Solo Launching

[JZammetti]

Okay, I think I am ready to try my very first solo launch, any words of wisdom or stories of mistakes you've made. I want to know what to look out for so I have a good and safe solo launch.

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Solo Launching

It'll be a bugger at the ramp this weekend...BUSY! So don't panic, and don't let yourself get into a rush. That's typically when mistakes happen.

Ian

 

[truckermatt]

Re: Solo Launching

get your bumpers and ropes put on before you back down, then after to back in, tie the boat up.... the unhook the bow strap, and the boat should stay where you tied it. and then park vehicle, and go to boat untie, and enjoy....

What tpye of trailer do you have? Roller or bunk.? i find it easier with a bunk, but i have a roller trailer and make due.

 

[lprizman]

Re: Solo Launching

It'll be a bugger at the ramp this weekend...BUSY! So don't panic, and don't let yourself get into a rush. That's typically when mistakes happen.

Ian

correctomundo!!
this weekend may not be the optimal time due to frequency at the boat ramps,,or consider a greater challenge and do it,,it will make your succes a even greater confidence builder.

So before you leave the house,,review your check list,,arive at the get ready area,,,get dialed in, review list again,,your turn at the ramp pull up deep breath and have at it,,,best of luck!!!!

personally I prefer to launch and return by myself,,,whenever buddies get involved it gets screwed up

 

[767Captain]

Re: Solo Launching

If you're competent, which it looks like you are, solo launching is no problem. Number one issue: Try not to waste other people's time. Have EVERYTHING rigged & ready to go BEFORE you back down the ramp. Around here, the ramps & docks can be pretty hectic, and folks that fart around create angst for those who are actually ready to GO. I've done a lot of solo launch / retrieve, but I can usually launch in five minutes, and that includes getting my truck off the ramp.
You've seen the doofuses at the ramp; those folks who take forever to get their boat ready, (while on the ramp) or who clean it all up while hogging the ramp. Or the morons who back the trailer down to retrieve, and sit there for 20 minutes while bubba attempts to actually get the boat lined up to the trailer.
Bottom line, solo launching is usually OK, just be really ready to GO if others are waiting to use the lane.

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Solo Launching

I agree with alot of the above. Focus on what it is YOUR doing, Don't worry about other people and things will go alot smoother for you, Do what YOU need to do!! When launching or retrieving if you concentrate and take YOUR TIME you'll be just fine. I don't worry about anyone else and the more you do it solo you'll find out that you just "do what you need to do" and you concern yourself less with what others are thinking. If you need to back up acouple of times to get aligned right to get it on the trailer SO WHAT, I am not going to mess up my boat because some one else is in a hurry, too bad!! The more you do it yourself you will see what works best and the smoother it gets. DON'T WORRY ABOUT WHO IS WAITNG ON YOU!! Is very important in my own opinion.........................................................................................Pat

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Solo Launching

Okay, I think I am ready to try my very first solo launch, any words of wisdom or stories of mistakes you've made. I want to know what to look out for so I have a good and safe solo launch.

i have to solo launch a lot. will skip pre-launch stuff,put in bilge plug and all that.
what i have found works best for me.i have a 5/8" dock line 25' long.our boat is aprox. 24'. all pre launch done. tie one end of line to bow eye and other winch stand on trailer. slowly back into lake till i see boat start to float from trailer. tap brakes gently. if your not sure of the angel and depth of the ramp(first time there) this might take a couple of times.DONT GO TO FAST AND JAM ON BRAKES. this will surely snap line and send boat shooting off trailer into lake out of reach. at this point boat should gently float free and may or may not take slack in line. your almost done. ease tow vehicle back up ramp till you can reach line with out stepping in water. now you can hand line boat to dock or gently beach, which ever is you custom. TAKE YOUR TIME DONT TRY TO HURRY. secure boat and park truck& trailer and enjoy the day.

after a good harted fellow offered to help me launch and backed my truck in to the doors. i tend to be careful of the help i accept at ramp.
lots of well meaning folk but in the end you have no way to judge there
capability's and its your equipment at risk.
launch single handed i have gotten lots of help lining boat, tying up and docking and lining back to and winching on trailer. and always appreciated it. operating boat or vehicle is a different and leave you to make call as applies to you.

 

[JZammetti]

Re: Solo Launching

It'll be a bugger at the ramp this weekend...BUSY! So don't panic, and don't let yourself get into a rush. That's typically when mistakes happen.

Ian

Good God Man, my mom raised ugly boys not dumb ones. I would not even think about it today. Today I had my crack crew. I am thinking like on a Thursday during work hours.

 

[JZammetti]

Re: Solo Launching

What tpye of trailer do you have? Roller or bunk.? i find it easier with a bunk, but i have a roller trailer and make due.

I have bunks

 

[JZammetti]

Re: Solo Launching

personally I prefer to launch and return by myself,,,whenever buddies get involved it gets screwed up

How long have you been going solo?

 

[JZammetti]

Re: Solo Launching

If you're competent, which it looks like you are, solo launching is no problem. Number one issue: Try not to waste other people's time. Have EVERYTHING rigged & ready to go BEFORE you back down the ramp. Around here, the ramps & docks can be pretty hectic.

Thanks for the vote of confidence, as a new boater everything is done at the staging area, when I back down (now it may take 3 or 4 trys) I unhook, park and back out the boat ASAP.

 

[JZammetti]

Re: Solo Launching

If you need to back up acouple of times to get aligned right to get it on the trailer SO WHAT, I am not going to mess up my boat because some one else is in a hurry, too bad!! The more you do it yourself you will see what works best and the smoother it gets. DON'T WORRY ABOUT WHO IS WAITNG ON YOU!! Is very important in my own opinion.........................................................................................Pat

Pat, you must be at my launch, I have hit it first time but my average is 2.5 tries.

 

[LIQUID PROZAC]

Re: Solo Launching

good luck and take your time--i have not gotten the nerve to do a solo yet--but will a soon as needed

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Solo Launching

Pat, you must be at my launch, I have hit it first time but my average is 2.5 tries.

Don't worry so much, You'll do just fine!! I have always done my own(solo) while the wife walks the dogs. Goes much faster that way, You can do it, I have confidence in you!! Worry will bite you on the sass every time, relax and do what you need to do and it will go much smoother, Let us know how it went, good luck!

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Solo Launching

Good God Man, my mom raised ugly boys not dumb ones. I would not even think about it today. Today I had my crack crew. I am thinking like on a Thursday during work hours.

LOLS, I wasn't gonna say anything...


Sorry, thought you meant this weekend, I solo load/launch every time, occassionally the wife grabs the ropes when launching, but I always solo load. She's preggers now, so I don't allow her to grab the ropes anymore either. Once you get the hang of it, and a system going you'll prefer to be master of yer own ship as it were.

Ian

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Solo Launching

If you think your ready, then your ready.
No time like the present, and all the other cliches....

 

[bigskiohio]

Re: Solo Launching

did my first solo today waited till early after noon and pulled out with three
trailers left. hooked rope to boat pushed off and tied it up on other side of dock,parked truck. loading a little harder as i backed trailer in and let out strap
, started boat and drove on trailer jumped out of bow ,hooked strap ,tightened up winch,rats forgot to tilt up l.u., climb back in boat, climb back out, drive out, park and finish up strapping and lights. not so bad after all, But the guy next to me putting in did not charge his battery or check it at home as boat was in the water and would not start and was walking back with cables to jump it. hooking the winch strap was the hardest thing but i dont know how to make it easier. I took the dog but he was a pain ,not in the boat but at the ramp and at the store. he didnt add a whole lot to the day so i will leave him at home from now on.

 

[ThrashN]

Re: Solo Launching

I'm new to boating myself and I solo launch and retrieve.
One thing I do is start the boat before it comes off the trailer. That way if it doesn't start I can just pull it out of the water. I think the biggest thing is to prep every thing first that way I have less to worry about when it hits the water. I want to make a check list and have it laminated, launching on one side and retrieving on the other.
You'll be fine

 

[bigskiohio]

Re: Solo Launching

I always run check my oils charge battery and run on muffs before i go that way i know it wiil start.

 

[tboltmike]

Re: Solo Launching

More thoughts,

Test run your engine before you leave. Launching is not time for an engine not to start or have dead battery, fuel bulb not pumped.

Pay attention to the wind. Launch or retrieve where the wind helps you.

Avoid a launch were there are waves/wakes that may push your boat into structure or cause it to go catie wompus on the trailer or make it difficult to line up or bang the trailer.

Mind your keys, have floaties on them vehicle and boat.