First time out

[Merrill]

Before I began let me say I don't know crap about boats. I have been a hotrodder for many years and a while back I thought it would be nice to have a classic motorcycle or boat to go with one of my projects (a restored 72 International Scout). I ended up buying a very nice 61 Merrell, it's a Chris Craft clone, 16', 40 hp Evenrude. I decided to take it to the Columbia river today. Yes, I did ops check it and everything was a go. The first thing I learned was there is no way one guy can launch a boat on a windy day. The next thing I learned was that a 16' boat is maybe good for a lake but not for a big river when the winds are up. I seen many 18 footers comming in becouse of the weather. OK, two questions. Can one man launch a boat without damage? If yes, how? Second question, is 16' too small for the Columbia? Thanks.

 

[QC]

Re: First time out

I know a little about 1 but not 2. In my world smaller boat for the river than the lake, but again I don't know the Columbia.<br /><br />The key to launching alone is a courtesy dock at the ramp. You need to set two lines and fenders on the boat, bow and stern, then back down the ramp along the dock and keep it as close as possible. Leave the winch strap or other bow eye deal attached. When she floats off pretty convincingly, stop the truck and head back to the boat. Detach the bow eye and then pull her back off the trailer with the two lines. Tie her up, park the trailer then do your thang. Basically reverse this to retrieve. Works well. <br /><br />BTW, welcome!!

 

[Boomyal]

Re: First time out

Originally posted by Quietcat:<br /> I know a little about 1 but not 2. In my world smaller boat for the river than the lake, but again I don't know the Columbia.<br /><br />The key to launching alone is a courtesy dock at the ramp. You need to set two lines and fenders on the boat, bow and stern, then back down the ramp along the dock and keep it as close as possible. Leave the winch strap or other bow eye deal attached. When she floats off pretty convincingly, stop the truck and head back to the boat. Detach the bow eye and then pull her back off the trailer with the two lines. Tie her up, park the trailer then do your thang. Basically reverse this to retrieve. Works well. <br /><br />BTW, welcome!!

.....or build yourself a set of side boards for your trailer. You can drive right onto the trailer with a cross wind and if you build them correctly the boat will nestlr right down onto the bunkboards when you pull her out of the water. See my homemade side boards:<br /><br />

<br /><br />As you already know, the mighty Columbia can be a handfull for small boats. No piddlin little river here. Sometimes I need to tiptoe on the river with my 20 footer with massive power plant, either that or get the heck beat outta me.

 

[QC]

Re: First time out

She is sweet Boomer!!! Is that trailer a Vanson?<br /><br />Ya know you can do that power on thing without side boards too, bet it would be easy with a light boat. You just have to have good thick carpet on the bunks . . .

 

[Boatist]

Re: First time out

Yes one man can launch a boat safely but better and more fun with two. <br />How really depends on type of launch ramp. <br />First where ever you launch get the boat ready before going down the ramp. Put the plug in, untie your hold down straps, put your fenders on, put all your gear in the boat, remove transom saver if you have one. Attach a line to a bow cleat and and stern cleat. Make sure motor is tilted high enough not to hit the ramp as the boat comes off the trailer. Leave the wench strap attached.<br />If your launching where there is a dock. Bring both the bow line and stern line to your vehicle and tie sung to a point your can reach when the boat floats. Back down till your bow is at the waters edge. Then go and remove the wench strap. Leave your bow line tight and tied to your truck where your can reach when boat floates. Now back into water until you see the boat float. Set your brakes and get out and get ahold of your stern line then untie your bow in and walk down the dock. Pull your boat to the end of the dock and tie both ends. Now go park your trailer and hurry back to get out of way so other can use the ramp and dock.<br />With no dock very much the same until you launch. Again whe the bow reaches the water edge set your breaks and go and unhook your wench strap. You will likely only need a bow line this time. Instead of tieing bow line tight leave enough slack so line will get tight when bow clears the back of the trailer. Now back down slowly until boat floats and hit the brakes boat should contine back. After the boat clears the trailer you can start up the ramp very slowly the bow line will get tight and start to pull the boat back to shore. Stop when trailer is out of water and before the boat hits shore. Take your bow line an shove boat back then work it off to the side of the ramp then pull it softly to shore and tie. Or you can get in and start the motor and drive to shore and sucure then go park your trailer. This take a little practice but really quite easy unless you have a strong wind or current.<br /><br />Is boat too small?<br />Your boat should match the conditions where you go boating. Still a 16 foot boat can be safe even in the ocean but you must know what your boat can do and be willing to say too rough today so I will not launch. Bigger boats in general will let your go in a little rougher conditions. Key is knowing the expected weather and the area. Watch the weather and what your boat can do but leave your self a lot of margine. In your area I belive you also need to learn the effect of strong currents and tide changes. <br /><br />Take a 13 week US Coast Guard class or a US Power Squadrons class.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: First time out

Wind can be a genuine problem when you're launching solo. No question about it.<br /><br />I try to launch where there are courtesy docks, and I pay close attention to the wind direction. I launch on the side of the ramp that will let the wind blow the boat INTO the dock. That makes it much easier to tie the boat off to the dock. Same thing on retrieving. I pull up at the side of the dock that will have the wind pushing the boat against the dock. It really helps.<br /><br />Where possible, I use bungee cords to secure the boat to the dock, rather than tying off. It's faster and easier to cast off and tie up on my return. I keep a few bungee cords of different lengths in the storage areas on both sides of the boat.<br /><br />Another nice thing to do if you're launching solo is to pull your boat around the dock and tie up on the side away from the ramp. It helps the other boaters launch more quickly.<br /><br />At a busy ramp, someone may well volunteer to help you out if you're launching and retrieving solo. I know I do whenever I can.

 

[Mahoney]

Re: First time out

I too luanch by myself, but rarely have to deal with wind or lack of dock space to tye up while I park the truck.<br /><br />I would find it hard to believe no one would lend a quick hand to man a bowline while you float the boat, which is why I always offer if I am at the ramp letting the engine warm up or waiting for a friend.<br /><br />Launching solo is one thing, retrieving solo can be good entertainment for others at the dock, provided they are not waiting for your dock space!

 

[CATransplant]

Re: First time out

I rarely have any trouble retrieving my boat solo. I tie up at the dock, usually on the off side. Get my truck and back down the same distance I use to launch.<br /><br />Untie the stern line (or bungee), untie the bowline, then push the boat around to the ramp side of the dock, pushing off hard enough to get the boat behind the trailer.<br /><br />I walk back up the dock, down to the waterline and pull the boat up to the trailer. I drown my trailer so the boat almost floats on and off, I just pull it up so it's centered as best as I can get, until I catch one of the rollers, then it will swing as needed. I just pull it forward until it's sitting on the bunks, hook up the winch strap and crank it the rest of the way. Even in the wind, I can always get it on straight once the keel catches a roller. The bunks help keep it centered, too.<br /><br />On rare occasions I have to wade in to knee depth while the boat is still partly floating to get it perfectly centered. Then it's just a drive up the ramp.<br /><br />Because I sometimes have to wade, I always boat in shorts with nylon lace-up "beach socks." I keep a pair of track and field style warmup pants on the boat that I slip on if it's chilly.<br /><br />So far, so good. Still, there's usually someone at the ramp who's willing to grab a bowline if needed.

 

[Merrill]

Re: First time out

Lots of good advice, thanks so much! Boomya, nice boards, I can see how they would help alot, BTW, what are the specs on your boat? I'm printing all this info and taking it with on the next outing.<br /><br />I bought my boat for cheap, it was the owners pride and joy. He went to jail for 12 years and the wife was selling all his toys. My plan is to use it this summer and see how I like it. If I still want to stick with the new hobby I'll sell it and buy a late model 18-20 footer something like Boomya's. With the sale of the Merrell I could afford a boat in the 10K range. I always liked the Bayliners but I noticed alot of the guys on this board don't like them . Might check out Cris Craft later, I love looking!

 

[Boomyal]

Re: First time out

Originally posted by Merrill:<br /> BTW, what are the specs on your boat?

20 ft, lightweight hand laid glass, 302 V8,I/O.<br /><br />I don't have to power on to the trailer in a cross wind. I keep the trailer submerged, aim the boat in and give it a squirt on the throttle, jump up on the deck and grab the bow chock and hook the bow eye. Then I slowly drive up the ramp and I can watch the boat center itself on the bunks as the trailer comes up underneath the boat. Buda Bing. Get out and apply my stern straps and off I go.

 

[Merrill]

Re: First time out

Update: Second time out. OK, I waited for better weather and took help (daughter and son-in-law). Launched boat without killing anyone. I found I could only get part throttle (about 1,500 rpm). In nuetral I could get 3,000 rpm sometimes. I have it home right now and have yet to find the combination for full throttle. I'm sure everything is fine and the problem is due to my inexperience. All my friends are hotrodders not boaters. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: First time out

I recommend you take the boat, motor and trailer to the best marina and talk only to the service manager about a quick checkout of everything, not to exceed so much money. You will have a good running boat faster and cheaper than having us try to do the same problem 6 ways with you not sure what we mean. Sound right? Do it. Post back with the outcome.

 

[Merrill]

Re: First time out

cyclops, ya, I know what you mean. I took the boat out for the 3rd time today. I thought I had the power problem solved but found out on the lake that I did'nt. She started fine but I still could only get 2,000 rpm. I stopped by the marina and chated with the lady mechanic she said the problem was the carb. I know the boat sat for maybe a year before I got it. So I ordered a rebuild kit, should be here in 2 days. <br /><br />This project may sound like a PITA but it has really been alot of fun so far. I've had lots of practice launching and even got to cruise the lake (at 5 knots) today. Been fixing all the little things along the way too. <br /><br />Thanks

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: First time out

The first time I had to get the boat on the trailer alone in the river was hilarious. Ended up throwing the anchor into the trailer frame and pulling it in. 1/2 hour, fast , right. I have long bottom boards and long carpeted side boards now. 25 mph winds are no problem. I also now angle the trailer to face the wind as much as possible for more help.