Waders needed or no

Ok so I launch my own boat by myself and I am wondering if I need waders or no.are they worth the value or no ?

Have you had to get in the water to load or unload your boat? Except for a few of the nasty ramps there should be no need.
DT

I have a 16 foot Crestliner on a roller trailer. Most launches I am able to launch and load without getting my feet wet. I use a Drotto clamp on my winch post and drive my boat right on till it latches.

Many of the launches in Wisconsin are marked “no power loading”, for those launches, knee boots are enough to keep me dry, when wading out far enough to hook the winch strap when loading. Don’t need them for launching as the boat, given a slight shove to get it started, will roll right off the trailer.

If you have a bunk trailer, I suspect hip waders may be needed. if you are unable to power load. For launching alone, some guys will tie the boat tot the trailer leaving plenty of slack in the rope. They are then able to back in far enough stopping quickly, to float the boat out away from the trailer. They will pull back up just far enough that they can reach the rope, untie it from the trailer and guide their boat to the dock. This may or may not work at all launch sites.

To give you the conservative answer, no. To give you the comfortable answer, sure. I often wear rubber boots when it’s cold and sandals when it’s warm. Half way for comfort, half way so I can be lazy and step in if I have to.

I wear the lacrosse knee high boots in most cases and I have a 17 ft boat on a roller trailer. As said before a comfort item keeps feet dry in colder weather. These boots are great for alot of different uses.I also don’t power load my boat.

I wear leg waders all the time… Many times there’s scum floating around and it’s bad enough that it sticks to the boat. I just don’t like wiping scum off of me as well. Let it stick to the waders.

Right now I pro get in to my waste line to launch mine I have a 16 ft with roller.Its hard for me.Im thinking hip for early spring and into the fall.

I think it depends on the launches you use. Some don’t need any boots, some do. Havent met a launch yet where my knee highs cant handle it.

Same time im pretty young and limber yet, I can jump off the bow onto the trailer, balance beam up to the winch and handle it that way. Also undloading hop on the trailer, push it out and hop in, motor to shore/dock.

I think the more you do it you will see what you need to accomplish the task. Personally I don’t mind getting wet. Usually at home I just throw the pants and shoes in the boat locker, and when im on the water just go barefoot in the boat.

Hip high in the water seems quite extreme.:???:

To me it sounds like your trailer is in too deep if your waist deep with a 16 foot roller. Where is the water line compared to your trailer fenders?
DT

Gabe Kuettner wrote:

Right now I pro get in to my waste line to launch mine I have a 16 ft with roller.Its hard for me.Im thinking hip for early spring and into the fall.

If you’re waist deep in the water with a 16ft boat on a roller trailer, you’re doing something wrong.