Drotto Boat Latch – Common Problems

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Experiencing an enjoyable boat cruise depends on keeping your boat equipped with the right boat accessories.

Some of which include anchors, fenders, windlasses, and boat latches.

While it is great to get fully equipped with the right boat accessories, it is also vital to ensure these accessories are in good shape and working condition.

An excellent example of a must-have boat accessory is the boat latch. It serves a purpose but comes with its problems.

The drotto boat latch features a heavy gauge steel construction with zinc coating.

The zinc coating prevents corrosion and makes the drotto boat latch strong and highly durable.

With this boat accessory, you can quickly secure your boat to a trailer while launching and loading.

In this guide, we will describe some common problems related to the drotto boat latch.

Common Problems With Drotto Boat Latch

It is necessary to identify and describe the common problems affecting a drotto boat latch.

Once you can identify and solve these common problems, loading and launching your boat will become easier and faster.

So, here’s a list of common problems related to drotto boat latch:

Difficulty in Latch Installation
Drotto Release Handle Failure
Boat to Latch Aligning Issues

Power Loading the Boat Motor

Difficulty In Latch Installation

A common problem you might face when getting a drotto boat latch is installation difficulty.

The installation process is simple, but it can get tricky with little or no experience.

A significant problem when it comes to drotto boat latch installation has to do with using the wrong size.

There are two drotto boat latch sizes, so ensure you measure the inside width of the roller bracket to determine the right size for your boat.

Assuming you have the right drotto boat latch size, you might still face latch installation problems. You’re not using the right set of tools or lacking the expertise.

Causes Of Difficulty In Latch Installation

Limited access to the roller
The mounting hole doesn’t fit properly
Using the wrong set of installation tools

The trailer winch strap is not adequately loosened

Solution

Float the boat and push it back about 45 inches. It will give you the space needed to access the roller easily.

Then, go ahead to unscrew the roller and remove it gently.

Once the roller is removed, you can now install the latch in place of the roller. You can get the latch secured with just a bolt.

Once it’s secured, you can now crank the boat into the latch.

Note

You need to use the right set of installation tools to make the process easy for you.

Drotto Release Handle Failure

Most drotto latches have a handle that you can pull to release the latch. It is common to have the latch not released after pulling the handle.

When this happens, you know there’s a problem.

You then wonder why your drotto boat latch won’t release after pulling the handle.

This problem is not strange, so you don’t have to stress over it. Certain factors can cause the jaw of the boat latch not to release after pulling the handle.

For instance, pressure against the back of the latch jaws can cause this kind of problem.

Also, pulling the handle at the wrong spot or position can cause the boat latch not to release.

Causes Of Drotto Release Handle Failure

Pulling the release handle on a flat surface
Pressure against the back of the latch jaws
When the bow eye of the boat is uptight against the latch

Solution

The best way to solve this problem is to back the boat down into the water.

It will make the boat slide back to give enough space to release the pressure on the back of the jaws.

Avoid pulling harder on the handle. Just float the boat and watch the latch jaws release.

Boat To Latch Aligning Issues

Another problem shared with the drotto boat latch is difficulty lining up the boat with the latch when launching or loading.

This issue tends to happen when your boat is in the deep.

When launching your boat, the back of the boat can raise, thereby causing the nose of the boat to drop. It can cause serious difficulty in aligning your boat to the latch.

If the nose of the boat drops way too fast, there’s a high tendency it will hit the latch. It can damage your boat when the nose hits the latch too hard.

So, it requires careful alignment.

If you’re in too much deep, the nose of your boat can drop and will likely slide under the latch.

It happens when loading, and it can cause difficulty in aligning the boat with the latch.

Causes Of Boat To Latch Aligning Issues

The boat is in the deep

When the depth of the trailer is low
Water waves and wind hitting the boat

Solution

When launching or loading, you should avoid putting your boat in the deep. Also, ensure the depth of the trailer is not too low.

It will eliminate issues with lining up a boat with the latch.

If the trailer is in a less deep position, it will guide you when aligning the boat with the latch.

Power Loading The Boat Motor

You risk damaging your boat and trailer if you power load with a boat latch installed.

It is common to find boat owners using their boat motor to load the boat onto a trailer or unload off a trailer.

If you race the motor’s power when loading, you can tear up the landing.

With a drotto boat latch, you don’t need to power load the boat motor. Finding the right speed and gliding right up the trailer to the latch can be tricky.

So, people become impatient.

It is a cause for concern as it can damage your boat and the motor and trailer.