Solo-launching a big boat

[Kent]

[url "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ajrwuv7aCLw#t=590.797596"]Link[/url]
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[liketrolling]

some good points
the first thing I try to do is put my plug in.
don't fish alone on Saturday
be the first at the dock so you don't hold anybody up.
and that gives me more fishing time and less sleep.
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[MisterCompletely]

That's pretty much the way I do it with my big clunky Trophy boat, when there's a dock I can back in beside like that. Strawberry and AF Harbor at Utah Lake are easy. The problem is solo launching where the dock is not right on the ramp. I can't climb from the trailer onto the boat, because there's a big old tall rail around the front of the boat. I've tried lots of things, but the only thing that really works is waders.
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[Quicky]

I like the guide rods built on his trailer. I might build something like that for my boat since I launch solo a lot. Pre tensioned is the key there.
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[SBennett]

Ramp/launch etiquette is one reason I support the need for a Boat Operator license. Times are a comin' that a person needs to be held accountable for the blatant disregard of others precious time, especially at the ramp.
The License could have some sort of three strikes you are out for the year or something like that.
I am tired of waiting for the mussel carrying wakeboard boat and three vehicle entourage at the bottom of the ramp to load their friends/coolers/lunches. And THEN they put the plug in and take off the tie downs.
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[Fowl-Hook]

Enforcement is difficult when Rude and Stupid are the issue!!
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[fish_hntr]

I recently added an aluminum grate/step to the of the trailer to help with launching/loading. Luckily I haven't had to launch solo yet, but if I do the step would make a world of difference. I likely have the tallest open bow boat around and is a pain in the butt to launch/load in the wind.

The picture below is when I was mocking things up, it now has supports under it with galvanized bolts holding it on.
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[Therapist]

I have launched by my self for years, 18ft Skeeter Walleye boat. My technique was to unhook the safety chain, transom tie downs, put the winch in free spool, then back the rig in, let the winch unwind as I drove back up the ramp. Usually I would have the lower third of the trailer in the water with the front end of the boat on the end of the trailer. I would tighten up the winch strap with a bit of slack and then use the winch strap as a brace to walk down the side rail of the trailer and get in the boat, unhook the strap, and tie up to the dock. The whole process usually took less than 5 min on the ramp. Just after my knee replacement, I was at Deer Creek. Was walking the rail when a wave came and lifted the boat up, no tension on the winch strap, and boom, I landed in the water, my leg with the new knee under me. Last time I used that method.

I now use a bungee called the Z Launch( Tackle Ware House, $40.00 ). You hook D ring on the Z launch to your winch strap, pull off about 3 ft of strap, then the hook onto the eye of your boat. Launch the boat and gently pull out. The Z Launch stretches and pulls your boat back onto the bottom of the ramp, You unhook, climb in, pull over to the dock, tie up, and get your tow off the ramp. Again it takes about 5 min. to launch and I am not balancing on the rail of the trailer and sitting on my bad knee in the water.

The only thing that you might need if you have a BIG boat is a small step ladder to get up on the bow, not that big a deal !! You can Google Z Launch and watch a video on how it works. Best way to launch by your self, UNLESS !!!

You can also put a Minn Ulterra trolling mtr on the front, then you just launch the boat and use the remote control to deploy your motor and guide it over to the dock !! Really slick, but they cost about $ 2500.00, the Z launch is cheaper !!

[PACKFAN]

I've been launching a boat by myself for quite a few years it's not a big boat by many standards but it is a 20 footer. I undo all my tiedowns, both motors tilted up, check drain plug which I hardly ever remove and back my boat down the ramp. I carry a 50 foot good nylon anchor rope with a snap hook on one end that I snap into the loop on front of boat where winch hook fastens and have a loop on the other end of rope that I drop over the front trailer post that my winch is fastened to. I coil the rope up on one of my trailer bunks and then slowly back trailer into water until boat starts to float off trailer, I then pull forward up ramp slowly once boat has cleared trailer and tighten rope slowly pulling boat toward the ramp. I get out of truck and slip rope off front winch mount and pull boat up to shore off to a side of the ramp. Jump back in truck and park it, walk down ramp, jump in and I'm off, maybe takes 10 minutes for whole operation. I've had quite a few people watch me thru the years and thought that was pretty neat. If the waves are bad then you may want to get some help or you may have a real rodeo on your hands. I have pulled the boat over and tied up to the dock when it is not real busy. Make sure you have a good solid rope that isn't rotted cause if it breaks that can be fun watching your boat disappear.... I do speak from experience. Years ago at the North marina with my 17 ft. Tracker when my rope broke, luckily a couple guys that were launching retrieved it for me. [shocked]
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[SportfishinSteve]

Hi Kent. It's been awhile since I've been on here.

Was reading your post. That's exactly the way I launch my boat solo. Pretty simple and fast.
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[gambler209]

should see how the pros do it its nuts
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[Kent]

[quote SportfishinSteve]

Hi Kent. It's been awhile since I've been on here.

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Yes it has. Hi back at ya.
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