Launching solo; how do you do it?

[Gunn]

I have never launched my boat from the trailer solo. I've always had my wife hold a bow and stern rope while I back it down the ramp. Lately, we've been using a bow rope and a hook for the stern; works great.

I've been thinking about how I would do it solo. Sometime soon, I'd like to invite others to go out fishing, skiing, etc. and don't want to have to have them do anything to help and have us ready to go before they get there.

So how do you do it? I launch in a river with tides and currents, and winds. I thought of just letting the boat float and keeping the winch hooked up, but then I'm thinking the stern could drift away from the dock, causing problems. Or, maybe I don't pull it in far enough to clear the bunk boards so that won't happen, and then either pull it off, or hop in and drive it off?

Looking for a quick method that won't tie up others waiting to use the ramp; though I'm thankful to use a ramp that is -very- lightly used.


Tom

 

[H2ONUT]

I used to back down as close to the dock as possible and a little deeper than normal. Then I would tie off the bow and stern with a little slack, unhook the winch cable. Get back in the truck, back down just till it starts to float and give it a little jerk going back. Then slowly pull the trailer out. Worked like a charm... I would just do the same putting it back on. It was frowned upon to power load at the ramp I used.

 

[Morpheus]

Whatever you decide on put out some bumbers incase the boat wants to rub up against the dock.

 

[Charlie L]

I power load/unload into the ICW. Back the trailer in, start the boat, back off the trailer, tie off to dock, move truck, etc. I can see where it could be a little tricky if you didn't power load with the currents, don't really have any experience loading/unloading with out the engine. I know I like my boat tied to the dock with bumpers out because of the few shall I say "oblivious" people that think no wake means on plane as fast as they can go. It depends on how busy the area you are launching into is I guess, but I'm not one to leave the boat tied loose to the dock.

 

[jclax01]

I have launched solo several times and its not that hard. In fact I have a better launch solo then when I am "helped".

Here you go

bumpers dock side of course

I put the dock line in the middle of the boat. back down so that you are near the waters edge (not in it) and grab your middle dock line and tie down. If you do this you will not get wet at all launching.

Jump back in the vehicle and back in so the fenders on the trailer are submerged. I then pull out a little and back up/hard break the boat off the trailer.

done deal.

Its important to use the middle cleat on the boat with current. If there is some current the boat will spin or kick out (tie down the front the stern kicks out or vise versa) tieing down the middle cleat will let you straighted out the boat as you pull it in.

 

[Searay Jim]

:smt043

Fenders are what you put out on your boat!

Bumpers are what's on a dock!

I launch solo or near solo every time. But we power load here in Texas but rarely have a courtesy dock right on the ramp. Launch, go tie up out of the way of the front side of the dock if at all possible, jog to truck and park. Go get boat and go! :grin:

 

[wadebmadden]

I think the important thing here is location. If you can find a spot with a courtesy dock it makes life so much easier.

Even if there isnt it helps if there isnt a half mile between the dock and the ramp.

What I do is get the lines ready, Ill have the bowline ran all the way back to the midship and slipknotted to the rail, I will have the sternline secured and coiled up on the cleat, fenders in place. make sure the plug is in!!!!

Back her down into the water, hop out, un hook the strap grab the lines and pull. it helps if you back her in a little further than normal, but if you get it just right you can walk out on the dock and pull your boat over to ya!

If there is no dock right at the ramp, Then you are just basicly going to do it normally, back her in unhook her and go to the dock. go get the truck.

I dont worry too much about tying up the ramp, if its that busy you will sit around and see that other people need a little extra time too!!!

 

[manjo]

I launched solo for the 1st time today, and this is the 5th time I am launching my boat, I just bought mine a month ago. Launching solo is much easier than I thought, actually works better coz you are under less pressure. But I did get to the ramp at 8 in the morning to beat the crowd, ramp area gets a bit busy here around 10am. I am not very good at backing the trailer yet, so it takes me couple of tries to get the boat straight on the ramp. I do all the prep before I launch the boat, tie bumpers, dock lines etc, remove the straps from the back side, and take the safty chain off. Launch the boat in the water, a little deeper than normal, start the engine, and rev it at 1400rpm so it warms up a little faster, I lie on my stomach reach down and undo the bow strap, and reverse the boat into the water, quickly dock and secure the boat and run back to the truck and move it out of the way. I am not a good swimmer so I wear my ski jacket just in case... On my way back it took me several tries before I could back the trailer in the water correctly, coz I did not have any help to guide me, I was forced to use the mirrors and had to turn around and look over my shoulder often, I must have tried 5 or 6 times before I got the trailer correctly aligned and in the water.

 

[Searay Jim]

Solo isn't bad. The biggest problem is feeling rushed when there are others waiting. Don't let it get to you. Solo or with a crew, you have the same right to launch and retrieve. Understanding having everything ready to go and being quick, not rushed, would be the right thing to do. People will appreciate and respect you for looking like you have your chit together and at the same time, respecting other boaters who may be able to get out quicker. I will usually yield to someone that has a crew just because they will be faster. It's just a courtesy.

For us, launching isn't bad as my wife will pull the truck and trailer out and park it, but she doesn't drive the boat nor does she back the 60' of truck and trailer, so I retrieve solo every time.

Also, ever see a bow strap break? It happens. If you have a safety chain or cable, I'd leave it on and remove it when it's in the water, and attach it when you hook up to pull it out.

 

[Morpheus]

Also, ever see a bow strap break? It happens. If you have a safety chain or cable, I'd leave it on and remove it when it's in the water, and attach it when you hook up to pull it out.

Your comment here makes me think I'm doing it wrong. I back the boat down the ramp into the water until just before the strap and chain are just before the water line so Ica nget to them without walking in the water. Then I unhook both and continue backing down the ramp until I either reach the end of the ramp or the boat begins to float. (sometimes I have to power off cause the water is low and the ramp is not long/steep enough and sometimes I have to power on) I've tried cranking a 240SD onto a trailer with bunks and let me tell you it will make you feel like a little sissy girl I think it took me an hour good thing no one was waiting.

Am I asking for trouble?

 

[SearayPaul]

I would always leave that chain on until the boat is in the water or at the edge of the water as you do Morphus. I would also put that chain on before pulling out no matter how wet I got.

I agree that hand winching is for the birds. An electric winch is the way to go if you have low water to deal with or are a small person. Yes I am 145 soaking wet (Zero percent body fat) When you pull out leave the clutch engaged and the chain on. Release the clutch in the loading area or you will ruin it.

 

[njmello]

I solo launch and retrieve my 21' Cuddy all the time. My trailer has four bottom bunks with glides and two side/guide bunks and keel rollers as well. All preperations are made (fenders, lines, etc.) before approaching the ramp. Without removeing the safety chain and winch cable, I back down to the water's edge. I remove the safety chain, back into the water until she just floats. My bow and stern lines are about 15' each and looped at both ends. I join them at the loose ends with a carabiner - making my dock lines one long loop. Once afloat, I crank the winch to loosen the cable and unhook while holdiing my dock line 'loop'. Once the cable is unhooked the boat is free and I simply walk out onto the dock controlling both ends of the boat. I'll walk out to the end, tie her off, and then move the car and trailer.

Retrieval is just the process in reverse. The side bunks align the hull, the keel rollers let her center up and the bunk glides let her just slide up into the correct position using the bow line to pull her in far enough to get the winch cable into the eye; attach the safety chain and pull her out. Less than 5 miinutes each way.

The addition of the bunk glides made a real difference in the retrieval process and the bow to stern 'loop' made a considerable difference at launch. Works for me.

 

[Searay Jim]

Also, ever see a bow strap break? It happens. If you have a safety chain or cable, I'd leave it on and remove it when it's in the water, and attach it when you hook up to pull it out.

Your comment here makes me think I'm doing it wrong. I back the boat down the ramp into the water until just before the strap and chain are just before the water line so Ica nget to them without walking in the water. Then I unhook both and continue backing down the ramp until I either reach the end of the ramp or the boat begins to float. (sometimes I have to power off cause the water is low and the ramp is not long/steep enough and sometimes I have to power on) I've tried cranking a 240SD onto a trailer with bunks and let me tell you it will make you feel like a little sissy girl I think it took me an hour good thing no one was waiting.

Am I asking for trouble?

I don't see how anyone loads without power. But down here we power on/off so I'm not concerned. :grin: To winch a 240 onto a bunk trailer, which I've done when broken down, you just have to be far enough in the water to float it on.

But what you describe is fine. Actually, I disco. the cable as I'm in the water so once I'm running and ready to launch, all I have to do is release the strap.

When I say leave both on launching and retrieving, I mean don't disco. at the top of the ramp or try to pull out without both secure. I've watched people disco. everything as part of their pre-launch and I wait to see them drop the boat. I hear stories about it happening all the time.

I just want to make sure that when the boat is not sitting flat, the cable and strap are secure so it can't slide back at all.

 

[Gunn]

Thanks a lot guys for all the various suggestions. I think I'll be putting a combination of them together. Like the one about tying bown and sternropes together to create one; that could make it easier to handle.

Tom