I purchased a 1999 Gambler With a mariner 225 last spring, its my first Bass Boat ever, the hole shot is ok and the boat looks and runs awesome. Top speed so far is 84. The problem I'm having is when I trailer it on the ramp it won't drive it self up the trailer. Like it has no power. I see others drive right up on theirs but mine won't do it. Try'n to figure out if its just me or the boat. It's very disappointing because the boat sounds and looks mean but then falls on its face at the ramp.
May just need to put the trailer further in the water? Doesn't sound right at all. Could be a prop issue as well, since your hole shot is "okay" you might have too high of a pitch for your prop and not getting the RPM's when on the trailer.
I'd try getting more water on the trailer first, 84 is an excellent top end.
I'm willing to give up top end for better hole shot and trailering. I have to have the trailer rails all the way in. I have a 4 blade 25 pitch prop. Does that sound about right for this boat. It also came with a 4 blade 24 but I have never tried it out.
That prop shouldn't have a problem loading the boat.
Only thing I can suggest here is to make sure you have the motor as low as you can when loading, that will make a big difference. But not so low that you hit bottom, this will be a learning curve. But the lower you can trim the motor the more power it can achieve to load with.
The 4 barrel will load up when trying to put it on the trailer. Switch to a 3 blade and it will jump right to the bumper. I would check the boards once you get the boat off the trailer. It shouldnt be that hard to load.
Thanks Chatterswim, I wouldn't have thought to check the boards for something causing extra drag :-*
Thank a lot for all the advice, I'll be try'n all of it.