launching without pier.

[lekslk]

HI There
This may seem stuid, but how do you guys launch your boats without a pier?
The lake we frequent has a concrete ramp, & I was wondering how to launch there without scratching the hull. The pier won't be put in till may, cause they take them out for the winter. Any Ideas?

 

[BigB9000]

Re: launching without pier.

Run it aground on the beach!

Or ancr in shallow water and walk to the car.

 

[lekslk]

Re: launching without pier.

Thanks for the reply. There is no sand to run it up on, the ramp is concrete with large stones on either side. I could get some wadders, just wondered if anyone had any ideas.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: launching without pier.

That's a tough one. The rocks are the worst part. If you have someone with you, you can launch, then have the helper hold the boat in shallow water while you park the vehicle and trailer. Same thing in reverse on retrieve.

If you're along, you can do what I do at one lake I go to that has the same situation. My mushroom anchor at the front of the boat is heavy enough to hold the boat on a concrete ramp as long as there's not too much wind or current, so that's what I do. I just drop the anchor, tie it off to a cleat on the bow and park. Same thing when I retrieve.

If there's much wind, though, that trick won't work, since the boat will swing around and grind on the ramp.

Is there another body of water you can use until the courtesy dock is installed?

 

[lekslk]

Re: launching without pier.

I may try the anchor holding it front & back, I just wory about my fiberglass boat getting scuffed up on the concrete. I believe that almost every lake in my area leaves the piers out till may 1st due to zoning ordiances. I would like to start fishin early this year. I have seen boats out there & trailers parked at the landing, but most look like they are aluminum & I don't know how they did it. Seems silly to ask a question like this, but how else do you find out.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: launching without pier.

Get a keel guard type product and pull it up on the ramp.

 

[lekslk]

Re: launching without pier.

I looked at the keel guards, do they really work.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: launching without pier.

They work very well.

 

[lekslk]

Re: launching without pier.

I appreciate the replies, I will look at some more of the keel guards. Will they stand up sliding in on the concrete? Is there a certain type?
Thanks

 

[chris.olson]

Re: launching without pier.

When I run into one of those I have my wife launch the boat by driving it off the trailer under power, then pull the trailer off the ramp and park the truck. She comes as far into shore as possible and I wade out to the boat and jump in.​

If I'm alone I back the boat off the trailer under power, position it off to the side of the ramp, drop rear anchor, then jump off the bow with a mooring rope attached to the bow, wade to shore and tie the mooring rope to anything that's handy (tree, post, whatever). Even in moderate wind it usually holds it from swinging around into the ramp or shore and grinding against bottom.
--
Chris​

 

[capt sam]

Re: launching without pier.

it's tough there's some county ramps in the Keys like that, all you can do there is nose up to the rocks as close as you can so the other person can jump in.

 

[Navy Jr.]

Re: launching without pier.

Last late October my son and I went to one of our favorite lakes only to find they had already pulled the courtesy dock out of the water. I walked up and down the shoreline a ways, but couldn't find a nice sandy area to beach the boat after launching. All rocks, some of them rather big and sharp.

We ended up not even trying to launch, opting instead to go to lake #2. Fortunately, it still had its courtesy dock, and the fishing was great!

Good thread, though. Learned a few tips I wouldn't have thought of otherwise.

 

[chris.olson]

Re: launching without pier.

We ended up not even trying to launch, opting instead to go to lake #2. Fortunately, it still had its courtesy dock, and the fishing was great!

If it's windy or you got 2-3' rollers coming into shore, that's sometimes the best option. You're out there to have fun and fighting a losing battle and having the boat grind against bottom, gouging the hull or putting a hole in it, sort of ruins the whole day.

--
Chris​

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: launching without pier.

How cold would the water be this time of year where you're at? Air temp? Anchoring and wading would work but if the water temp is anything like it was here after they took out the piers, being cold and wet before you even start fishing without a change of clothes is going to be hell. Sounds like a keel guard and bow ladder would be the best possible solution. The keel guard will come in handy for more then just launching and loading without a pier and the ladder just might see more use then that as well.

 

[lekslk]

Re: launching without pier.

Thanks for all the replies, There are some good ideas. I am from southern Wisconsin & they pull the piers around November 1st & put them in May 1st & there is still some good fishing just don't know how to get the boat in. Water temp is probably near 50 by may 1st. Ice is still on lakes right now, but it would be pretty cool wading out. My boat is in my shop at the moment getting new transom & stringers, but I'll be ready before the may 1st deadline. (I hope)

 

[strokeoluck]

Re: launching without pier.

How cold would the water be this time of year where you're at? Air temp? Anchoring and wading would work but if the water temp is anything like it was here after they took out the piers, being cold and wet before you even start fishing without a change of clothes is going to be hell. Sounds like a keel guard and bow ladder would be the best possible solution. The keel guard will come in handy for more then just launching and loading without a pier and the ladder just might see more use then that as well.

I'm new to this "keel guard" thing. Do I need one? We'll be doing recreational boating in the SW 'burbs of Minneapolis, with docks galore. I hadn't planned on purchasing one.

 

[lekslk]

Re: launching without pier.

I am only looking at one cause I like to fish most of the year, & the piers are pulled out for the winter from november to may so you have to make due with the concrete ramp & nothing to tie the boat up to. During the summer there are piers all over here too.

 

[75reinell]

Re: launching without pier.

If I was you I would try to get up to the lake when people may be launching and watch what they do or ask. There is no stupid question unless the other person is just a jerk they will be happy to give you tips I would think. Luckily here they leave the docks in the water all year. They pull them if it might be icy, but put them back in as soon as it clears.