I also use the long rope trick, no problem launching. The problem is loading. If I can use my outboard to power load no problem. On my city lake, I can not use the OB so I made a walkway. I push the boat as far as I can away from shore and get on the walkway and pull it as far as I can on the trailer, I then can reach the eye of the boat and winch it the rest of the way on the trailer. My boat is aluminum which also helps.