, all true, but was is defined as "power loading"? If not a state law, is it a "ramp" law and what do they say it is?

Maybe not a "law" but being enforced by the DNR thoughout the state. Michigan Recreational Boating Information System

Thanks. I hear idea of the state threat, law or not.

good link, thanks.



from the MI site.

Right or wrong, my take is no "power loading" with this.

Idle boat to the trailer, then the winch under its power, pulls the boat onto the trailer via a human or electric motor winch.

Idle is not "power loading",IMO.

whoa, don't stand near that crank handle !

I've never had a problem in Michigan idling my boat on to the trailer, in full view of DNR and Sherrif several times. They signs are pretty clear, idle speed only. I idle onto the trailer, and when the boat stops I shut off the engine, raise the drive, and crank it the last 4 feet or generally less.

I agree that the rope a boat would not be considered power loading.

I want to start by saying that I'm not totally against this product. It has some possibilities but I won't be purchasing one because mine loads way to easy as it is.



I'm sorry but I don't see it that way. If you use your motor above idle speeds to aid in loading your boat, it's power loading. Watch his right arm working the throttle and the thrust out the back of the boat in the clip. This power burst is what causes the wash out off the ramps. Even with the signs posted at every launch that I can think of I always see people power loading. I will admit to doing it on rare ocasion but I don't make it a regular practice to use the motor to load my boat. It's to easy to just winch it on the last few feet. IMO if your having trouble loading onto your trailer you have one of two problems; either your trailer is not set up correctly or you have the wrong trailer for your craft.


I think this is an acceptable way to load. We follow this same pattern. Not concidered "Power Loading" and most likley why no one has said anything to you. I have noticed that many ramps in Michigan where the docks are rather short causing issue when backing in the trailer without hitting he boat. Kind of a catch 22 in those spots. I have withessed the "Law" speak to a few about their loading practices. (Clinton River BAS site)

Looks like powerloading to me. Look at the water at the stern of the boat.

Looks that way to me.

Me too, even tho when i powerload, IO only blow a little water accross the top of the water, and don't "dig" anywhere near the ramp.
Life with a jet tho.

Then we will have to agree to disagree, I guess. The power winch on the trailer pulls the boat up--not the engine. The engine only idles the boat to the back of the trailer. Once the bow clip is engaged to the boat the winch does the loading.

How do you get a boat to the trailer in a non-power load situation? By paddle?

Power loading to me is giving the throttle some goose when the rig is touching/on the trailer to slide from the back of the trailer to near the bow stop. No goose, no power load.

If "power loading" means that the boat is paddled to the back end of the trailer with the engine off and the drive fully tilted up to the trailer position prior to the boat loading on the trailer, then I am simply wrong.

I do think he did give it a small goose in the video, though, but that should not be needed.

SB...I disagree...you can clearly see the prop wash as the boat is being loaded. If this contraption really works it needs to be done without assistance of the engine. He clearly has the engine in gear as the boat starts up the trailer and then watch his hand, he pushes down the throttle even further for more throttle.

First off...this dude needs to learn to drive a boat. He had it at a 90 degree angle from the trailer and then slams into the side guide almost turning the boat 90 degrees again.

If you pay money for a self loader, that's what you should get. It it needs a power load, why buy it? It's my understanding that this system is a self loader once the clip is engaged. If its not, I, personally, would not pay money for it for any trailer carried boat of mine. Call the maker for additional info about it and your boat, before you buy.

Again, if I am wrong, I am wrong.

And, you should know how to drive your boat, first, and not be an actor or something.

http://www.ropeaboat.com/video.html

Looked at all three of the video's and it is clear that the electric model w/the remote is the only one of the two that can be used with the boats engine turned off. The manual winch requires some sort of outside force to make it work. Has to - its "manual". Either someone turning the handle or in the case of the video the operator is powering the boat all the way to bow stop.
It is a shame that they don't have a operators manual on line or explain that part better.
But if they mentioned that the manual version might require winching the boat on by hand, it would defeat the sales pitch of single person/not getting out of the boat.

I photo'd the power winch version, which is the wow item, in my book.

Small company, somewhat over-welmed by the sucess of the powered version. I suggest any one call them to answer any of their questions.