Launch and retrieve.....rookie

[PUP300]

I have launched and retrieved with others and their boats, just not mine and alone.

I feel confident getting the boat down the ramp, my question what tricks do you guys to get it off the trailer and tied to the dock on your own, without looking like a fool and not getting wet.

When retrieving do you wait for the ramp to open and pull the boat to the ramp side of the dock, tie up and then get trailer?
Or do you tie up on non ramp side, get the trailer put in the water and then get the boat?

Once that is figured out what is the easiest way (tricks) to put the boat on the trailer and lock down so you can pull it out of the water while being alone.

I bought my first boat 3 weeks ago (16ft aluminum with TILLER). I can't wait anymore, I want to get this out and it looks as if I will be alone for the first launch.

I appreciate all the info on these forums, now that I am a new boat owner I look forward in being a part of it.

Thanks for any ideas and wish me luck.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Launch and retrieve.....rookie

always easier with two people. but i launch alone a lot.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=138594

 

[leakyrivet]

Re: Launch and retrieve.....rookie

I launch alone a lot. Practice a lot on empty ramps. Don't let pushy people in line distract you.
Here is some good reading...
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=117523&highlight=launching+alone

 

[PUP300]

Re: Launch and retrieve.....rookie

I launch alone a lot. Practice a lot on empty ramps. Don't let pushy people in line distract you.
Here is some good reading...
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=117523&highlight=launching+alone

Rivet- Thanks that is what I was looking for.

Daddy- Thanks as well, good information.

Great forum, can't wait to contribute myself as I becaome more experienced.

 

[109jb]

Re: Launch and retrieve.....rookie

PUP300,

I launch alone alot and some of it depends on the ram where you are launching. First off, don't block the ramp unnecessarily. In the prep area, get the boat ready by removing transom straps, motor prop (if you have one), install drain plug, etc. I also remove the bow safety chain and loosen the winch strap. Some people remove the winch strap, but you definately don't want to do this if you have a roller trailer.

If launching at a ramp that has a rampside dock:
Attach a bow line and tie it to the winch stand on the trailer. Back the boat into the water and float it off. Set the brake and use the bow line to walk the boat back off the trailer. If there is space then move the boat to where it won't block the ramp for other people. Park the trailer and you are done.

Retrieval is basically the reverse and you can walk the boat on to the trailer. You can also re-start the boat and drive it on, but don't use more than idle power. Once on the trailer, hook up the winch strap and winch it on the rest of the way, raise motor, and pull out to the staging area to pull the plug, put transom straps on, etc..

If there is no rampside dock:
With winch strap a touch loose, back the boat in until the stern is floating. Set vehicle brake and then get in the boat by stepping on the trailer tongue and climbing over the bow. Lower and start motor and allow to warm up. Return to bow and reach over and release winch strap. You may have to let out more strap to do this and the boat may move backward a bit. Now drive the boat to where the dock is, or where you can beach it and secure it. Park the trailer and you are done.

Retrieval again pretty much the reverse, but you will be driving the boat to the trailer and not walking it on.

Additional things that help solo boating are some type of guide on's especially for river boating, and I really prefer bunk trailers unless you know that you can always walk the boat on and off the trailer using a rampside dock. Reason being that when you drive the boat on to bunks, it sticks and you can get forward to hook the winch up. With rollers, the boat will want to roll back into the water and you will have to leave the motor in gear to prevent it. I imagine it would really suck with a tiller because at least with a console steer the motor will stay straight at idle.

Some important things to remember:
1. Don't rush no matter how long the launch line is or who is telling you to hurry up. Now I don't mean you should move like a turtle, but take enough time to insure you are doing things correctly and safely.

2. Don't unnecessarily tie up the ramp.

3. For your first few times out go during off-peak times if at all possible.

One other thing is that you will have to determine the "sweet spot" for how far to back the trailer in for retrieval. On the boats I've had, backing in with just the tops of the fenders above water seems to work pretty well. It may be different for you though dependinghow your trailer is set up.

Good luck

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: Launch and retrieve.....rookie

I do pretty much what 109jb said except....

I wait until I'm backed down the ramp to take off the safety chain. I just don't trust a winch strap enough when backing down.

I have an aluminum so if I launch alone (I rarely do), I tie a rope from the winch post to the bow eye long enough that the boat can leave the trailer. I launch and then drive back out of the water, pulling the boat onto the ramp a bit. Then I get out, secure the boat and park. I don't think I have ever launched alone where there is a dock, but I would do the same and then use the rope to walk it over to the dock, tie up and go park.

Retrieve alone is a bit of a PITA for me but I basically run the winch strap out the length of the trailer and hook on to the boat, then back in partway, winch the boat forward, back in more, winch more, back in more winch more until the boat is on. Takes a bit of time but as I'm not holding up a "ramp" per se, it works. Loading at the ramp with the dock is much simpler as I can put the trailer in and left it drift onto the trailer most of the way and wich the final bit.

I really need to put my electric winch on this trailer

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Launch and retrieve.....rookie

Best piece of advice so far is to go and practice during the week when it's not busy. Sometime mid-morning is usually good. Most fisherfolks get on the water early, and the skifolks sleep 'til noon.

In some areas, there's always one or two lakes that just don't get much traffic. Maybe they have a speed limit or no fish, but they're great for messing around with learning stuff or fiddling with your boat. If you can find one of those, that's ideal.

For solo launching of a 16' aluminum boat, think "Launch deep; Retrieve shallow." You'll probably be able to winch your boat onto the trailer, so getting it started on the rear roller (assuming it's a standard roller and bunk trailer) is a lot easier if you can see the roller. I back in until the roller is right at the top of the water.

For launching, back in until the boat just starts to float off the bunks.

If you can't see the boat or trailer well and you have a pickup or SUV, consider opening the tailgate or rear door, if you can. It's really nice to be able to see clearly.

Bow ropes are wonderful things.

As far as not getting wet, I just don't worry about that. I plan to, so I wear shorts and beach shoes (not flip-flops) when I boat. Getting my legs wet's no big deal. They're waterproof.

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: Launch and retrieve.....rookie

As far as not getting wet, I just don't worry about that. I plan to, so I wear shorts and beach shoes (not flip-flops) when I boat. Getting my legs wet's no big deal. They're waterproof.

That's all fine and dandy, but when it's close to freezing, I prefer waders

 

[PUP300]

Re: Launch and retrieve.....rookie

109 - Thanks very helpful, I will print out and read in the prep lane.

Tacklewasher- I also appreciate the info.

CAT- I don't mine getting wet Thanks to you too!

I will probably be going tomorrow around 1:00pm.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Launch and retrieve.....rookie

That's all fine and dandy, but when it's close to freezing, I prefer waders

Fair-weather sailor here. Not much point in going fishing until the water hits about 50 degrees here. By then, I can go bare-legged. And I don't ice fish, either. Sitting in subzero weather to catch little sunnys, etc. is just something I don't understand.

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: Launch and retrieve.....rookie

Fair-weather sailor here. Not much point in going fishing until the water hits about 50 degrees here. By then, I can go bare-legged. And I don't ice fish, either. Sitting in subzero weather to catch little sunnys, etc. is just something I don't understand.

Nah. That's when the 20 pounders come up from the deep and are actually catchable. They aren't too fond of water at 75F.

But I have given up on the ice fishing. Rather sit in the boat with a heater going than out on the ice. But I don't have one of those "shacks" some guys have

 

[5150abf]

Re: Launch and retrieve.....rookie

Done it this way for years, get boat ready to launch in prep area of coarse hook my extra ancor line to the front of the boat, peel of 20' of line and put it in the back of the truck, move the rest to the front and leave a big loop hang out of the bed right behind the cab and back in, as the boat comes off the trailer grab the rope and lead the boat to the dock.

For the retrieve leave as much of the trailer out of the water as you can and drive the boat 3/4 on the trailer, winch the rest of the way.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Launch and retrieve.....rookie

Everything being said I always leave the safety chain on till i am in the water enough to launch. (You never know)

 

[109jb]

Re: Launch and retrieve.....rookie

Everything being said I always leave the safety chain on till i am in the water enough to launch. (You never know)

I wholeheartedly agree except I use the winch strap and do leave a few inches of slack. I used to use the safety chain, but I had too many times that the chain was too tight for me to unhook it once the back of the boat floated off. You absolutely want a roller trailer to remain hooked up to the boat somehow until the boat is in the water, and I wouldn't count on a boat not sliding off a bunk trailer either.

 

[krakatoa]

Re: Launch and retrieve.....rookie

""""Attach a bow line and tie it to the winch stand on the trailer. Back the boat into the water and float it off. Set the brake and use the bow line to walk the boat back off the trailer. If there is space then move the boat to where it won't block the ramp for other people. Park the trailer and you are done."""" This is a nice one

Wow, what a nice topic, full of info and great tips.

 

[PUP300]

Re: Launch and retrieve.....rookie

I just want to thank everybody again! With your ideas launching and retrieving was a success.

THANKS!!

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Launch and retrieve.....rookie

I just want to thank everybody again! With our ideas launching and retrieving was a success.

THANKS!!

Glad to hear it!

 

[Bostonian1976]

Re: Launch and retrieve.....rookie

I launched alone this weekend after zig-zagging my way down the ramp (2nd time I've ever launched). Going in was easy - coming out was not quite as easy. I haven't mastered getting the boat lined up with the trailer after pulling it away from the dock. It's definitely a little anxiety-producing but hopefully it'll be a piece of cake soon enough!

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Launch and retrieve.....rookie

Practice will eliminate the zig-zagging. As for loading, describe your boat and trailer and we can probably help ease the pain. Does your trailer have rollers, bunks, or both? Is your boat a v-hull, trihull, flat-bottom, or other?

Someone here will have a similar setup, and can help you get lined up.

One thing that really helps, if you're roping your boat from the dock to the trailer is to use two ropes. One is attached to the bow cleat or eye. The other is attached to a cleat at the stern, on whichever side will help you the most. Especially on windy days or in current, you can use the two ropes to keep your boat straight as you pull it to the trailer.

Other than that, how deep the trailer is really affects loading. On trailers with keel rollers, getting the keel on the rear roller is the first step toward straight loading. The rear roller should be grooved or self-centering. All of my keel rollers have lips on the outer edges. Once I get the keel on the rear roller, it's a no-brainer from then on out. The bunks don't even come into play until the boat is 2/3 on the trailer. I retrieve with the rear roller at or above the water surface.

But different boats and trailers require different strategies.

 

[Bostonian1976]

Re: Launch and retrieve.....rookie

yeah I did the two ropes bit - but the water get so deep that I really can't maneuver it well once I get off the dock and near the winch.....

here's my trailer

here's my boat..