Who launches their boat by themself??

[Bassinkorea]

I mostly fish by myself or with my kids, so I have to launch my boat all by myself. I used to launch my boat by holding a long piece of rope attached to my boat out of my truck window as I backed the boat off the trailer, then jumping out of the truck in time to pull the boat back to shore without hitting my trailer on the way.

So I bought a Z-Launch cord to see if it would help. After using it for several months I love it, so I made a quick video of how I use it and how easy it is.

Who else uses one of these??

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3-jGyXxZnk

[Princeton_Man]

Awesome video Steve! 

I launch much the same way using a length of rope attached to the front port cleat and the winch strap hook. I also coil the rope on my spare. I launch, pull up, and take the rope off the winch strap and use it to tie up to the dock while I park. If I'm on a ramp without docks I beach it on the keelshield.

[Bassinkorea]

Thanks Jim. I like the elastic nature of the Z-Launch as it is smooth under tension and doesn't add shock to the boat cleat at full length.

[zippyduck]

After watching this, it seems way to dangerous on a windy day. I launch at very busy ramps and usually back the boat in just far enough to push it off and drag it to the dock with ropes.

[Bassinkorea]

Where I launch it is quite protected from the wind, but I will be trying other places where wind is a factor. I'll report back on how it does in the wind.

[Deadeye]

I fish alone a lot of the time, a LOT.

While I had the little boat I did the Rope Trick. Once I got the Ranger and even some time before that I started doing this instead.

I unwine the Winch 10 Turns (that works for me you'd have to find your own spot), then I back down the ramp until the boat floats back and stops on the winch line.

I then pull slightly forward to watch the bow rise just high enough to clear the front roller. I do this because once the boat is off the trailer I only need to look at where the water is in relation to the Bunks to know exactly how far to back in to load with no effort. That does change per Ramp.

Once I have done that I unhook the strap then climb up into the Boat using the Step I installed and drop the motor down and start it. Let it warm some while turning on the units and whatnot. I then simply drive it off the trailer and pull it to the dock and tie up.

Really doesn't take that long once you got it down.

To load I reverse the process. Back in to that sweet spot, walk down Dock to boat and drive it on. I find tilting up just to clear the first bar on the gauge makes the Bow Rise and it loads perfectly. I have found to keep some pressure on with the Motor until I secure the Winch Strap and crank it down.

Go back put into Neutral, shut off motor, Full Tilt Up, then step down and do one more crank to make sure it's tight and drive off the ramp.

[Oldfart9999]

I'm fortunate, everywhere I go has docks, just back down alongside the dock, when the boat is floating get out, tie it off, park truck/trailer, go fishing. Loading is just as easy, tie off on the dock, back trailer in deep enough to soak the bunks, pull the trailer to loading point, hop out of truck, untie boat, pull up on trailer, empty carbs while winching the last 2 feet, tie it down and go home for lunch.
Rodney

[Capt. BassinLou]

Pretty handy device. My solo launches are a bit different, but that was useful video. Thank you for sharing BK.

[apenland01]

I have a pickup, so I just back the boat down and then drop the tailgate, put it in the water till it floats, hop in the bed of the truck using the rear tire to get in, hop into the boat (tailgate down is even with the bow of the boat and about a foot apart), start the big motor, unhook the winch strap, pull off the trailer and go park at the dock.  Go park the truck, then go fishing.

To load, I back the truck in, load the boat, hook up the winch strap, then get out of the boat and sit on the tailgate to crank the boat onto the bow roller, climb out of the bed and pull up to the parking lot to put all the straps, pull the plug, etc.

I guess this would depend how deep/shallow your ramps are.  I'm able to hop into the bed of my truck without getting wet.  When I get out of the boat, I'm able to step onto the tongue of my trailer without getting wet.  I have that sandpaper style tape all over the tongue of my trailer area to prevent slipping when getting in or out.

[Capt. BassinLou]

I have a pickup, so I just back the boat down and then drop the tailgate, put it in the water till it floats, hop in the bed of the truck using the rear tire to get in, hop into the boat (tailgate down is even with the bow of the boat and about a foot apart), start the big motor, unhook the winch strap, pull off the trailer and go park at the dock.  Go park the truck, then go fishing.

To load, I back the truck in, load the boat, hook up the winch strap, then get out of the boat and sit on the tailgate to crank the boat onto the bow roller, climb out of the bed and pull up to the parking lot to put all the straps, pull the plug, etc.

I guess this would depend how deep/shallow your ramps are.  I'm able to hop into the bed of my truck without getting wet.  When I get out of the boat, I'm able to step onto the tongue of my trailer without getting wet.  I have that sandpaper style tape all over the tongue of my trailer area to prevent slipping when getting in or out.

This is exactly how I launch as well, I just didn't want to type all of that... 

[Bud Kennedy]

Being a tidal river boater, launching like you guys describe just is not possible depending upon the river current or the tidal condition.  When I did launch solo it was usually at a lake with courtesy docks nearby or a place next to the ramp to beach the boat. I would simply back down with a rope attached to the bow eye and once the boat floated would push it off the trailer and drag it to the beach or over to the courtesy dock.  Unfortunately here my courtesy dock is about 50 ft away from the ramp with rip rap style rocks in between.  I am luck that the wife is my fishing partner and she backs me down and I start the boat and drive off to the courtesy dock while she parks the trailer.  Pretty much the same deal when loading up.  I guess I am spoiled in this category.

One thing for sure launching in current is a totally different deal and not possible as you guys describe except o those rare flat water days with no current.

[DonM]

I have used all those methods.  Can no longer go by myself now, so have my fishing buddy back me in.  I use a small folding step ladder to get in the boat before he backs me down.   Reverse everything to load.
I miss fishing alone sometimes.   

[Donald Garner]

When I launch by myself I do it much the same way in your video. 

I use a 20ft rope with a hook on the end and I attach it to the bow eye.  I attached the other end of the rope to the winch post.  The excess rope is uncoiled and is lying on the tail gate of the pickup.  Then as I watch the boat floating off the trailer I ease up the ramp till the boat is sitting on the ramp.  I then take the rope at the winch post and move the boat either to the dock or beach the boat onto the bank line. 

Tks for sharing the video with us 

[apenland01]

This is exactly how I launch as well, I just didn't want to type all of that... 

[topdsm0138]

I launch mine by myself. My son isn't much help..

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[Deadeye]

Being a tidal river boater, launching like you guys describe just is not possible depending upon the river current or the tidal condition.  When I did launch solo it was usually at a lake with courtesy docks nearby or a place next to the ramp to beach the boat. I would simply back down with a rope attached to the bow eye and once the boat floated would push it off the trailer and drag it to the beach or over to the courtesy dock.  Unfortunately here my courtesy dock is about 50 ft away from the ramp with rip rap style rocks in between.  I am luck that the wife is my fishing partner and she backs me down and I start the boat and drive off to the courtesy dock while she parks the trailer.  Pretty much the same deal when loading up.  I guess I am spoiled in this category.

One thing for sure launching in current is a totally different deal and not possible as you guys describe except o those rare flat water days with no current.

Bud I launch pretty much the exact same way no matter if I'm putting in the River or a Lake. Some spots like Astor the Current can and will push you around pretty good at times.

To off-set that I tend to Launch on the Current Side of the Dock and sort of let it push me over to it. Loading I've done it on Both sides and either way you have to adjust your approach with the Current in mind.

I tend to start higher into the Current and let it push me towards the sweet spot as I approach the trailer. In any case I start the boat onto the trail, let it "settle" into the bunks, then power on.


To all, it maybe the way my trailer was built or that 185 VS is a heavy boat, but winching it up the entire way is not going to happen. Tried it the first time out, big mistake.

[RangerAndBass]

I launch by myself often. On Okeechobee where there is a dock beside the ramp I will launch to the windward side. I unsnap the hook off the boat, back in slowly near and angled towards the ramp. Let it slowing drift off and I have lots of time to get out of the truck, walk around and grab the boat from the dock.
If no dock or the wrong wind, I leave the hook attached but release the lock, back in and let it start to slide off. Then I pull out a little (I dont want to get my feet wet ) and step from trailer tongue to bow.  I pull the boat closer with the strap if need be.

Only time I've gotten bit is when my hook came undone without me knowing it. Off she went into the middle of the canal. Luckily I grabbed a ride to my boat with the next guy launching.

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[TxRanger1]

I got tired of the long rope and such and installed a drotto boat2trailer rig. Best investment I made. But where I live you can drive onto the trailer. Cant imagine loading a boat with a winch and rope.

[Captsteve]

I launch by myself too

                                Any day fishing, is a good day.

[bobhuberman]

I use an SUV as a tow vehicle.  I've used the rope trick but tie the rope to a rear cleat.  While at the water's edge I take the rope and tie it as far down the dock as the rope will reach.  Then back until the boat floats and run on to the dock, untie the rope and pull the boat to the dock.

There are times when I can't use my rope trick.  I will unfasten the safety strap and undo a length on the winch cable.  Then, back the vehicle allowing the boat to float off the trailer.  I can then climb in the back of the SUV (backseats down) and crawl to the back to climb down on the forward step of the trailer.  I disconnect the cable from the boat and crank back onto the winch.  I can then climb into the boat over the bow.  Loading is just in reverse.  I think of it as a tight wire routine as I have to stop on the trailer tongue to get to the boat or back into the SUV. 

Much easier when there's someone available to drop you in and pull you out but there's those time when you have no choice.

[big g]

I have often launch the boat myself and launching is never a problem.  I have a long rope tied to the center hook at least twice the length of the trailer.  I unhook everything back the boat down until it floats then as it moves away from the trailer I get out and grab the rope that is hooked to the wench crank.  I pull the boat to the side and up on the ramp and go park the truck.  Everything is done before I get the boat to the ramp.  It takes seconds to unload and get the truck out of there.  Once back to the ramp I cleat the bowline tight to the closest cleat and store the rope on the floor of the boat. 

Now reloading is a little harder because you reverse everything, and I often crank the boat in the last 5 feet using the wench.  Wrenching it in can be difficult especially on a shallow ramp.  I don't power load since getting off the boat not secured to the trailer can be dangerous on slippery ramps.

[LgMouthGambler]

Even if I have someone with me, I launch the boat myself. I just have my system. Plus, I could launch my boat in a puddle of water. 

[bluebonnet2]

good morning.

I added trick step to my trailer and the Drotto  launch system.....its great!!

they are on youtube, I'm 75 and go by myself a lot...

BTW great video....

good luck,
PURA VIDA,
bluebonnet2

[CrankBassin]

I like the idea of the elastic chord but have seen reviews were it has snapped and the boat goes drifting off. That's the part that scares me about not using a rope.  It's one thing to go for a swim first thing in the morning in the summer, quite another for early spring or late late fall. I'd be interested to see/hear how this holds up in the long run.


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[jwkelley51]

I let out about 2 ft of strap, back till I see it float a tad, unhook, climb over the front and back mine off the trailer. Wind and current are not much fun if your boat doesn't start. You can expect to ride home soaked. There are no docks at ramps here.