Launching Solo Q

[Jacalore]

I usually launch my boat myself and retrieve it with no problem... as long as there is a dock I can tie off to while I go park the truck and trailer. I'm looking at a closer launch located on a river, two in fact, but neither have a dock. Decent ramps, good water, but I'm having a problem visualizing how I'd launch the boat solo. Short of dropping an anchor and wading back into the water, anyone have any tips?

 

[tomdinwv]

Re: Launching Solo Q

Can you beach it, go over the bow and tie it off? Only thing that comes to mind that would keep your feet dry.

 

[Jacalore]

Re: Launching Solo Q

It's a small runabout (17ft) and doubt I could get up on the bow... has a swim platform. My guess is that this is not something that's gonna work. Without tying to a dock, no telling what the current, waves, wakes are gonna do while you're away parking the rig.

 

[71Windsor]

Re: Launching Solo Q

What I generally do for my ramp with no dock is ill come in parallel broad siding the beach just as I know I'm close enough to trim the motor up all the way of coarse and I will push myself in with an oar I carry two anchors one much smaller then the other ill stake the smaller anchor in with a dock line at the bow and stern push it out go ahead and park then draw it back in. Shove off and away I go. Its not easy but since I cannot easily jump off the front either its the best way I found to keep the feet dry.

 

[Jacalore]

Re: Launching Solo Q

Yeah, it's a tricky maneuver...

 

[Fed]

Re: Launching Solo Q

Before my local had a dock I would come into the beach at right angles then goose the throttles to create a large stern wave, pull back to neutral, tilt the motors and at the same time the stern wave would lift the boat and lightly dump it on the sand.
All in the timing but once you get it right it becomes second nature.

 

[Jacalore]

Re: Launching Solo Q

Okay, that's beaching the boat, but how do you get the boat onto the trailer?

And how do you launch?

 

[Fed]

Re: Launching Solo Q

Retrieving I'd walk the boat over to the trailer & winch it on, all done in less than a foot of water with the rear trailer roller exposed.

Launching I used to tie a rope to the boat and let it roll off then pull it back to shore with the rope.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Launching Solo Q

Retrieving I'd walk the boat over to the trailer & winch it on, all done in less than a foot of water with the rear trailer roller exposed.

Launching I used to tie a rope to the boat and let it roll off then pull it back to shore with the rope.

Pretty much the same way here. Push off with rope. Pull to shore and move the trailer. Loading, beach boat then push to end of trailer. Trailer has a catwalk as I'm not going in 40 degree water. Onnect winch strap and winch 'r up.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Launching Solo Q

Try retrieving a boat with a roller trailer alone It's a constant battle!

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Launching Solo Q

What seams to be the problem? I do it everytime I go out and NO there is no pier at our ramp!

 

[Fed]

Re: Launching Solo Q

Try retrieving a boat with a roller trailer alone It's a constant battle!

Piece of cake with a powerwinch, it lets you be in 2 places at the same time.

 

[Jacalore]

Re: Launching Solo Q

Retrieving I'd walk the boat over to the trailer & winch it on, all done in less than a foot of water with the rear trailer roller exposed.

Launching I used to tie a rope to the boat and let it roll off then pull it back to shore with the rope.

Sounds reasonable...

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Launching Solo Q

Piece of cake with a powerwinch, it lets you be in 2 places at the same time.

I'm at about the same point. Getting to difficult to do alone, which is the way I normally fish.

Was looking at one that has a wireless remote. That way I could leave the winch hook at the end of the trailer. Pull up, connect winch and never leave the boat! Wouldn't matter how cold the water was either.