A boat trailer and a method of backing up a boat on a trailer. The boat trailer includes a trailer back-up system having a first image capture device, a second image capture device, and a transmitter. The first image capture device is mounted on a left guide pole of the trailer in a rear-facing direction, and the second image capture device is mounted on a right guide pole of the trailer in a rear-facing direction. The transmitter is in communication with each of the first image capture device and the second image capture device and configured to transmit live video images from the first image capture device and from the second image capture device to a display device. The method includes moving the trailer with a boat loaded on the trailer in a rearward direction and capturing, in real-time, a first view and a second view.

A vessel controlling device for positioning a vessel includes a base for supporting the vessel. A primary guide is coupled to the base. A secondary guide is couple to the base. The vessel impacts with the primary guide and the secondary guide. The primary guide and the secondary guide direct the vessel towards the center of the base during launching and recovering the vessel relative to the base.

Devices, systems, and methods for boat launching and loading detection and management are disclosed herein. A method may include receiving, by a first device, data associated with operation of a vehicle. The method may include determining, based on the data, that the operation of the vehicle includes at least one of launching a boat into water using the vehicle or loading the boat onto the vehicle. The method may include generating map data indicative of a location associated with the operation of the vehicle. The method may include sending the map data to a second device for presentation.

A vessel guidance system is used with a boat trailer typically having a frame formed of a pair of side rails with numerous transverse rails ding therebetween. The guidance system includes a pair of elongated, buoyant supports, each hingedly attached to the front end of one the trailer side rails. Each support configured to receive a pontoon or a discrete portion of a boat hull. Extending from the rear end of each support is a V-shaped guide for capturing the nose cone and the skeg on a pontoon or boat hull. Once the hull or pontoon is captured, the vessel is guided onto the supports as the vessel is further propelled onto the trailer. As the towing vehicle withdraws the trailer from the water, the supports gradually lower the vessel onto the trailer frame.

An apparatus and method for providing a self-activating stop device at the back of a hauling trailer for a boat. The apparatus is a compact, lightweight and durable U-shaped housing having a retractable stop element pivotably positioned therein. Through-holes in the housing permit the apparatus to be quickly and easily secured to bunkers or other framing at the trailer back end. The U-shaped housing's top surface can be easily aligned with the top surface of the bunk or framing while the stop element is biased in an upright position. When the boat is lifted out of the water and slid onto the bunker or framing, the boat's presence pivots the stop element down into the housing and once the transom of the boat passes over the stop element, the stop element self-activates, pivoting upward acting as a stop against the transom, thereby preventing the boat from sliding back off of the trailer.

An illustrative embodiment of an enclosed boat trailer may be configured to allow loading of a boat in the water for the purpose of removing the boat from the water using the enclosed boat trailer to engage the boat for storage and/or transportation. An illustrative embodiment of an enclosed boat trailer may be comprised of a roller system positioned on the floor and a right and left rear arm adjacent a rear opening in the enclosed boat trailer. In an illustrative method of use, a boat operator may load and/or unload the boat into the water from the enclosed boat trailer without leaving the boat and without additional personnel.

A lighted guide post assembly for a boat trailer is provided. The assembly includes a square tubular angled support post that attaches to a boat trailer, a translucent circular outer tube that covers the square support post, and strips of lights that suspend within the interior of the outer tube between the outer tube and the square support post. This arrangement allows the guide post to glow on four sides without light bleeding together from adjacent sides of the guide post.

Devices, systems, and methods for boat launching and loading detection and management are disclosed herein. A method may include receiving, by a first device, data associated with operation of a vehicle. The method may include determining, based on the data, that the operation of the vehicle includes at least one of launching a boat into water using the vehicle or loading the boat onto the vehicle. The method may include generating map data indicative of a location associated with the operation of the vehicle. The method may include sending the map data to a second device for presentation.

Various examples are provided related to boat loaders for trailers. In one example, a boat loader includes a primary tube extending between a first end and a second end and a light tube that can move within the primary tube. The light tube can include light elements extending along a portion of the light tube at a first end and a float attached to the light tube at a second end. The primary tube can be coupled to a trailer at the second end and the first end of the light tube can extend outward from the first end of the primary tube exposing the light elements as the primary tube is submerged in water and can retract into the primary tube as the primary tube is removed from the water.

A system and method for guiding a boat onto a trailer, which comprises at least one marker mounted on the trailer; a camera located on the boat to assist the system with determining a longitudinal axis of the boat, and generating images of at least a front area of the boat and the at least one marker; an image processing unit for 1) receiving and processing the images to determine the at least one marker, 2) estimating the longitudinal axis of the trailer, 3) generating a desired boat trajectory for aligning the longitudinal axis of the boat with the longitudinal axis of the trailer; and 4) periodically generating guidance output commands to the user to assist the user with following the desired boat trajectory and facilitate loading of the boat on the trailer; and an image display for sequentially displaying the generated images of the camera to a user.