how do I launch by myself?

[bigdawggie]

Hello

I have a 71 kona and when it is in the water it sits about a foot out of the water. problem I have is I want to do some fishing but am scared to launch by myself. The dock sits about a foot out of the water and I can't tie my boat off without the dock ripping off my side rubber. I bought the air filled bouys but they get pushed under the dock along with my boat. I am a newbie so your advise would be appreciated. When I bring a buddy I have him sit on the edge of the dock and hold off the boat with his feet.

Thanks

 

[Pierutrus]

Re: how do I launch by myself?

Question.
Are you scared of the dock or launching the boat?

 

[Lone Duck]

Re: how do I launch by myself?

put a lower bumper guard on the dock.

 

[Pierutrus]

Re: how do I launch by myself?

Screw the dock, just pull her back onto shore. You do have room don't you?
Leave the dock for the newbie's.

 

[Solittle]

Re: how do I launch by myself?

You said "I have a 71 kona and when it is in the water it sits about a foot out of the water." - - - - So you have an extra long, extra long shaft engine? It must be a screamer riding a foot above the water - - like an air cushon vehicle??

 

[DJ]

Re: how do I launch by myself?

If your fenders are going under the dock, you need to adjust them.

I launch by myself all the time. Every rig is different.

 

[arks]

Re: how do I launch by myself?

- back the trailer in
- untie the boat from the trailer
- get in the boat and start 'er up
- back the boat completely off the trailer
- pull the boat to (or near) a safe part of the shoreline and anchor or tie it to something
- go get your trailer and park the rig
- enjoy your time on the water!

 

[bigdawggie]

Re: how do I launch by myself?

ok to clarify a few things

I am not scared to launch just don't want to damage my boat

when the boat is in the water 3ft of it is under water and 1ft of it is above water

The lakes around here do not allow launching from the shore so docks are innevitable.

I wish I could launch beach or anchor it and park but where I go the closest place I can do that is about a 15 minute boat ride away

My fenders are fine but once the boat is in the water it drifts under the doce and rips the rubber molding off the sides. It's a real pain to put it back in

I searched for "Lower bumper guard" but it yielded no results. What should I search for and is it commercially available or something I'd have to build myself?

thanks for the help

 

[dave11]

Re: how do I launch by myself?

Your boat must be made out of lead, if there is only 1 foot of freeboard on a hull that is four feet high. I wouldn't worry about the dock, I would be afraid of being swamped by a small wave or wake.

 

[bigdawggie]

Re: how do I launch by myself?

ok maybe it is 2ft in the water and 1 foot out. it's an oldschool speed boat and I am not exactly sure about the measurements but I know it's about a foot out of the water and it drifts under the docks causing the rubber molding to fall out of it's groove

does anybody have experience using the hull huggers? would it be worth it to buy some.

 

[QC]

Re: how do I launch by myself?

OK. The "moulding" is rub rail and we all have dealt with it, goes fine until your fingers start hurting huh? I have had very low freeboard boats and as DJ said you need to adjust. There are ways to tie fenders up so that they can hold a boat off just like your buddy's feet, you just need to experiment. There are also these:

 

[bigdawggie]

Re: how do I launch by myself?

thanks DJ

I got confused when he said fenders I thought he was talking about my truck going under the dock - boy was I waay off

I saw those "fenders" in your picture but in my whole 5 times of launching they seem to lift up and end up back in the boat instead of hanging over Ill try them again. when you tied off to the docks with the lower boat did you tie off tight or give some slack? I am wondering if one way is better than the other?

Thanks
again

 

[arks]

Re: how do I launch by myself?

ok to clarify a few things
I wish I could launch beach or anchor it and park but where I go the closest place I can do that is about a 15 minute boat ride away

OK
Try this: After launching from the trailer, pull about 50' past the end of the dock. Drop your anchor and idle to the dock. Don't forget to secure the other (bitter) end of the anchor line to the boat! When near the dock, re-tie the anchor line so the boat is close enough for you to get onto the dock but the boat won't bump into it. Tie another line to the boat and use it to hold the boat to the dock while you park the rig.
Hope this makes sense to you. We're trying to help!

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: how do I launch by myself?

The best way is a large cannon. "kidding" Arcs Idea was better than mine. I was thinking anchor it out aways and bring a blow up small rubber boat. LIFT KIT? Good luck with that.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: how do I launch by myself?

is there another ramp within a reasonable distance.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: how do I launch by myself?

Get ya one of them fancy remote controlled trolling motors and launch boat, hit the remote and bring it to ya.

 

[QC]

Re: how do I launch by myself?

Since it is only for a short stay maybe a little breeze can help . . . Do you get any wind at all there? If so tie her up loosely on the lee side (wind going away) of the dock. This will hold her off a little. Won't work if there is a lot of traffic or of course if there is no wind.

Also, it's ugly, but you can use life jackets as fenders and they can be rigged to stick up above the hull.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: how do I launch by myself?

nail some 2x4's to the dock wedge them into the mud and nail.

 

[bigdawggie]

Re: how do I launch by myself?

good idea about anchoring and tying off but not sure if it will fly out here. it is extremely busy in the summer. I guess I could do that now (winter) since nobody is out there.

QC you should be familiar with lake Elsinore? that is where I do most of my boathing for now. in the summer I am planning to head up to cottonwood, Parker, or mohave.

does anybody have a solid method for securing the type of fenders that QC mentioned above? I can tie the top off fine but the bottom ends up parallel with the boat after rubbing on the dock a few times.

Thanks

 

[Scaaty]

Re: how do I launch by myself?

good idea about anchoring and tying off but not sure if it will fly out here. it is extremely busy in the summer. I guess I could do that now (winter) since nobody is out there.

QC you should be familiar with lake Elsinore? that is where I do most of my boathing for now. in the summer I am planning to head up to cottonwood, Parker, or mohave.

does anybody have a solid method for securing the type of fenders that QC mentioned above? I can tie the top off fine but the bottom ends up parallel with the boat after rubbing on the dock a few times.

Thanks

Go back and look QC post with the pix. The 2 on the right are "L" shaped. There are also ones made that are foam filled, more flat L shape.
Know what ya mean here too..my little dragboat wants to hide the rear end under the dock when I aint looking either. Also try rigging up an old type skibelt some way. Also, ya can do a lot of weird things with those "noodles" the kids beat each other up in the pool..Walmart has them come spring