22' Bow Rider, Boating alone, Launching alone, thoughts comments concerns

[kailec00]

Re: 22' Bow Rider, Boating alone, Launching alone, thoughts comments concerns

Mine is just under 20? and I launch it alone at least once a week. Pretty easy where I am. We do not have docks that you can pull the boat to by a line. I back the trailer in until the back of the boat is floating. Climb in and start the engine, hook the front winch strap and give the boat a push back, take boat to dock, tie it up and then park the truck.
Loading is pretty easy as well. Back trailer in, drive boat up on trailer under power, then once it stops I winch it up the rest of the way, usually a foot or two. I do not power load but come into the trailer at idle, I line up the boat, give it some power, and when I get to the end of the trailer put it in neutral. I know exactly how far my trailer needs to be in to let the boat slide up most of the way.

 

[blifsey]

Re: 22' Bow Rider, Boating alone, Launching alone, thoughts comments concerns

...Climb in and start the engine, hook the front winch strap and give the boat a push back, take boat to dock, tie it up and then park the truck.

Must be mighty powerful push to get it off trailer AFTER hooking the front winch strap (just kidding with you!!!)

 

[kailec00]

Re: 22' Bow Rider, Boating alone, Launching alone, thoughts comments concerns

Blifsey, you don?t take the trailer with you when on the lake? I use mine as a anchor in shallow water, saves time from throwing one out.
Good catch, meant unhook the strap and give the boat a push back.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: 22' Bow Rider, Boating alone, Launching alone, thoughts comments concerns

actually, one technique for launch/retrieve where you don't dunk the trailer (eg in salt water, tilt or roller trailer) is to launch with the winch cable hooked and the winch loose.
The boat pulls the cable out; you unhook and leave it at the end of the trailer, ready for you to reattach for the retrieve. You got to watch that crank, though. With a power winch, it can help slow the launch, too. And for solo launches, your boat is not adrift, but tied to the end of the trailer. Don't forget to unhook before driving away!

 

[blifsey]

Re: 22' Bow Rider, Boating alone, Launching alone, thoughts comments concerns

Blifsey, you don?t take the trailer with you when on the lake? I use mine as a anchor in shallow water, saves time from throwing one out.
Good catch, meant unhook the strap and give the boat a push back.

Like Bill Dance? Launching with trailer

 

[AZBoatDreamer]

Re: 22' Bow Rider, Boating alone, Launching alone, thoughts comments concerns

I own my boat just over a year now and havent boated alone. My wife is nervous me boating alone because she is afraid I would drown or something even when I tell her I will wear a life jacket. Well thats another story.

 

[merlin696]

Re: 22' Bow Rider, Boating alone, Launching alone, thoughts comments concerns

So I ordered my ignition shutoff and lanyard (for safety) next question is.... what to do while out on the lake by yourself?

 

[scooper77515]

Re: 22' Bow Rider, Boating alone, Launching alone, thoughts comments concerns

i have been out alone a couple times, and it can be boring. Especially if the fish aren't biting.

So I just drink beer.

 

[kailec00]

Re: 22' Bow Rider, Boating alone, Launching alone, thoughts comments concerns

Relax. Cruise around. What ever you want to do, its your boat. I enjoy going out and just hanging out. I drive around and check out the lake. I sit in the middle of the lake and enjoy the heat and sun.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: 22' Bow Rider, Boating alone, Launching alone, thoughts comments concerns

Sit in the sun, enjoy a beverage (in moderation), listen to the radio, fish, have a snack, listen to the ball game, grab a nap, catch up on your magazine reading, go fast, slalom, practice your boat handling, scout the lake/river...get the point? It's your time. Do whatever you feel like doing...

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: 22' Bow Rider, Boating alone, Launching alone, thoughts comments concerns

I own my boat just over a year now and havent boated alone. My wife is nervous me boating alone because she is afraid I would drown or something even when I tell her I will wear a life jacket. Well thats another story.

You definitely need to get out there alone. The boat is the ultimate man cave. Drop the cell phone over as you leave the dock.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: 22' Bow Rider, Boating alone, Launching alone, thoughts comments concerns

Sit in the sun, enjoy a beverage (in moderation), listen to the radio, fish, have a snack, listen to the ball game, grab a nap, catch up on your magazine reading, go fast, slalom, practice your boat handling, scout the lake/river...get the point? It's your time. Do whatever you feel like doing...

There's an old guy maybe in his 70's who lives on my creek. He takes his old wooden 32' egg harbor out by himself, goes to the edge of the harbor out of the traffic, drops the hook and just hangs out. usually he's just sitting in the shade of the cabin. Sure he could do the same in a rocking chair on the porch, or sit on his pier (he lives on the water) but the coool thing is, he's out there boating. Way cool.

 

[scooper77515]

Re: 22' Bow Rider, Boating alone, Launching alone, thoughts comments concerns

Hmmm. Reading...on a boat....never thought of that. Seriously.

I always do that on a swing or lawn chair on the back patio.

I gotta go get a book, and quick!

Sometimes I go to our boat storage garage and just sit, pop a beer, and listen to some tunes. I guess in 15 minutes, I could do the same on the water...

I guess I just don't go out alone as much as I have the opportunity to do so.

 

[merlin696]

Re: 22' Bow Rider, Boating alone, Launching alone, thoughts comments concerns

I am thinking the lake is 30 miles of which most of it I have not scouted out, I know there are suppose to be some caves you drive into and things like that, I am thinking a big fat cigar and some cruisin is going to work out nicely

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: 22' Bow Rider, Boating alone, Launching alone, thoughts comments concerns

with gas prices, there will be a lot more sitting than running this year.

 

[merlin696]

Re: 22' Bow Rider, Boating alone, Launching alone, thoughts comments concerns

isnt that the truth, although it has got to stop raining on my days off first. It never fails. >.<