remote winch hook release ???

[26aftcab454]

too big a rig for single handed launch / retrieve solo... 1984 Wellcraft 26 aft cab (7000lbs ) on a EZ Load roller trailer. Boat is moored in a slip close to the house now- but it is too expensive to keep there next year. I really do not want to downsize-love the boat. The bow is 7 to 8 feet high on the trl. I have an wired remote for the electric winch. I do not have to get truck tires wet but the cable has to be let out several feet to hook & unhook once boat is floating. I'm thinking a welded ladder could get my fat azz up & down but how to unlatch bow eye???

I had seen an add for a remote release but do not remember the name.

I usually have help but like going alone some times--anyone have any useful experiance or ideas?

 

[dingbat]

Re: remote winch hook release ???

Same situation, easy solution.

I tie the boat off to the winch stand with a dock line wrapped around the winch stand. Back off the winch until the dock line takes the load, typically 2' or 3'. At this point the hook is still easily accessible from the winch stand. Uncoil the dock line and left boat roll off the trailer. Works like a charm

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: remote winch hook release ???

thx- sounds simple enough.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: remote winch hook release ???

A buddy of mine tried one of those remote release gadgets on his 23' boat but it rarely worked right. It would only release if there was no load on the winch strap.
He finally went out and bought a remote winch which uses a key fob control much like the one that comes with most new trucks. What he does is back down the ramp, he lets out a bit of cable, and takes the bow lead and wraps it a few times around the winch post, he takes a second rope lead, with a loop at each end, and places it between the boat and the winch cable. He then boards the boat and lets out the winch. He can then take the boat pole and reach and unhook the cable, dock the boat and then park his truck. It works great and for an 80 year old guy he does quite well. Once the cable is disconnected, he simply flips the shorter bow lead up on deck out of the way.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: remote winch hook release ???

thx- my biggest issue is climbing up & down the bow- I'll need to buy/ fab some type of ladder or steps.

 

[Bob's Garage]

Re: remote winch hook release ???

I used to self launch a 26' Welcraft Coastal but I am older now and don't move so good.

I now have a set up for self launching which may help and is not complicated for my current boat, a 22' catamaran Dual Console bowrider. This boat also sits very high, about 7' over the trailer tongue. However it does have a ladder on the winch stand. (Which can be aftermarket fabricated).

I mounted an eye bolt, heavy duty and welded closed,facing to the rear of the trailer, in place of the top mounting bolt for the winch. I also fabricated a line sufficiently heavy to hold the weight of my boat, 4500lbs, with a heavy, open ended hook, on one end, about 6' long. Length can be adjusted to your needs.

When I get to the launch site, during the prep process, I attach the hook to the eye bolt, open end facing up, and tie it off to a forward cleat.

Upon backing in to the water, I release the trailer hook, at which time the "launch hook" then takes up the load. I climb into the boat, (this has to be a funny sight), start the engines and when ready to release, I untie the cleated line, the weight of the hook drops the end off the eye, I pull the line onto the boat and I am good to go.

When loading I reverse the process, catching the hook in the eye, tie off, climb down, (another funny sight), attach the trailer hook and winch it tight.

This works very well for me, and I even use it when launching with the wife so she doesn't have to deal with the winch.

However, I think you are going to have a problem self launching in any manner other than with guide ropes as you have a roller trailer.

The biggest factor in permitting any on board self launch would be the friction of the bunks, giving the self launcher the time to release and reposition at the helm before sliding into the water.

I can envision some very interesting mad scrambling trying to get to the helm of a boat rapidly sliding down the trailer and shooting off the end.

Some changes could be made to the trailer, but that would defeat the purpose of a roller trailer.

 

[TyeeMan]

Re: remote winch hook release ???

Man have I got a product for you!!! I don't sell it and I don't have one but a guy I work with turned me on to it, it's quite possibly the coolest thing I've ever seen. I don't know how to post a link on here so go to Rope-A-Boat.com Depends on what you want to spend but basically it is a totally automated boat launch and retreive system, they even have a little ladder you can buy that mounts onto the front of your trailer so you can jump in or out of your boat and on to the landing. The company is based right here in Minnesota.
Now, the only thing I don't know is how big of a boat will it work on. My hunch is they (the company) can change a few things here or there to accomodate what you have.
Oh, you can see it on YouTube too.

 

[dingbat]

Re: remote winch hook release ???

I used to self launch a 26' Welcraft Coastal but I am older now and don't move so good.

I now have a set up for self launching which may help and is not complicated for my current boat, a 22' catamaran Dual Console bowrider. This boat also sits very high, about 7' over the trailer tongue. However it does have a ladder on the winch stand. (Which can be aftermarket fabricated).

I mounted an eye bolt, heavy duty and welded closed,facing to the rear of the trailer, in place of the top mounting bolt for the winch. I also fabricated a line sufficiently heavy to hold the weight of my boat, 4500lbs, with a heavy, open ended hook, on one end, about 6' long. Length can be adjusted to your needs.

When I get to the launch site, during the prep process, I attach the hook to the eye bolt, open end facing up, and tie it off to a forward cleat.

Upon backing in to the water, I release the trailer hook, at which time the "launch hook" then takes up the load. I climb into the boat, (this has to be a funny sight), start the engines and when ready to release, I untie the cleated line, the weight of the hook drops the end off the eye, I pull the line onto the boat and I am good to go.

When loading I reverse the process, catching the hook in the eye, tie off, climb down, (another funny sight), attach the trailer hook and winch it tight.

This works very well for me, and I even use it when launching with the wife so she doesn't have to deal with the winch.

However, I think you are going to have a problem self launching in any manner other than with guide ropes as you have a roller trailer.

The biggest factor in permitting any on board self launch would be the friction of the bunks, giving the self launcher the time to release and reposition at the helm before sliding into the water.

I can envision some very interesting mad scrambling trying to get to the helm of a boat rapidly sliding down the trailer and shooting off the end.

Some changes could be made to the trailer, but that would defeat the purpose of a roller trailer.

I take it you guys don't launch at a dock? I don't see the need to get into the boat at that point in time otherwise.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: remote winch hook release ???

Thanks Bob, I can't seem to find any winch stand ladders but see alot that do not seem complicated. Yeah climbing up/down and then scrambling along the gunnel's is gonna be interesting. It is a long way for a fat man to fall.:redface: My wife can pull the trailer in and out of the water & park but no good with the winch. I think with practice before the water gets too cold it is doable.

The Rope A Boat looks good but for 22ft & under boats . I might talk to their custom sized people.

There are docks where I launch but are only on one side and too far from the ramp. I think the wind would give me a hard time. I don't want to be " that guy" who holds everyone up struggling on the ramp.

 

[Bob's Garage]

Re: remote winch hook release ???

If you have a mid-ship cleat that you can reach from the helm, you could try the "launch line" idea from there.

Run the line down the side and tie it off tight to the cleat. Then go to the ramp, back down, slowly release the winch tension to see what happens with the set up. If the line holds, have your wife pull the vehicle up slowly while you observe the line. If it continues to hold then it is possible that the system will work for you.

A couple of thoughts;

• Use 1/2" line at least
• Do not release the trailer strap, just release the pressure so it acts as a safety line for the test.
• Teach your wife how to operate the boat so she can do the off loading. She should know how anyway in case something happens to you.

I am still not liking the roller trailer for this type unloading.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: remote winch hook release ???

I've seen a few different trailer mounted ladder solutions over the years, the best was a simple ladder made right on the far side of the winch post, the guy basically made a ladder out of square tubing and welded it to the side of the bow stand, another guy had a flip up ladder about mid trailer, it looked like a swim ladder hinged to one crossmember and supported when upright by a brace hinged to the next crossmember. When the boat was on the trailer, it just layed flat between or next to the rollers.

You could also just buy a hang on swim ladder and use that, just hang it from the bow when needed.
Something like these:

http://www.iboats.com/Boat-Parts-Ac...045450--submit.Search--submit.x.0--submit.y.0

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: remote winch hook release ???

I would like to get a welded/ bolted on ladder- I am leery of the hang on type. I weigh in at over 330lbs and do not want to bust my azz.