"One Man Shows" at the Launch Ramp...Share your Tips and Techniques??

[arboldt]

Re: "One Man Shows" at the Launch Ramp...Share your Tips and Techniques??

I would NEVER undo the winch strap until the boat is floating.

I've seen boats slide from bunker-style trailers to the ramp concrete, not making it to the water. It is NOT safe to do, no matter what kind of trailer you've got.

 

[beeverfishing]

Re: "One Man Shows" at the Launch Ramp...Share your Tips and Techniques??

Carpeted bunks normally have enough friction to keep the boat on the trailer until it floats off. (Providing you don't have a steep ramp and you nail the brakes half way down). Roller bunks on the other hand will permit your boat to roll off the trailer with less resistance. Possibly "launching" your boat on the ramp ! I leave enough slack to permit the boat to float off.. but not enough to permit the boat to launch itself onto the ramp if it were to slide.

 

[fishntoss]

Re: "One Man Shows" at the Launch Ramp...Share your Tips and Techniques??

I agree that for most applications bunks won't let the boat slide off. I do believe it depends on the angle of the launch your using tho.

I always wait until I've got the stern almost in the water then I get out and walk back to undo the winch. I do this for two reasons. One is that, for some reason I'm very prone to Murphy's law, the second reason it mostly safety. I've seen way too many kids run behind some guy launching and he had to slam on his brakes..And not just kids running around back there...

After floating the boat I grab the bow and stern line and walk the boat as far back on the dock that I can. At least the next guy can get his boat in and by the time I get back to the boat, the guy after that is just getting ready to back down..

I haven't run my boat up on the trailer. I always dock it, back the trailer down then walk the boat to the trailer and winch it up. There just seems to be something wrong with running the boat into the bow roller. Again, there's Murphy's Law....

 

[shankwc]

Re: "One Man Shows" at the Launch Ramp...Share your Tips and Techniques??

I just got my boat a few months ago and have to launch it alone most times. There is a river close by where I can use the outboard, so I go there to test my engine repairs. The ramp is very steep and there is no dock - at all. The first time i had to tie off to a rock because my rope was too short. I bought a longer rope and today I tied it to a tree. It's really hard to get into the boat without a dock and it's impossible NOT to get wet. If I get into it when it's too close to shore the propeller is in the rocks. Today I managed to rip out the floor board because I tried to use the seat post as leverage to get my fat *** into the thing. Also, my trailer is equipped with an electric winch - thats helpful. For me the scariest thing is leaving it while i park the trailer.

 

[triumphrick]

Re: "One Man Shows" at the Launch Ramp...Share your Tips and Techniques??

Well, with 25 replies there isn't much that's not been said. Long line at bow cleat ties to trailer winch. Once boat floats run that line thru dock cleats to transom cleat to hold boat. Usually around the corner, not in the launching area. When loading I wait to make sure I don't need to be in arush. After all I've been boating, fishing all day and am pretty relaxed. Easy does it seems to apply here. Trailer guides help here a whole bunch, as the current at my main ramp seems to move things around a bit. By now, however I pretty much have the depth figured out so I can just motor up on to the trailer. Snug the bow winch, fasten safety chain and ease er out. Works well most all the time, but hey, we all have our moments :redface:

 

[d_saum]

Re: "One Man Shows" at the Launch Ramp...Share your Tips and Techniques??

Awesome thread... I've been boating all my life, but this is my first rig with a trailer and I only got the boat out once last year.... and well.... launching was easy... retreival was a challenge though. I just want to say thanks to everyone who posted tips and advice!!!! You guys all rock!

 

[Shizzy]

Re: "One Man Shows" at the Launch Ramp...Share your Tips and Techniques??

I benefit from having a small aluminum boat. I can pretty much be deep or shallow and still launch or retrieve the boat. with the outboatd tilted I only need a foot or so of water. as long as I have the bunks half underwater, one or two good pulls on the bow rope gets it 3/4ers of the way on the trailer.

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: "One Man Shows" at the Launch Ramp...Share your Tips and Techniques??

I benefit from having a small aluminum boat. I can pretty much be deep or shallow and still launch or retrieve the boat. with the outboatd tilted I only need a foot or so of water. as long as I have the bunks half underwater, one or two good pulls on the bow rope gets it 3/4ers of the way on the trailer.

Mine is onlt a 14 footer, so i practicly pull it onto the trailer as well...if i can get it within 2 ft or so of the winch i just crank it the rest of the way on.

 

[idrownworms]

Re: "One Man Shows" at the Launch Ramp...Share your Tips and Techniques??

I have a 16 foot foot aluminum runabout with 4 carpeted bunks ( probably overkill but since my stroke i need all the help i can get in putting the boat straight on the trailer) I don't unhook the front strap but I let out about 5 or 6 feet of slack that way when the boat starts to float off the trailer I can still get to it without swimming. When the bunks are dry the boat does not want to move I could probably drive around all day with all the straps off and the boat would not move ( not that i would )
I admit I started boating later in life, I didn't get my first boat ride until I was three weeks old.
jamie