22' Bow Rider, Boating alone, Launching alone, thoughts comments concerns

[merlin696]

Wasn't really sure where to post this so this seemed like a good spot.

I have a 22' Sea Ray and love to get on the water, I don't need to be in it, just riding around makes me happy. Now I have read all the boating alone safety tips and pages so I really don't need to get in to that. And my dock is not usually busy so loading does not have to be super quick.

The question is, would you go through the trouble of attempting to load and unload a 22' bowrider just to get out and about for a couple hours? I have been tempted several times so far but always cancel my plans of heading out because the boat seems just a little too big to be messing with alone.

Thoughts, Comments, Concerns, Ideas?

 

[Steve91T]

Re: 22' Bow Rider, Boating alone, Launching alone, thoughts comments concerns

Well, I have a 20 ft bow rider that I've had out only twice now, the last time by myself. My ramp sounds about like yours. I simply got the boat ready, and had a bow and stern rope ready to go. As I pushed it off the trailer, I held onto the bow rope and tied it up. Then I tied the stern rope and parked the truck. I did the same for recovering. Make sure you have guides on the rear of the trailer to keep the stern where it should be when recovering. One note for recovering, I back the trailer in, then untie the stern rope first. Then the bow rope, and simply pull it to the trailer until the bunks touch. Then I winch the rest of the way up. I do this whether by myself or with others. I don't power onto the trailer.

You should go for it. Pick a day, weekday if you can, and take your time. Everyone will see your are by yourself and they should understand that you are going to take longer.

Of course yours is 2 feet longer, but I can't imagine that would make a huge difference.

Steve

 

[mjgates]

Re: 22' Bow Rider, Boating alone, Launching alone, thoughts comments concerns

I have a 21 ft Sea Ray Bowrider and have taken it out numerous times either by myself, or with my 2 children. Basically the same. Put in, tie bow and stern. park, and out on the water. I also do not power up, but with a roller trailer, powering up is not an option. I pull away from ramps before wiping down and hooking straps in the event someone actually comes down to the ramp on a weekday evening. It's really nice out on the water by yourself sometimes. Got a dock this year so should be real easy, but a little farther away. I wouldn't hesitate at all to drop by yourself as long as you are comfortable with it.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: 22' Bow Rider, Boating alone, Launching alone, thoughts comments concerns

Take it out. I had a 21' that I took out literally hundreds of times by myself. Launch, tie off, park the rig, go for a ride. The more you do it, the more you will enjoy doing it.

I currently have a 37' which I take out occasionally alone. Since I don't have to use a ramp, it's easier in that respect. But, come wind or currents, docking is a bit trickier solo. Still, the 2 hour ride in the evening with no traffic on the water is worth it. Besides, if it comes time to load it and you need a hand, someone will happen along who won't mind helping.

You only other choice is to sit in the boat in the driveway making 'vroom vroom' noises...

 

[seaboo]

Re: 22' Bow Rider, Boating alone, Launching alone, thoughts comments concerns

My boat is a horizon 22' (actually measures out to 24 ft.). I say go for it. It takes practice and can be a learning experience. Pick your day and time and go for it and enjoy the day and freedom. I also don't power load often (that is a whole different story, my trailer is a modified trailer and it has the nasty habit of FLOATING when sunk to where it needs to be to load, so I have to winch the boat up some, back in a little further, winch it up some more, then maybe do this once more). I can load (about) as quick as anyone (simply because of practice). It can be a pain loading and unloading by yourself the first couple times, but you learn and it becomes (almost) second nature.

 

[jimbo_jwc]

Re: 22' Bow Rider, Boating alone, Launching alone, thoughts comments concerns

Just don't do like I did on second time launching alone . I was used to bunk boards w/center rollers and new boats trailer is all roller what a difference .Backed down within 30 feet to water , unhooked rear safety straps
and front saftey chain on bow . Let out enough strap so boat could float off . Lowered To running trim on I/O.
got in truck backed up to 10ft of water hit brakes slowly only to see boat rolling off trailer about 3ft till skeg
stopped the hastely unwinding of my winch which I left in free wheel from making slack . Was glade no harm
done by lowering I/O it only dropped about 6in when it stopped and my winch was still hooked . Cranked backed on with help of woman pulling down on bow rope . Then launched with new insight.

 

[scooper77515]

Re: 22' Bow Rider, Boating alone, Launching alone, thoughts comments concerns

Mine is only 19', but I basically launch it alone every time. Wife is a big chicken. If lucky, I can get her to back it in the last few feet, but the rest it up to me.

I just put about 12" slack in the front winch strap, back it into the water where I want it (just starts to float out back, but still not floating freely), climb over the trailer hitch and enter the boat, start it, let it warm up a minute, let off the front strap til it is able to be unhooked and unhook it. Back it off the trailer under slight power. Drive it to the dock, tie it off, and go back and park the truck.

Retrieval is reverse of launching.

I realize that "backing it off the trailer under slight power" and vice versa is considered power launching and is illegal in many locations. I realize WHY it is illegal, and even though it is not illegal here, I still do it with extreme moderation. I have figured out where my trailer needs to be over time to just need a slight nudge up or down the throttle to get it off or on the trailer. I could do it with one hand if I wanted to reach over and push off of the winch. But I don't.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 22' Bow Rider, Boating alone, Launching alone, thoughts comments concerns

Take it out!

If there other people at the launch, let them go first if you're concerned about taking too much time... the same with puting it back on the trailer.

It'll get easier every time you do it.

 

[blifsey]

Re: 22' Bow Rider, Boating alone, Launching alone, thoughts comments concerns

I've launched our previous 20' bowrider and current 19.5' bay boat. As mentioned, not bad at all. To be considerate of others, get as much done in your prelaunch prep as possible away from ramp to minimize time from launching to moving tv/trailer. And, same in reverse when retrieving. But, do not hurry to the point of making a careless error.

 

[NYBo]

Re: 22' Bow Rider, Boating alone, Launching alone, thoughts comments concerns

The first several times, take a helper with you, but only have him/her help if absolutely necessary to prevent mayhem and property damage.

 

[BTMCB]

Re: 22' Bow Rider, Boating alone, Launching alone, thoughts comments concerns

I go myself on average at least one afternoon per week and on Sundays. Admiral usually joins me on Saturdays. Do it a few times, stick to a routine and it becomes second nature in no time. The closest lake is a 45 minute drive and I will gladly make the drive and go alone for even just an hour on the water - well worth it in my view. Others have given you good advice re launching and retrieving solo. Only safety thing I would suggest is make sure to attach the safety lanyard to your belt - especially when alone. Good luck, enjoy and report back!

By the way,FWIW, I am near 58 and have a bad back but still have no issues launching and retrieving solo.

 

[scooper77515]

Re: 22' Bow Rider, Boating alone, Launching alone, thoughts comments concerns

Do it a few times, stick to a routine and it becomes second nature in no time.

I cannot stress how important a routine is to my new-comer boat friends.

ignore the crowds. You pay taxes, so that one-eighth of the boat ramp is YOURS when you are trying to launch or land your boat. Ignore them, and if it takes you 20 minutes to launch, dock, and move your tow vehicle, that is just too damned bad.

Just learn a routine, and stick to it.

 

[merlin696]

Re: 22' Bow Rider, Boating alone, Launching alone, thoughts comments concerns

wow you guys definitly are telling me what I was hoping to hear, I thought maybe I would be nuts to go hit the water by myself, but it sounds like its really enjoyable. BTMCB im glad you said the lake was 45 min away because thats about how far mine is and I wasnt sure if the trip was going to be worth it for just a couple hours on the water, but i guess as long as its enjoyable then im gonna go for it.

 

[gimmieaclue]

Re: 22' Bow Rider, Boating alone, Launching alone, thoughts comments concerns

Like most have said, the more you do it the faster and better you'll get. Mines 20 feet and I've found that people trying to help unload/load actually slow me down and mess with my "routine". Its actually pretty easy to be on and off the ramp in a matter of a few minutes with practice.

 

[Chris-R]

Re: 22' Bow Rider, Boating alone, Launching alone, thoughts comments concerns

Enjoy yourself. Loads of people load and unload all alone. I've done it numerous times. Lots of fun to be on the water by yourself instead of doing what everyone else wants or having to listen to someone whine "when are we going home" and such other things.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: 22' Bow Rider, Boating alone, Launching alone, thoughts comments concerns

like we discussed on a recent thread, the time spent trailering, launching and retrieving figures into the trip and may or may not be "worth it." I don't hink twice about launching and pulling a 17' and a 19' by myself, but the 21' (which I also do myself as needed) is a much bigger project to me--I'm thankful I can keep it in the water.
Consider this: it's a whole lot easier and more relaxing to do a short trip alone than a short trip with a crowd.
I love short boat trips; I find it energizing. All winter I used the excuse that the boat needs to be run. Like (other adult activities), even a quick one will make your day.

 

[98Shabah]

Re: 22' Bow Rider, Boating alone, Launching alone, thoughts comments concerns

I do it the same way, except the wife is comfortable with pulling the car, trailer, and boat out of the water (she just won't back them up), that alone makes it much quicker.

Mine is only 19', but I basically launch it alone every time. Wife is a big chicken. If lucky, I can get her to back it in the last few feet, but the rest it up to me.

I just put about 12" slack in the front winch strap, back it into the water where I want it (just starts to float out back, but still not floating freely), climb over the trailer hitch and enter the boat, start it, let it warm up a minute, let off the front strap til it is able to be unhooked and unhook it. Back it off the trailer under slight power. Drive it to the dock, tie it off, and go back and park the truck.

Retrieval is reverse of launching.

I realize that "backing it off the trailer under slight power" and vice versa is considered power launching and is illegal in many locations. I realize WHY it is illegal, and even though it is not illegal here, I still do it with extreme moderation. I have figured out where my trailer needs to be over time to just need a slight nudge up or down the throttle to get it off or on the trailer. I could do it with one hand if I wanted to reach over and push off of the winch. But I don't.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 22' Bow Rider, Boating alone, Launching alone, thoughts comments concerns

LOL last summer I launched and retrieved my 26' flybridge cabin cruiser as many as 4 times a week by myself... sometimes just to go across the river to the burger joint for lunch


I'm sure I'll do the same with my 28'er too.... I'm usually by myself on the water

 

[Art Bernard]

Re: 22' Bow Rider, Boating alone, Launching alone, thoughts comments concerns

Go for it, just get a routine your comfortable with. My rig is on bunks so when I launch solo I tie the bow and stern rope to my truck and deep dip the trailer, she just floats right there till I walk her off. when retreving i deep dip the trailer, coast in and run to the front, lean over the bow and hook up. I got my trailer rigged so I can hook and crank while laying over the bow and the guides keep her butt where it belongs. Than I pull her out and she settels right down on her bunks.

Art

 

[stubbsboogie]

Re: 22' Bow Rider, Boating alone, Launching alone, thoughts comments concerns

I do it all the time. I love it. Normally the admiraless helps but there are lots of times when I go by myself, or pick people up along the way. As was said above have a routine and stick to it. After a few times it will be automatic.
Straps>plug>back in>unhook>park boat>park truck>Go boatin!!