how do I launch by myself?

[old-gubbins]

Re: how do I launch by myself?

How about setting a temporary line from low on the stern (say from bottom of engine bracket) to the winch eye, held up by a line to foredeck cleat via a fairlead, and tie the bottoms of your fenders to this.

Just make sure you retrieve the line and stow away safely as soon as you set off!

Any downsides?

Regard

o-G

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: how do I launch by myself?

i think his problem is the dock to water clearance is so high, his boat is going underneath. i've had the same problem. especially with PWC's.

 

[old-gubbins]

Re: how do I launch by myself?

Hi Tash,

Yes, I understand, but I believe Bigd thought the fenders suggested by QC would help, if he could keep them from riding up over the rubrail. If that is so, do you think my suggestion is safe/sensible?

If the fenders suggested by QC do not rise enough above the rubrail, do you think a V shaped bow fender would work?

O-G

 

[bigdawggie]

Re: how do I launch by myself?

I think the fenders QC suggested are the best idea so far since the hull huggers do not help where the V portion intercests. at least the suggested fenders have a layer of plastic to guard against the banging into the dock.

yes tash the problem is that the boat drifts under the dock when there are rough waters.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: how do I launch by myself?

Try this (IBoats links)
http://www.iboats.com/Hull_Hugr_Con...d.238300--list_time.1200873931--view_id.38996
Or this..
http://www.iboats.com/PWC_Fenders/d....238304--view_id.238304--search_type.category

 

[QC]

Re: how do I launch by myself?

Yeah Bigdawg I've launched a couple of times at Elsinore, but I mostly boat on Mead, Havasu and Parker . . .

Scaaty's suggestion is good too, but I think the Hull hugger will float up as it looks pretty long. That Kona is a as low as they go . . . Old-gubbins suggestion is good, and would help with the float up, but may not solve the under the dock thing unless you also tie something where the transom meets the gunnel (what's that joint called ). You'll get this, just keep noodlin' . . .

 

[pduquette]

Re: how do I launch by myself?

Ok -my looney Idea ! clamp a couple of Quickieclamps to the gunwale with the long bar sitcking up. If your worried about the metal ends cover them with a hunk of foam noodle.

 

[bigdawggie]

Re: how do I launch by myself?

PDU

I actually was thinking about doing something along those lines. I was planning to make something out of 2x4's that looks like an H then insert the bottom portion of the H over the gunwall so one side is in the boat and the other is on the outside the top portion would be sticking up preventing the boat from going under the dock and also protecting the rub rail. this approach would work fine for the rear of the boat but since it's a closed bow I'll have to secure one of the fenders that QC suggested hopefully that works.

Thanks

 

[arboldt]

Re: how do I launch by myself?

Scaaty had an excellent suggestion about the (obsolete) ski belts. Our boat is quite small, shallow and little freeboard. The one time I had to tie up at a dock made for much larger boats, I would have had the same issue.

I tied old ski belts on the dock's vertical posts, then tied the boat fore and aft so that if it rubbed, it was against the old ski belts. (Sure glad we didn't scrap them years ago).

We've also use large suction cups with hooks (like my wife might use the the bathroom shower to hang something) to secure those ski belts above and below. The suction cups hold on the boat's gelcoat ok -- for a little while. I wouldn't leave it like that for too long, though.

Don't be afraid to get creative.

 

[hibbert6]

Re: how do I launch by myself?

Would it work to pull up to the dock, about a foot away, and drop anchor on the side away from the dock? Straight down toward stern, and tie it to a cleat. Maybe one in front, too. Then tie the boat to a dock cleat very loosely. No anchor lines out in the lake, and the boat is close enough to hop into.

Or would this not work???

Dave

 

[flashback]

Re: how do I launch by myself?

Something that has worked for me in the past is what I call a stong arm..take a couple of 2 x 4's about 3 feet long or as long as you think you need, (distance from dock cleats to boat cleats will determine the length).. drill a hole about 2 inches from each end and thread the dock line thru the holes, then tie the ends of the 2x4s tight to the cleats on the boat and the dock..basicly creating 2 hinges..sounds crazy but it works...

 

[ILOVEBEER]

Re: how do I launch by myself?

Boaters/lake go'ers are usually a friendly bunch, so grab someone standing around and ask them to give you a hand!

 

[5chev5]

Re: how do I launch by myself?

just go to another docking place.

 

[bigdawggie]

Re: how do I launch by myself?

Hello,

been a while and still no solution. I'll be heading to the lake next week for the first time this year and will try the 2x4 approach. If someone else has any ideas it would be appreciated

thakns

 

[fishrdan]

Re: how do I launch by myself?

You mentioned the straight boat fenders end up parallel with the boat and dock, then not providing protection. How about weighing them down by filling them with water or attaching a weight to the bottom eye of the fender to keep them in position?

Another idea (along the lines of flashback's idea) thread your dock lines through a section of straight 3/4" PEX tubing (Home Depot), stuff is pretty rigid, yet still flexible, light and probably won't scratch the boat.

 

[bigdawggie]

Re: how do I launch by myself?

thanks dan, the fenders also don't sit up above the boat so when it gets pulled under the dock the fender is under there with it. I'll lookinto the pex or wood threading idea and see how I can do it.

thanks

 

[1996rage]

Re: how do I launch by myself?

How about threading a line through a pool fun noodle, tie the line to the dock cleat, take up line slack and tie other end to boat cleat. It should keep the boat off the dock.


Andy

 

[Chiliando]

Re: how do I launch by myself?

Old thread. 2008

 

[wizbang 13]

Re: how do I launch by myself?

Could you try just tying the bow and snubbing up tight? The boat will lay perpendicular to the dock,pull the bow UP to the dock. You don't nessesarily have to come alongside,'specially for a short time. I have a varnished boat and I always tie like this to protect the topsides.

 

[likalar]

Re: how do I launch by myself?

Gablessim! Bigdawggie's been holding his boat off the dock with his feet since April 2008, and we're still pitchin' in with ideas. ;-)
Larry