How to handle boat ramps solo

[chrisg]

So I am now forced to trailer my boat to water. (As I no longer have a waterfront home with a boat lift.) I have been watching people putting their boats into and taking out of the water. It appears to be a mult-person operation. Of the families that I saw, it appears the wife is capable or either driving the truck and backing up the trailer, or able to drive the boat and dock it. It looks like everyone is in the boat before it goes into the water; the driver of the truck removes all the straps on the boat, and ?shoots? the boat into the water. (backs trailer into the water, stops suddenly and the boat goes sliding off) The wife then lowers the motor, starts the boat, and moves out while the guy parks the truck/trailer, then they come back to pick him up. This all because there are lines of trailers wanting to use the ramp.
Well my wife wants nothing to do with driving either the boat or the truck. She said I can go out on my own if I want.

So what is the best way to launch your boat on your own without ticking off all the people on the ramp?

 

[salty87]

Re: How to handle boat ramps solo

get there really early or go during the week. even if you get there early there will probably be people there when you leave. sometimes there isn't much you can do to avoid taking some extra time. nobody can be in 2 places at once. if you don't waste time putting your fenders away on the ramp or other inconsiderate acts, people will generally understand and appreciate that at least you did it as fast as 1 person possibly can.

my wife will only pull an empty trailer out and go park it. better than nothing.

 

[lncoop]

Re: How to handle boat ramps solo

Gently explain the following after she's had a nice glass of vino.

"Honey, here's what I was thinking we could try. If you don't like it I'll figure out something else. You ride with me to the ramp. I'll back the boat down to the water. When everything's lined up all you have to do is hop in the driver's seat and back in the rest of the way. Then, once I have the boat off the trailer you can pull the rig into a parking spot and join me in the boat."

If that doesn't work you'll just have to seek out ramps with courtesy docks. Either way don't sweat it partner. One man launching ain't no step for a stepper.

 

[boat1010]

Re: How to handle boat ramps solo

It really depends on the dock.. Is there enough dock so you can back it in and then back it off the trailer and tie it to the dock while you take the truck and park it? Is there a place where you can take the boat off the trailer and put it on the beach while you take the truck back? But just like salty said. as long as you are taking care of all the "other" stuff away from the loading dock and get in and out as soon as you can... "Most" people will understand and some might even give you a hand doing it. And I wouldn't worry too much about the others. You might get lucky and you wife might give you a hand after seeing what it takes to do it by yourself. Best of luck...

 

[southkogs]

Re: How to handle boat ramps solo

I've been solo launching for years. My wife doesn't particularly want to learn how, but she's taken to handling the dogs while I get things going. The kids are starting to help much more than they have in the past, but it's still primarily a one-man operation.

Make sure you have a place to secure the boat while you're dealing with the trailer (we launch at several places that have docks, but one that has a beach). When you're actually bringing the trailer to the water (wether unloading or loading) make sure you're ready to go - park, move the boat, move the tow rig. In ten years of trailering here in TN, loading and unloading by myself, I've not had one person upset at the amount of time it takes.

It'll take you some practice, but you'll get it.

 

[rbh]

Re: How to handle boat ramps solo

As per this weekend conversation 30 foot from the ramp.

"Honey, now what do I do again to start the boat"????


GGRRRRRRRRRR, you know bloody well what you do!!!, same thing you have done for the last 4 years GRRRRR

If you want to participate in this recreational activity, get your #%$& together, I can't back the boat off and park the truck, you gotta do one or the other, and since you can't drive worth a S#$%, the boats yours to deal with!!!!! !!!!

at that point the people around us were starting to look, Am I a butt head???

Maybe, but I do not feel that I or any other guy out there should bust our bags while the women stands there with jaws dropped wondering what to do.

Everyone has a job to do, learn it, live it, love it!!

sorry for the hijack

 

[chrisg]

Re: How to handle boat ramps solo

Gently explain the following after she's had a nice glass of vino.

"Honey, here's what I was thinking we could try. If you don't like it I'll figure out something else. You ride with me to the ramp. I'll back the boat down to the water. When everything's lined up all you have to do is hop in the driver's seat and back in the rest of the way. Then, once I have the boat off the trailer you can pull the rig into a parking spot and join me in the boat."

If that doesn't work you'll just have to seek out ramps with courtesy docks. Either way don't sweat it partner. One man launching ain't no step for a stepper.

- Mmmm .... I could see the trunk going into the drink. "You did not say it was floating!". Or she would take out that other guys truck as she turns the corner with the trailer!

 

[bonz_d]

Re: How to handle boat ramps solo

I too have been doing it solo for a long time. Would say that 75% of the time I'm by myself. Fortuneately I have a very easy boat to do it with which is on of the reasons I decided upon this boat. With a little practice it does get easier except for those days when the wind is blowing like mad.

My opinion, If you are alone and I'm in a hurry you had better be willing to accept my help when I offer. I for one have never refused help while I'm at the ramp solo even if it's just someone holding a line.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: How to handle boat ramps solo

If you can't fix your wife's stubborn refusal to help, ask for help at the ramp--people are generally helpful.

This assumes you are by yourself. The same people will be resentful if you ask them to help while an adult with you, of either gender, does nothing.

Also, go without a boat to the ramp and observe--and ask--the protocol for that ramp. If there is one thing I've learned from Iboats, it's that the public ramp process is different everywhere, but those who use a particular ramp are right fierce about "the right way to do it", and that may not be apparent from observation. You don't want to swing into the lot with a boat "doing it wrong" and not be able to correct it.

 

[LMM1967]

Re: How to handle boat ramps solo

Gently explain the following after she's had a nice glass of vino.

"Honey, here's what I was thinking we could try. If you don't like it I'll figure out something else. You ride with me to the ramp. I'll back the boat down to the water. When everything's lined up all you have to do is hop in the driver's seat and back in the rest of the way. Then, once I have the boat off the trailer you can pull the rig into a parking spot and join me in the boat."

This is what we do and it works well.

Loading is 100% me for now - but once the summer crowds slow down and we can get to the lake on a weekday we will start letting my other half get accustomed enough with the boat and/or trailer that she can assist there as well. Guess I'm lucky in that she is happy to help and be a participant.

 

[sw33ttooth]

Re: How to handle boat ramps solo

not quite sure whats up with driving your boat off i have a 23 foot cuddy on bunks and i never drive it off i just back in far enough and it slips off give it extra 2-3 feet of rope incase i wasnt far enough in. yes, you do have to walk from your parking space to the truck and yes this willt ake some time but as long as your not standing around smoking or talking. no one can be to upset as they can also be getting ready to either launch or retrieve. i almost always launch by my self and even if i dont i do everything any ways; back boat in, tie boat off, park, walk back, start engine, release ropes, back out of dock.

 

[Lakemeadan]

Re: How to handle boat ramps solo

I'll bump it off the trailer at unloading dock with someone holding ropes. But when I have someone backing me into the water on a ramp, I direct them down and reach over and unleash final winch strap (I know some of you can't do this) already have blower on, lower the drive and start the engine first. Than usually have to direct them to back up a little more, sometimes I need just a little power in reverse to back of trailer. The extra time doesn't seem to bother anybody that I know of but too bad if it did. I also always check battery voltage and bump starter before I head to the lake. I'm not bumping my wife or anybody else off the trailer untill its started or tied to the dock. I don't want to be yelling from the dock, MAKE SURE ITS IN NEUTRAL, CHECK KILL SWITCH ETC. WHAT? WHAT? Or We don't have a key.

 

[oops!]

Re: How to handle boat ramps solo

the ramps here have a dock.

a one man show cant do a launch without a dock unless you can beach the yacht.

with a dock.....back as close as you can to the dock.....safety chain on.....when the boat is floating, get out of vehicle stand on the trailer and un leash the boat...
when you are pushing off....climb on to the bow of the boat.....float to the dock, pull the boat as far back from the ramp as you can and tie her up.
get in tow vehicle and drive out.......90 seconds or less without getting your feet wet.

after parking, when you are walking back to the boat, the next vehicle will be on the ramp......then just get in and go.

i always do this, if someone is there or not....it does not matter....i always load and unload by my self.

fast...clean, and the boat is never sideways in the ramp. by doing it this way....i allways have positive control of the boat.....no mess ups

 

[kobe]

Re: How to handle boat ramps solo

I also launch and retrieve by myself with no issues. Launching takes less than five minutes and retrieval another five to ten. Prelaunch and post launch work is done in the parking lot. My biggest problem is waiting for the others to "try" to launch and retrieve... Lol

Take your time and It gets habitual in a hurry

 

[Lakemeadan]

Re: How to handle boat ramps solo

the ramps here have a dock.

a one man show cant do a launch without a dock unless you can beach the yacht.

with a dock.....back as close as you can to the dock.....safety chain on.....when the boat is floating, get out of vehicle stand on the trailer and un leash the boat...
when you are pushing off....climb on to the bow of the boat.....float to the dock, pull the boat as far back from the ramp as you can and tie her up.
get in tow vehicle and drive out.......90 seconds or less without getting your feet wet.

after parking, when you are walking back to the boat, the next vehicle will be on the ramp......then just get in and go.

i always do this, if someone is there or not....it does not matter....i always load and unload by my self.

fast...clean, and the boat is never sideways in the ramp. by doing it this way....i allways have positive control of the boat.....no mess ups

I've seen many fisherman do this with their low bass boats. Its cool they are in and out fast. One think to add to this is direction of wind blowing will help you choose which side of dock to launch.

 

[5150abf]

Re: How to handle boat ramps solo

As long as you do all your launch prep in the staging area don't worry about how long it takes you to launch, until you get the hang of it just take your time and don't worry about other people.

I launch by myself all the time and it really is no big deal after you do it a time or two, now it normally takes me less time than most multi people launchers, just do it a couple times and you will figure out the best way for you and don't worry about other people, as another poster said, as long as you aren't purposly messing around noone can get to mad at you.

 

[Lakemeadan]

Re: How to handle boat ramps solo

It is ironic if you preped before and checked everything, plug, battery voltage etc. and then you back down the ramp, take your time doing the necessary procedures to launch your boat. You sometimes are pulling away from the dock and half the people that were there before you were are still there?

 

[marcoalza]

Re: How to handle boat ramps solo

If you can't fix your wife's stubborn refusal to help,

......if you've not been married too long, not too attached yet.........change her.:facepalm:

If you have passed the point of no return, you'll have to expedite the launch and retrieval process.

 

[bow wow rider]

Re: How to handle boat ramps solo

My wife used to help, she used to drive the boat on and off the trailer. But she would get so nervous about it, anticipating driving the boat onto the trailer, that she wouldn't have any fun out on the water.

So now I pretty much do it solo with our bowrider. I easily fall within the 5 minute window of courtesy, but it requires having space on a dock.

- Prep the boat, put the plug in, undo all of the straps except the bow hook
- Back the trailer/boat into the water so the stern just barely starts to float, set the parking brake on the tow vehicle
- Loosen the bow winch but don't unhook it from the eye
- Climb into boat via bow, trim down enough, fire it up
- Reach over the bow, unhook the bow hook
- Put boat in reverse, back off trailer
- Maneuver boat over to dock (SLOWLY) and tie up
- Drive tow vehicle to parking spot

Do the reverse for loading.

 

[skargo]

Re: How to handle boat ramps solo

I see mention of climbing over the bow, not possible with all boats including mine.

My solo launching.

Prep boat in staging area. Includes plug check and remove straps.
Back rig down ramp.
Stop when stern is over water.
Unhook winch cable and safety hook.
Wrap bow line around winch stand with slack in line.
Tie off stern line to dock(dock dependent)
Get in tow rig, back up a bit and when stern floats, tap brakes.
Tie off bow line.
Park rig.
Go boating.

I can do this with my 4500 lb boat quicker and safer than most teams I see at the ramp.