solo launch

[ridehardny]

I've got a 21 foot bow rider. Can someone give me a step by step of how to launch the boat by myself? I know it's going to be a little tricky.

 

[Windykid]

Re: solo launch

Try this thread.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=117523&highlight=Launching+techniques

 

[jtexas]

Re: solo launch

good link, windykid. The bow-line-to-trailer trick is a good one, but here's what I do:

launch:
1. stop short of the ramp to prepare for launch, so other boats don't have to wait on ya.
2. put in drain plug.
3. remove transom tiedowns.
4. remove transom saver.
5. transfer gear & beer from truck to boat.
6. bunk trailer, put some slack in the winch strap but don't unhook it. roller trailer, probably don't want to do this.
7. cold weather only: open hatch on explorer
8. back down until boat starts to float
9. set parking brake.
10. put truck in park
11. cold weather: climb out hatch on to boat.
warm weather: wade out and climb aboard.
12. unhook bow strap.
13. start engine and soon as possible back off trailer and beach the boat or tie it to the courtesy dock.
14. retrieve truck, park, and go boating.

Loading is the same steps in reverse. be sure to pull clear of the ramp to prep for the drive home.

Set up a routine for your preparations and never vary from it even when you have help. Myself, I have a rule that, once a transom tie-down is in my hand, I can't set it down until the plug is in, no matter what.

Take as much time as you need to do it right, but don't daudle if there's a line for the ramp.

I'll never forget the time I was pulling on to the trailer, and noticed my reverse lights were on...I remembered the parking brake, but forgot to put it in park! You never saw somebody scramble over the bow into the drivers seat so fast!

 

[QC]

Re: solo launch

jtex's is a good list. If there is a courtesy dock and you cannot climb out of the window, I would add:

6A) hang fenders and attach two dock lines.
8A) Back down adjacent to and as close to courtesy dock as possible
12A) Walk boat back along courtesy dock and tie as far out as practical(leaves room for next guy)
13) Make sure boat will start
14) Park truck

 

[Windykid]

Re: solo launch

You guys are on the money.

I also start engine on muffs at home so no suprizes at ramp.

Secure oar close by just in case.

 

[Windykid]

Re: solo launch

I dont know why some people dont use a pilot type ( pre-flight )check list when launching and retreiving.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: solo launch

jTexas has it right as long as you don't do #1 thru #7 while preventing others from loading or launching.

 

[Nova II 260]

Re: solo launch

JTexas has the list.
However, It's better to set the park brake 1st. Then put it in park. The release is better and it'll save your parking pawl. A check list works, I have it for my son (who knows everything) to use. I find that if I handwrite out any procedure, I'll remember it forever. (altough I can barely read my own writing)

 

[Coors]

Re: solo launch

Some one in here had a trick of taking a 30' line and attaching it to the bow and transom; then they could control the boat from the dock; one handed. May have been tasha.

 

[dooma_Flatchy]

Re: solo launch

I would also add leave door open so that you wont hit the auto door locks accidentally and have you vehicle on the ramp running with the doors locked.

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: solo launch

Some one in here had a trick of taking a 30' line and attaching it to the bow and transom; then they could control the boat from the dock; one handed. May have been tasha.

This is how I always launch and retrieve.​

 

[Solittle]

Re: solo launch

I carry a fair sized chalk block to put behind the rear wheel. I set it right after I have set the parking brake & put the transmission in park. I have an eye bolt screwed into the block with a 6' length of line tied to it that I grab when pulling off the ramp.

 

[Bass Man Bruce]

Re: solo launch

Additional for me on my trips:
Never leave a truck door open while backing up or when there is a chance the truck could back up.
If the tailpipe is dry I always turn the motor off, just to know the truck is in park.
Do a "gunnell walk" before leaving the ramp. (I have left some good stuff on the gunnells and found it just in time to many times to count!)
All other above advice works for me.

 

[Al Kungel]

Re: solo launch

To make sure that I only launch the boat after I have backed down the ramp, I first put on the emergency brake, then put the truck in park and turn the motor off, get out and put blocks behind the driver side wheels.

 

[QC]

Re: solo launch

Another tip I give new boaters is after launching and when retreiving always 2 foot as you start up the ramp. Put the truck in Drive but keep the left foot on the brake while you get going a little. This insures a) you are not in Reverse , b) that it doesn't slide back at all while you transfer your foot from the brake to the accelerator and c) it might help keep the rear wheels from spinning . . .

 

[jtexas]

Re: solo launch

I would also add leave door open so that you wont hit the auto door locks accidentally and have you vehicle on the ramp running with the doors locked.

after the first time I did that, I started rolling the drivers side window down!

 

[ondarvr]

Re: solo launch

If there's no dock and I'm solo, I normally tie the bow line to the trailer and back down fast enough into the water for the boat to float off the trailer and continue floating out. Then drive forward slowly and start pulling the boat towards the beach, I then stop, go back to the boat and pull it onto the beach to one side of the ramp, untie it from the tralier and go park. It's very fast, 1 minute or so and easy. With a dock it's similar, I may tie the rope to the trailer, or close it in the truck door so I have it in my hand as I get out, then just walk out on the dock and tie it up. This takes about 2 minutes. And yes all ropes and bumpers are ready ahead of time. I do this 5 to 7 days a week (many times a few times a day) when the fishing is good.