Ideas for removing jon boat from water for rookie?

[pauldconyers]

For some background I've got a pontoon that I keep on the water year round so I am not a complete boat rookie but I never take it off the water or have to put it back on. Anyway, 10 years ago I had a pickup truck and a 10 foot pond hopper that I would take wherever to fish. I would just slide it out and then slide it in the water and go. Getting it out was more work in that I would have to pull it out of the water, empty it out then wrestle it up and in the truck bed.

 

Now I am looking at getting a 12 foot aluminum or plastic boat for me and my 7 year old son to be able to take to random lakes and ponds to fish after work and such. The problem is this boat will be a bit bigger/heavier and I am not as young as I used to be. My 7 year old is not strong enough to be any kind of help and I know have an Astro van and will need to get some sort of trailer. I'm not sure if I should go for a boat specific trailer or a generic one and get use out of it doing whatever else.

 

I have never put a boat in or got it out at a boat ramp but the concept seems easy enough. Most have a rope and winch you attach and once you kind of get things lined up you attach it and pull it up and secure it, right? I guess I would not have that with a non boat specific trailer. Also I envision lots of places we would want to fish (like ponds or small lakes) that do not have a ramp where I would easily put it in but I would probably have to wrestle it out of the water then figure out a way to get it back on the trailer by myself. 

 

I guess I am asking for opinions from your small boat veterans for advice, suggestions or ideas to do what I want to do here.

 

THANKS!!

[Jim Mac]

Have you considered a kayak for each of you or a canoe? I've been in 12' jon boats and V-hulls and they are very tippy. 

[pauldconyers]

38 minutes ago, Jim Mac said:

Have you considered a kayak for each of you or a canoe? I've been in 12' jon boats and V-hulls and they are very tippy. 

No, I want something with more room and again we would be on ponds and small lakes. No boat waves I need to worry about and if rough weather was near we would be off the water anyway. Again I've owned boats like this before and am perfectly comfortable with the stability issue.

[CHBasser]

Have you considered an inflatable? I have a Sea Eagle and love it. Plenty of room, very stable, and it rolls up for transport. Not sure on your budget, but by the time you get the John boat and trailer you will probably spend more than the inflatable. 

[Jim Mac]

Then I would say a 12' V-hull or jon boat, and a boat trailer with bunks. You could always make a cart to wheel it to and from the water if needed.

[tstraub]

My boat is a 13'8" aluminum semi V made in the 60's and it's a tank compared to some of these newer thin gauge boats. It's really not a big deal at all to take on and off the trailer by hand if I want to launch at a spot where I can't back the trailer in the water.  

First you need to have the motor off so it doesn't drag the ground.  Just loosen the clamps and lift it off.  The fuel tank is built in so it all comes off in one piece and only weighs 30ish pounds I would guess. Try to keep it upright if you can or fuel will run out the carb and it might flood the engine and start hard.

To get the boat on the trailer situate the boat and trailer so the bow of the boat is just to one side or the other of the rear of the trailer and the stern is in line with the trailer.  Then lift the front of the boat and swing it over on the rear roller of the trailer. You're only lifting maybe 50 pounds or so, probably less of you set the anchor on the ground.  Then go to the back of the boat and lift it up and walk forward the boat will slide on the rollers real easy.  Your probably lifting close to 100 pounds or more if the boat is loaded.  If it's too much for you hook the winch to the front eyelet and have your son crank it up while you walk it on. He could probably handle it I had my 10 year old do it for me once when we got caught in the rain and the boat had several gallons of water weighing it down.  Then strap it down and your done.

[haggard]

I'm a noob pushing 50 years old and launch/load a 16' and 14' solo without issues. Not sure you need a boat specific trailer, but a bunk style trailer should work well. Yes a rope and a trailer mounted winch is really all you need. For launch, keep the winch locked to the bow and back the van down the ramp until the boat just starts to float. Unhook winch, attach dock line and tie the boat off at the dock. Note how far the trailer is under water to make it easier for loading - you'll want to back down to the same depth. For loading, pull the boat (w/rope) onto the bunk getting it as lined up as possible, winch it up and lock it in. Depending on wind and current, may need to position the stern so that by the time you get into the the van to pull up, the boat has drifted and is centered on the trailer. Drive it out of the water slowly, water is heavy, let it drain off, and don't forget to get back out and strap down the stern. Practicing launch/load on a weekday may be less pressure than on a busy weekend.