First Launch and Recovery This Weekend Any Advise

[JGra]

I have been fixing up and ould Jon Boat for the last couple of months. The rig had been sitting for about 12 years prior. I have gone thru the engine and have done all the required maintenance an have it running really well. Although I have done a lot of fishing over the years and have had many boating trips I have never launched and recovered a boat before myself. The trailer is set up with bunk boards on the bottom and also has center rollers. I plan on bringing my 21 year old son with me and am wanting to get out to the ramp early that morning. One question I have is do I drive this boat on the trailer or get it close enough and winch it on. Launching I don't think will be a problem and I don't think recovery will be either but just wondering what would be the best way to get back on the trailer. Sorry for all the lame questions but the last thing I want to do is **** someone off at the boat ramp. I have learned a lot from the forums and dont really think I will have any problems but I would like any advise anyone wants to offer.I put a picture below of the boat to give an Idea of what it is. Thanks

 

[HAV2FISH]

Re: First Launch and Recovery This Weekend Any Advise

When you go to launch slowly back the trailer in and stop just when the back of the boat starts to float. Make a mental note on how far your tires are in the water. Most of the time the water will be almost to the top of the finders. You can now undo your front winch strap and easily pull the boat the rest of the way off the trailer.
Now when you go to pull the boat out of the water you know how far to back in. You can either drive the boat on the trailer very slowly just till it
stops and winch it the rest of the way. Or you can just pull the boat on the trailer till it stops then winch it the rest of the way. It will winch real easy. Pulling it is the safest way till you get comfortable maneuvering the boat in tight spots. Once you have the boat on the trailer pull up to the parking lot and finish securing it down to the trailer etc.

And don't forget to put your plug in. Hope this helps.

 

[cheesegrits]

Re: First Launch and Recovery This Weekend Any Advise

Are you using a pickup for a TV? If you are drop the tailgate so you can see exactly where the tires are when you are backing in. On my old skiff I would back in until the bunks were right at water level, this helps when loading to line the keels up and then just drive it up! Clip the strap and pull her out. Dropping the tailgate is a huge help just make sure you have enough clearance! Don't worry if the hull isn't completely straight, with a light hull you can make final adjustments in the parking lot. And the main thing is have a great time with your son and don't worry about the other people on the ramp they're just envious of your fish in the livewell!

 

[Nandy]

Re: First Launch and Recovery This Weekend Any Advise

Check the rules for the ramp. If it says no power loading then you know what to do. I consider most ramps a "no power loading" ramps. In my case I steer the boat to the trailer and give it a touch of gas once I see it is straight and touched the first roller. Sometimes I dont even do the "gas touch" as I have enough speed to get to the sweet spot. After that, I winch it in. Whatever you do dont leave the motor in gear. I have seen it before, they leave the motor in gear so the motor keeps pushing against the bow roller while they hook the strap. I wonder what will happen if they get hit from a big wave, are they going to break an arm, the boat of their hauling vehicle....

 

[ckone0814]

Re: First Launch and Recovery This Weekend Any Advise

this is an easy one...don't do it on a weekend.

 

[MushCreek]

Re: First Launch and Recovery This Weekend Any Advise

Rule Number one- PUT THE PLUG IN! And for the sake of everybody else at the ramp, practice backing the rig somewhere else, like an empty parking lot, before trying it at the ramp.

 

[Sikiguya]

Re: First Launch and Recovery This Weekend Any Advise

Helpful tips I got was a checklist. Especially as a beginner and at a busy ramp, it is very easy to forget something..like the plug or start the blower, etc. Just make a checklist and stay on it!

Another useful one was similar to the one above, open the backdoor on your vehicle. Not a big issue when the boat is on. On my boat/trailer, without the boat, you can't see the trailer. Make things so much easier!

 

[JGra]

Re: First Launch and Recovery This Weekend Any Advise

Thanks for all the helpfull hints. I will use alot of them. I will be towning it with my Ford Ranger Edge V6 pickup. I am towing from the bumper hitch which I know will handle it. The rig angle sits a little high in the front due to the stance of the Edge series pickup. Dont know if that will make it eaiser or harder. I am going to put a reciever hitch on in the near furture. I am going to be there right at daylight so maybe it wont be alot of people there. I am not new to backing a trailer so that wont be a problem. I fished with my father in law for years with his bass boat and I always had trailer duty. I just needed some tips on the best way to launch and load. Thanks Again to everyone.

 

[FBPirate95]

Re: First Launch and Recovery This Weekend Any Advise

My two cents would be to get a long bow rope and maybe a boat hook. Also when launching make sure to get it away from the ramp quickly. As someone has posted on a previous thread, it just takes one person to go buy on a boat or jet ski to make your boat bang the crap out of itself on the ramp. One other bit of advice is to be very careful on the ramp to avoid slipping and falling. You can get banged up pretty good yourself on some ramps.

 

[i386]

Re: First Launch and Recovery This Weekend Any Advise

Get the boat ready before you back it down the ramp so others aren't waiting on you. I usually test my engine at home first too but that's because it's a Chrysler.