Launching by yourself? 2024

Brew City Bass reply :

So, tomorrow I am purchasing my first bass boat. It's a MonArk Mcfast V16 16 footer. I will be mainly fishing by myself 90% of the time.

This being the first boat I've ever owned, I am very worried about launching it by myself. I understand how to launch it, and trailer it, I just got this feeling something crazy is going to happen.

Any tips or tricks? My biggest concern is swamping my truck!

S. Sass reply :

I am no expert but have been around a while and seen the wrong way and sometimes a good way. The worst thing I see is the person getting in a hurry or excited this never ends well. Take your time even if guys start to line up. Its much better to take a few minutes longer, than to make a mistake your will regret for years to come.

From my experience most guys will understand as they were there once themselves even if they don't admit it.

Bluebasser86 reply :

Put the plug in!

Unstrap the back but leave the front which hooked up. Back it in until the fenders on the trailer are just below the water. You should be able to unhook it and push it off with relative ease and hop in if you're agile enough. If not, you can always tie a rope from the trailer to the eyelet on the boat and just back up and let if float off.

Use the parking break whenever you get out of the vehicle on the ramp.

Watch this video. I've been launching myself for over 20 years and I learned a couple helpful tips from it.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/backing-a-trailer.html

Brew City Bass reply :

On 5/2/2016 at 1:11 PM, Bluebasser86 said:

Put the plug in!

Unstrap the back but leave the front which hooked up. Back it in until the fenders on the trailer are just below the water. You should be able to unhook it and push it off with relative ease and hop in if you're agile enough. If not, you can always tie a rope from the trailer to the eyelet on the boat and just back up and let if float off.

Use the parking break whenever you get out of the vehicle on the ramp.

Watch this video. I've been launching myself for over 20 years and I learned a couple helpful tips from it.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/backing-a-trailer.html

Great advice, thank you. As for the agile part... I don't think I am gonna be "agile" enough haha.

Are guys at the launch usually pretty easy going about helping out?

S. Sass reply :

I offer to help if i see a guy having issues and no one to help him. If you have 3 or 4 guys with you na I let you guys figure it out.

Bluebasser86 reply :

I have guys offer to help pretty often when I'm by myself, but I can unload or load my boat by myself faster than a lot of people I see at the ramps can do it with 2 people.

Tying a rope to the front of the boat and to the trailer is a pretty simple approach that I see used often by guys launching by themselves.

WIGuide reply :

Not sure where you're located and what the ramps are like in your area, but around me many of the more popular lakes have a dock that runs right next to the ramp. If yours are the same, you can back in in close to the dock and with the front winch still hooked up, then get in the boat from there, unclip the front and back it off the trailer. Another option would be tying a rope to the boat and the winch stand of the trailer and backing it down and letting it float off and then slowly pulling back up which will pull the boat back in. Take your time and visit a ramp that isn't busy to get the hang of it. Even if you spend a half an hour to 45 minutes of doing nothing other than unloading and loading your new boat it will help you get used to it and streamline the process for when you hit up a busy ramp.

CarolinaBoy4Life reply :

I just got my first boat last year and was in the same boat. Knew how to load and unload but was still nervous. I created a check list and went over it until I memorized it. I would unhook the straps and everything on the boat. I would back down where the trailer tires were in the water. I would have a tie off rope on my boat tied and take the other end and tie it to the dock. Leave just enough slack to where you back it in the boat will float off about a ft or so and stop. Go park the trailer come back to the dock un tie rope from the dock and push boat off. Drop trolling motor get out of the way of anyone else or from the dock and then untie rope from the boat and store it and head out. Just what I do. Number of ways to do it honestly

Catch 22 reply :

If you launch enough crazy things will happen.

I suggest you make a check list of the correct procedure and stick with it every time.

Same for retrieving.

Don`t be interrupted while your in progress.

I use the rope to the trailer method.

LOL C22

ethan-333 reply :

my lake the dock is right next to the ramp so i back in right next to it with every thing unhooked and as soon as it starts moving a little bit i hop out and get in.

otherwise just tie a rope on and make sure the plug is in. shouldnt have any issues

i always set the parking brake just in case

cgolf reply :

Based on the timing of your post I may be a bit late. When I first got my 16 ft deep V boat I had a roller trailer and it was a struggle for two people to launch and land the boat. We tried stronger and different keel rollers and nothing helped. Two seasons ago I traded in that trailer for a bunk trailer and can now launch and land the boat solo in a 1/4 of a time two of us could with the old trailer. Not saying there aren't good roller trailers out there, but the only people I have seen truly struggle had them.

Catch and Grease reply :

This is how I launch my boat when I'm alone.

Brew City Bass reply :

Well, the sale went smooth and I am the new owner of the boat! Thank you everyone for the advice. I'll be taking her on the maiden voyage this Thursday so I can practice before the season opener.

A-Jay reply :

On 5/3/2016 at 2:46 AM, Brew City Bass said:

Well, the sale went smooth and I am the new owner of the boat! Thank you everyone for the advice. I'll be taking her on the maiden voyage this Thursday so I can practice before the season opener.

Nice Boat Mr Wayne ~

Best of luck to you . . .

A-Jay

Brew City Bass reply :

On 5/3/2016 at 3:20 AM, A-Jay said:

Nice Boat Mr Wayne ~

Best of luck to you . . .

A-Jay

Hahaha thanks!

Fishin' Pilot reply :

Congrats on the boat! Don't worry, after a few times you'l have it down and it'll be no worries.

South FLA reply :

Wish I was this cool, but I am not. I have left the plug on top of the bumper and forgot plug before I left the house on a 45 minute trip to ramp, forgot to take rear straps off and wondered why the boat would not come off trailer, forgot the motor support was on, forgot to untie the front strap, forgot to trim motor up fully when leaving ramp (oops), busted my butt on a slippery ramp and saw by buddy require knee surgery after doing so, forgot to put plug in, forgot to turn breakers on, etc etc. I have learned a lot from my mistakes, I am sure as you get experienced you'll be as efficient as even the most seasoned veteran. However, don't practice on a busy weekend or on busy ramp it could get you killed.

http://miami.cbslocal.com/2016/04/14/man-run-over-at-holiday-park-boat-ramp/

slonezp reply :

Get into a habit of prepping the boat the same way every launch. You don't want to be that guy who forgot the drain plug, or the tie down straps(I'm guilty), or to remove the transom saver, or unhooking the safety chain. As far as the act of launching, if you haven't yet practiced backing up a trailer, an empty parking lot on the weekend should fix that. There is a sweet spot where the trailer needs to be when loading it up. A good place to start is with the tops of the fenders just above the waterline and adjust from there.

Good luck and enjoy

cgolf reply :

On 5/3/2016 at 2:46 AM, Brew City Bass said:

Well, the sale went smooth and I am the new owner of the boat! Thank you everyone for the advice. I'll be taking her on the maiden voyage this Thursday so I can practice before the season opener.

Congrats on the boat and good luck on the opener. One thing you could do is practice backing up in an empty parking lot to get the hang of it if you have never pulled a trailer. That will help ease the nerves when launching on a busy opening day. The good news on the opener is you got fishermen on the ramp that should help you out instead of the lets go out and party crowd.

gimruis reply :

DO NOT try launching or backing up a trailer as a beginner if there's people waiting at the ramp. That will anger people quickly and you may experience "boat rage. Go slow and take your time, but not when there's other people waiting.

Redlinerobert reply :

Congratulations! Nothing like getting your first bass boat.

Ski213 reply :

I don't have anything to add. All above advice is good. I'd just reiterate.

1. Have a plan

2. Practice it (in a low traffic area initially if possible)

3. Remain calm no matter what

Things do happen, take it in stride when they do. You'll be a ramp pro in no time.

Congrats on the new ride.

Brew City Bass reply :

On 5/3/2016 at 10:43 AM, Ski213 said:

I don't have anything to add. All above advice is good. I'd just reiterate.

1. Have a plan

2. Practice it (in a low traffic area initially if possible)

3. Remain calm no matter what

Things do happen, take it in stride when they do. You'll be a ramp pro in no time.

Congrats on the new ride.

Thank you

ww2farmer reply :

I launch and load so much by myself...........I actually prefer it. Even before or after a tournament when I have a partner I prefer to do it alone. I have a long rope that's tied to one of the bow cleats. If the ramp is not busy, I just tie the other end to the dock......back in let it float off, pull away and go park. If it is busy, I tie it to the trailer, back in let it float off, then get out untie the trailer end of the rope, "guide" the boat around the dock out of the way of the ramp, tie off and go park.

Loading is just as easy. I back in so the boat is close enough to the dock that after it's on the trailer I can hop off on the dock and drive away. I power load, and once in a while I don't get it one far enough and after I hop off have to hook the bow strap up and winch it on the extra few inches............but most of the time my bow eye is right on the bumper, and I don't worry about hooking up the winch strap until I am out of the way.

Kevin22 reply :

On 5/3/2016 at 10:57 AM, ww2farmer said:

and I don't worry about hooking up the winch strap until I am out of the way.

That is going to cost you some day. Seen plenty of boats laying on the ramp with 4-5 guys heaving on them trying to get them to the water.

ww2farmer reply :

On 5/3/2016 at 11:02 AM, Kevin22 said:

That is going to cost you some day. Seen plenty of boats laying on the ramp with 4-5 guys heaving on them trying to get them to the water.

I been doing it this way..........every day.......for 10+ years. Your concerns are noted. I'll bet 99% of those people with boats off the trailers had roller bunks. If an aluminum bass boat slides off carpeted bunk boards on my fairly shallow ramp, something will have gone terribly wrong. We can place a $100 bet right now that in the next 10 years of doing it my way, that boat will never come off the trailer.

Brent Bartman reply :

GUYS IF YOU ARE GETTING MAD AT SOMEONE STRUGGLING AT THE RAMP. LEND THEM A HELPING HAND AND TEACH THEM. WE ALL REMEMBER HOW STRESSFUL OUR FIRST TIME WAS. DONT SIT BACK AND LAUGH.

I unload my boat by myself my prepping everything. i take about a foot of slack in the bow hook and leave the winch in lock. that way the boat wont pull out the strap. I slowley back down as normal untill i wet the boat. then I slowely back down untill the boat starts to float. When I say slow i mean SLOWWWWLEY.

I put the truck in park. engage the parking brake. then let of the brakes. i get out and start the motor. no point of launching untill the motor is running. especially because my boat is almost impossible not to power load. IT WILL TAKE MORE TIME TO RELOAD YOUR BOAT WITH NO MOTOR THAN IT WILL TO TRY AND GET IT STARTED FOR A MINUTE OR SO. with newer motors its not a big deal. how ever older 2 strokes can take some time. I think this is important

I then unhook the boat and back it off the trailer. Pull up to the dock and tie off the boat. then hop in the truck and park. I can do this is about 3 minutes.

Things I have learned.

Its 2016 and everyone has smart phones. download a checklist app and use it.

Always check everything. Everytime. double check triple check. at first I was so stoked to get it into the water. Now i do my list. then check it again. it takes 2 mintues to walk around the boat and make sure everything is ready.

Im better off with the trailer further out of the water than in the water. Meaning if i swamp my fenders the boat wont load. I have found this true for most boats that are power loaded.

before you trailer double check your lights,Hitch pin, hubs,brakes what ever you have. I learned at the ramp my reverse lights we shorted and my surge brakes would keep locking up and i couldnt back the boat down the ramp

I learned to stage my mooring lines on the side of the boat i expect to tie up. nothing is worse that launching and realizing you have to dig thru your boat to pull out the lines.

Catch and Grease reply :

On 5/3/2016 at 7:14 AM, South FLA said:

Wish I was this cool, but I am not. I have left the plug on top of the bumper and forgot plug before I left the house on a 45 minute trip to ramp, forgot to take rear straps off and wondered why the boat would not come off trailer, forgot the motor support was on, forgot to untie the front strap, forgot to trim motor up fully when leaving ramp (oops), busted my butt on a slippery ramp and saw by buddy require knee surgery after doing so, forgot to put plug in, forgot to turn breakers on, etc etc. I have learned a lot from my mistakes, I am sure as you get experienced you'll be as efficient as even the most seasoned veteran. However, don't practice on a busy weekend or on busy ramp it could get you killed.

http://miami.cbslocal.com/2016/04/14/man-run-over-at-holiday-park-boat-ramp/

Hahaha, I've left the straps on too, I felt so embarrassed, I was scratching my head wondering why the boat wasn't coming off the trailer until I realized the whole trailer was floating off the ground because I didn't unhook the straps lol

Kevin22 reply :

On 5/3/2016 at 11:07 AM, ww2farmer said:

I been doing it this way..........every day.......for 10+ years. Your concerns are noted. I'll bet 99% of those people with boats off the trailers had roller bunks. If an aluminum bass boat slides off carpeted bunk boards on my fairly shallow ramp, something will have gone terribly wrong. We can place a $100 bet right now that in the next 10 years of doing it my way, that boat will never come off the trailer.

No, none were rollers that I can remember. Most were deep V's on carpet bunks and flat bottom boat blinds on carpeted bunks. One was a pleasure cruiser on carpeted bunks... his actually bounced once and landed in the water and floated down river. Think of a 3,000lb hammer hitting a piece of aluminum, it about made me mess my shorts when I heard it.

All were pulling out just like you described. Most had someone in it, did the old drive her on and yell to the buddy to pull it out.

ww2farmer reply :

On 5/3/2016 at 11:17 AM, Kevin22 said:

No, none were rollers that I can remember. Most were deep V's on carpet bunks and flat bottom boat blinds on carpeted bunks. One was a pleasure cruiser on carpeted bunks... his actually bounced once and landed in the water and floated down river. Think of a 3,000lb hammer hitting a piece of aluminum, it about made me mess my shorts when I heard it.

All were pulling out just like you described. Most had someone in it, did the old drive her on and yell to the buddy to pull it out.

So do you want to take the bet or not? LOL

Kevin22 reply :

One thing to add. If you are backing up the empty trailer and get into a bind, don't panic.. Just put her in park and walk back and lift the back end of the trailer and move it over. That trailer won't weigh much at all.

Brew City Bass reply :

On 5/3/2016 at 11:15 AM, Catch and Grease said:

Hahaha, I've left the straps on too, I felt so embarrassed, I was scratching my head wondering why the boat wasn't coming off the trailer until I realized the whole trailer was floating off the ground because I didn't unhook the straps lol

LOL!

Brent Bartman reply :

On 5/3/2016 at 11:17 AM, Kevin22 said:

No, none were rollers that I can remember. Most were deep V's on carpet bunks and flat bottom boat blinds on carpeted bunks. One was a pleasure cruiser on carpeted bunks... his actually bounced once and landed in the water and floated down river. Think of a 3,000lb hammer hitting a piece of aluminum, it about made me mess my shorts when I heard it.

All were pulling out just like you described. Most had someone in it, did the old drive her on and yell to the buddy to pull it out.

I think it depends on how deep your trailer is.

My dad has a 25FT center console that because of the bow pulpit has to be power loaded with the trailer pretty far out of the water. when the boat is seated in the trailer so much of the boat is out of the water you never have to hook up the boat.

My 20FT skeeter once power loaded cant be powered off with out swamping the entire boat with prop wash.

I think with a smaller boat this would be an issue. but with large heavier glass boats on carpeted bunks its not a problem provided the trailer isnt all the way in the water.

On 5/3/2016 at 11:19 AM, Kevin22 said:

One thing to add. If you are backing up the empty trailer and get into a bind, don't panic.. Just put her in park and walk back and lift the back end of the trailer and move it over. That trailer won't weigh much at all.

with a john boat sure. Im not a weak guy at all and tried this with a tracker 175 trailer and couldn't move it a bit.

WRB reply :

A few added hints;

1. Check the fuel line and prime it. Turn the OB engine over, if it starts turn it off quickly, a few seconds will not over heat anything.

2. Put the dock ropes on the side of the boat you plan on tieing to before you luanch.

3. Think about getting trailer planks for your trailer tongue, they make it a lot easier to walk on the trailer to get into the boat.

4. Keep the engine running in gear at a fast idle when putting the boat back onto the trailer. This keeps the bow up against the trailer winch roller and easier to hook up.

5. Back down until the trailer fenders are about 1" above the water for most rigs. Get in the boat, start it and back it off. Same for putting the boat back on.

6. Keep a extra boat drain plug in the livewell, you can put it in the drain hole if you forgot to do it before launching from inside the boat. Practice this before it's an emergency.

Take your time, backing down takes practice and slow is the best technique. I watch 1 trailer tire and steer it using the method in the vedio.

Good luck.

Tom

chris55552 reply :

Always, and I do mean always use a safety chain or cable from boat trailer to vehicle.

Further North reply :

On 5/3/2016 at 11:02 AM, Kevin22 said:

That is going to cost you some day. Seen plenty of boats laying on the ramp with 4-5 guys heaving on them trying to get them to the water.

I sure agree with that. I don't pull the boat up the ramp until the winch strap and the safety chain are hooked up

Vayned reply :

From my experience make sure the boat is as straight as you can get it before driving it back on the trailer.

Further North reply :

On 5/26/2016 at 8:52 AM, chris55552 said:

Always, and I do mean always use a safety chain or cable from boat trailer to vehicle.

One of the things that blows me away is the number of boat trailers out there with no safety chain...

Vayned reply :

I actually like this idea but have to worry about the boat slinging around hitting someones boat if it's not attached at center.

Catch 22 reply :

Get some help like this

Mosster47 reply :

Get a routine.

My theory is if no one gets wet you're ahead of the game.

2tall79 reply :

My biggest issue is launching on a ramp with no dock. I really don't want to beach it on the rocks, but sometimes that's the only option.

A-Jay reply :

On 6/1/2016 at 10:21 AM, 2tall79 said:

On 6/1/2016 at 10:21 AM, 2tall79 said:

My biggest issue is launching on a ramp with no dock. I really don't want to beach it on the rocks, but sometimes that's the only option.

Shallow water anchors - like the Minn Kota Talons - can really help in these cases.

A-Jay

slonezp reply :

On 6/1/2016 at 10:21 AM, 2tall79 said:

My biggest issue is launching on a ramp with no dock. I really don't want to beach it on the rocks, but sometimes that's the only option.

Shouldn't do much if anything to an aluminum hull and for fiberglass, they make keel protectors

On 6/1/2016 at 10:25 AM, A-Jay said:

Shallow water anchors - like the Minn Kota Talons - can really help in these cases.

A-Jay

Ulterra all the way

"hamma" reply :

One thing no one has mentioned,..with the rope from boat to trailer method of unloading? I attached clips to the ends of the rope so im not fighting tight knots at the ramp.,. one clipped on the bow eye, and the other clipped to the safety strap I slowly float the boat, brake the truck, unclip from the trailer and walk the boat to the dock,... with the docklines already on the boats cleats , just tie off to the dock so others can use the ramp and go park the truck/trailer

I now have the ulterra but will still use the rope method as I refuse to rely on the tm as of yet,...its still new and I dont know how far away the remote will work,...I can see my boat floating away and me standing there looking like the typical $#^&head with nothing but a useless remote in my hand. I will try that commercial trick when i have someone with me to drive the truck and me on the boat first

S. Sass reply :

On 6/2/2016 at 1:42 AM, Keith "Hamma" Hatch said:

I now have the ulterra but will still use the rope method as I refuse to rely on the tm as of yet,...its still new and I dont know how far away the remote will work,...I can see my boat floating away and me standing there looking like the typical $#^&head with nothing but a useless remote in my hand. I will try that commercial trick when i have someone with me to drive the truck and me on the boat first

The maximum safe operating range of the Co-Pilot, Talon, i-Pilot and i-Pilot Link remotes is 30 ft.

Wow surprised me only 30ft. That isnt far.

Fishing Rhino reply :

I use a line when launching by myself. Experience has taught me that that line can be too short, not too long. It should be long enough so that when the boat floats off the trailer, you can pull the trailer clear of the water without towing the boat to shore in the process. At the very least, you need to pull the trailer forward, far enough to get at the line where you have it tied to the trailer.

Once you learn where the boat will float off the trailer, back up just short of that, then pull the trailer from under the boat. It will leave the boat in place rather than drifting away from the beach. Note: be sure your tie downs are unhooked, and the winch strap is unhooked. Oh, and be sure to remove the transom saver if you use one.

Pay attention to the wind. It can move your boat where you do not want it to go. Plan accordingly.

"hamma" reply :

On 6/2/2016 at 3:25 AM, S. Sass said:

The maximum safe operating range of the Co-Pilot, Talon, i-Pilot and i-Pilot Link remotes is 30 ft.

Wow surprised me only 30ft. That isnt far.

LOL ,...good thing i thought first,..i wonder how many guys are cursing that commercial,... stuck at the ramp til a good samaritan comes along and is nice enough to give them a ride to that brand new 65k boat floating away wayyyy over there, towards the rocks, in a 20 mph wind. now that I think of it? Its not funny

Further North reply :

On 6/2/2016 at 1:42 AM, Keith "Hamma" Hatch said:

One thing no one has mentioned,..with the rope from boat to trailer method of unloading? I attached clips to the ends of the rope so im not fighting tight knots at the ramp.,. one clipped on the bow eye, and the other clipped to the safety strap I slowly float the boat, brake the truck, unclip from the trailer and walk the boat to the dock,... with the docklines already on the boats cleats , just tie off to the dock so others can use the ramp and go park the truck/trailer

I use the same method - but instead of regular rope, I use 1/2" bungee cord with clips on either end.

125

Launching by yourself? 2024

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