So we had to travel a little farther afield. There's a municipal ramp about 4 miles away that I had never tried before. We drove over and checked it out -- still concrete to a 5' depth -- way better than the 3' we had at the first place. The only problem was that today it was blowing like stink, and 90 degrees to the ramp -- challenging! It worked out OK though, I came in at a deliberate speed, with the boat sort of crabbing into the wind. Just as the bow reached the rear bunks I turned it parallel to the trailer and it slipped right in. A few turns on the two speed winch and it was home. No drop-offs to contend with here, and with the big Dodge in 4WDL, my son pulled us right out without a problem.
As you see there, we had strapped swimming noodles to the aft end of the bunks so I could see where they were. All that was needed was to get the bow between those, the trailer bunks and those curving keel guides did all the rest. The boat loaded as straight as a string, as you can see here.
It's a big monster to tow -- that's for sure. Here's a picture my son took of the boat as seen in the rear-view mirror as we headed home.
So, overall I'd say I'm very happy with the way the boat fits on the trailer, and those crazy keel guides are an unqualified success. I'm less happy with the running gear however, and I think that over the winter it is going to get wider axles, bigger wheels, and electric/hydraulic brakes. Then we'll have a real road trailer, ready for some real DA'ing perhaps?
