Launching boat by yourself

[whatroads]

My rope is about 25ft and works well for me. The boat ramps I use all have docks for loading and unloading. I can push the boat off and walk it to the end of a dock and tie it off while I park the truck. I keep a pair of muck boots, in the boat, for reloading. Often times I have to get in the water to access the trailer winch and attach to the boat. Beats having wet feet. If you can, the first couple of times you try it do so with a fishing buddy who can start the boat motor if necessary.

[M R Dux]

Thanks for posting my video. I’ve used that same rope on 4 different boats. It’s 1/2” braided nylon and it stays on my deck in front of my electronics. It is never stowed wet. It is always dry when I get ready to launch and I run every inch of it thru my fingers to check it before using.


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["D"]

I do the same as Chuck Adams above, never had a problem. Just back in slow.

[bfish]

After using a rope for years, I don't use one anymore. No need. Back up. Walk around truck and step on to trailer and into boat. Start motor, walk to bow and unlatch. Drive to shore or dock, turn off and tie off. Exit and go move truck.

[CrappiePappy]

Never used a rope ... just always backed in, got out of truck & unhitched the boat, climbed in and backed boat off trailer ... then parked boat at dock & walked back & parked the truck. Got a Drotto, but haven't put it on yet ... we'll see if it's "all that" when I get it installed & use it. It may not be that big a factor for me, solo, but it's gonna be MUCH better when I have a partner along. Then I won't have to take off the bow mounted electronics so I have room to climb down to the trailer and hook up the hitch. At my age (72) that's getting to be a bit of a balancing act that I don't wish to have to do anymore.

[Tradbow]

I installed bow steps on my boat trailer. Makes getting into boat and out of boat at ramps safer and easier.

[Sky Pilot]

I launch my boat like a lot of folks. I let it float off and ease up enough to keep my feet dry and unhook the rope from the trailer and guide the boat where I want to load up after I park. Maybe because of my boat and trailer setup, I load the boat a little different. I keep some hip waders with me, then back the trailer in, push the boat out and guide it with the rope as far into the trailer as I can, then use the winch to bring it in the rest of the way. I am by myself a lot so try and not let the wife come find me where I slipped off the trailer climbing in or out. When I did do the climbing method, the back of my vehicle was over the water, so had to try and keep dry anyway.

[DoyleAlley]

When launching at ramps without any dock, I've found the best practice is to use about 25 ft of rope that is hooked to the bow and coiled up on top with the other end hooked to the back of the trailer. I back down fast enough that when I hit the brakes the boat slides off then I pull up slowly until the rope uncoils and tightens, then pull forward slowly to bring the bow up to touch land. At that point, I'll walk back, unhook the rope and pull the boat up enough to secure it so that I can park the truck.

[Snubby]

I use a 3/4" double braided nylon rope 50' in length, with heavy duty caribiner's on each end. One stays connected to the bow eye the other I connect to the winch stand before launching. I like the longer rope to be able to pull the trailer up a bit before getting out to retrieve the boat. Many of times had the wind or waves blow a short rope over the side bunk rails (frame etc.) on the trailer and had to wade out to untangle it. This method and longer rope eliminates that with a longer trailer. I simply coil the rope up after it's on the ramp and stow it ahead of my rod holders, it's out of the way and ready just in case a tow is ever needed. Of course like others have mentioned docks are a luxury on MS Corp lakes and few and far between.

[skeetbum]

Ive used a light nylon rope, probably 1/4 or 3/16 a bit over 30’ for the last 15 years in a very similar fashion as many have already spoken of. I use a carabiner on the trailer end and clip it to the safety chain on the winch post. The rope was new when I started this way and I still used the same rope til I sold the bass boat a while back. Fuzzy spots will begin to turn up when it’s at the end of its life but it lasts a very long time if kept out of the sun. All my boats stay on the trailer and don’t slide off when backing down after disconnecting. This allows me to back in til she floats, tap the brakes and pull up a little before the rope comes right. This way I don’t pull the boat back onto the ramp or trailer. I also don’t use this rope for anchoring or anything else so it’s always clean and nick free. When I load up I get as close as I can to the dock. When the boat bumps the bow, I shut down and step from the boat to the dock and finish connecting. I climb as little as possible.