Tips on launching alone

Lot of good info above. For me, bunk trailer and a Z-Launch cord is the fastest/easist way. I got lucky at ICAST years ago and met the guy that invented the Z-cord. Glorified bungee cord. He gave me a few to test out and I love this thing.

Attached to the hull and hook on my bumper -I back in and ease the boat off the bunks and them very gently bump the truck forward. The boat eases up to the end of my bunks with light tension on the Z-cord. I disconnect from the truck and tie off to the dock and go park. That simple

As others have stated, Rubber Boots or shorts/crocs when it is warmer. If shore is sandy next to launch, I prefer to beach my boat. I’m not patient enough to try an wait for my spot at the dock.

Pay attention to the type of clip you use for your bow rope. Last year the family and I launched on a local lake. As I pushed the boat off the trailer I pulled the rope tight so the boat didn’t take off too far, or so I thought. I didn’t notice that the clip on the bow rope flipped over the bow eye, and as the rope grew taut the clip unsnapped and the boat was floating free. Luckily it was still close to the dock. I was just about to wade in, and out of the corner of my eye I notice my wife take flight and land hard in the boat. She was ok and saved me from getting wet, but she ended up with some nasty bruises.

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gimruis wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>hillhiker wrote:</div>
I’d love to know how someone parks a vehicle, and moves their boat at the same time Gimruis? That would be a sight to see!

That’s not what I meant. After you’ve launched your boat, move it out of the way so the next person can use the access. Don’t tie it up to a cleat or the dock so that its blocking the access while you go park your truck. Move it to the other side of the access or another dock that is there for parking boats. Pontoons are the worst. They take up so much space and they’re a bit** to load and unload. They’re also very unstable on a trailer going down the road.

Just giving you a hard time… Actually, the way things are going in the boating industry this could become reality sooner than later. It sure would be nice to just have a launch and load button on a key fob. Back the trailer in, hit the launch button, and drive away to park your truck.

With a little practice, you can slowly back the trailer into the lake until the boat just barely drifts off the trailer. When the boat is beginning to float, I back up in slow 2-4″ increments until it starts floating back on its own. If done correctly, you can just walk back and step right in to a floating boat, no pushing, no ropes, no climbing on trailers and bumpers, no cold feet. That’s my solo technique. I haven’t had to go swimming for it yet.

Three tips to help with that:
-Aim the trailer slightly at the dock, so when the boat floats off, it touches the dock or comes close.
-If given the option, launch so that the dock is on the driver’s side. Quicker to walk to the boat, and a better view of it in the closest driver side mirror.
-Use the wind to your advantage, if able. Launch so the wind pushes the boat into the dock after it floats.

One final tip:
-If there’s heavy wind or chop, obviously this method ain’t gonna fly.

How does the Z cord benefits justify costing 10X the price of a piece of rope?

SuperDave1959 wrote:

For us Ulterra owners, who has the guts to actually try the commercial and launch with the remote?

I’ve done it a few times and it is pretty awesome! Was really hesitant to do it at first, but tried it when my wife was in the boat just in case. Drop it in, deploy, steer with the remote to a safe spot out of the way and spot lock it. Then park the truck and steer it back to the dock to pick me up. Like Joe said, I have always done a quick test to make sure everything is working before going all-in.

I’ve had a few different roller trailers in the past but never a bunk trailer. Almost always loading/unloading by myself. Until I got the last trailer I’ve never had too much of an issue with alignment while loading but this one is a total PIA. Nothing worse than trying to get that thing lined up on the front keel and bow rollers while people are waiting at the launch, especially in current or wind. I bought 2 sets of the vertical roller guides that I mounted at the back and the other set about 2/3 of the way forward. I though for sure that would solve my alignment issues but it really only made a small difference. Still glad I have them. This spring I replaced my standard 5” keel roller with this 12” self centering roller and its a snap with the boat hitting its mark every time. Possibly the best investment I’ve made on my boat second to spot lock.

SeaSense Self Centering Roller (Polymer) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0019LYEEM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_wntTEbAHKRBVT

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I’ve never done the long rope or Z cord thing but I’m certainly goin to do tgat now.

I have a nylon rope that has been with me for the last 5 boats. Seems to keep bringing the boat to me.

Z Launch looks like a decent product but I’ll pass for now.

buckybadger wrote:

***I do not run Talons and have also seen where the spot lock plan backfired on a guy with his boat colliding into side of the dock as the motor tried to self correct in the wind***

I use my talon perhaps more when I load/unload at the access than I do when I’m actually fishing sometimes. The problem is that I only have one so its not a true stationary anchor. It often acts more as a pivot point if there’s any current or wind so I still have to cleat the front of the boat at the dock. Two would work wonders you could simply anchor down next to the dock and not worry about using any ropes.

If you watch the video on Z-Launch, they show the guy beaching his boat on the concrete ramp. Sorry…not interested…even with a Hamby’s on my Skeeter.

SuperDave1959 wrote:

How does the Z cord benefits justify costing 10X the price of a piece of rope?

The biggest benefit is current or tight fit area. With the bungee stretching, it keeps tension to the boat so it doesn’t float back very far. I can ease it off the trailer and have it snugged up to the bunks without ever getting out of the truck. Very easy to control when by myself

All the tips & processes are covered well here and i do much of what others do. All the lakes in my area have shallow launches. I’ve had bunk trailers before and sometimes i couldn’t get the boat off the trailer. Now i have a roller and couldn’t be happier.

I too back in close to the dock so that i can simply walk in or out of the boat. Early or late in the year when it’s cold water, i pack boots or waders to put on prior to launching & loading.

Biggest thing i see is people not loading their boat with stuff prior to launching, or unloading stuff while they want to load…while being parked in the launch zone. Everything should be loaded prior to launch, or unloaded after pulling out and parking away from the launch. Not while parked in the launch zone. Oh! And PLEASE park your boat on the opposite side of the dock if you need to use the mini biff! If there is one thing that bugs me more than not catching fish, that’d be the one. Lol

So just think it through before going, have everything prepared, then just simply execute when you get there. Best for you, best for everybody. And if you see somebody struggling, offer to help. Best for them, best for you, best for everybody.

Weekender wrote:

And if you see somebody struggling, offer to help. Best for them, best for you, best for everybody.

In a normal time, this might be effective and helpful. During a pandemic, I think most will not accept it simply because they don’t want people near them.

True. I forget about that when I think of helping people. Maybe some distance verbal help and encouragement.

Since I wouldn’t attempt to hug or kiss a stranger at the ramp, I struggle to see someone being reluctant to let someone else hold a rope.

Just ordered a Z-launch cord (this ‘free’ site costs me a lot!)
But thanks everyone

All of the advice here is solid! The only thing i can offer that hasn’t been covered or i skimmed over it is if you have a bunk trailer and a shallow launch what i do is leave the wi ch strap attached but un spool it a few feet or as much as your comfortable with and when the boat is in the water but not quite floating yet pump the brakes as you are backing up untill the boat slides back and the strap goes tight and starts to float then hop in and unhook the strap fire up the motor put it in reverse and walk to the back of the boat and stop suddenly and the boat should glide right off. Works for me with my pontoon and a couple other smaller fishing boats when im alone.

best advice is to launch a boat in 20 plus gusts with a short dock. that will make every other launch a walk in the park. I think if you start with the most difficult, your confidence will be head and shoulders above when you launch in protected harbors……worked for me

This isn’t designed to answer the OP question because I know he is experienced.

For new boaters what wrecks the launching experience is the pressure to be quick. If I had to advise a new boater the first things I would tell them they have to master is:

1) Go to a school parking lot after hours and practice backing up. Not only in a straight line but around corners. Realize how fast the trailer reacts to turning the steering wheel. Realize the coverage your mirrors have and when there will be blind spots.

2) When at the landing stop in the prep area and get the boat ready to launch. DO NOT do it on the ramp. Be sure you have the key, install the plug. Remove the tie downs. Hook up the retrieval line. Get all the coolers & gear into the boat. Leave the wife and kids either on shore or stick them in the boat. You don’t want to worry about running a kid over or have to listen to your wife tell you how to do it while trying to back down the ramp.

3) Try to get the rig as straight as possible then start backing down the ramp.

These few things will make your day much better and less stressful. I know a new boat is exciting and you can’t wait to get on the water. But practice is important and so is understanding the whole process. It doesn’t hurt to stand at a landing some day and WATCH other guys do it, you may gain some knowledge and see something that will help you.

Oh, how could I forget this……….be sure your battery is charged and the motor will run.

Great post Dutch

Dutchboy wrote:

Try to get the rig as straight as possible then start backing down the ramp.

I see quite a bit of people make the mistake of trying to start backing up from a crooked staring point. It makes it tougher to begin with. Pull far enough forward so the entire rig is lined up straight before beginning to back up.

During June through August my plan is to back up as far as necessary and WADE to the trailer, unhook the boat and push it off the trailer if necessary, then walk to the dock and tie off the boat. I’m 75 now but in my youth I did too many “slippery boat trailer tongue dances” to try it again. Good way to earn a trip to the hospital at my age. Just my two cents.

May be a good idea to have someone with ? Even though i have launched solo 100,s of times . The local pharmacist who had gone fishing with his dad in the early 80,s. He backed his rig in the launch , he got out of his CJ Jeep walked to the boat and started to unhook . The parking brake let loose. Think he left the motor running and had it neutral. The whole rig rolled down into flowage , knocking him down and pinning him under the jeep. The jeep having run over the top of him and on the verge of drowning , his dad gets out of the passenger side to see what happened. He realizes he needs to act quik so he jumps in and drive,s the Jeep back over the top of him . So now he has been run over twice. He loads him up and drives 20 miles to town. He survived, burned bad by the exhaust and multiple broken bones it was a year or 2 before he could even walk again. That fateful day changed his life forever. Things can happen real fast better to slow down and think things through .

Dutch has good advice, especially the part of don’t load your gear in the ramp site, Nothing make other people more angry then that, you don’t need someone hollering at you when your are just learning.

I launched my pontoon by myself on Saturday. First time and while not exactly fun I got it done. I have a scissors trailer which helped. We have a private boat launch and everyone else in the development who couldn’t launch directly from their shoreline already used the launch so I knew I had all day to get it done without anyone else showing up and watching the clown show I was putting on!

I always tell myself esp. if someone is waiting: I’m not the best at this or the wost, not the fastest or slowest.
Read an artical from an experienced guide, what does he often see when a client is pulling in a PB walleye? Tail lights at the launch-his point is that people call it quits way too early in the evening. Also skeeters are the worst at dusk the slow down after dark.

B-man wrote:

Attach a 50′ rope to the boat, and to the trailer.

Unhook everything (bunk trailers only, and above freezing)

Back the boat in, let it float off with some momentum.

Pull the trailer out of the water.

Untie from trailer.

Pull the boat over to the dock or ahead and beach it.

This with 1 major difference. Leave my door cracked and just hold onto the rope. No need to tie/untie from the trailer that way.

Paul in Iowa wrote:

hey an idea for a mfg or some one who has bucks!!
how about a trolling motor with blue tooth??
then you could launch and drive the boat from the beach or launch area to the dock via app and blue tooth on a smart phone.
it could be done with prox sensors for nav.

lol if you run with the idea,,
just send me a boat!! lol!! or donate.
poustusa.com

So you mean the Minnkota Ulterra with iPilot…

http://www.youtu.be/y5ejwRj9t1Q

Launching seems to have been addressed fully, how about retrieval? In windy conditions, how do you get off your boat at the dock?