Cold water launch question

[reelfishin]

Re: Cold water launch question

I have seen a boat pole designed to hold your bow hook and reach out to the eye somewhere.... might check that

Cabela's has them but they only work on a particular size and shape cable hook.

 

[freeisforme]

Re: Cold water launch question

Here's a pair of size 15 hip waders. http://www.kodiakoutback.com/detail.aspx?ID=525 If you're worried about slipping add these, http://www.fishusa.com/HT-Enterprises-Sure-Grip-Safety-Treads_p.html or use these. http://www.fishingtackleunlimited.com/p/FTU/c-/SI-HardBiteBootStuds.html

I tried the Hodgman waders, they make a 15 boot size but the inseam is meant for a giant. I have a 31" inseam, their size 15 waders come with a 39" inseam. Short of taking a pair of shears to them, they don't work well for me.
Not to mention the hassle of getting in and out of them. I'd have to lose the waders to get back in my truck since they'd be wet. Not to mention the difficulty driving with them on.
I've got a pair of size 15 neoprene hip waders here too, also Hodgman, and their so long I'd have to fold the leg tops back down to nearly my knees to get them on. They are also so tight in the leg I can hardly bend my knees.

They're made for someone 7' tall/200lbs I guess not someone 6' tall and 330 lbs.

 

[bj2455]

Re: Cold water launch question

You fellows are missing out on the easiest thing out there. No hip waders, no walking plank...nothing. I was skeptical at first as I remembered a similar type device that Mastercraft sold on all their boats. Worked about 3 times.

My wife backs the trailer in and I drive the boat on. That simple! The snapper latches onto the bow eye and she pulls me out of the water. I can finish strapping down well off the ramp area. All in less than a minute on the ramp. I do use guides to keep the boat centered regardless of the ramp pitch. Everyone that has seen us load or launch can't believe it's that easy. I've used it for a whole boating season now and will never go back to the manual methods your talking about.

All I can say is 'it works'!

Bill

 

[erie_guy]

Re: Cold water launch question

Bill,
I think you missed his point, he wants to do it solo (i.e. no trailer driver required). But you are correct, it certainly is easy with two players in the game. That is how we (wife and I) load our jet ski and 14' tinney.

erie_guy
Port Clinton, OH

 

[rbh]

Re: Cold water launch question

Solo launching a big boat is a pain, The only way I could do it would be to back it in till its floating, unhook the snap, climb up a ladder to the bow and back it off, tie it off to the wharf, come back and put the ladder back in the truck, and then move the truck. As was said, "A PAIN"
rob

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Cold water launch question

You fellows are missing out on the easiest thing out there. No hip waders, no walking plank...nothing. I was skeptical at first as I remembered a similar type device that Mastercraft sold on all their boats. Worked about 3 times.

My wife backs the trailer in and I drive the boat on. That simple! The snapper latches onto the bow eye and she pulls me out of the water. I can finish strapping down well off the ramp area. All in less than a minute on the ramp. I do use guides to keep the boat centered regardless of the ramp pitch. Everyone that has seen us load or launch can't believe it's that easy. I've used it for a whole boating season now and will never go back to the manual methods your talking about.

All I can say is 'it works'!

Bill

Although in this application I do not believe it would work.
When launching, would there be too much pull on the bow eye and the snapper would not open the jaws?
Lets say it does release, good to go.
What about when he comes back?
He is alone in the boat, does not want to get wet and like a responsible boat operator, does not want to power load the boat up to the snapper.
So the issue remains, how does he get the winch hook on the bow eye to load onto trailer without getting his feet wet?
So in this application the Snapper is a $400 dollar remote controlled release mechanism and is of no help in loading the boat onto the trailer.

 

[bj2455]

Re: Cold water launch question

jeeperman,
I can't argue the device was expensive but in comparison to all the other goodies we put on our boats, a product to get me on and off the water quicker and safer was a simple decision for me. The snapper does work in both release and retrieval of the boat. I cannot powerload in Michigan and don't have to 90% of the time to catch the bow eye. I frequent the ramps most often that work best for me and eliminate the powerloading issue.

When launching, I get the engine running and let it idle a few minutes before I ever release the boat from the trailer. That way I'm not drifting around on the ramp. Once I'm ready.....click....I'm free to back off. The nice thing is that whether it launching or retrieving the boat, all the preperation can be done off the ramp and out of the way of others.

I have done it solo on a couple occasions but single handed is a pain regardless. As long as there is a place to tie off the boat while dealing with the vehicle, the loading and unloading is the same process. Just ties up the ramp a little longer when alone.

Just my 2 cents worth!

Bill

 

[Starcraft Enterprise]

Re: Cold water launch question

At the reservoir I frequent there are several different ramps and some are steeper than others for this reason.
The bigger boats use the steeper ramps so that they do not have to back their trucks and trailers into the water as far.
I keep a throw line permanently tied to my bow eye that reaches to a tie off next to operators station for storage.
When launching solo I hold onto the throw line while I unhook and push off then use the throw line to lead the boat back onto the trailer and pull on it until I can reach the bow eye with the winch hook.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Cold water launch question

bj2455,
I can see where the Snapper would be a great thing if you can drift or powerload up to the Snapper to load out.
But again when the operator is in the boat and alone and can only get within a few feet of the winch that is needed to get the boat to the bow stop, then what?

Maybe he needs an electric winch with remote control. Then install those tall vertical guide-ons.
With a L-hook option on the winch he can giggle that hook off the bow eye after launching.
Tie boat to dock, go park trailer.
But take the winch cable and hook it to the top of one of the guide-ons. So then when he goes to load up and he is driving boat to trailer he can reach the winch cable from the boat and then hook it onto the bow eye with a short stick or maybe a heavy duty litter grabber thingys???
Then get lined up and remote control the winch.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Cold water launch question

I'm 300lbs and just shy of 6' 3" tall.
Getting in and out of a truck with just winter clothing is a tight fit for those of us that are larger than the 170lb average they build cars and trucks for these days. Forget getting in and out wearing waders or hip boots. My size 16 boots have trouble as it is fitting under the dash, let alone trying to get my feet on the pedals wearing oversized wader boots or steel traction cleats. Not to mention what it would do to the truck's interior getting in soaking wet. I also couldn't picture having to change into waders dockside in freezing weather, it would mean that on the way out, the truck would be awaiting my return to pull out even after the boat was loaded while I changed into normal clothes to drive home in.
I can see where the OP doesn't see this as an option.

 

[freeisforme]

Re: Cold water launch question

If I were to use one of those Snapper bow eye catches, I'd have to back my van in so far that I'd have saltwater inside my truck. I'd have to back in far enough to get the boweye at roughly the same height as the Snapper unit, this would mean that for one, I'd have both my axles completely submerged in freezing saltwater, the back of my van would be in the water at least deep enough to flood the back few feet of the van, and I'd have no way out of the boat without jumping into water which at that point would be chest high.
I wouldn't be a bit surprised if there wouldn't be water in front of my truck if I were to get the trailer in that far, and no doubt the trailer would be off the loading ramp's outer most edge.

The dock is not next to the boat when loading, there's no way off the boat when its on the trailer over water. The only answer is to lead the boat to the trailer without it running and to winch it on. There are several ramps I can use, this one is actually the best one since it's protected from the current on both sides very well. The others are in rough or fast moving water which makes for a one man loading procedure nightmare.

I tried something yesterday that pretty much convinced me that I need to set up a permanent bow lead that attaches to the winch. I tied up an oversized bow lead, attached it to the bow eye, and mounted up a large diamter spool winch with a short length of cable attached, with a cable hook crimped to the end. I took the boat out for a run, came back and tried something. I lead the boat to the rear of the trailer by hand, I hooked the bow lead rope to the end of the winch cable, and cranked the boat on using the rope lead. Once the boat was secured with a length of chain, I pulled out and secured the boat with straps and a turnbuckle on level land. This way I don't get wet, the boat isn't running or power loading and churning up mud, and the winch isn't relied on to hold the boat on the trailer over solid ground.
This proves to me that a winch with a removable strap would be the ticket.

I was able to back in only far enough to get the boat over water, and when loading, the axles stay above water and the winch stand is clear of the water. I can stand on dry ground and winch on the boat. The truck and me both stay dry.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Cold water launch question

This proves to me that a winch with a removable strap would be the ticket.

I was able to back in only far enough to get the boat over water, and when loading, the axles stay above water and the winch stand is clear of the water. I can stand on dry ground and winch on the boat. The truck and me both stay dry.

There ya go. just alter the winch hub with a slot or hole for strap or cable. It does not have to be fastened to the spool. Just stick the strap or cable into the slot or hole and start winching. After three or four wraps it does not matter if the end is secured or not.

 

[al15]

Re: Cold water launch question

I know I?m a few months late but I just started to research this issue.
I have an 18? boat on a roller trailer and although it is smaller then what many of you are dealing with I have the same problems.
Launching isn?t too bad. After backing down the ramp the boat is at an angle and there is tension on the winch strap bow hook that makes it impossible to unhook.
I have another line attached to the bow and wrap this bowline around the trailer tongue and either hold it or tie it off.
I unwind the winch so the boat rolls back putting slack in the winch strap and the weight of the boat on the bowline that is secured around the trailer tongue.
I undo the winch strap from the bow eye and can now let the boat roll off the trailer while controlling its decent with the bowline. This line will now stay with the boat.
After a season the line has become frayed so I?m going to mount a cleat somewhere on the winch stand.
I haven?t yet mastered the loading. When its warm, wading in the water is ok. Tried boots and they suck for all the reasons mentioned. Have a walk plank and just cant balance my old fat *** out far enough to do this safely. Have a hook pole and that doesn?t really work.
I think the winch with the slotted spool is a great idea. Or perhaps 2 shorter winch straps that can be spliced together using a piece of hardware. Something like the s type clip you see adjusting suspender straps.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Cold water launch question

A power winch and a roller trailer, and never get your feet or axles wet!

However it doesn't solve the OP's hook-up issue. How about leaving a 3' strap hooked to the bow eye and then to the bow cleat while you're boating; hook that to the winch cable? If you don't want to leave it hooked on, pull over to a dock, briefly, to hook or unhook. When you get the boat within 3' of the winch, tie it off, disconnect the shorty and hook the cable on.

For launching--are you not able to wind your winch backwards enough to release the hook? If you back down the ramp slowly enough, the boat should not take off by itself, although you should be ready for it!

 

[freeisforme]

Re: Cold water launch question

I've been just winding the rope around the winch post for launching, otherwise the boat takes off the minute you back off the winch. It will roll off on anything but dead level ground.
The big issue is still getting the boat re-hooked to the winch. I welded carriage bolt head to the winch spool for now, and use a piece of Spectra Ski rope to for a winch cable to which I crimped a loop on the end. I disconnect and retrieve the lead when once in the boat, and interlock that rope to double as my anchor line for freshwater right now. Being tied to the anchor onboard keeps the rope out of the way and in the boat. Its working OK for now but the rope will no doubt wear. I tried a strap but it's too hard to keep it aligned and wrapping flat. The Spectra tow line works best and has little to no stretch. I used a stainless steel cable crimp to form the loop at the winch. The boat end has a standard stainless steel snap hook.

 

[Shamus O'toole]

Re: Cold water launch question

This might help ya in retrieving the boat. maybe you could rig it when launching.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_52351____SearchResults