New Cobalt Owner - Trailer Question

[FirstStar]

Recently took delivery of our new R5. Our first trip out the anchor contacted the trailer bumper with a thud when launching. When we returned we took our time putting it on the trailer and seems to be a very narrow sweet spot. If the trailer is to far in the water the anchor catches the bumper, to shallow and really have to hit the throttle to get it all the way on. I don't like to power load and did not have to do it on my last boat - it did not have a windlass. t almost seems as if the bumper stand is to tall but don't have a reference. Is the winch installed backwards? Of course I will be asking the dealership next time it is there but curious now. Any ideas?

I know how you guys like Cobalt pictures so here ya go...

IMG_7444.JPG

IMG_7441.JPG

IMG_7447.JPG

IMG_7446.JPG

[bruceb58]

The winch seems way too low but probably has to since it is right below the anchor.

I would also likely have the winch strap come from the top of the winch instead of the bottom but that's not going to affect your issue with the anchor.

Can you show another picture where the winch stand is relative to the tongue?

[bruceb58]

Although it doesn't have an anchor, This R5 has a similar bow stop but appears to be lower than yours. Might be worthwhile having yours lowered too?
https://www.boatline.com/listings/2014-cobalt-r5-133378

Same with this one but it has an anchor
https://www.boats.com/power-boats/2020- ... 5-7820058/

[cmattj]

Recently took delivery of our new R5. Our first trip out the anchor contacted the trailer bumper with a thud when launching.

I had a similar experience with a custom trailer for our 282.

We launched slow and floated off and on but it lightly scraped the stop.
But simply i lowered the “V” bow stop and moved it to contact lower.
As yours isn’t adjustable, and assuming it’s sitting correctly on the bunks ( transom shows even with bunks).
I would reach out to the trailer MFG and see if they offer and adjustable height option. 2” down and back and your golden!
You can see in the pic the adjustable head.

[CaptBob]

Ours is adjustable also. I moved it down and back a bit to help that same problem.

bobboatbuckle.jpg

[Tuscany]

I agree with Matt.
Although I don’t have a windlass, I dropped our V block all the way down for clearance. Having it higher doesn’t make it safer. If it’s going to break the buckle and launch from an accident, then a few inches won’t help.

[FirstStar]

Update...

I returned to the dealer for a couple minor gel coat issues that were missed during PDI. I asked them to show me how they would launch and retrieve the boat at their ramp. Long story short, getting it off wasn't a big issue since the ramp wasn't very steep - it take a lot of throttle though. Loading it he trimmed the motor up 75% and launched it on the trailer shooting a rooster tail and pushed the bow stop all the way forward. I think he was quite surprised. I never had to power load my last boat but he was adamant that is the way you have to load this one. The plan is to see how it goes this summer. If it still bothers me, I'll push for some trailer modifications.

Thanks for the input!

[Big Block Power]

Each ramp is diff. How do you put it makes a difference. Sounds pretty close to what I do.

[Snowman8]

I would definitely want my winch stand higher than the eye on the bow of the boat. If it it lower than the bow eye it is pulling down when you are trying to seat the bow of the boat into the bow stop. I adjusted winch to be slightly higher than the bow eye and it made it a lot easier to seat the boat in tot he bow stop. Sorry the picture isn’t very close up but if you zoom in you will see the strap is pulling slightly up on the bow eye.

[FirstStar]

I have launched now on a couple different ramps a few times. I can "thread the needle" if you will if launched just perfectly but even being careful I have smacked the bow stop enough to tear it. The other thing that I hate to have to do is start it and hammer the throttle on a cold engine to get it off the trailer - that can't be good. So far the dealer still seems to think I am just doing it wrong. The options I see are 1. Use a spray on lubricant like Liquid Roller to slick things up 2. Back the trailer in even further so the bow stop is nearer the water line. I don't know how far that would have to be so not sure how that would end up. Wouldn't want to drive off the bottom of the ramp. 3. Throw a fit with the dealer and get the current bow stop modified or source a adjustable one. 4. Do nothing and replace the bow stop bumpers as needed. The groups thoughts would be helpful.

[Elkhunter2372]

I’m by no means a professional but I’ve loaded and Unloaded a few different boats on many different ramps and what I’ve learned is that more than anything it’s a “feel” thing. My last boat was a 20’ Monterey….it liked the front of the bunks peeking out of the water. My current R3 likes a little deeper than that but not much….basically the front of the bunks just submerged. Trim up to 50%, head straight into the bunks til the hull catches and it puts it right in the middle every time. I winch the last 4-5”. Practice makes perfect so they say….you’ll get it! You might try different depths, both deeper and shallower on the front of the bunks. I personally don’t like powering a boat off or on for that matter.

[Big Block Power]

I do the same as elk. Unloading I'm in the suv wife and son on the dock with ropes. I back it up get it in the water. Release the bow strap then back it up deeper and hit the brakes and off it floats. Very very seldom do I ever have to power it off the trailer.

[Lockey14s]

I do the same as elk. Unloading I'm in the suv wife and son on the dock with ropes. I back it up get it in the water. Release the bow strap then back it up deeper and hit the brakes and off it floats. Very very seldom do I ever have to power it off the trailer.

same here. Ive never had to power load or unload a boat my entire life.

[bruceb58]

I never power load a boat. Just too hard on ramps and it creates a dropoff where the trailer wheels will sink off the edge of concrete if the water is low. Been to many ramps where they actually tell you...no power loading.

[FirstStar]

Couple things.
I also had a Monterey, but a 228. Never had to power load / unload. Dealer says that's the only way to do it with a 25' boat.

I think I have the loading whipped although I am probably at 1k rpm to do it. Not as much of a concern since the motor is warmed up. Unloading is still a struggle.

Lockey14s - never and had a windlass? I would love to see more pictures of R5's with windlass on a trailer. I think the real solution is to lower the bow stop but haven't convinced dealer yet.

Crazy thing is and something I really didn't put any thought in was the trailer (I put a ton of thought into every detail of the boat when ordering it - that's what I do ) The boat is amazing - a 10, the trailer a 5! Love the 6.2 and DP. Read a lot of thoughts on the new Volvo Penta both pros and cons but wow! Great motor!