Boat Handling Hacks for Geezers / Necessity is the Mother of Innovation

[USMA65]

Everything I still have that works hurts!
I am really glad to see this thread. After three back surgeries and the neurological damage to my lower extremities that ensued, I can not climb onto a dock, tailgate or anything else for that matter. Launching is not a problem. I tie a bow rope to the trailer, back down, float the boat off and then pull forward until the float gently touch the ramp. Then get out of the truck, tie the boat up, or ease it up on the ramp, park the truck, come back and go fishing. My boat is a 16' Lund with a 30 hp Evinrude, tiller, set up with a remote control MK and a Garmin SV Echo. Once in the boat, I'm fine. But then reloading the boat becomes my nightmare. All of the previous assumes I am alone; with a partner, I have no problem launching or reloading. By myself is a disaster, and I have seen no video anywhere of someone truly handicapped reloading by themselves, or at least one I could utilize. I'll check out those links. BTW, I'm 77 and do not want to quit. No longer can I hunt or walk very far, due to nerve damage and a brace. Being in a boat gives me a sense of mobility that I have lost on ground. I compare it to those paralyzed folks who when placed on a horse during therapy almost all report that it gave them the sense of walking again. Obviously they are in worst shape than I and I am not complaining, just stating a similarity in perception. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated, as others I am sure would be for their particular difficulty.
Thanks

[dhaire]

New knees, new hips, new attitude (smile). Still work hard at making it easier. Ordered both products and really appreciate the share.


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[Special K]

I am solving the joint issues, I'm having them all replaced. Both knees, serious spine surgery, right hip later this summer, right shoulder will be soon. 6-8 hours a day on the boat, standing up the whole time, is wrecking me further.
I'm soon solving that also. New sit down boat by the end of the month!

I had a custom ladder built for my trailer that will come with me when I turn the Bay Pro 230 back in. It saves me a whole bunch of struggle throwing my leg over a 32 inch side boat.

I have a Drotto latch and it works great on some boats, not at all on others. My Excel Bays have a very sharp bow and I tried it on them with no success. I'm going to try to set up my new Storm Cat different so I can use it.

Wishing you the best of luck with the surgeries and much improved outcome once you get through it. I've looked at the ladder systems for the tongue of my trailer too... and may very well be getting one in the future... but honestly I've found that with the Dakota Boat Retriever and close parking (trailer positioning) next to the boat docks... (within a foot or so)... (when loading) I don't have any problem at all with stepping from the boat to the dock. I know the tongue mounted ladder system would still come in very handy at times. Thanks for sharing that.

[Special K]

New knees, new hips, new attitude (smile). Still work hard at making it easier. Ordered both products and really appreciate the share.


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Glad to hear that you ordered both products. But, did you order the two step ladder and the Dakota Boat Retriever or the Dakota Boat Retriever and the Drotto Boat Latching System or what exactly did you order?
Please be sure to let us know what you think of these products and how much of a difference they made for you once you have a chance to form an opinion.
I know the step ladder and the Dakota changed my whole outlook on life when it comes to boat maintenance and offloading at the ramps.

[Special K]

Everything I still have that works hurts!
I am really glad to see this thread. After three back surgeries and the neurological damage to my lower extremities that ensued, I can not climb onto a dock, tailgate or anything else for that matter. Launching is not a problem. I tie a bow rope to the trailer, back down, float the boat off and then pull forward until the float gently touch the ramp. Then get out of the truck, tie the boat up, or ease it up on the ramp, park the truck, come back and go fishing. My boat is a 16' Lund with a 30 hp Evinrude, tiller, set up with a remote control MK and a Garmin SV Echo. Once in the boat, I'm fine. But then reloading the boat becomes my nightmare. All of the previous assumes I am alone; with a partner, I have no problem launching or reloading. By myself is a disaster, and I have seen no video anywhere of someone truly handicapped reloading by themselves, or at least one I could utilize. I'll check out those links. BTW, I'm 77 and do not want to quit. No longer can I hunt or walk very far, due to nerve damage and a brace. Being in a boat gives me a sense of mobility that I have lost on ground. I compare it to those paralyzed folks who when placed on a horse during therapy almost all report that it gave them the sense of walking again. Obviously they are in worst shape than I and I am not complaining, just stating a similarity in perception. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated, as others I am sure would be for their particular difficulty.
Thanks

Brother USMA65: I can feel your very real frustration with the "nightmare" (as you call it) when loading your boat, whenever fishing by yourself. I am sorry it's been such a struggle for you so often in the past. Since the purpose of this thread is exchanging ideas (hacks) for more safely managing/offloading and reloading one's boat... even with infirmities caused by aging or previous injuries; I couldn't help but wonder if perhaps you are placing your trailer too deep into the water when attempting to reload your boat. The reason I say that is your own phraseology, "...[Y]ou can not climb onto a dock, tailgate or anything else for that matter..." indicates these as options you have thoroughly discounted for avoiding getting your feet wet or tight-walking the trailer tongue to re-hook the boat to the trailer. (Please correct me if I'm wrong).

I have found by years of observation that most people load their boats with the trailer too deep in the water, which actually completely defeats the functional purposes of a drive on trailer in so many ways. Case in point: When I load my boat I always back the empty trailer deep enough to (first) wet (lubricate) the bunks thoroughly and then I pull the trailer back out of the water until both of the fenders are about four - five inches out of the water. When I do this, it allows the trailer bunks and fender wells to (better) guide the boat more accurately and to allow the boat to slide forward more effortlessly... and straighter toward the front roller... with just a couple of bursts of power from the gas motor... even while keeping the trailer tongue and hooking components completely out of the water.

What's important is: I must have parked the trailer within only a foot or so of the dock so as to allow me to simply step off of the boat and onto the dock. Lastly, I simply walk the dock to shore and around to my trailer tongue. These steps done in this manner allows enough room for me to reach to re-hook the boat and tighten the wench without ever getting my feet wet or putting myself in any kind of a strain whatsoever.

I hope this might somehow be of some help to you. Please forgive me if this is not the case with you and/or your particular boat and trailer and/or your particular loading processes.

[USMA65]

My boat is a deep V Lund without a deck. The docks around here are higher than the gunwale of my boat. If I drove my boat onto the trailer, which I do when fishing with someone else, I could not get out of the boat if by myself! Mine is a roller trailer. In a nutshell this is my problem: if I can beach the boat and then bring the trailer down to the water, what is the best technique to get the boat onto the trailer and strapped down? The answer for me so far has been to get wet. :-)

[tcounty]

My boat is a deep V Lund without a deck. The docks around here are higher than the gunwale of my boat. If I drove my boat onto the trailer, which I do when fishing with someone else, I could not get out of the boat if by myself! Mine is a roller trailer. In a nutshell this is my problem: if I can beach the boat and then bring the trailer down to the water, what is the best technique to get the boat onto the trailer and strapped down? The answer for me so far has been to get wet. :-)

If I were you I’d ditch the rollers for bunks. I never latch my boat until I’m up the ramp. Have never had a boat come off in 30 years. Then get you a laser made on the tongue of your boat. You could have a bottom rung made where you can flip it up for travel. Any decent welding shop could do it for a couple hundred bucks. Might have to extend your tongue if it’s short. Make sure they extend handhold at least 3’ higher than your boat.


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["G"]

Here is how I get in and out of my SeaArk.

[Special K]

Here is how I get in and out of my SeaArk.

Who makes that "G" and what is the price range??

[Cane Pole]

Here is how I get in and out of my SeaArk.

This must be the ORIGINAL up walker as seen on TV.