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So I Launched The Boat By Myself Today
Posted: Wed May 12, 2010 4:19 pm
by FishingFool
1st time. Always had the GF there before. Anyways, took the boat down to Lake Meridian so I could fix my trailer.
Backing up and launching was no problem. Getting pretty good at that now.
But loading it up. FFFUUUU and then with a mix of wind.
But got it all done.:batman:
Good thing no one was waiting for me, lol.
RE:So I Launched The Boat By Myself Today
Posted: Wed May 12, 2010 4:22 pm
by Amx
Ya should have hollered. I'd woulda come over and lifted your spirits by giggling, or laughing at you.
RE:So I Launched The Boat By Myself Today
Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 7:48 am
by jens
It took me about 12 launches before I could launch solo, but even then, it's always good to have a partner with you. Thanks for sharing. I had some ugly newbie launch experiences last year.
RE:So I Launched The Boat By Myself Today
Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 8:49 am
by crappiemaster
Man, I thought I was the only one... The hard one is launching in the gravel. I use the "water up the top of the wheel well as the guide". I still have trouble driving my boat up the trailer. I can never get it straight on. I usually go half way and get out and crank!
RE:So I Launched The Boat By Myself Today
Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 8:55 am
by reigndawgs
My brother was having some problems getting the boat out of the water last year and I decided I would step in and take over, thinking it would be easy. Man, wrangling a trailer is like herding an angry 5 year old - they seem to react in ways that defy the laws of physics.
RE:So I Launched The Boat By Myself Today
Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 9:01 am
by Matt
If there is a dock launching solo is a breeze. No dock makes things a bit more interesting but if there is no wind it is still not too bad. Add a pretty stout breeze and chop and it can become a chore quickly. Needless to say I fly solo pretty frequently and have gotten things down pretty well with my 16'er. I imagine if it were a bigger boat my pains would be realized.
RE:So I Launched The Boat By Myself Today
Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 9:14 am
by G-Man
Your launch site can make a big difference. If you have a fairly steep launch that is paved, power loading is the way to go and makes short work of the process. It also helps if your boat is has a v hull and matching trailer. Flat bottomed boats with no real guides on the trailer makes for a difficult load under windy conditions. I'm sure after a few more solo trips you'll have a system down pat and be in and out in the blink of an eye.
Crappiemaster dropped some good advice in regards to how far to back your trailer into the water. The most common mistake by far that I see at the launch in backing the trailer in so far the the boat can float right up to the winch. If you do this, you will never get it centered on the trailer, especially when the wind is blowing.
RE:So I Launched The Boat By Myself Today
Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 10:02 am
by Amx
On a steep launch = back the trailer in far enough so the bow of the boat rides up on the bunks, and so the bow lifts up, and therefore will line up properly with the winch. Trailer too far in and the bow can go UNDER the winch chock = bad. Not far enough and the boat won't go up far enough and calls for LOTS more thottle to get there, and still may not. Or way too much winching.
On a shallow launch = back the trailer in far enough so the bow of the boat will be close to the winch chock with the bottom of the boat dragging on the bunks. A little more throttle will nestle the bow in nicely. Or winch it in tight with not much effort.
Each launch will most likely be different, but the idea will be the same.
Just remember how far the tires/fenders goes in the water for any given launch, or type of launch.
If your trailer doesn't have sideboards on it, then install some, they will help LOTS!!! to align the boat in the wind.
RE:So I Launched The Boat By Myself Today
Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 3:40 pm
by FishingFool
Amx wrote:On a steep launch = back the trailer in far enough so the bow of the boat rides up on the bunks, and so the bow lifts up, and therefore will line up properly with the winch. Trailer too far in and the bow can go UNDER the winch chock = bad. Not far enough and the boat won't go up far enough and calls for LOTS more thottle to get there, and still may not. Or way too much winching.
On a shallow launch = back the trailer in far enough so the bow of the boat will be close to the winch chock with the bottom of the boat dragging on the bunks. A little more throttle will nestle the bow in nicely. Or winch it in tight with not much effort.
Each launch will most likely be different, but the idea will be the same.
Just remember how far the tires/fenders goes in the water for any given launch, or type of launch.
If your trailer doesn't have sideboards on it, then install some, they will help LOTS!!! to align the boat in the wind.
Yep, that's pretty much what I do.
I was out solo again today. This time, i actually fished. Tried out Lake Sawyer again. On my trailer, there's 2 bunks. On the bottom of my v-bottom boat, there are these parallel ribs or whatever you call it.
I back up my trailer until the 2 bunks are partially in the water. I do have a rope tied onto my boat. So I just muscle and wiggle it until I get the bottom of the V centered with the trailer. Grab the wench and crank. So far, the boat aligns itself onto the bunks perfectly this way. 2 for 2. lol.
RE:So I Launched The Boat By Myself Today
Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 3:46 pm
by Amx
You gonna be on Sawyer or Meridian EARLY tomorrow?
RE:So I Launched The Boat By Myself Today
Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 3:49 pm
by FishingFool
Amx wrote:You gonna be on Sawyer or Meridian EARLY tomorrow?
No, back to work.
Had the past couple of days off.