Launching by yourself

[bumjelly]

Re: Launching by yourself

Isle of Fun,
Since your winch is top mounted, another alternative could be something like what I found while searching for some info on available "boat/bow step". See pic.
Perhaps a bolt-on, arm/step combination to the side or rear of the winch support tube.
bumjelly

 

[bumjelly]

Re: Launching by yourself

Isle of Fun,
Since your winch is top mounted, another alternative could be something like what I found while searching for some info on available "boat/bow step". See pic.
I realize it's made for a high sailboat, but the general idea is something that could be useful and help to prevent slipping off and getting hurt too!
Perhaps a bolt-on, arm/step combination to the side or rear of the winch support tube.
bumjelly

 

[CoveSeeker]

Re: Launching by yourself

Where i boat the courtesy docks are about 100 feet from the boat ramp. So after i launch the boat i have to idle over to the courtesy dock, tie off the boat, then run back to the ramp to park the truck.
When i prep the boat for launch i attach a line to the front bow cleat and then feed the line through the lower part of the winch stand and then tie the end of the line back to the bow cleat. I back the boat in and unhook the safety chain. I let out the winch strap out until the line is holding the boat. I unhook the winch strap hook from the bow eye. The line tied to the front cleat is just long enough for the boat to float back (it's still partially on the rollers) and i can still use the spare as a step to get on the boat. I start up the engine to warm it up. If i don't warm up the engine i would end up on the rocks pretty quickly, especially on a windy day. Once the engine is warmed up, i stay on the boat and just untie one end of the line from the bow cleat , the boat starts floating back, and i pull the line from the winch stand--and then i use this same line to tie up the bow to the courtesy dock.

 

[jgrice]

Re: Launching by yourself

Where I launch and retrieve no dock, just gravelo on one side of ramp and rocks on the other. I tie a line from the bow cleat to a ring tiedown on the truck, back down and jerk stop to float the boat, pull it onto the gravel and go park. Once ---I tho't the line was secure to truck (not!) and boat went 30 yds. away. Luckily another boater saw, motored over and brought the line back to me. Saved! Now line is double secured before lauching )

 

[SwampNut]

Re: Launching by yourself

I put a ladder on the bow. Useful for climbing in from shore too.

 

[cdre]

Re: Launching by yourself

One thing to remember is wheel chocks. I have two 12" pieces of landscaping lumber with holes in them. A piece of rope about 10' long ties them together. When I back down the ramp to where the boat is ready to back down, I set the brake, put the chocks under the rear wheels, and roll back onto them, setting the brake again. The rope goes over the tounge of the trailer. When ready to pull off, chocks get dragged with you on the rope. Very convenient/safe for single-man launching.