Solo Boat Launching

[lost_sailor]

I either tie mine to a dock, or pull it up on the beach. That keeps it from drifting away.

[ET]

I do it quite often and when a ramp is busy, I ask for help! Usually people are standing around anyway and more than happy to help get me out of the way. Likewise, if I see solo launchers at the ramp, I volunteer to help!

[WaterDog]

It’s going to depend on the ramp conditions. One of my favorite ramps has no dock and I just drive off the trailer and beach it. Places like cathedral park you better bring your bumpers and tie good knots when you rope off. I’ll typically drive off the trailer and park at the end of the dock. Same for recovery. It isn’t that hard and once your use to it, it’s pretty easy. Most people will cut you some slack once they figure out your solo and even give you a hand. If I can, I always give the solo guy some help. Makes life much easier.

If your anchor fishing, make sure your “stuff” is together and your rigged to be solo. This is the part that is harder than launching IMO especially with a windshield boat.

[hookumhi]

I do it 95% of the time by myself . The most important thing is to practice practice and when you feel better practice, and dont worry about the people behind you like BTS said, if they cant understand its not easy at first the heck withem . If you want to go out sometime give me a PM and you can ride along with me and I will coach you.

[BigWaterBigFish]

Everyone has a routine ... take time to watch someone who has a boat like yours launch and retrieve. When I first got my 18.5' I had the dealer launch and retrieve by himself to show me what he does, then I took it to a boat ramp where no on else was and got little pressure (Cedar Oaks in West Linn) at that particular time and walked through a couple of launches. Totally agree with the first post that a long bow line, tied to something or taken over to the dock and tied before you launch off. Can't tell you how many times the rope isn't there or it's neatly coiled on the bow and the guy shoves off and watches the boat drift out. It'll give you a chance to check to see how many fenders you need, making sure the plug is in, etc. It's easier to work out a system by yourself and then teach someone else (your fishing buddy, spouse, etc) than to have a run-around when you are launching.

[Bait O' Eggs]

Just leave the plug out and it wont drift far [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]

[NAUTI-NOTIONS]

One slick tip is to tie your bow line to the rear of your trailer. back down the ramp unhook everything except the bow line thats connected to your trailer. Back in to the water allowing the boat to slide off into the water pull up slightly until rear of trailer is clear of the waters edge . set brake and get out untie rope from trailer and walk to dock, make sure you use a long enough rope as so when to pull your trailer up you don't drag you keel on the ramp, also it pays to go real slow, that way you can get out and stop the foward motion before it smacks the ramp. the best part is your trailer isn't sitting there soaking up water while your dicken' around with the boat.
as far as loading there is no easy way. except to tie up the ramp. back your trailer in , walk over, get your boat. put on trailer. if its a bunker trailer its easier to not wet all the bunks that way it will stick, however if its a roller, ?%^&$^, i have to leave the power on while i run up and hook the winch strap or else the darn thing just slide right back off.

[grumman16]

Any tricks for putting in when the wind is blowing? I was going to put in at Cathedral on friday by myself (to warm up the motors while waiting for my crew to show up), but decided against it due to the wind and how busy the ramp was. Given normal conditions, I'm pretty confident I can put in/take out pretty quick by myself (do it everytime I go with the wife. When the wind is blowing and I have the top on the boat, I would prefer to have someone holding a line to manhandle the boat if necessary so it doesn't swing out and block the other ramp lanes.

Any tricks of the trade for this problem?

[Stz ll]

Is that how you do it Roy? :grin:

[wannacatchem]

LS, your grasp of the obvious is very educational, tho I'm thinking BOE's technique is more along my line of ability, thanks for the input :smile:

As far as trailering the boat, who here has an outboard prop? do you drive on th trailer with the main drive or with the kicker? I'm thinking kicker, as it's a couple feet above the main. But, I'd rather not drag either on the ramp, especially while props are turning

[ 03-09-2004, 01:42 PM: Message edited by: wannacatchem ]

[grumman16]

I drive onto the trailer all the time with an outboard prop (using the big motor). I usually trim it up a bit first. The stern of the boat is still going to be floating as you run up onto the trailer. I normally have the top of the wheel fenders just under water - this give me a little bit of fritction on the rails plus it helps straighten the boat out. The main thing is to remember to raise the motor all the way up before you drive off - have seen way too many people forget to do this critical step.
:shocked:

[Boatdog]

wannacatchem,

I always drive onto the trailer with my main motor, and I trim the motor up as I'm nearing the trailer. After I'm on ithalfway and stopped, I trim it up until the prop is just in the water 'enough', and "power-on" the rest of the way. Never had the prop drag on a ramp around these parts.

[Lured In]

The real problem presents itself at crowded ramps with little or no courtesy dock space. (Milwaukie being an example).

Aside from these, it is pretty straight forward if you are reasonably competent with your boat. I have seen folks take upwards of 10 minutes to get down the ramp and off the trailer. I can usually do this in less than 2 if I have my act together. (and plenty of coffee) .

Here are a few of the tricks I use.

1. Use the current or wind to your advantage when launching. If possible, launch on the downwind or down current side of the ramp.

2. If a dock is present next to the ramp you are launching at (like Camas, or Chinook Landing), I back down and keep the trailer close to the dock. I can then jump in the boat from the dock and back it off the trailer.

3. Use a rope. Get yourself down to the water with most of your boat in, but not floating off the trailer. Unhook the boat from trailer and tie off to a bow cleat. Run that rope to a cleat on the dock if availabe. Back the boat off and then tie the boat off.

Most of the time I just back down until the boat floats. Jump up on the trailer tongue and climb in. Fire up the motor, unhook the boat and back off. This usuallly takes just a couple minutes and is usually as fast as anyone else on the ramp.

Of course knowing the ramp helps a lot in predicting how best to approach it. Don't worry too much, as you likely won't take any longer than anyone else. :smile:

As a general reminder to all, please use the courtesy dock when waiting. IMHO ramps are slowed more because of folks tying off and blocking the ramp than because of solo folks taking too long.

[Fish Hawg]

As a general reminder to all, please use the courtesy dock when waiting. IMHO ramps are slowed more because of folks tying off and blocking the ramp than because of solo folks taking too long.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">I agree 100%

I launch by my self alot.Just try and think of the other people.
When I load our 20' galsply with a 200hp yamaha I back down (I grew up on a Farm so I have plenty experince backing stuff up) then run the boat on to the tralier with rollers wtih the motor trimed up half way (not to the tilt yet). The more you trim up, the less control you have of the boat. I leave the motor running to hold the boat then climb on the bow and hook up the strap. Then kill the motor and tilt it all the way up. Hope out and pull out. I can do this at Ridgefield in about 5 minutes +\- from start to finish.

By the time I'm 25-30 I should be really good :tongue: I owe it all to my Dad for teaching me when I was young. When I got my Drivers license I was using the sled on the lower Kalama and lewis after school. You won't have any trouble, dont sweat the small stuff. Every thing takes practice. I know my first time was not that great my dad sure let me know with a few choice words :grin: I look back now and just smile :grin: Good Luck.....Ross

[Mr. Carp]

Fish Hagg, Can you tell us what happens to wheels and tires at the Ridgefield Launch??????????

[wannacatchem]

Someday, I’m probably going to have to launch and trailer the boat by myself. I have a vague idea how to do it, but don’t relish the thought of watching my boat drift away. Any pointers ya’ll have for me?

[Sky-Guy]

I just hope none of you ever have to launch solo at Mukilteo Washington with 15 knot winds, a 7 knot current, and 2 foot swells with ferry waves mixed in.


YIKES!

[Blue Tip Spinner]

long rope tied to the boat, don't unhook it (do take the safety chain off though) until you can grab the rope yourself and push the boat into the water and then move it to the staging area. that's how i do it, and i have a 20 foot inboard jet sled and i usually put it in by myself. don't worry about all the people waiting behind you, they will understand if you are out there yourself. enjoy.

[ 03-09-2004, 12:59 PM: Message edited by: Blue Tip Spinner ]

[skein]

I tie a rope (on the side of the dock I'm using) from the forward cleat to the rear cleat, but still hang on to the bow rope. I walk along the long rope, which allows me to control the entire boat, not just the bow. To launch, I walk toward the stern, pull the boat free, then work my way back to the middle and bring the entire boat over to the dock. I can walk the boat completely out of the way without having the stern swing out into traffic or current. I also make sure I have the bow line in my hand as a precaution.

When you're ready to tie it off, the long rope is right there wherever the dock cleat is. A quick wrap secures the stern, then snub off the bow line and run back and get your trailer out of the way.

I'm not much good at illustrations, but here's the general idea.




Skein

I always tie my bow rope to my trailer frame and back the boat in. When it comes off the trailer I pull forward and then use the rope to pull the boat to the dock or shore. Most of the launches I use are primitive at best. When I put the boat back on I just power on.

[ 03-10-2004, 07:49 AM: Message edited by: Keta ]