Launching boat by yourself

[Gone Fishin']

25' 3/4" dock rope. Cost about $15 at Academy. Good, thick rope. Don't want to swim after a boat when the rope breaks!
Go easy and don't put a lot of strain on it.

[Micanopy]

I watched a video of a man that relied on his trolling motor to bring the boat to the dock via remote control. I liked that but figured a rope was a cheaper option. Get you a long rope, tie it to the front of the boat, then fashion the other end to the trailer and launch. Once you see that you will know how long your rope needs to be.

[ArtyB]

50 ft 1/4 inch nylon rope


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[Bricks]

If you have a roller trailer do not take the advice he gives on the UTube video as most of you know your boat will be on the ramp. Me back in the boat get in unhook the front winch strap start engine back off park boat move truck. Many places I launch on the Mississippi River there is so much current using a rope like many do your boat will probably be in the rocks before you move the truck foreword.

[Tenn Tux]

I have always launched solo. I have hip waders when needed and shove boat off trailer climbing aboard at same time. Use trolling motor to dock. Works great for me.

[Rayjr]

Dakota boat retriever Works great!

[deltarat]

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.

[QUOTE][/QUOT-E] Pappy get your Drotto installed before fishing season. I am 71 and fish alone 99% of the time and I will never own a trailer again without one. I used to use a a rope as many here do. I have to back in to launch to where I would have to have boots to unhook and hook my winch. I let down my tailgate and back in until the back of the boat floats. I step over in the bed of the truck and step over on the bow of the boat..a short step.. and pull the rope to disconnect the boat and back off. To load the boat, I just pull on until the boat latches and step from the bow to the tailgate, over on the ground and pull up and hook the winch on dry ground.

[Blackjeepjk]

I rope on and rope off anytime I’m by myself. 19ft boat and use 25 ft of rope. Loop over winch stand and ease it off boat. Most times I grab the rope before it tightens. Loading I back in to where I can stand on dry ground at the winch. Pull boat up and reach the winch strap onto bow eye. Crank up about 2 ft and done.

I have an ulterra but still use the rope. Guess I’m just not good with change and the rope still works after all these years.


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[sky hawk]

Mine is a bigger, heavier fiberglass boat, and it takes thrust from the motor to pull it off the trailer. I also have tall guide-ons on the trailer. I don't think the rope is a good tool for my setup. And I definitely wouldn't trust an auto-deploy trolling motor.

I back in close to the dock, step over into the boat, unhook the winch by leaning over the front, and then back it off with the motor and tie up to the dock. Park the truck.

I just ordered the Drotto boat catch though, so that should prevent the need to lean over the bow while launching and retrieving. That's the only part I dislike, and I had to fish a good pair of sunglasses out of some muddy water already this year because of it.