Solo Boating

[roffey]

I had a 26 foot Welcraft and could launch by my self but not load. In a pinch I guess I could have loaded it solo but much easier with two

 

[porscheguy]

I launch and retrieve solo all the time. My procedure is the same regardless of whether I’ve got people with me.

1. Prep for launch away from the ramp in the staging area. Tie downs off, drain plugs in, gear and coolers on board, batteries connected and turned on, blower running, and lines set for easy access.
2. Back down the ramp and into the water until trailer fenders are just covered with water(that’s the ideal position for my trailer, yours may be different). Set parking brake and leave driver side window down.
3. Unhook safety chain, release the brake on the winch, let it roll off into the water, unhook the winch from the bow eye, and just hook the cable some where. You should be holding the bow line with one hand btw.
4. Once boat is free, hop up on the pier, walk it out to the end, tie it off, get back to the truck and get it parked. Walk back quickly, get in the boat and go.

The biggest hold ups I see at the ramp are people who wait to prep and load until they’re at the ramp.

 

[Wave34]

I launch and retrieve solo all the time. My procedure is the same regardless of whether I’ve got people with me.

1. Prep for launch away from the ramp in the staging area. Tie downs off, drain plugs in, gear and coolers on board, batteries connected and turned on, blower running, and lines set for easy access.
2. Back down the ramp and into the water until trailer fenders are just covered with water(that’s the ideal position for my trailer, yours may be different). Set parking brake and leave driver side window down.
3. Unhook safety chain, release the brake on the winch, let it roll off into the water, unhook the winch from the bow eye, and just hook the cable some where. You should be holding the bow line with one hand btw.
4. Once boat is free, hop up on the pier, walk it out to the end, tie it off, get back to the truck and get it parked. Walk back quickly, get in the boat and go.

The biggest hold ups I see at the ramp are people who wait to prep and load until they’re at the ramp.

Do you use a line on the stern also so it doesn't move sideways? Like holding 2 lines while walking on the dock.

 

[TunaFish389]

I unload/load faster by myself then most with a group. They usually have to get all their stuff on/off. Move your boat to the non loading side of dock if that is an option. You will get it down to a science. As said before prep. I keep my bow/trailer hook on with bout 3 foot slack while unloading (prep). This so boat doesn't leave and about the right length to crank it on the trailer.

 

[AZQCBoater]

Thank you for the help. Haven't taken the boat out. Doing so upgrades to it and servicing and hope to go out in a couple of weeks.

 

[porscheguy]

Do you use a line on the stern also so it doesn't move sideways? Like holding 2 lines while walking on the dock.

Sometimes yes. My boat is a 19’ so if it starts to get sideways it’s not a big deal.

 

[harringtondav]

Die hard golfers abandon their families all the time. Boating is a more noble cause. I wouldn't stress about the extra time it takes to launch and retrieve solo. Lots of solo fishermen at our ramp. As long as they're prepped and on their game, everyone rolls with it. Most are in and out in less time than the rest. Muttonheads, solo or with help, that plug the slot, unprepared, doing things that should have been done ahead of time deserve the hate stares they get.

My wife doesn't back the trailer, or drive off on a kick-off. She holds the boat on the dock while I park the trailer. Maybe a minute faster than a solo tie off. No one cares as long as you're moving.

 

[rothfm]

Great post. Always wonder if I'm the anomaly. As I almost exclusively Solo my boat, preffered! I fish.

Definetly do it! Others have give you specifics, so this is just words of encouragement.

I solo boat for many reasons...Peace, solitude, relaxation. I can do what I want, when I want and how I want. Not to many times I get to do that in my life. I really really like it. Alone time!

If you take the advise of others and be as prepped as you can to keep ramp time small, no one will give you any grief. I too have gotten more than a few comments about how fast and efficient I am loading/unloading.

have fun

 

[rothfm]

Oh, Forgot....I pick ramps that have a pier along the ramp itself...Makes it easier to load/unload. it would take me a bunch more time to motor out to a remote dock, walk back etc, etc...I dont have many of those, but avoid them. I have my spread of favorites and know them very well

 

[Old Ironmaker]

At least you won't have anyone yelling at you because you aren't doing it right. I wouldn't consider launching my 19 footer solo. I wish I could. The old 14 foot tinny, no problem. My Uncle Ang used to launch and retrieve his 22 foot wooden beast alone. He had his own system and he never held up anyone in line. He is an amazing man, my hero actually. He is in his 80's now and does more in the morning before I crawl out of bed then I do in a week.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

Is solo launching doable with a bigger boat, like a 26' cruiser?
The extra weight (7500lb) will make it hard to push and the height will make it easier to catch in the wind.

I never launched my boat at a ramp because I was in a marina,so no experience there... yet.

Since my wife has less vacation days than me, I would like to go alone some times.

We used to go out on a charter fishing boat on Lake Ontario for salmon on a 28 footer. The Cappy could launch and retrieve that beast solo faster than some with a 14 foot tinny. He had it down to a science.

 

[JimS123]

Is solo launching doable with a bigger boat, like a 26' cruiser?
The extra weight (7500lb) will make it hard to push and the height will make it easier to catch in the wind.

I never launched my boat at a ramp because I was in a marina,so no experience there... yet.

Since my wife has less vacation days than me, I would like to go alone some times.

I've been launching boats for 50 years now. Before I ever tried, I used to ride my bike to the launch ramp, and sit there watching people do it. I never learned the right way, but I sure learned how NOT to do it......LOL.

So, now I DO know how. I usually have help. If I am solo, I do just fine.

Much to my dismay, my son has a 26 footer and he often goes it alone. (Of course I taught him everything he knows....LOL.) Anyways, when I'm with him I usually let him do it alone because he's actually that good at it. (see parenthetical comment above)

Anywhoot, its a piece of cake as long as you follow the procedures listed in the trailer boats manual. (that's how i learned.....)

 

[Fed]

I let my wife hold the rope it makes her feel important.
Solo I hold the rope myself and walk it up the wharf.

 

[AZQCBoater]

Fed I can’t help but notice your boat has a strange sound to it. Kind like a baby crying. Better get that checked

 

[Fed]

Some sort of strange bird I think, those slotted wobbly rollers make a bit of a racket, gave me a bit of a fright the first time I launched for a moment I thought something was wrong.
I should add I use a powerwinch with a lanyard string tied to the back of the trailer to retrieve, it allows me to stand at the back of the trailer to position the boat then pull the string to activate the winch. The water is less than a Foot deep when I retrieve.

 

[Texasmark]

I started boating when I was 16 and bought my first boat....didn't have a car so I used moms. Got my driver's license when I was 14 because of circumstances at the time. When the kids were growing up it was a family thing mostly but otherwise I solo boated all my life..over 60 years. I preferred it because I didn't have to worry about entertaining somebody else and I liked to Bass fish and when you pulled up to the end of a pier, or worked a bank or rip rap, you didn't have to position the boat so that boat occupants had equal casting room and equal chances to "get there first and get the big one".