Boating alone help

[ethelwright]

I am a proud owner of a 16 foot fiberglass bowrider that I tow with my 1993 Nissan Pathfinder 5 speed. I only got my boat last summer at the end of the season, had it out about 4 or 5 times then had to put her up under the shrink wrap. My daughter informed me tonight that she will not come in the boat at all , has a phobia of boats. I cannot expect my friends or parents to accompany me all the time when I go out . What I am asking of the many experienced boaters out there is how I can launch and retrieve the boat by myself ? I don't want to spend money on a boat slip as that defeats the purpose of a trailerable boat . I want to enjoy the many lakes here in northwestern ontario and I want to master the art of proper towing , backing up etc .I already have big wheel chocks so I don't take the 4by4 swimming and I rigged a rope to pull the chocks out of the way when I pull out of the launch. By the way I have studied the launch etiquette listed on this site so I don't hold up other boaters and I use a seldom used ramp that few people use.Any tips for me , a new boater ? I would be most appreciative of help.

 

[sbasalv]

Re: Boating alone help

Ethel ... g'day ... I have experienced similar situations ... even sold my 18foot half cabin for a 16foot runabout so I can retrieve alone ... here's some tips for what they're worth ... once boat is secure (ie tied to jetty, anchored etc) ... make sure winch cable pulled out and tied to end of trailer BEFORE reversing down boat ramp ... then just concentrate on getting bow of boat to first roller and secured to winch cable and take up the slack on winch cable .... biggest problem at this stage is wind and / or tide starts to push the rear of the boat off line ... I now have a rope loop from rear of boat to front of boat with about 3 foot slack ... this allows me to pull the back of the boat back on line while still standing near the front of the boat .... I then pull the back of the boat up wind a few feet and then start to winch the boat in as it starts to drift back ... you get it down to a fine art after a few attempts ... hope this helps ... cheers

 

[djvan]

Re: Boating alone help

Guide poles are worth the $$$, definately when alone. <br /><br />DougV>

 

[lilthundr]

Re: Boating alone help

As long as your trailer has rollers instead of bunks, it should be no problem for you to launch your boat alone. I would also recommend two longs ropes, one in front and one at rear to help you guide the boat onto the first roller, especially on a windy day or on a long and shallow ramp.<br />And don't forget to make sure the drain plug is in before you launch <br />Practise makes perfect, or at least good enough so you don't attract a crowd every time you launch <br />Good Luck

 

[Old Jarhead]

Re: Boating alone help

Go to the boat ramp on a nice Saturday [without your boat ] and watch how others do it.<br /><br />You'll pick up some good tips on how to as well as some good how NOT to's. When you're ready to give it a try pick a weekday and just take your time.

 

[Bert1]

Re: Boating alone help

I have been launching and retrieving alone for the past three years without any problems. Just ensure that all your lines are at the ready. I will usually get everything ready before backing down the ramp (other users seem to be happier that way ) I will back up far enough so that the back of the boat floats off the bunks(no problems doing this with bunks), then I will release the bow strap and hook and hop into the boat, start it, power off the trailer and get to the dock ASAP. I then get the van+trailer off the ramp. This usually take 5 minutes. I have guide-ons for the trailer that are a great help. To load up, I get to the dock and tie up, get the van and trailer and back up on the ramp only enough to immerse the top of the fenders on the trailer (this is my sweet spot), go to the boat and drive it on the trailer. Exit the boat through the bow, winch it up the remaining distance and place the safety hook. Then drive off the ramp and finish securing the boat out of the way of others who wish to use the ramp. Again, this usually take 5 minutes. Hope this helps!

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Boating alone help

I have a 17ft FG bowrider. When I launch alone, I find it easiest to back it down to the point that the back end is floating (water is at the top of the trailer tire), grap the line I have attached to the forward cleat and then just push it off. I will then beach it and pull my car out. For the reverse, I power load it.<br /><br />If you are not skilled or confident at backing down the ramp, this is one area that will benefit by practice. Go to a parking lot and get comfortable with backing that trailer where you want it to go.<br /><br />The other thing I would say is to create a routine that you follow every time. This will minimize errors and make thing runs smooth. I had to drag my outboard up the ramp before that made it to my list..

 

[Bondo]

Re: Boating alone help

1 tip I've learned the Hard Way.....<br />When outfitting your boat with Lines....<br />The Bow Line should be about 3" Short of reaching the Prop......<br />The Stern Lines Should be Long Enough so you can walk forward,+ Reach the Bow Line.....<br />Reasoning for this is,<br />When they happen to slip off while underway, the Stren lines will just trail behind the boat.....<br />And, the Bow Line Won't get Picked up by the Prop....<br />When Launching,+ Retriving by yourself, It's Much Easier, when you can Easily Reach Both Lines.....<br /><br />I Agree with all stated above,<br />Except for,

"I power load it."<br />And,"go to the boat and drive it on the trailer."

Float your boat onto the trailer......<br />Or,Winch it on....<br />Power Loading Scours Out the Launch Area, When people like me show up,+ Back in Far Enough, My trailer drops into the Scour Holes that the Inconsiderate boaters Dig.....<br />1 of the Happiest days I Ever had on the water was watching this Butthead Trying to Power Load a Bassboat....... He Tryed a couple times, then Power Loaded right Over Top Of the Trailer, Into the Back of his Pick-up Truck.......<br />Once I got my 22' Cabin boat on the trailer,By Myself, I made it a Point to go over,+ Congratulate Him.....

 

[Bert1]

Re: Boating alone help

Nothing wrong with power loading when it is done gently. I agree, with the previous post about some people who think you need to gun the power to max in order to load. Simply use idle speed to guide the boat on the bunks and to center, once that is done, cut the power and use the winch to pull the boat to the bow stop. Let's not generalize based on afew yahoos who have too much power hanging on the transom. Cheers!!

 

[cjones4@hvc.rr.com]

Re: Boating alone help

Experienced folks probably know this but... a good technique I learned this year... when backing up a trailer - put your hand on the BOTTOM of the steering wheel and turn in the direction you want the boat/trailer to go.

 

[ethelwright]

Re: Boating alone help

Thanks to all of you , a lot of great info out there . Good of you to help a rank rookie . What about an electric winch with a long remote lanyard?Anyone use one of those ? I was thinking of getting one installed on the trailer.

 

[crab bait]

Re: Boating alone help

15 footer ..hardly need a power winch.. but if you want one get one..<br /><br />i launch alone all the time.. i go when i want.. want to come along fine.. don't want to come along GREAT..<br /><br />i got the darnest way that it just amazes people..<br /><br />it's so simple that help is not required an not wanted.. help is a hinderance..<br /><br />i have a 16 fter on a bunk trailer..<br /><br />i put the anchor in the bed of the minivan but same for truck bed, hatch back, trunk,ect.. <br /><br />back down in the water somewhat ..stomp the brake.. boat floats off.. <br /><br />pull van up some,so trailer's on dry ramp.. take anchor rope an ty off to pier..<br /><br />park van.. <br /><br />alittle different in loadin' and you'll learn.. heck,, we got you in the water..<br /><br />have fun.. don't forget THE PLUG..!!!

 

[NCOffSeason]

Re: Boating alone help

Number one is relax. Having a set routine and following it will help.<br /><br />Chris

 

[salty87]

Re: Boating alone help

routine, routine, routine.....<br /><br />no matter what tricks you pick up- ropes certain lengths, anchor in the back of the truck, ropes on chocks....don't lose the routine. <br /><br />having someone to help is often more trouble than help because they mess up your routine. the next thing you know, you've locked your keys in the truck or forgotten the plug or left the ice chest behind

 

[Knightgang]

Re: Boating alone help

I gotta agree with the routine. Loading/Unloading alone can sometimes be better if you do not have a partner included in the routine. My partner, when there, only drives the truck up and doen the ramp. Everything else is on me, in my routine, that way nothing is forgotten.<br /><br />I too hate the MEGA power loaders. I do drive on, but it is more like a steady rate of floating at idle or just a smear above, and the way my traielr is set, it lands me right at the winch tower. Only have to winch enough to tighten.<br /><br />If you plan on ramp loading ofter, get good upright supports. They are a life saver when loading in a current. I have had my boat for about 6 months. I have taken it out about 2 doz times without another adult (4year old children and younger are no help) and I have yet to get wet loading/unloading alone.<br /><br />Keep looking around these forums. There is a thread here somewhere (I can't rind it now, maybe someone else can) that has a link to a great article about how to load and unload by yourself. It will give a good starting point and then you can revise as you see fit for your rig.<br /><br />JB and other mods, if you remeber what I am talking about, pease add the link to this thread. I would like to have it available to refernce to our newbies.<br /><br />Thanks<br />Knightgang<br /><br />Edit: I found it. Take a look at this thread and the link supplied by Luna Sea.<br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=23;t=000487

 

[lund17]

Re: Boating alone help

That one-man boat article is the one I fashioned my routine after and have used the techniques with great success. I was absolutely sure I did not want a boat I couldn't handle alone. Idle on and center. My 15 yr old son pulls the truck out at the end, period. If alone I climb off the bow. Leaves me about 6 inches to winch it up tight. Good luck and get out there to practice often!

 

[fowl intent]

Re: Boating alone help

I was pretty (damned) scared when I bought my first big boat last spring (25'), 'cause I knew I would be frequently launching/retrieving it by myself. After spending much time reviewing posts on this forum, and after preparing a mental checklist, and several practice runs, the process of launching/retrieving this boat is acually easier than doing the same with my 16' duck boat. The key, in addition to the advance preparation, is to practice the maneuvers at a time when there are few boaters at the ramp until your comfort level increases.

 

[richg99]

Re: Boating alone help

I've taken off the "guide-ons" and replaced them with "slide-ons" on the last 3 or 4 boats that I owned. You can see a pix at http://groups.msn.com/CarolinaSkiffOwners/shoebox.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=5 <br /><br />The "guide-ons" that came on the boat were a PIA, since they would hang up the hull whenever wind or current prevailed. The "slide-ons" position the boat right where I want her, and I just take up the slack with my winch. Most people put their trailer in the water too far. Any wind will kill the "positive" effects of "guide-ons", IMHO. RichG

 

[RegalBoater]

Re: Boating alone help

Hey Fowl Intent,<br /> Your situation parallels mine except I will deal with this, this spring with the boat pictured below. Any tips?,, I got to launch this two times before the weather broke last year, by myself, no wind! and it wasnt that bad. I am afraid I would need Guide On's in s stiff wind without help? <br />

 

[jtexas]

Re: Boating alone help

DON'T unhook the winch before the boat is in the water, although I find it helpful to pull out a little slack.<br /><br />USE WHEEL CHOCKS if you leave your vehicle on the ramp!<br /><br />When I'm alone and leave the van on the ramp with the trailer in the water I always put a chock behind the front wheel on the driver's side. It's got a short cord attached so I can just open the door and retrieve it as I pull out.<br /><br />Check this out:<br />Towing Tips for the new and old boaters <br /><br />You can find a lot of pitfalls to avoid in the Stupid Human Tricks section of this forum.<br /><br />have fun!<br />jw