Thread: Launching Solo

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  1. Member
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    #21
    Quote Originally Posted by bnt55 View Post
    Whatever happened to just letting out 8-10 ft of winch strap on the boat trailer, back in let it float back a bit, unhook and drive away
    Haha nothing happened to it here in North Carolina! That is what I always do. During make ready before pulling up to launch I slip off my shoes and slip on rubber boots. Feet dry. Boat does not get away in the wind and waves and threaten nearby boats at multi-ramp launches. Easy. No need to change the routine.

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  2. Member 06 SB's Avatar
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    #22
    Quote Originally Posted by PJ-Rohlf View Post
    I just let out 8-10' of winch line, slowly back in till the boat floats off, pull forwards to where I can keep my feet drying stepping on the trailer, then unhook and drive over to the dock or beach and go park....
    The exact same thing I do. I launch solo 90% of the time. No extra ropes or anything else needed.

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  3. Member
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    #23
    Quote Originally Posted by bnt55 View Post
    Whatever happened to just letting out 8-10 ft of winch strap on the boat trailer, back in let it float back a bit, unhook and drive away
    This is what I do. I back in close to the dock and tie dock lines to the cleats, let out some slack and lock the winch, back up until it floats then just unhook and tie it to the dock then drive away. Takes 3 min to do, and like another member said, if it’s a single ramp I move the boat to the other side of the dock incase someone else pulls up (which at the lake so fish very rarely happens)
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  4. Banned
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    #24
    i always just use a small rope and pull the boat back up on the ramp

  5. Scraps
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    #25
    Quote Originally Posted by bnt55 View Post
    Whatever happened to just letting out 8-10 ft of winch strap on the boat trailer, back in let it float back a bit, unhook and drive away
    What I do on a single lane ramp. But I unhook, tie a line from boat to dock, back in, drive out. I also, not suggesting anybody do this, if nobody else around, back down next to the dock with boat unhooked, float her off, get out, run to the dock, and hop on boat using no line other than to tie up.
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  6. Nitro Boats Moderator BMCD's Avatar
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    #26
    Only valuable on lakes with a boat dock right along side of the ramp.

    I struggle who the market is for this. I fish solo 90%. If I did not have a truck this would be harder. but I drop boat in , climb on tire into bed, step onto bumper and release the boat. Course the last step get into boat.
    Last edited by BMCD; 08-15-2023 at 10:05 AM.
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    #27
    I fish solo nearly all of the time, and have been doing so for many years. I don’t use any ropes. My trailer pole and steps are the ticket. Back the trailer up until I can float the stern of the boat, stand on the trailer step, undo the winch strap, push the boat off, and jump in while it is floating off. Pretty easy. I don’t see the need for any rope. You can also get in and drive it off after the stern is floating.
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  8. Lost in Desert.......Help
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    #28
    Quote Originally Posted by bnt55 View Post
    Whatever happened to just letting out 8-10 ft of winch strap on the boat trailer, back in let it float back a bit, unhook and drive away

    Fish solo 97 percent of the time, I add a short chain extension (I am too lazy to unwind 6ft of winch strap).

    Back up till boat floats back to end of the extension (slowly).

    Pull up a couple feet, now onto the trailer steps without getting wet, unhook boat and drive away.

    Best,

    BRNut

  9. Member paulrodbender's Avatar
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    #29

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    #30
    I fish solo a lot. I have two different types of boats so the way I launch fits each type. Tin 17' bass boat. I back the boat in with it fully strapped to the trailer. I back in until the back just starts to float. I get out of the truck and use the rear wheel to step up and into the bed of the truck. The tailgate is already down. I unhook the boat strap and push the tin boat off the trailer as I step in the bow. Once the trolling motor is clear of the back of the trailer I troll over to the nearest dock and tie off. Return to the truck and park. I'm pretty fast as I've done this a zillion times. Now 21' glass boat. The only difference is that the glass boat has to be powered off the trailer with the outboard. I tie it up to the dock and go park the truck. Again, I can do this very fast and I hurry from the dock to my truck because I know people are usually waiting to put in or take out.

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    #31
    Need a dock, but I use a Drotto latch system

    Always liked this one.




  12. Electrical/Wiring/Trolling Motors Moderator CatFan's Avatar
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    #32
    Quote Originally Posted by BMCD View Post
    Only valuable on lakes with a boat dock right along side of the ramp.

    I struggle who the market is for this. I fish solo 90%. If I did not have a truck this would be harder. but I drop boat in , climb on tire into bed, step onto bumper and release the boat. Course the last step get into boat.
    If you a dock like that, launching would be easy. I’ve never launched at a ramp close to having that much dock or that many places to hook a rope.
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    #33
    Quote Originally Posted by PJ-Rohlf View Post
    I just let out 8-10' of winch line, slowly back in till the boat floats off, pull forwards to where I can keep my feet drying stepping on the trailer, then unhook and drive over to the dock or beach and go park....
    This what I do but use a pwc bungee dock line clipped to winch strap and to bow eye . The bungee is easier on the bow eye and pulls the boat back to the trailer perfectly center on its own. I used to use the winch strap alone but since trying the bungee dock line its so much better.

  14. Member
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    #34
    I will keep using a rope. I don’t even get out of the truck. Back it in and go park the truck. Seen to many trucks slide in on algae covered ramps while parking the boat. With truck in park.

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    #35
    Back it in til it starts to float, climb onto the bow, unhook, drive it off & tie it up……recovery is the opposite order….no gimmicks ir ropes required.
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    #36
    Quote Originally Posted by DaveBrabec View Post
    I will keep using a rope. I don’t even get out of the truck. Back it in and go park the truck. Seen to many trucks slide in on algae covered ramps while parking the boat. With truck in park.
    that would be awful
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    #37
    Quote Originally Posted by DaveBrabec View Post
    Fish by myself most of the time. Tie rope to boat cleat. Tie rope to dock or trailer if no dock. Back it in. It’s not that hard.
    That's what I think, it's not complicated.

  18. Member fishnfireman's Avatar
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    #38
    Quote Originally Posted by Lightning 6 View Post
    Back it in til it starts to float, climb onto the bow, unhook, drive it off & tie it up……recovery is the opposite order….no gimmicks ir ropes required.
    Same here--If need be, to keep from getting feet wet. I will release about 4 ft off the bow strap and leave hook fastened- back in until boat floats then gently pull back up, unhook strap and go.

  19. Member
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    #39

    This a guy I know. His truck was in park. Got out to move boat.

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    #40
    Quote Originally Posted by Lightning 6 View Post
    Back it in til it starts to float, climb onto the bow, unhook, drive it off & tie it up……recovery is the opposite order….no gimmicks ir ropes required.
    The only way.

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