Installation

No welding, and no drilling into your hull. The BOATLOADER™ and BOATLOADER™ HD fit in two parts: a hook that bolts to your existing bow eye, and a catch that bolts to your trailer's winch post. If you're handy with a drill and a set of spanners, you can fit it at home.

This page gives you an overview of how it goes together so you can check it suits your setup. Your full step-by-step guide — with exact hole positions for your bow eye type — is emailed with your order confirmation. Want the full install instructions before you buy? Just fill out the form on our contact page and we'll send them through.

What's in the box

Bow eye hook

Stainless hook that bolts onto your bow eye, with mounting bolts. Fibreglass/U-bolt kits also include a Teflon wedge that sits inside the U-bolt.

Trailer catch

The BOATLOADER catch with its winch post mounting bracket, two 12mm bolts, washers, and tapered washers for angled winch posts.

Tools you'll need

Electric drill with 10mm and 12mm bits (metal-rated for the winch post)
Spanners or a socket set
Marker or pencil
A knife or saw to trim the Teflon wedge, if your bow eye is small

Part 1: Fitting the hook to your bow eye

BOATLOADER hook bolted to a stainless U-bolt bow eye on a fibreglass boat — Hook fitted to a U-bolt bow eye on a fibreglass hull.

The hook has several bolt holes so it can suit different bow eye sizes and styles. Which ones you use depends on your boat:

Fibreglass boats (U-bolt bow eye): the Teflon wedge sits inside the U-bolt, you mark and drill through the wedge, then bolt the hook on through it. Larger U-bolts use two bolts, smaller ones use one.

Aluminium boats (welded bow eye): no wedge needed — the hook bolts straight through the eye of your bow eye. It suits both single and double weld bow eyes.

Part 2: Fitting the catch to your trailer

The catch bolts to your winch post. It can go on the top of a horizontal winch mount, or the bottom of an upward-angled one — whichever suits your trailer.

BOATLOADER catch mounted on top of a horizontal winch post — Top mount on a horizontal winch post.

BOATLOADER catch mounted underneath an upward-angled winch post — Bottom mount on an upward-angled winch post.

Pick your mounting position — top or bottom of the winch post.
Take the winch post off the trailer (optional, but it makes drilling much easier).
Drill two 12mm holes in the winch post and bolt the catch on. Angled posts use the supplied tapered washers.
Refit and line it up — adjust the winch post height so the catch lines up with the hook on your bow eye.

Will it suit my boat?

Hull	Bow eye	Winch mount
Fibreglass	U-bolt (small or large)	Horizontal or upward angle
Aluminium	Welded (single or double weld)	Horizontal or upward angle

Not sure what you've got? Take the compatibility quiz and we'll tell you.

Always keep your winch strap and safety chain connected when towing.

Recent installs

BOATLOADER fitted to a red fibreglass boat

BOATLOADER fitted to an aluminium boat with a welded bow eye

BOATLOADER fitted on a trailer with a winch

BOATLOADER catch and hook on a white fibreglass boat

Common questions

Do I need to drill into my boat?
No. On fibreglass boats you drill the Teflon wedge, not the hull. On aluminium boats the hook bolts through your existing welded bow eye.

Is the HD installed differently?
No — the BOATLOADER and BOATLOADER HD install the same way.

Where are the full instructions?
Your detailed guide for your hull and bow eye type is linked in your order confirmation email. If you'd like them before purchasing online, fill out the form on our contact page.

Need a hand with your install?

Call Jack on 0417 542 365 for advice on your setup.

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