Loading options - PA 14 on Microsport trailer w/PVC runners

OK, folks, I have Hobie PA14's and a 12. And I love em.
I have a Malone Microsport trailer setup just the way I like it. And I love it.
What I don't love is putting the PA's back on the trailer after a long day of fishing.

So I' figured I'd ask you guys: For those of you with trailers, specifically ones that are as high off the ground as the Malone, how do you load your yaks?
Yeah, brute strength does work, but after a long day it REALLY stinks. If there are two of us going it's relatively easy to pick it up and just place on the pvc. But when it's just me... well, there's a lot of pulling, pushing and cursing...

Any ideas/options y'all have I'd love to hear/see them. I'd consider anything at this point - winch, additions I gotta build on/for the trailer, a subscription service to have strong young folks at every dock to assist me...

I have a Trailex so can't answer your query exactly but after reviewing the Malone web site I wonder if you have a winch post. I find it to be relatively easy to load using the winch.

Talked to the folks at Malone. (PS Those guys are awesome. They will answer any question, any time, and help out with all sorts of things with their product. Rarely done business with a company this committed to their customers)

The Microsport trailer is designed to be fully submersible. Like all trailers, over time the bearings will need greasing and whatnot, but it's perfectly fine to back it right in the water - which is my plan next time (Tip - unplug lights for a few minutes beforehand if they are to be submerged...not a quality thing it's a physics/heat thing).
I have to redneck engineer a winch for the front of the trailer, or just use a rope tied to the front of the yaks. I'm thinking I may put some kind of winch system in the back of my truck... wonder if I can engineer a removable, but safe, winch for the back of the truck bed? Hmmmm...

Why not buy a winch post base assembly that is "U-bolt" connected to the tongue? These can be sourced on line or at a trailer parts supply store.
Then mount a 600# capacity winch....that is exactly what I did to my Hobie Trailex trailer and it works wonderfully

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Dr.SteelheadCatcher
Warrenton, OR

I considered doing just that, but then I had two thoughts:
1. I retract the tongue of the trailer to park everything inside my garage. Not sure how permanently affixing a winch and post to it will affect that...
2. If I'm installing a winch, maybe I can put it somewhere to get multiple/additional use out of it? Figured maybe if I put it in the back of the pickup it could make loading other stuff easier.

But, you're probably right and that's probably the route I'm gonna take. Gotta do some checking around.

Here is a photo of the "aftermarket" winch post and winch mounted on my Hobie Trailex trailer. You can also see the "3rd wheel" mounted just aft of the winch post and then the spare tire, all of which are u-bolted to the main frame.

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Dr.SteelheadCatcher
Warrenton, OR

I have a 17th and it is a real b**** to muscle on the trailer. Thankfully, I have a winch to help me. I use the Hobie cradles, so I need to make sure that they are in the water enough for the bow to get on. Then I just crank it up the rest of the way.

I second the idea about getting a winch with the u-bolts. Best way to do it. Just be careful not to fully submerge the trailer, as the yak needs to sit on the cradles or pvc a little. Otherwise, a slight wind will cause the yak to come out of alignment and drift off the trailer while you walk back to your truck/car.

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Vegasvec
2015 Pro Angler 17t
Lowrance Elite 5 Chirp
Zieman Trailer w/ Cradles

vegasvec...I barely get my trailer tires in the water or at all....I have the PVC pipes angled down via an 11 degree coupler and then using 1/4 x 20 hardware to bolt it to a 1" x 4" board I attached to the end of my Trailex trailer.
Maybe you could come up with something similar as it makes loading much easier and the PA "self aligns" as you winch it onto the cradles.
Basically, with my PA-14, I extend the winch strap aft about 8.5' and then pull the bow up onto the 11 degree angled downward PVC pipes, snap the strap clip onto a fitting I installed over the forward carrying handle....then winch it on the trailer....this photo shows the "aft" portion of my trailer set up.
Since your PA-17 would still be floating in the water, lifting the bow up should not take much energy to do this and then affix/snap on the winch strap clip....in the wind, it works fine....just ask me if it's windy in Hood River, the windsurfing and kite board capital of the US

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Dr.SteelheadCatcher
Warrenton, OR