Launching and Retrieving Alone

Aquia185

Aquia185

New Member
Nov 5, 2006
311
Stafford, VA
Hey All...

As a new boater I could use all the pointers I can get. In particular I am wondering about launching and retrieving my boat from the trailer by myself. I know quite a few people do it, but are there any tips you can share. Thanks in advance.
 
Greg,

That is one of the problems that we ran into because Paige did not feel comfortable backing the boat up and the place where we launched was always very busy. Then we found a place where you pay a fee to use their launching area. The price is something like $6 a day or $60 a year (after we used it one time I decided the $60 was going to be a good investment). They also have a park, cookout area, restrooms, etc. This was the best thing I could have done because most people choose to use the free spots as opposed to paying to do the same thing. The difference is they have 4 nice lauching pads and a nice dock to tie up to. We have never seen it busy so basically you can back your truck up, launch your boat, tie up at dock, go park truck and do it in reverse on the way out (Paige has now got where she will pull the truck out and park). No stress at all, no pressure to hurry to not be the one holding up the line, etc. We have never had to wait for another boater to get out of our way. If something like that is available and you feel like you trailer enough to make it worth the cost, it is what I would suggest. :thumbsup:
 
Wesley...thanks. We do have a place like that down the road. $200.00 a year or $15 a day with 4 ramps. $200 seems like a bargin. Do you start your boat to back it off the trailer or do you just slip it down and tie it off?

Thanks again...
 
Do you have a bunk or roller trailer? That can make a big difference in doing it yourself.

I had a bunk and then got a roller.

The bunk in my opinion was a pain in the arse...
 
When I launch alone I back up until the fenders are about a inch under the water then attach the launch rope, push her off and tie her up. To retrieve I tie the boat up back in until the fenders are just bobbing out of the water, then drive her on and up. Once she is up I crawl over the bow and attach the safety chain first then get out and winch the rest.

Hope this helps,
 
You do know that Sundecks come with a automatic launch and retrieval modes. :wink:

For the rest of you who don't have the up graded verson, best thing to do is make sure you have extra long lines handy. Pre tie them at the bow and stern. Have the bumpers tied off and ready for flipping outward. :thumbsup:
 
Aquia185 said:
Wesley...thanks. We do have a place like that down the road. $200.00 a year or $15 a day with 4 ramps. $200 seems like a bargin. Do you start your boat to back it off the trailer or do you just slip it down and tie it off?

Thanks again...
Click to expand...

I do start the boat before backing off the trailer, the way our place is set up the dock is off to the side not right at the launching point. We send everyone going with us on over to the dock and out of our way. Again this place is not busy and I have yet to be rushed. Usually Paige is with me so what I do now is I back the boat in, jump up in the boat and start it up, Paige puts the truck in reverse and taps the brake, she then pulls the truck up and parks forward into the parking spaces (we are usually the only one pulled in that way) because again she is not comfortable backing the truck. When we get back I tie off at the dock, she starts getting everything in the boat ready (people and belongings out of the boat), I go get the truck. Back the truck back down the ramp. Walk over to the boat and drive it up on the trailer. Pull up to the prep zone and everyone starts putting their stuff back into the truck.

Just typing this reminds me of the stress that I had when we used the public ramp. There would be 15 boats waiting for a spot to get to the ramp. Again I would suggest using it one time paying the $15 to see if it makes a difference. I bet you will be like me and buy a season pass on the way out (I talked them into refunding the one day pass admission when I bought the season pass). It is amazing what a difference it makes. But I guess everyone has different things that stress them out. :huh:
 
Speaking to husband and wife loading and unloading teams there is one tool that makes life a lot easier. Motorola FRS radios. It stops the yelling. My wife can and does back the trailer down when we have been on the water. I help with this process by giving her directions from on the water. :grin:

I am sure most of you have seen some great shouting matches at the local ramps. :smt043
 
One thing that I use launching and retrieving our little boat, and would highly recommend, is wheel chocks behind the rear wheels of the truck. Just in case....
 
STIHLBOLTS said:
I am sure most of you have seen some great shouting matches at the local ramps. :smt043
Click to expand...

Only once


in our family... :smt021


I promptly got rid of the walkie talkies too.. altho I think they are an excellent idea! I just put more stress on her than was necessary. We (she) practiced loading and unloading the boat a few times during the week in early spring when no one was around. Now she's the pro at it and loves to have the other boaters (guys) watch as she drives the boat niftly on. heh... reminds me of one day when a guy couldnt get a can boat loaded on... when the ramp next to him opened she dropped me off.. I ran up got the truck, she does her thing and he's STILL not loaded. :grin:

I dunno... I figured too that I would rather have her load the boat on and me drive out. ( very steep ramp) I just had visions of the new boat and new truck BOTH winding up in the water.
 
I had no problem doing all the work alon. Sometimes it's even better when you know exact steps for you routine. If anyone does the first time I suggest to make list of steps, bacouse it very easy to get distructed and forget something. A great plus to have an experiance buddy watch over you. Let me know if you need any details.

Thanks,
Alex.
 
We had a nice post about just such a list. Maybe we need to start a new thread with a list like that to help everyone out? :thumbsup:
 
STIHLBOLTS said:
You do know that Sundecks come with a automatic launch and retrieval modes. :wink:
Click to expand...

Hey Richard where is the switch :huh: I thought I got that upgrade when I was adding everything else to MS Judy
:lol: :smt043 :lol:
 
Chuck....I will mail you the secret instructions. You must have had a bad salesman that did not show you where it was at. :smt021

:smt043 :smt043 :smt043 :smt043 :smt043 :smt043 :smt043
 
Too bad some of you guys have to launch where there are other boaters waiting to launch/retrieve. Here in N. Texas there is no wait, ever. I launch and retrieve by myself always.
 
STIHLBOLTS said:
Chuck....I will mail you the secret instructions. You must have had a bad salesman that did not show you where it was at. :smt021

:smt043 :smt043 :smt043 :smt043 :smt043 :smt043 :smt043
Click to expand...

I'll be checking the mail. :grin:
 
I have not tried to launch and/or retrive the new boat by myself. This boat is so much bigger I don't know if I can climb over the front to get on. I guess there is always the tie a rope to the trailer trick.

My 13 year old is almost always with me when we go boating. He did a great job loading/unloading the ole 160 but I wasn't as comfortable with the new boat. More power, more expensive! We worked on it with him behind the wheel and me on the boat. I'll probably have comfort level with him this season.
 
I agree with ALEX F. Its just easier knowing the exact steps that I will take. We launch at a park service ramp were its busy from 6am until 11pm. Because of the size of my boat I leave everyone home to sleep and I do it my self. Most times I get right next to the dock so I can walk off onto the back of the boat. Start it check it back it off tie it off return to the truck and go park. I can get clear of the ramp with in 5 minutes of backing down. The key for me is to go over all the details and develop a mental checklist. When we go out of town my wife still prefers to stay out of the way till we are ready. She is great hostess on the boat just doesn't like the size and nature of launching something so big. :thumbsup:
 
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