Boating alone help

[blifsey]

Re: Boating alone help

Leave your tow vehicle window rolled down while on ramp in case you accidently lock doors out of habit - with keys in ignition.<br /><br />Get a telescoping boat pole...they are great for reaching for things from in the boat, fending boat at dock, etc. There is also some pole you can use to attach the winch strap to bow eye. Lets you reach out over the water to your do this.<br /><br />If your ramp doesn't have a good courtesy dock to tie off to, look into a keel protector if you have to beach the boat while moving tow vehicle.

 

[Fly Rod]

Re: Boating alone help

Had no problem launching or retrieving my 20' lund on a roller trailer. Best thing that I did was install a power winch. Ran a length of 1/4" nylon rope from the winch button down to the frame near the rear wheels. backed the trailer to just below the wheel bearings or rear trailer roller touched the water, ran the wrinch cable down to the about in line with the tire axel,drive the bow of the boat onto the trailer hook the cable to the bow grab the winch rope and let the winch do the work,"SIMPLE".<br />Also have no problem with my 26' Dusky putting it on the bunk trailer by my self.

 

[snohomishbaddawg]

Re: Boating alone help

All the launching and retrieving tips are great. The one thing I would like to add is when you are boating by yourself make sure you attach the engine kill lanyard to your person. Nothing worse than going in the drink and having your boat drive away without you or worse coming back and running you over. I boat and fish alot by myself and even when it is a pain to do so I make sure my emegency stop lanyard is attached whenever the boat is running.

 

[ethelwright]

Re: Boating alone help

Thanks to all of you . A lot of great tips for me . I appreciate all the help from the experienced boaters out there.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Boating alone help

not sure what its worth, but ive launched my 16.5 CC bonita by myself many a time and i pre prep everything in the prep lane, before i get to the ramp, and i have a long rope that is tied to the bow and i loop the other end around my hitch with all the slack sitting on the bow deck, and then as i enter the water backwards, the truck stops and the boat goes drifting in but stops after a small bit cause its tied to the truck... then just get out and pull the boat over to the dock and tie it up and move the truck... <br />just make sure you dont do this trick when its really crowded, but it shure helps when its just me

 

[notinbig]

Re: Boating alone help

My friend it doesn't have to be alot of work.<br /><br />I back my boatnice and tight to the dock, keeping the nose tightly winched in. Then I either step off the dock into the back or climb on my rear tire, to the bumper, to the trailer and in the openbow. Fire it up, un tie the front, back it off, and park it away from the ramp, park the truck. When coming out I don't back the trailer in all that far I leave a little of the wheel well showing and drive it right on nice and slow then slowly power and walk right to the nose. I never get wet I never have a problem.

 

[lv4cad]

Re: Boating alone help

Yeah, what he said...LOL