Launching By Yourself

[carlm01]

Hi Guys, I'm looking for some info on what and how much line you'd recommend for a 16ft aluminum bass boat to launch it by myself ?? I know it sounds stupid but I have no idea LOL... Thanks

[Smokinal]

I would launch with a buddy and have more rope than you would need; launch, tie it off and cut off the extra.

[junyer357]

Ive always preffered to back boat in and let outboard pull it off trailer and tie to dock. Then move truck. Ive seen several boats float around to riprap and other things and get banged up when left on a rope tied to trailer.

[J Francho]

The rope I use around 10' long. I back in far enough that I can slide the boat off, but still stays on the trailer.

[Dwight Hottle]

25' of rope should cover all your needs.

[livemusic]

The rope I use around 10' long. I back in far enough that I can slide the boat off, but still stays on the trailer.

 

You push the boat off the trailer? Having a hard time envisioning how you do this. A 10' rope is not very long.

 

I actually went to buy a LONGER rope just yesterday. Didn't find what I wanted. I had my boat tied to my trailer a week ago and it gently followed me as I slowly pulled the truck out of the launch and i walked back there about one second too late to keep the bow from hitting my tail light and knocking a small piece out. This is me wading into the water; in the winter, that won't work, unless I wear waders.

 

I need a longer rope or I'm doing something wrong, lol. Actually, I don't like my method as having the boat follow the trailer is not good because the launches are concrete and it scars the boat bottom. Guess I should tie off to dock.

[carlm01]

Thanks guys , I ended up ordering an attwood braided launch line it 30' so no problem there .. It looks like it will do the job for my aluminum boat .. 

[J Francho]

I tie the boat to the trailer.

I back the boat in just far enough that it will slide off easily.

I untie the boat from the trailer.

I either drive it off the trailer or if there's a dock, I use the bow and stern lines to pull it off.

[retiredbosn]

I launch by myself allot, I back in just enough to be able to back off using the motor. I have a small step that I keep in the truck. I climb into the bed walk to the trailer step in the boat, back off. Stay dry and don't bang up the boat or trailer.

[Montanaro]

Zlaunch

My dad uses it. It flexes when you slide it off and then brings it to shore when you drive trailer up.

[CRANKENSTIEN]

Do it all the time with a jon boat.  I push it off and use a rope to pull it up to shore along the trailer.  Then when I load it, I push it out and pull it onto the trailer.  It is quick once you get your technique down.  I have a longer rope on it, but I suppose I use about 20 - 25'.  Just make sure the rope is hooked up when you push it off.  I did that one cold morning and delayed my day.     

[SHaugh]

I used a 10 foot boat hook with the bow rope looped over the end of the hook.   Push the boat off with the pole... let it drift back and then haul in up the side of the trailer.  That was so I didn't have to tightrope walk up the trailer to get it off.  worked great.

[Vayned]

Would be scared of the boat hitting other boats docked.

[zachb34]

I back in to where the boat starts to float with the front strap still locked. Put it in park, unstrap, push it off by hand, put the power pole down (optional), then tie off to the dock, start the motor to let it warm up, and then I'm ready to go once I park. When I come back o tie off to the dock back the trailer in so that the fenders are partially submerged ( your boat and trailer may be different, you just need to find the sweet spot) power load it all the way up and then strap it to winch. I do that on my 1542 jon and used to do it all the time with my dad's old 17 foot aluminum sea nymph.

[EvanT123]

I back in to where the boat starts to float with the front strap still locked. Put it in park, unstrap, push it off by hand, put the power pole down (optional), then tie off to the dock, start the motor to let it warm up, and then I'm ready to go once I park. When I come back o tie off to the dock back the trailer in so that the fenders are partially submerged ( your boat and trailer may be different, you just need to find the sweet spot) power load it all the way up and then strap it to winch. I do that on my 1542 jon and used to do it all the time with my dad's old 17 foot aluminum sea nymph.

This is my technique as well. Just installed some trailer guide ons as well which should make it even easier.

[Catt]

Every boat I've owned has a 25' anchor rope tied to the bow eye. When launching alone I tie the rope to the winch, back down until the boat floats, untie the rope & dock the boat.

[Fishing Rhino]

The line to retrieve your boat cannot be too long.  It can only be too short.

 

I use a line that is about forty feet long for my Z-8.  I back the boat into the water slowly until the stern starts to float.  Then I have two choices, depending on the ramp.  I can back it slowly into deeper water until it floats off the trailer, which results in the boat gliding away from the trailer.  Or, I can put the tow vehicle in drive and pull the trailer from beneath the boat which generally results in the boat moving very little once it's off the trailer.

 

With a line that is too short, you will not be able to move the trailer entirely out of the water without dragging the boat behind you.  The line should be long enough so that you can pull the entire rig clear of the water so you can walk behind the trailer on dry ground.

 

I like to have enough "clearance" behind so I can pull the boat onto the ramp without the bow reaching the back of the trailer.

 

The line I use may seem to be exceedingly long, but a couple of the ramps where I fish are not paved and to get the boat to float free of the trailer, it is necessary to get even the front wheels of the tow vehicle into the water because of the slight pitch of the "ramp".

 

The pitch is so slight at one ramp that I wear hip boots when launching.  It is not possible to get the boat anywhere near the beach.  I anchor the stern of the boat by tilting the motor down, into the sandy bottom, and then tie the retrieval line to a tree on the shore, which still leaves the bow fifteen to twenty feet from the shore.

 

To get the boat in water deep enough to run the trolling motor, I have to raise the motor and push the boat another thirty feet into deeper water, then use the trolling motor to get me well away from the shallow water.

[livemusic]

My rope is not long enough, gotta buy another. Is there a type of rope that is best for launch rope? I know on thing -- my rope is maybe 1/4" rope and it's not thick enough for even my light Bass Tracker. I looked at some rope the other day and I think I decided 1/2" was overkill and 3/8" probably just right. But what type is my question. They make that stiff nylon but I don't like it, I like a softer rope that coils softly. Then, I think I will put a clip of some sort on each end.

[carlm01]

Take a look at that Attwood braided launch line ,

[Fishing Rhino]

My rope is not long enough, gotta buy another. Is there a type of rope that is best for launch rope? I know on thing -- my rope is maybe 1/4" rope and it's not thick enough for even my light Bass Tracker. I looked at some rope the other day and I think I decided 1/2" was overkill and 3/8" probably just right. But what type is my question. They make that stiff nylon but I don't like it, I like a softer rope that coils softly. Then, I think I will put a clip of some sort on each end.

 

Stainless steel link.

 

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lehigh-540-lb-x-7-16-in-x-4-3-4-in-Stainless-Steel-Quick-Link-7423S-6/100308709

[stfreed]

I bought 2 - 6 foot heavy duty bungee cords online and ziptied them together.  They came with clips on each end.  Anyway I attach one end to my locked winch hook and the other to the bow eye.  I float the boat off the trailer and then pull forward about 3-4 feet which slowly pulls the boat back up onto the lower bunks.  This protects the boat from waves and the bungee holds it up against the bunks so even if there are wakes the boat wont smash around. The truck is now pulled up the ramp far enough that I can walk back and get up on the trailer tongue and get in the boat with out getting my feet wet. unhook and fire up the outboard to take it to the dock.

[livemusic]

Take a look at that Attwood braided launch line ,

 

That is one I looked at, at Walmart. Wasn't sure of length I needed. It floats and I think it might be stretchy, which is good.

[LuckyGia]

I tie a rope to the front eye on my boat,

Get in truck with rope in my hand.

Put it in reverse and back the boat in to the lake.

As soon as the boat floats off the trailer.

I put the truck in park and get out.

Tie up the boat making sure it is clear of the trailer.

Pull truck out and park it.

I do this every day without any problems.

Wind can be a pain

[carlm01]

the attwood braided launch line is 3/8 and 30 ft, I think it floats too...  Just got mine today ......

[PAGreg]

I use twice the length of the boat. I have a loop on the end that I clip into the hook on the winch strap. Boat slides off, I pull forward until winch is clear of the water, then jump out and unhook rope from winch, pull boat in. Been doing it a long time without issue.