New tooner, tips on using by myself...

[Getalab]

Hello All,
new to tooning and have a 89 Bass Buggy I'm setting up to fish from, mostly alone, but will have friends on occasion. Any good tips from those that use theirs alone? Launching is a non issue, but loading in the wind is providing a learning experience, including finding out how easily a pontoon can dent. Any additional rails or bumpers you use to help?
One thing I've done some may want to use, is Walmart has solar garden lights that just happen to snap into a 3/4 pvc fitting, and a 3/4 pvc fitting just happens to snap on to a Ram ball mount. Mount lights anywhere needed with no wires or batteries. I use one in a pole for anchor light, and the spot lights go where needed, and have on/off switches.

 

[a1nowell]

Re: New tooner, tips on using by myself...

Getalab,
You do not indicate whether you are just new to toons or also new to boating. So I am going to assume you are new to boating also.

A few tips from experiences:

1) Never untie or pull up anchor until you have started your engine. You may find yourself drifting all over the place if the engine does not start.
2) I have found I was able to load my toon straight on my trailer in the wind by putting my trailer only 1/2 way in the water and powering loading. When the front of the toons settled into their proper place the rear does not move around as much and settles down in their proper place when you ease the trailer out of the water.

Good luck

Larry

 

[junkman41]

Re: New tooner, tips on using by myself...

I added a second set of guides to my trailer, and I also keep about 5 or 6 ft of the bunks out of the water, that helped me out a great deal

Jack

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: New tooner, tips on using by myself...

Getalab,
You do not indicate whether you are just new to toons or also new to boating. So I am going to assume you are new to boating also.

A few tips from experiences:

1) Never untie or pull up anchor until you have started your engine. You may find yourself drifting all over the place if the engine does not start.
2) I have found I was able to load my toon straight on my trailer in the wind by putting my trailer only 1/2 way in the water and powering loading. When the front of the toons settled into their proper place the rear does not move around as much and settles down in their proper place when you ease the trailer out of the water.

Good luck

Larry

I and others always considered it bad boating etiquette to power load, as it leaves large ruts at the base of ramps.

 

[Nightfisher-]

Re: New tooner, tips on using by myself...

If it's a concrete ramp and fairly deep I wouldn't worry about it and powerload. If it's not allowed it will probably be posted. You sound as though your position is similar to mine. I fish from a 24ft Harris and often fish alone. Had to learn to do things a little differently and think ahead to be able to safely and confidently navigate and fish, especially since I fish at night for most of the year. Sounds like you may be doing some night fishing as well. Good advice from Larry. I would add to that...

Be careful when anchoring. A tangled line around a foot or arm can be real bad. I lower my anchor, then walk back to the console with the rope in my hand, back up a little to get the anchor to set, then walk back up and tie it off. Stay off the bow as much as you can when pulling up the anchor too. A zip tie on the rope about 3 or 4 foot from your anchor or chain will alert you before you get to the anchor and scrape/slam it into the bow.

A good led headlamp is your best friend in the dark. Also do a pre-check of your nav and anchor lights before heading out. Invest in dual batteries and keep all your lights and gadgets on one, and just your motor on the other. This helps insure your boat will start and get you home.

Since your alone you have nobody but you for help if something goes wrong. Keep a good first aid kit aboard with extra comfort items added in like antacid, asprin, and eyedrops. I keep a handheld VHF also for emergencies and listening out for barge/ship traffic that frequents my river.

Get a long handled landing net. You can't safely lip fish from a toon.

When I put mine back on the trailer I use a dock line at the bow and stern while I get the trailer. Then I untie the front, get onboard, walk to the back and untie the rear. Then I put one leg over the rail, push off the dock and let it drift in line with the trailer. This may not be feasible for you depending on your boat and physical condition. I allow for wind by always trying to tie off to whichever side of the dock is upwind. That way I can use the wind as an aid instead of a hindrance by letting it blow me off the dock and in line with the trailer. This is assuming your ramp has a dock on each side of it. If you have good inside guide bunks that are set right you can get pretty crooked coming in and still get it on.

 

[Getalab]

Re: New tooner, tips on using by myself...

thx for advice so far..should have added I've been in about every type boat except a pontoon, and launching at a public Corp Res..concrete ramps and times of heavy boat traffic. Living 2 miles from the lake, I plan on practicing some till I get the hang of it..Made 3 trips so far and love the little boat-18ft Bass Buggy w 40 Johnson..18 mph is gonna take a little getting used to:facepalm:
Full moon July 3rd and I plan to make a night of it, especially in this 100 heat wave. Thx again, and I have a bimini question soon as I take a pic.

 

[Old Screwball]

Re: New tooner, tips on using by myself...

Also new to 'tooning' When we retrieve the boat I leave the trailer about 1/2 to 1/4 out of the water and winch her the rest of the way. Logs line up on the bunks perfectly.