Boating Solo?

N

Newman

New Member
Jun 20, 2013
370
Ohio
Boat Info
1986 Seville
Engines
Mercruiser 170
Not sure if this is the right section or not. I took a guess. Anyway I'm single and most of my friends at this point have young kids or (unfortunately) other habits that keep them busy. I've found myself many weekends last summer (since getting my first Sea Ray) and so far this summer sitting around on a Sunday during prime boating weather. Why am I not on the water you may ask? Well, because I've got nobody to help me load/unload the boat and I have yet to teach my truck to part itself. Plus I can only cruise around for so long talking to myself. My local boating options are smallish lakes that dont have slips or the river which I'm unfamiliar with. I was wondering if anyone had a suggestion on a way to make some additional friends in the local (Cincinnati, OH area) boating community? Or suggestions in general? If I can't make more use of it I will be forced to sell.
 
I boated alone for years
and put many miles on my shoes doing it back and forth to the parking lots to the ramp and courtesy dock.
it's amazing how a good set of loading bunks on the sides of a trailer can increase your time on the water.
Best bet is pick a ramp that is not so crowded as others to do your launch and load...most people understand
you being a little slow when alone.
the river might be a challenge alone due to current.
I have taken my 240 out alone and it just takes time ...and an outside lane at the ramp.
Best of Luck

PS...have you been to Brookville lake in Indiana ???
not to far from you ...
 
sfergson727 said:
Throughout the years and boats (230 WE, 260 DA, 270 DA, 280DA, numerous boston whalers, all of which I trailered around the Great Lakes) 90% of the time I am alone when I boat. The rest of the time, I act as if I am alone when it comes to loading and unloading the boat and docking. I have found that people have a hard time reading my mind, and they get in the way when trying to be helpful, so for that reason, I am much happier doing everything by myself, up to and including a 420 DA that I have operated in the past.

It is totally plausible to be a solo act, but you need to practice and do it enough to be proficient. With time, you will learn the routine and find that boating single handed can be a rewarding and fun.

I can't help you with subjects to discuss when talking to yourself, as I usually get into a argument with myself and then get the silent treatment.

Boats attract friends though, so don't sell it.
Click to expand...


I had to chuckle a bit when reading this thread - reason is i did my first solo journey (day trip) on my new 260 da this weekend with a bit of dicey weather around... ended up just fine but had a few reservations about going alone- turned out its actually easier docking when you don't have 2 or 3 rear admirals "helping" you bring her in right to the dock. Tie ups are a bit tricky in the wind, but that's what the make fenders and the rub rail for. i'm not afraid to use either.

i found i was able to really take in more of the scenery and the overall experience when i was not worrying about entertaining or making conversation . not that i'm a loner, but i think i put to rest any fears of going out alone, at least in a fairly local radius of home port. Have not gotten the nerve up to do a bay / overnight trip yet alone. tha'ts next on the agenda.
 
I went out for years alone on my old bowrider. People will look at you like your crazy at the ramp, but I could unload, park and take off in under 10 mins. Most boats carrying 4 people will be on the ramp for 20 mins.
If there is a favorite beach spot on the lake, anchor out and I bet in no time you will meet several fellow boaters you can raft up with in the future.
 
I solo all the time. In Charleston the winds would get pretty harsh, so first I got one of these dock lassos.. (not affiliated) and you can do it right from your seat.

http://www.hammacher.com/Product/Default.aspx?sku=82570&promo=Category-NewArrivals&catid=60

That made and unbelievable difference when coming in ,and stopped me from dinging my hull on the dock.
Second, I was on the coast and got an EPIRB, so that made me feel alot better when going off shore.
Third, now I actually prefer to go out by myself, dont have to entertain, yell at folks for breaking stuff, and actually enjoy the quiet.

I used to trailer solo, and the right trailer set up makes all the difference loading and unloading, including adding a power winch(REALLY easy) so you can just winch it up and not drive it up on the trailer.

I know your post was about meeting folks rather than how to go out solo, but how about finding someone to fish with and split the gas? Check out the Hull Truth forum for fishing buddies. I see posts all the time with people wanting to get together and split the gas. Also hang out at any bait shop for any length of time and you'll make some pretty fast friends.

Im going out tomorrow by myself and throwing the hook and working from the boat from my laptop.
 
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I prefer boating solo, nerve racking, yes sometimes. I don't go far otherwise I take my sister :) I don't have to trailer or it would be an issue. There are usually enough people around the dock to lend a hand. I never hesitate to ask for help. As far as friends that can be difficult. Some friends aren't worth taking out. Maybe a coworker?
 
Moparlvr4406 - No, I've not been there. Looks to be a good sized lake. It's about 60 miles from me so I'd be willing to make a trip. Just have to get a new tire for the trailer.

sfergson727 - I hate arguing with myself too. I can never get the last comment! I know what you mean. It seems that there was someone new helping me each time I've taken it on/off the trailer and they don't seem to get the concept. Plus I'm not overly comfortable doing it yet.

wilee - People look at me crazy anyway so I'm used to it. That's not a bad idea about anchoring and looking for fellow boaters hanging out.

mambodave - True, the original intent was to find some fellow boaters but I'm not opposed to going out on my own. I don't mind my own company. All suggestions are welcome

To everyone - Thanks for the comments! What kind of trailers are you guys using? Mine is the roller type, which from what I understand might make it harder to do solo... I'm a farm boy so handling the truck/trailer is almost second nature it's just that tricky part about getting the ole girl on and off the trailer.
 
I'd think hanging out at Hooters and getting to know the waitresses might be a good way to find someone you'd like to boat with. :)
 
A roller trailer does make loading a little more difficult. When I had a cox roller I had a hard time getting the boat to sit level. Many times I would tow the boat home crooked if it was not more than 6" off. If you have an opportunity to swap out the roller for bunks, or even add guides as suggested, loading would be a little easier.

I also boat alone frequently. Once you get the hang of it you will launch and retrieve quick enough. The key is to be prepared before you pull up to the ramp, have a checklist until you burn it in your memory. Successful and enjoyable boating begins with preparation and maintenance. The experience will come in time and you will have the confidence you can handle everything yourself. Just keep at it.
 
I single hand all the time. I think I prefer it. Roller trailer is harder to do, but doable. Bunk trailers load and unload themselves.

For launching I tie a line to the boat at the bow. Unhook all the straps and such. Back down the ramp, stomp the brakes and the boat flies off by itself. I tie it to the dock and go park the truck.
For loading, I back the trailer in deep, push the boat toward the trailer from the dock. Walk to the trailer and winch, and wait for the boat to float to me. When it gets there, I hook the winch strap up and tighten it up to the bow roller. Pull the truck slowly ahead so the boat lines up with the bunks, and wa la.....loaded. It's easy when you get the hang of it.

I admit I show off when people are watching. I love it when I can load or unload faster than people with bow riders and bass boats. I really snicker when I hear a wife jumping on some poor husband saying, "look how he does it"! blah blah blah.

As far as meeting people, find a crowd on the lake, go over and dump an anchor and introduce yourself. Boat people are wonderful.....in person. Not so much when driving around the lake though. haha
The other way is to find a cool boat, and go ask questions about the boat. People love to talk about their boats. I have toured many big old Yachts because I simply asked to see it.
 
Newman said:
Not sure if this is the right section or not. I took a guess. Anyway I'm single and most of my friends at this point have young kids or (unfortunately) other habits that keep them busy. I've found myself many weekends last summer (since getting my first Sea Ray) and so far this summer sitting around on a Sunday during prime boating weather. Why am I not on the water you may ask? Well, because I've got nobody to help me load/unload the boat and I have yet to teach my truck to part itself. Plus I can only cruise around for so long talking to myself. My local boating options are smallish lakes that dont have slips or the river which I'm unfamiliar with. I was wondering if anyone had a suggestion on a way to make some additional friends in the local (Cincinnati, OH area) boating community? Or suggestions in general? If I can't make more use of it I will be forced to sell.
Click to expand...

Ask around your area to see if there are any boating clubs. As a starting point, most marinas have one. You can also ask at your local boating store or see if there is a power squadron. Seems like once you attend a boating event or two, you meet other boating friends who you can start meeting up with.

I was talking with Bill (zz13) a couple weekends ago about boating and boating friends. I noticed that while some of my friends were open to coming on the boat for a day or weekend overnighter, none of them were really into boating. After meeting some local boaters and rafting up with them or planning to meet somwhere on the water, I noticed that my group of friends started to shift. Fellow boaters "just get it"... So I've started to notice that I have summer "boating" friends and rest-of-the-year friends I see more during weekdays and the the rest of the non-boating season. Not that the groups are mutually exclusive, but my boating friends from the summer have become more all-year friends, in stead of non-boating friends joining more on the boat.
 
rollers are tough by yourself. I'd either winch it on which means you'll get wet probably, or ask somebody at the ramp if they'd mind hooking you up when you drive on the trailer.
 
JimFromMD said:
Ask around your area to see if there are any boating clubs. As a starting point, most marinas have one. You can also ask at your local boating store or see if there is a power squadron. Seems like once you attend a boating event or two, you meet other boating friends who you can start meeting up with.

I was talking with Bill (zz13) a couple weekends ago about boating and boating friends. I noticed that while some of my friends were open to coming on the boat for a day or weekend overnighter, none of them were really into boating. After meeting some local boaters and rafting up with them or planning to meet somwhere on the water, I noticed that my group of friends started to shift. Fellow boaters "just get it"... So I've started to notice that I have summer "boating" friends and rest-of-the-year friends I see more during weekdays and the the rest of the non-boating season. Not that the groups are mutually exclusive, but my boating friends from the summer have become more all-year friends, in stead of non-boating friends joining more on the boat.
Click to expand...
The easiest way to tell the difference between the 2 groups..
when they ask what they can bring for the trip and you say "GASOLINE"
one group looks at you funny ....the other laughs and nods knowingly.:wink:
 
Tell every HOT chick you see you own a boat and ask if she'd like to go out on it with you? Won't be long til you have plenty of choices of when you want to be alone or not.....
 
Villain beat me to it. I used to drop the hook near a bunch of cool folks and start swimming. There's usually a conversation started within 10 minutes.

Oh, bring extra solo cups, napkins, matches, and some plastic utensils. For some reason or another, lots of people seem to ask me for those particular items. I've gotten invited to a couple of beach BBQs because I had extra utensils... :grin:
 
I single hand my 175 Sport all the time. Its about the same size as your boat, Newman. Similar to IslandHopper I tend to push and pull it on and off the trailer, but sometimes I'll power it on/off if the ramp area is empty (which happens a lot in the small town of Beaufort, SC on weekdays - when I tend to use it the most). Also, like JimFromMD (whom I met here on ClubSeaRay) said, we discussed social boating and both agreed we find it easier to meet other boaters and strike up a relationship with them, rather than trying to coax our non-boating friends into going boating with us. So hunt down some boating social groups in your area and muscle your way in.
 
I guess I'm just set in my ways but I love going out alone. Gives me time to decompress. The slip neighbors are some of the best and that's my suggestion to you. Pick a marina that you're comfortable in and around. As for riders, if they even think I'm going out or even down for drinks I get the "I wanna go" my answers are always the same, maybe next time.
 
When I boat alone I always arrive at the ramp early before things get crowded. People who fish will go out early but pleasure boaters usually don't arrive until 10:00 am. Then I stay late after everyone has already gone home. The ramps are very quiet and easy to use. Also never try to haul it out before a storm, things get crazy quickly. Some of the most relaxing time you will ever spend on the water is when you are alone. There is nobody to make happy but yourself!!!
 
Newman, I'm in the same boat as you are I'm single all my friends are married have kids or hard to get them on the water. Look around your local lakes for dive bars and stuff with docks and just go hang out man. When I was into jeeps we had tons of Jeep Clubs that we rode with and took trips with look around the net maybe theres a boat club in your general area . You can always start your own type deal as well! Actually a buddy of mine and myself are trying to do that here in GA just a free club like deal with post up of raft ups and trips (TN River,FL,and other trips as well) and just get more people involved with other boat people. Maybe you could do the same !
 
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