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Okay all of you gurus out there, here is my question of the day, when going to the lake by yourself, what is the secret to launching by yourself?
In the past I have just tied the boat to the trailer and then pulled it to me. Of course this was in the 14" aluminum days! I sure don't want mess up the hull on the new to me Nitro.
Thanks for all of the good tips.
if a decent sized boat and you dont have a keel shield just back in get in the boat back off the trailer and go to dock and tie up , pull trailer out and park, this also gives your motor a chance to warm up and get ready for a day on the lake. if others get impatient just ignore them they dont own the ramp or the lake. you also can maybe if crowded get someone to pull the trailer out as you head to the dock.
Thanks for the link! There was also another link included and between them there were some good ideas. My biggest problem is I have a bed cover on my pickup, so climbing in the bed is out. I think a pair of sandals or crocs will be on board soon.
First off I recommend a Hambys keel protector. I tie off a 21' rope to the bow hook and a loop around my hitch. Back up float the boat get in fire up the motor take it to a dock (out of the way) tie up and get in the truck.
the way this look is I dunk it just to the point where the boat floats up the rope recoils and pulls the boat to the front of the trailer I untie from the hitch step onto the trailer tongue jump in da boat motor over to the dock. Run to my truck and off I go the whole event takes less then 5 minutes. (not wet)
If your ass end is in the water then do the pull up shimmy across the bed until get to the tongue. or with your keel protector pull the rig foward until you ground the boat.
If there is a courtesy ramp I wait to get next to it using the same method I float the boat un do the loop pull the boat over on the ramp tie up and boogie! http://www.bassboatcentral.com/boardstuff2/beers.gif
This is how I do it.Unhook every thing except the bow line to the winch. Back down untill the trailer fender is about 2-3 inch. under water after some practice you will know how much. Take the 5gal bucket(generly they wont steal a 5gal. bucket) out of the truck bed and place it so you can use it to climb in the bed of the truck. Work your way to the winch and unhook it. Climb in the boat and start the moter.Beach it.dock it whatever just get away from the ramp, other people are waiting.The main thing, get the moter started before you get the boat off the the trailer that way if there is a problem all you have to do is hook up and pull it back out.When I was younger I didn't need the bucket.If you fish alot, the bed cover will go,its' in the way to a quick launch and that is important.
Modified by 5022 at 3:13 PM 3/18/2007
Modified by 5022 at 3:16 PM 3/18/2007
If the ramp isn't busy, I back down the ramp until I'm about 10' shy of the water (if it is busy I'll do all of this before I get on the ramp). I then go through the ritual of unhooking everything...except for the safety strap at the bow eye. I put the tailgate down and then I back 'er in. When I feel the boat "tug" I know it's off the trailer and then I step onto the tailgate, then onto the tongue of the trailer (which I put anti-skid tape on). I then unhook the safety strap, get in and drive to the float. Piece of cake. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/boardstuff2/pimp2.gif
Ready the boat for the water before you get to the ramp. Most ramps have areas to pull ovrer to do this before reaching the ramp. Likewise they have places to pull over to ready your boat for the road after loading. Use these areas. Don't do it at the ramp. I read one poster suggested not to worry about other folks, saying they didn't own the ramp. This is true, but neither do you. In fact, we all share the ramp payed for by our launching fees and license fees. We should all care about and be considerate of everyone. With that said, let's launch the boat. After removing the transom saver, tie down straps, installing plug, turning on main power switches, and situating everything inside before the ramp, you can now trailer down to the ramp. Do not unhook the winch strap from the boat until you have backed into the water. Back in until 1/3 of your boast is in the water. Trial and error will quickly have you an old pro at this. Step up on the tongue of your trailler and unhook bow strap. Step up in the boat, start it up and back off trailer. Either dock it or beach it. If you do not have a keel guard be careful of beaching it. Go get the tow vehicle and park it. A few times doing this you will soon be in a routine and doing everything almost automatic like. You will quickly be doing it in no time flat. I launch and load my boat this way. From the time my trailer hits the water, it can be loaded or unloaded in just the time it takes to walk over to the boat and drive it over, or drive it over and walk back to the ramp. Many times I see folks who have help, and I am gone when they ae still on the ramp. They are unorganized and uncaring of others at the ramp. These are the folks you see readying their boats on the ramp. Don't do this. It is not proper boat ramp etiquette and will quickly earn you some evil eye looks from savvy boaters. Be safe, and have fun.
I loosen my winch strap a turn or two. Back down in the water til I see the boat float up. Jump in the back of the truck, unhook the strap, beach or dock and park. I usually use the TM to dock after I launch, it is quicker for me.
it's a little intimidating at first, but not bad at all. i have made lots of new friends/fishing partners at the ramp by myself. seems that someone is always willing to help out. if not, any of the above posts will suffice. if someone offers to help, invite them out on your boat. usually a lot of takers! have only had one guy i wanted to leave on the other side of the lake!! in addition, try to go to a marina/ramp that has lighter traffic as some boaters are not very patient of your situation!! http://www.bassboatcentral.com/boardstuff2/beers.gif
Since you can't climb into the back of your truck, just let out about 2 or 3 feet of your bow strap, back the trailer in till the boat starts floating, then slowly pull forward a couple feet. The goal is to have the boat move back a couple feet on the trailer, allowing you to pull your truck forward enough so you can climb in without getting wet and still launch the boat. Make sense?
To all of you thanks. So far I love the boat, just trying to make it easier and safer for me when I am alone.
See ya.
I launch by myself all the time. I back down the ramp (never crowded) Unhook the transom straps, unhook everything up front, get everything in the boat and ready to go. Take my rope and hook it to the cleat, hop in the truck and back it in til its floating, hop out and tie it to the dock, park my truck and off i go. Whole process takes about 3 minutes.