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Tips for a solo boat launch
Posted on 5/31/18 at 9:16 am
Posted on 5/31/18 at 9:16 am
New to the boating world and have only taken mine out with someone else with me. Looking online it seems fairly easy but wanted to ask for any tips for launching a boat solo. It’s a 18ft center console.
24
Posted on 5/31/18 at 9:18 am to OneSaintsFan
Learn how to walk on that trailer and have a long lead rope.
Posted on 5/31/18 at 9:22 am to OneSaintsFan
tie long rope from boat to trailer... back that sucker down and let it float off. Get out, untie rope from trailer, tie it off to dock/tree/etc.. Park truck. Get in boat and tear out
Posted on 5/31/18 at 9:23 am to OneSaintsFan
Leave it latched on the front. Back in. Walk trailer, unlatch, drive off boat. That is how I do it.
Posted on 5/31/18 at 9:23 am to OneSaintsFan
There are a couple of ways that you can do this. 1. You can back your trailer into the water and drive the boat off. Only problem with this method is that if you are not far enough into the water friction will keep you from getting off the trailer. 2. You can tie your bow rope to the pier adjacent to the launch and let your boat float off of the trailer. Move your boat out of the way so that others can use the launch and park your trailer.
Posted on 5/31/18 at 9:25 am to OneSaintsFan
Take videos of your first attempt. Go viral on youtube. profit!
Posted on 5/31/18 at 9:28 am to Spec1
quote:
Leave it latched on the front. Back in. Walk trailer, unlatch, drive off boat. That is how I do it.
Pretty much......don't forget to put the plug in.
One more thing; have someone video you doing all of this just in case something "funny" happens you can post it here.
Posted on 5/31/18 at 9:29 am to OneSaintsFan
Main thing is have all of your stuff ready to go before you pull up to launch. Don't sit in front of the launch while you unhook, put plug in, move gearnaround etc...
If you're struggling someone may offer to help you...let them. It'll help out everyone.
If you're struggling someone may offer to help you...let them. It'll help out everyone.
Posted on 5/31/18 at 9:31 am to OneSaintsFan
I throw a rope around the part of the trailer that sticks up (near the roller) and keep it short. From there I make sure the boat comes off the trailer and push/float it to a safe location or drive it (depends on the launch). Then I move my truck.
If you are at a busy launch, get the guys who work the launch to help you. Often they wont mind moving the truck up or out of the way. Just don't be THAT guy at the launch holding everyone up. If you know you are launching solo, either go very very early or later after peak time.
If you are at a busy launch, get the guys who work the launch to help you. Often they wont mind moving the truck up or out of the way. Just don't be THAT guy at the launch holding everyone up. If you know you are launching solo, either go very very early or later after peak time.
Posted on 5/31/18 at 9:32 am to OneSaintsFan
When you get to the launch, make sure there is a line behind you, then take a long time to unlatch the hooks, transom saver, etc. When you back down to the launch, overcorrect your turns so you have to pull back up to straighten out several times while everyone watches with disgust and anger....
You’ll get the feel for it with practice, nothing to it
You’ll get the feel for it with practice, nothing to it
This post was edited on 5/31/18 at 9:33 am
Posted on 5/31/18 at 9:38 am to oleyeller
quote:This.
tie long rope from boat to trailer... back that sucker down and let it float off. Get out, untie rope from trailer, tie it off to dock/tree/etc.. Park truck. Get in boat and tear out
Posted on 5/31/18 at 9:42 am to Motorboat
quote:
Take videos of your first attempt.
You gonna jack him all up since he is solo. Trying to back a boat in on the first attempt and video the drama at the same time is going to make it much worse.
On second thought, OP, video it.
Gonna be like that clip of Peter and the boys trying to back the boat in.
Posted on 5/31/18 at 9:44 am to OneSaintsFan
Make sure you back it in deep enough to slide off the bunks. See below:
Posted on 5/31/18 at 9:47 am to OneSaintsFan
Wear hip boots to prevent wet feet
Posted on 5/31/18 at 10:02 am to OneSaintsFan
Can you back up a trailer? If not, go find a large vacant parking lot and practice.
On launching, stop and prep your boat out of the way then proceed to launch (out plug in, unhook everything, etc). I tie mine to near the trailer hitch but if you have enough rope to tie it to the wharf, that’s easier. I solo launch mine with two boys 4 and 5, once you get the hang of it, you’re good to go.
#1 thing to remember when boating is respect for others. At the launch, while travling on the water, when passing by stopped boats, and while fishing. Others might be (nay, will be)a-holes to you. Just let it slide, find a new spot, and enjoy your time.
On launching, stop and prep your boat out of the way then proceed to launch (out plug in, unhook everything, etc). I tie mine to near the trailer hitch but if you have enough rope to tie it to the wharf, that’s easier. I solo launch mine with two boys 4 and 5, once you get the hang of it, you’re good to go.
#1 thing to remember when boating is respect for others. At the launch, while travling on the water, when passing by stopped boats, and while fishing. Others might be (nay, will be)a-holes to you. Just let it slide, find a new spot, and enjoy your time.
Posted on 5/31/18 at 10:09 am to Coon
I tie a long lead rope with knot in end. Shove lead rope with knot in between crack of truck tailgate and bed.
Back boat down. Put truck in park (key step). And grab rope to walk boat to safe tie off location.
No wet feet
Back boat down. Put truck in park (key step). And grab rope to walk boat to safe tie off location.
No wet feet
Posted on 5/31/18 at 10:15 am to OneSaintsFan
Posted on 5/31/18 at 10:19 am to jimjackandjose
Make sure the boat engine will fire right up, with my old 2-stroke Id always start on the muffs the day before and it always helped.
With the newer 4 strokes it’s not an issue and fires up every time.
With the newer 4 strokes it’s not an issue and fires up every time.
This post was edited on 5/31/18 at 10:25 am
Posted on 5/31/18 at 10:19 am to DownSouthDave
quote:
Main thing is have all of your stuff ready to go before you pull up to launch. Don't sit in front of the launch while you unhook, put plug in, move gear around etc...
^This.
And this goes for when you load your boat back on the trailer. Secure it on the trailer with the bow latch and then pull up completely out of the way of the launch to put on your stern straps and transom saver.
That is one of my pet peeves. Its especially bad at Calcasieu Point for some reason.
Posted on 5/31/18 at 10:29 am to OneSaintsFan
I make sure my plug is in, take my anchor,and sit it on the ground next to the boat ramp,checking to make sure rope is attached to boat. Unhook my boat from the trailer,and back that bitch in fast.
Burn rubber up the ramp to a parking spot. shotgun a 6 pack of tall boys in the truck,and I'm good to go.
Burn rubber up the ramp to a parking spot. shotgun a 6 pack of tall boys in the truck,and I'm good to go.
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