New member needs some help

[blacky147]

I have been seeking some helpful information and found this site and think I may find it here.

I am an older man with limited use of my right arm. I have only about 20% of my normal strength in it. I need some information on how is the best way to launch my 17' aluminum bass boat and return it to the trailer by myself. When my brother lived near here it wasn't a problem but he has moved away and I would like to continue fishing some.

If there are devices that help out, I would consider them if affordable. If anyone has a secret to share, I would appreciate it a lot.

I really enjoy my bass fishing.

blacky

[jdw174]

Blackie, if you don't have them, look into a set of guides for the rear of your trailer.  This would allow you to drive the boat up on the trailer at least part way, then you could winch it the rest.  As for launching, could you not back into the water, start your engine and back off the trailer?   Then tie off your boat and go and get your rig and park it.  Shouldn't require all that much strength.

[Jig Man]

Since I don't know about your tow vehicle, I will just tell you what I do.  

I fish a lot by my self.  I launch a 21' boat.  I have a reel with 140 of line on it.  I back the boat into the water and if there is a courtesy dock I tie it off and float the boat.  If there is no courtesy dock I float it off and let out about 1/2 of the line.  I unreel the rest of the line up the ramp.  That gives me time to park the truck before the boat can float away or onto the ramp.

When I load the boat, I drive it on to the trailer.  Depending on the depth of the ramp, I can usually step out of the boat onto the ramp and drive it away.  On shallow ramps I carry a pair of knee high rubber boots in the boat.  When necessary, I put them on and slip over the bow and walk to the truck and drive out.

[Sam]

Here is what I do when I launch and trailer by myself.

First, I prepare the boat to be launched and tie a line to the dock before going into the water.

I tie the line to the dock with enough line to allow the boat to float off the trailer.  Make sure the line is properly tied and secure to the dock.

Then back up; hit the brakes, and the boat floats into the water, secured to the dock.

When trailering, I back the trailer into the water and drive the boat onto the trailer.  I then climb out of the boat and hook the boat to the wrench line and reel her in.

If I can't drive the boat on the trailer, I tie the boat to the dock close to the shore and back the trailer into the water.

I then throw another line to the car and walk to the line, pick it up, and pull the boat to the trailer as close as possible.

Then I get wet.  I walk into the water with the wrench line, hook it to the boat, walk back and wrench the boat onto the trailer.

I have had many people help me at the dock when I am by myself so don't be bashful and ask for help.

One time I had three guys pick up the front of my boat and actually place it on the front of the trailer when it got ****-eyed in the Rapahannock River due to the current.

Problems?  Yes.  If there is current then getting the boat to sit on the trailer properly can be difficult.

If your dock line comes untied you can watch the boat float away.  Never happened to me but it did to one of my friends.  Another boater took him out to get his boat.

Just take your time and be patient.  And do not overdo it to avoid injuring yourself.

Good luck.

[RobDar]

hmmm...

I think the normal drive up proceedure will still be problem for you...

and I think what you are actually asking is how to avoid having to pull and tug the boat up the trailer right?

first...

I think I would buy the trailer runners bass pro sells. they are the white plastic runner you put on the buck boards on the trailer to make it the boat slide easier...

and how about a 12volt wench? I saw a older gentleman a few years back with one of the wenches like you usually see on the front of off road vehicle mounted on the toungue of his trailer.

[IneedAnewScreenName9886691]

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_74420_200004005_200000000_200004000_200-4-5

[blacky147]

I am considering the E Z Guides from either BPS or Cabelas. I have also looked at the 12 volt electric winch with remote. I suppose a person could stretch the cable or starp before backing his trailer in the water so that he could attatch it to the boat.