First solo launch

[BTMCB]

Well, after owning the boat since august and using it every Saturday since, the admiral couldn't make it today. So, I took the plunge and went myself. First solo launch and retrieval. Went well. Whew! Only downside was I had no one to give orders to!!

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: First solo launch

I remember the first time I did a solo launch. It was in a stiff cross wind, and I was scared to death.

 

[HopeSheFloats]

Re: First solo launch

I think if you look close, you can still see some red in my face from my first solo launch 30 some odd years ago...I must of been a good laugh for the waiting line. Nowadays it's like second nature, and I don't mind so much if I can't grab the Mrs, nephew or neighbor to tag along...glad it went well for ya!

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: First solo launch

... Only downside was I had no one to give orders to!!

I feel your pain. The guy I solo retrieve with sucks at getting the boat straight on the trailer! I like him a lot, so I don't yell at him.

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: First solo launch

Good going!! I remember my first solo too, I launched on the river with wind and the current always wanting the stern to go down river with everything shut down, learned to come in at an angle that day and have soloed ever since.

 

[ziggy]

Re: First solo launch

Only downside was I had no one to give orders to!!

up side of that is ya don't have to take any either..... that can be a plus....

congrats on your successful first solo launch... pretty fun out by yourself ain't it? your in total command of everything.... you and your equipment against the world....

side note, a safety warning. wear your pfd + use your safety kill lanyard if ya got one for sure. ya fall in when by yourself, there's no one to help ya.

 

[BLDFW]

Re: First solo launch

Congrats on the effort and success!!

After 4 different hassles getting my new (to me) boat on the trailer this summer I decided to nip that in the bud pronto and had some custom side guide brackets created at a local metal fabrication plant. I painted and installed the brackets earlier today and tomorrow will install the two 8' carpeted side guards. Then I'll be able to just drive between them, connect at the bow and let the boat settle in place when towing it out.

 

[dave11]

Re: First solo launch

I hope I don't upset anyone, but what is the big deal about launching by yourself? I went boating with my brother on his boat maybe a dozen times before I bought my boat. When I bought my first boat, the dealer took me to a primative launch site, and got me stuck. Another kind gentleman with a 4WD pulled my boat out. Other than that fiasco, 99% of the time I launch and retrieve solo even if I have other people with me. I have a 16ft dual console and a 23ft cruiser. It is just easier for me to do it myself that to try to train friends to help.

 

[BLDFW]

Re: First solo launch

You've probably got a trailer setup and use a ramp that promotes ease of retrieval. Some boat/trailer combinations along with conditions at the ramp don't make it quite so easy.

I first installed post guides on the rear of my trailer so I could get the boat centered but the steep angle of the ramp allowed the bow of the boat to float off to the side of the trailer. Even with a minimal breeze I had a heck of a time keeping it lined up on the keel rollers. The guides I'm installing will keep the boat centered within 2" at all times.

 

[Philster]

Re: First solo launch

I hope I don't upset anyone, but what is the big deal about launching by yourself? I went boating with my brother on his boat maybe a dozen times before I bought my boat. When I bought my first boat, the dealer took me to a primative launch site, and got me stuck. Another kind gentleman with a 4WD pulled my boat out. Other than that fiasco, 99% of the time I launch and retrieve solo even if I have other people with me. I have a 16ft dual console and a 23ft cruiser. It is just easier for me to do it myself that to try to train friends to help.

You should share advice, instead of bragging.

 

[BTMCB]

Re: First solo launch

I hope I don't upset anyone, but what is the big deal about launching by yourself? I went boating with my brother on his boat maybe a dozen times before I bought my boat. When I bought my first boat, the dealer took me to a primative launch site, and got me stuck. Another kind gentleman with a 4WD pulled my boat out. Other than that fiasco, 99% of the time I launch and retrieve solo even if I have other people with me. I have a 16ft dual console and a 23ft cruiser. It is just easier for me to do it myself that to try to train friends to help.

Didn't upset me at all. Don't think I said it "was a big deal". All I said was essentially my first solo launch and retriieval went well. Wasn't too suprised but was certainly relieved nothing went wrong and I didn't hold up anybody else at the launch coming or going.

Thanks to all the other guys who understood the meaning behind my post!

 

[scoutabout]

Re: First solo launch

Congrats on the successful mission!

I solo launch 95 percent of the time so I've gotten into a rythmn that works...about 95 percent of the time. But boy, when things go sideways (pun intended) it's sure nice to have another pair of hands around.

Biggest piece of advice I've learned is prepare, prepare, prepare... and then take your time. The second one can be hard though with a crowd of folks watching and you are chief cook, bottlewasher, and lone deck hand.

 

[puddleboater]

Re: First solo launch

I hope I don't upset anyone, but what is the big deal about launching by yourself? I went boating with my brother on his boat maybe a dozen times before I bought my boat. When I bought my first boat, the dealer took me to a primative launch site, and got me stuck. Another kind gentleman with a 4WD pulled my boat out. Other than that fiasco, 99% of the time I launch and retrieve solo even if I have other people with me. I have a 16ft dual console and a 23ft cruiser. It is just easier for me to do it myself that to try to train friends to help.

Personnally, I don't think it's no big deal at all to solo launch/drive/recover the boat. I've done this plenty of times and have even gone fishing solo close to forty miles offshore. What really irks me is when the freakin' motor dies and it won't restart, I'm far from the dock and I don't have an auxillary motor, the wind is blowing and I have whitecaps all around me, and I have only myself to paddle the boat back to the launch.

Other than that, it's cake!

 

[86 century]

Re: First solo launch

I know what you mean try to lanch one with a long closed bow (century6meter) you either get wet or walk a crossed the bow and jump in.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: First solo launch

... It is just easier for me to do it myself that to try to train friends to help.

Then you must not be much of a teacher, and you must have the best ramp and trailer in the world. It's far easier and usually faster to have help. Some times it is safer too.

 

[dave11]

Re: First solo launch

Then you must not be much of a teacher, and you must have the best ramp and trailer in the world. It's far easier and usually faster to have help. Some times it is safer too.

Probably not. I've been to all kinds of ramps. With my little boat, just let me do it. Some help is OK with the bigger one.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: First solo launch

Probably not. I've been to all kinds of ramps. With my little boat, just let me do it. Some help is OK with the bigger one.

Well, now that you add the disclaimer that you are talking about a 16' boat, I get it. Almost anyone could do that by themselves.

 

[dave11]

Re: First solo launch

Well, now that you add the disclaimer that you are talking about a 16' boat, I get it. Almost anyone could do that by themselves.

I had that disclaimer in my original post. The other is an enclosed pilothouse boat. I still launch and retrieve both of them by myself 99% of the time.

 

[180Fisherman]

Re: First solo launch

I'm usually fine doing it all myself. Some occasional help with the gas would be nice though.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: First solo launch

it's the audience factor that gets me on the trailer or the dock.... passing barge and a weird cuurrent in the river and 5500 lbs of boat just spins around sideways right at the back of the trailer but only when I already missed the first shot and had to back off with 10 people watching.... btw I am almost always alone and mine is a 26' carver.... it takes almost the same amount of time to get to the dock from the lower helm or the fly bridge.... I have actually gotten pretty good at it as long as nobody is watching lol
Then there's comming into a slip..... bring it in at idle... helm hard left...pull to neutral helm hard right pull into reverse... count to 3 back to neutral... wait a sec... switch off engine... climb down step off and tie up in slip..... people watching.... of course it won't go this way
murphy and his dang law
btw congrats on the solo and may you have many more