Launching and loading by yourself?

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Launching and loading by yourself?

I launch all the time by myself. 26' total length cuddy.

here is typical based on the two launches I typically use.

load boat at home
pull into marina and park in prep area
pay launch fee
install plug
undo transom straps
disconnect trailer wiring
then pull into ramp area

back down ramp, once boat is in water at right depth, tie boat to dock cleats
disconnect winch and safety chain
gently push boat backwards
hop back on dock, undo lines, and walk boat out farther on dock
tie off boat (use bumpers as needed)
turn on blower

walk back to truck
hop in and park truck/trailer

walk back to boat
lower outdrive
start boat
undo dock lines
back out of ramp area
go boating

total time that ramp lane is tied up is under 5 minutes

retrieval is easy

come into marina
tie off boat at ramp dock
raise outdrive
walk to truck
back trailer into water to correct depth
undo dock lines and walk boat to trailer
center boat, pull out 5' of winch strap
connect to boat
winch onto trailer
connect safety chain
pull boat out of water up ramp
pull plug
install transom straps
connect trailer lights
check trailer lights
hop in truck and drive home

total time under 5 minutes.

if you have any question of boat starting and running, then repair the boat prior to leaving the house

 

[Philster]

Re: Launching and loading by yourself?

There actually is a rational and maybe it doesn't happen on your boat. When the boat floats up the winch hook will sometimes jam up the safety hook and make it near impossible to remove from the bow eye.

It doesn't happen on my boat and ever in my experience, be it on shallow ramps, steep ramps, good ramps, bad ramps and ramps with breakers coming in at the boat. Okay... let's say one really has a case where one can't leave them both hooked: if you can't do it, then so be it. But if you can, then leave them both attached.

.

 

[four winns 214]

Re: Launching and loading by yourself?

I occasionally launch or retrieve my 21' deckboat by myself. I do everything the same as if I have help, except I have to idle the boat over to the courtesy dock, tie up and walk over to move truck and trailer to parking. Walking the boat over to the courtesy dock with lines is simply not possible at the ramps I use.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Launching and loading by yourself?

the guy who dropped his boat on the ramp had his winch strap on.....it failed and no chain to stop it from rolling right off....

That is exactly why I don't use straps. They give absolutely no warning of an impending failure.

 

[crossroads123]

Re: Launching and loading by yourself?

I launch and recover my boat by myself all the time (even if the wife is with me). The best advice I can give you is keep your mind on what your doing and double check everything especially the plug. You maybe a little slow the first few times, but it's alot faster to do it right the first time than trying to correct a mistake made trying to rush.

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Launching and loading by yourself?

Its not a big deal to launch by yourself. The biggest thing is not to rush. Take your time and follow your established routine so you don't forget anything. The ramp is there for you to use as well as others. They are willing to wait a reasonable amount of time and you don't need to hurry just to please them. They will understand and by not forgetting anything you will actually save time.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Launching and loading by yourself?

There actually is a rational and maybe it doesn't happen on your boat. When the boat floats up the winch hook will sometimes jam up the safety hook and make it near impossible to remove from the bow eye.

All the more reason to install a second bow eye. One for the winch strap, one for the safety chain.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Launching and loading by yourself?

All the more reason to install a second bow eye. One for the winch strap, one for the safety chain.

Meh - bunk trailer. With my boat on my trailer at the launch we use I would need to back up at 30MPH+ and hit the brakes to even think about having the boat prematurely leave the trailer. No reason to be drilling extra holes in the boat.

 

[ricohman]

Re: Launching and loading by yourself?

Today turned out very well. My wife and little girl decided to come along after all. The launch is great. Its big with plenty of parking and 4 ramps with two docks and you can rent a slip for the day for $7 and have a shore lunch or go to the beach ect. And its a protected marina so the wind and waves do not disturb the launch.
Since these docks have cleats and are long I could tie up and then park the truck. I don't know what a courtesey dock looks like and I didn't ask. Nobody was in a hurry (like the other launch) and people were helping each other. Two of the guys I talked to said they will never go back to the south end of the lake and launch there again. Neither will I.
I had to launch and load by myself anyway as all my wife can do is hold the boat. This Islander loads easy but I think I winched it on to far this time as I had the trailer in to deep. The bucks stick our past the transom 2 inches.
I unloaded. Then I pulled the boat to the end of the dock so the next guy could unload and by the time I came back to warm up my boat their boat was in the water in front of me. By the time I had the motor warmed up the other fellow was just walking up to the dock after parking. I pulled away and he moved back so the next guy could get in. I was surprised how well this worked compared to the mayhem that I'm used to seeing.
It was a great day.

 

[jcupo6]

Re: Launching and loading by yourself?

Okay, now the most important question. Did you catch anything?!

 

[ricohman]

Re: Launching and loading by yourself?

Okay, now the most important question. Did you catch anything?!

Nothing. Lost a few leeches though. To tell you the truth I never even filled the livewell as I was planning to release whatever we caught today.
With two females fishing, I spent more time baiting hooks and freeing snags than I spent fishing. But it was an awesome day

 

[louiefl]

Re: Launching and loading by yourself?

Me and my 10-year old daughter went out today so it was like going solo. Best thing I ever did was get longer dock lines 25 footers. When I come into the ramp, I have the two ends already at the gunwale. Once the boat stops, I hop off and can control both ends of the boat. I tie up at the end, get the trailer, and then use both lines in one hand to pull the boat to the trailer. I added PVC trailer guides - makes retrieving solo a snap.

We didn't catch any fish either...

 

[ricohman]

Re: Launching and loading by yourself?

Me and my 10-year old daughter went out today so it was like going solo. Best thing I ever did was get longer dock lines 25 footers. When I come into the ramp, I have the two ends already at the gunwale. Once the boat stops, I hop off and can control both ends of the boat. I tie up at the end, get the trailer, and then use both lines in one hand to pull the boat to the trailer. I added PVC trailer guides - makes retrieving solo a snap.

We didn't catch any fish either...

I am buying longer lines tomorrow. I have 15 foot lines and they are way to short. I didn't know what length I needed but now I know 15 foot lines on a 22.5ft boat will not be enough to tie up in a slip. Not if I want to do it right. I will have to buy by the foot as nobody sells a 20 or 25 foot length around here.

 

[BonairII]

Re: Launching and loading by yourself?

I launch all the time by myself. 26' total length cuddy.

here is typical based on the two launches I typically use.

load boat at home
pull into marina and park in prep area
pay launch fee
install plug
undo transom straps
disconnect trailer wiring
then pull into ramp area

back down ramp, once boat is in water at right depth, tie boat to dock cleats
disconnect winch and safety chain
gently push boat backwards
hop back on dock, undo lines, and walk boat out farther on dock
tie off boat (use bumpers as needed)
turn on blower

walk back to truck
hop in and park truck/trailer

walk back to boat
lower outdrive
start boat
undo dock lines
back out of ramp area
go boating

total time that ramp lane is tied up is under 5 minutes

retrieval is easy

come into marina
tie off boat at ramp dock
raise outdrive
walk to truck
back trailer into water to correct depth
undo dock lines and walk boat to trailer
center boat, pull out 5' of winch strap
connect to boat
winch onto trailer
connect safety chain
pull boat out of water up ramp
pull plug
install transom straps
connect trailer lights
check trailer lights
hop in truck and drive home

total time under 5 minutes.

if you have any question of boat starting and running, then repair the boat prior to leaving the house

Out of curiosity.....why don't you put the plug in at home?

 

[Davem3]

Re: Launching and loading by yourself?

Out of curiosity.....why don't you put the plug in at home?

water that gets in from rain, i wash my rig every time i get home.
let it run out while towing to the dock, then the boat will be empty and dry, NOW put in the plug.

I also pull the plug while attaching transom straps, but the best thing i ever did was install guide posts ( with lights for nighttime use).

makes launch and retrieve a snap, now ...............

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Launching and loading by yourself?

I am buying longer lines tomorrow. I have 15 foot lines and they are way to short. I didn't know what length I needed but now I know 15 foot lines on a 22.5ft boat will not be enough to tie up in a slip. Not if I want to do it right. I will have to buy by the foot as nobody sells a 20 or 25 foot length around here.

I'm sure someone will say this is wrong, but what I use is heavy poly line from Home Depot. Coincidentally it comes in the exact same sizes and colors as the lines that Attwood sells. Costs about $12 for 100ft package

Just make sure to look at the load rating on the package, they sell a few different types

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Launching and loading by yourself?

Out of curiosity.....why don't you put the plug in at home?

because I keep the plug on the boat key ring, and I have always done it this way for over 30 years. any water from the coolers, or rain, or washing the boat will be guaranteed to be gone by the time I get to the launch.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Launching and loading by yourself?

Out of curiosity.....why don't you put the plug in at home?

In MN that could get you a $100 fine

 

[BonairII]

Re: Launching and loading by yourself?

water that gets in from rain

You don't cover your boat?

 

[rheagler]

Re: Launching and loading by yourself?

In MN that could get you a $100 fine

Whaaaat?? Sorry for my dumbfoundedness, but what can get you the fine? Putting the plug in at home? Or not putting it in at home? What is the rationale?