How to put boat on trailer when alone?

[harrisg]

I have a 16ft 1983 Invader runabout I/O that I will probably be going out on by myself. Putting it in the water by myself as long as there is a dock isn't a problem. Back into the water, tie the front line to a dock cleat, back down a little more and hit the brake. It will float right off.<br /><br />However, because of my size (265 lbs), age and back and knee problems, I can't run the boat up on the trailer and then climb off the boat onto the tongue of the trailer as I've seen others do.<br /><br />If there are others who have the same problem, what do you do that allows you to put your boat on the trailer by yourself? All suggestions (except lose weight) will be appreciated.

 

[AguaSki]

Re: How to put boat on trailer when alone?

The design of my boat also does not allow me to climb over the bow and onto the the tongue. To compensate I wear rubber shoes that dry quickly and climb off the side of the boat onto the wheel well, then splash into knee deep water. Since I am in shorts I dry quickly. I am with you, it would be my preference to not get wet at all, but in my case all I can do is manage how wet I get. In the absence of better suggestions, I recommend wearing clothing and shoes that you can get a little wet, and that will dry quickly.

 

[Twidget]

Re: How to put boat on trailer when alone?

I tie a long rope to the bow eye. Then get the trailer ready, walk around to the front of the trailer with the rope and pull the boat until I can reach the bow eye with the winch cable. Then just winch it in. <br /><br />I have a closed bow 16ft boat, so that is about the only way I have to do it. The trailer also has guides to help center the boat.

 

[rayjay]

Re: How to put boat on trailer when alone?

Get a slip.

 

[KRS]

Re: How to put boat on trailer when alone?

Originally posted by Twidget:<br /> I tie a long rope to the bow eye. Then get the trailer ready, walk around to the front of the trailer with the rope and pull the boat until I can reach the bow eye with the winch cable. Then just winch it in. <br /><br />I have a closed bow 16ft boat, so that is about the only way I have to do it. The trailer also has guides to help center the boat.

I do the exact same thing, and I usually get wet up to 3' deep.

 

[JRJ]

Re: How to put boat on trailer when alone?

I do like Twidget and wear hip boots if I don't want to get wet

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: How to put boat on trailer when alone?

Remembering past threads on this, it seems that water temperature makes all the difference. <br /><br />Here, we don't mind getting wet because the sea and the air are usually hot (sea temp right now - 26 degrees). Cold Northern lakes - that's a different story.<br /><br />Current, wind and tide also come into it. You can't pull a boat up onto your trailer with an extra long line if the boat's fast slipping sideways all the while.<br /><br />Dunno what the answer is. Be interested to hear other solutions.

 

[amirm]

Re: How to put boat on trailer when alone?

No first hand experience here as I can tie up my boat by climbing over the tongue. But how about a power winch with a very long cable? If you put the trailer close to the dock, you may be able to connect the cable to the eye hook and winch it up from there.<br /><br />Amir

 

[sergioy]

Re: How to put boat on trailer when alone?

I unload and load by myself all the time and never get wet. With the last three boats I was able to power load 2 of them onto my trailer, but one of them did not lend themselves to this. So once I backed my trailer to the water, I would then untie the boat and guide it on the trailer with just the rope. Once the boat is on far enough on the bunks I would hitch the bow eye and winch it the rest of the way. The biggest trick here is learning how far to put your trailer in the water. With the ones I that I can drive on the trailer is far enough that once I drive it on the boat is still enough that I can climb onto the dock and go around to clip the the bow eye and finish winching it. Again the trick is trailer position.<br /><br />But if something doesn't quite work out right then guess what, your getting wet. I've learned that the best position for my trailer is to back down to right before my wheel wells are are submerged. You will need to learn how far to back your trailer.

 

[arfaname]

Re: How to put boat on trailer when alone?

you can buy what is called a retrieva mate here in aus. Im sure they would be on the net and have one mailed to you. Basically it mounts onto your trailer and when you drive your boat onto the trailer it automatically clips itself on. On launch you can reverse the trailer, unclip the boat once beyond waterline, jump in and back her off. as previously mentioned trailer position in relation to water is essential. <br /><br />If drive on and drive off is not possible:<br />If your dock is close enough tie a long rope from the stern of your boat to the bow of your boat. With the loop in hand take it down and run it around one of the cleats on the dock. As you push the boat off you pull on the dock side of the rope and the stern will guide directly to the dock. go around and pull the front around to tie off and move your car off ramp. <br /><br />On retrieval, set the rope up the same and use the rope to pull it up onto the trailer (trailer position essential) once close enough hook on the winch and crank her up. <br /><br />with this method you can control both the front and back of the boat and by loosening and tightening either side of the rope you can almost steer it. <br /><br />wind will always be your enemy<br /><br />regards<br /><br />Sean

 

[sumcat1]

Re: How to put boat on trailer when alone?

Harrisg:<br />Could you use a step similar to whats used on pontoon trailers? It wouldn't take much to fabricate a step and walkway that mounted to the tongue or even the winch tower.Put Glide Stiks on your bunks and you never have to get wet.

 

[harrisg]

Re: How to put boat on trailer when alone?

You all are giving wonderful suggestions. These are exactly what I was looking for.<br /><br />Harris

 

[SeaKaye12]

Re: How to put boat on trailer when alone?

Hi Harris,<br /><br />There's another thread that I started here a while back on a similiar subject...<br /><br />It might make interesting reading for you. I got a lot of grezat tips from people...<br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=012970#000000 <br /><br />Good luck...stay safe,<br /><br />Chuck

 

[rwidman]

Re: How to put boat on trailer when alone?

Originally posted by Twidget:<br /> I tie a long rope to the bow eye. Then get the trailer ready, walk around to the front of the trailer with the rope and pull the boat until I can reach the bow eye with the winch cable. Then just winch it in.

Exactly how I do it. Even when not alone. The boat is too big to "power load".<br /><br />BTW: I picked up this technique from watching others at the ramp.

 

[ED21]

Re: How to put boat on trailer when alone?

A rope tied to the bow & trailer guides help keep the boat centered until it gets on the bunks & the wind stops pushing it around.<br />Try rubber banding the winch strap hook to a boat hook so you can attach it to the bow eye from a distance, then break the rubber band to retrieve the boat hook.<br />If it's really windy tie a rope to the windward stern cleat & get a bystander to help center the boat if possible. It may be possible for you to do both.<br />Good luck & don't forget to raise the outdrive.

 

[navigator336]

Re: How to put boat on trailer when alone?

You can also back the trailer wheel well within a foot of the dock, leaving it a little high, walk the boat onto the trailer, power load to the bow roller, climb out onto the dock, and winch it tight.

 

[Helstrm]

Re: How to put boat on trailer when alone?

In my case I have a 19' Cuddy that unless I line up perfect I end up jumping into the water and guiding it in... The 24' Sportcraft drives on without an issue... Kind of funny because I look like a pro with the big boat and look like I have no clue in the cuddy. I think the biggest prob is that the PO over proped so when the boat is in gear it goes.. I can't creep up to the trailer to get lined up. <br /><br />The easiest boat I ever trailered was a 30' Welcraft Centercon. The twin 250s made it easy to control using the throttles.

 

[Mercury140-I6]

Re: How to put boat on trailer when alone?

I learned a LONG time ago, if you have a roller trailer, just get the back set of rollers in the water, then as you crank/winch, the boat basically centers it's self (Welding a metal walkway to the bottom of the trailer is a must if you don't want to get wet).<br /><br />If you have a bunk trailer, just get about the last 2-2.5 feet of the bunk in the water and crank/winch the rest of the way, it will always center it's self and the wind/current (Unless very strong) won't effect it at all (Spraying the bunks with a sylicone spray makes it slide MUCH easier, but must be sprayed when bunks are dry as in when you go to get the trailer after a day on the water).<br /><br />Hope this helps. Has for me<br /><br />Craig

 

[Solittle]

Re: How to put boat on trailer when alone?

Unless I missed it I am surprised that no one has mentioned the guides that stick up 4-5' from the rear of each side of the trailer. I have them for my 23'er with twins.<br /><br />The single most important thing at the marinas I use is to read the wind and current in selecting both the dock and which side of the dock/ramp to retrieve from. If alone this can be a real bear if the wind is up.

 

[mailman1]

Re: How to put boat on trailer when alone?

I have an 18 ft CC. I tie up to dock, back trailer in to half way up wheels, I have a powerwinch which the cable is hooked on the 50 in. guide posts[eye bolt] and also have a rope connected from the switch. I motor up on the trailer, keeping it in fwd gear, then reach for the cable hook, walk up, put in bow eye, then pull rope attached to winch, winch in until tight, then shut motor, tilt up, then get out and walk on trailer up the tonge, pull cord, boat comes up. Never get wet. You can also stay in boat and pull cord and then climb over bow to trailer.