Launching by Yourself

[kjackson]

My version isn't much different from others above, but last year I changed things a bit.  

This is my approach to launching where there is no dock nearby.   I have a long, half-inch rope tied to a clip to the bow eye. I coil this on the top of the nose of the boat, next to the trolling motor mount pad.  The other end I tie to the trailer upright that supports the winch. Withe stern of the boat over the water, I (usually) unhook the safety chain and winch strap. Then I slowly back the boat in, and when the boat is close to floating, I slow down even more--like turtle slowly. When I can see that the boat is floating, I stop, let it s-l-o-w-l-y float off a bit and then slowly pull forward hoping the line pays out without tangling on the side bunks.  

This isn't different from what I used to do, but doing it much, much more slowly has really helped the process. I find that I swear a lot less. The key, I think, is that when the boat barely floats off the trailer I let it find its own way. It seems to work fairly well. 

 

[moguy1973]

Here's a similar method to what others have said, but you use your winch strap instead of a rope.  I plan on trying this when I launch my boat by myself this summer.

http://www.scout.com/outdoors/wired2fish/story/1643186-3-step-process-to-launch-a-boat-by-yourself?s=143

[MOPanfisher]

Looks like its the same basic process as using a separate rope.  I only like the rope idea because for some odd reason I am protective of that strap, I need it to get home.  If he can launch as fast as when someone is helping him, he needs a better fishing buddy, because with a buddy its a simple pop and drop and gone back up the ramp to park, run back down hop in and go fishing.  Ah the good old days when running back down the boat ramp didn't hurt nearly as much.

[rps]

2 hours ago, MOPanfisher said:

Looks like its the same basic process as using a separate rope.  I only like the rope idea because for some odd reason I am protective of that strap, I need it to get home.  If he can launch as fast as when someone is helping him, he needs a better fishing buddy, because with a buddy its a simple pop and drop and gone back up the ramp to park, run back down hop in and go fishing.  Ah the good old days when running back down the boat ramp didn't hurt nearly as much.

I feel your pain. What i did a 50 is no longer possible at 66. On the bright side, I just ordered a new boat designed to be easier on me. I am feeling very fortunate that I have that choice. Not all have been so lucky.

[Ham]

Imagine my Dad at 84. I really would rather he no longer went by himself.

[rps]

1 minute ago, Ham said:

Imagine my Dad at 84. I really would rather he no longer went by himself.

We should all be so lucky, right?

 

[jdmidwest]

I had been launching with a rope like Al and have not had many issues.  But I like Wrench's method, I'll have to try it next time.  It would surely be better in a wind or current.

[MOPanfisher]

I was looking at my set up this evening and I am going to give the short halter rope a try, hooked to the bow eye and "Oh Crap" chain it should give me almost 6 feet and it it stout with nice locking snaps.  I am thinking I can back down like normal, drop the tramson ties, unhook the bow hook and snap on the halter lead, back out just enough for it to float and tap the brakes to make it float back a few feet, then pull for ward jus enough that i can climb in wit dry feet.  With that couple feet extra I can climb in and power it off with the motor, and if it doesn't start , (nah couldn't happen could it) it is still enough on the trailer I can climb back out and winch it back on.  It my mind it works perfectly, we will hopefully see in a few days how well it works in reality.  Joints are still stiff  but a couple days of walking a lot looking for mushrooms is actually helping to loosen up the knees.  Dang doctors who would have thought they were right , AGAIN.  Actually I think it was the Nurse Practitioner who told me to tough it out and walk even more, she has given me more practical and useful information than anyone else.  I knew when my dad gave me his boat after I graduated college that he didn't intend to go anymore.  I took him out a few times but his heart just wasn't in it anymore.

[moguy1973]

5 hours ago, MOPanfisher said:

Looks like its the same basic process as using a separate rope.  I only like the rope idea because for some odd reason I am protective of that strap, I need it to get home.  If he can launch as fast as when someone is helping him, he needs a better fishing buddy, because with a buddy its a simple pop and drop and gone back up the ramp to park, run back down hop in and go fishing.  Ah the good old days when running back down the boat ramp didn't hurt nearly as much.

That is a good point about that strap. 

[Al Agnew]

I understand Wrench's point about the motor possibly not starting. I just don't worry about it because my boat isn't all that heavy and my trolling motor will get me back onto the back end of the trailer if necessary, and my balance is still good enough to walk along the bunks to the winch and back down the bunks to hook it on, then back up the bunks to winch it up.

Seems to me that you could make Wrench's method a little easier by welding a wider platform onto the trailer tongue, and perhaps even part way down past the winch, that you could walk on to get to the front of the boat easier. Maybe I don't worry enough, but I'd have no qualms about giving the winch strap a few feet of slack and using it to stop the boat when the back end starts to float, rather than a separate rope.