HOW TO: Launch and retrieve a boat by yourself
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ส.ค. 2022
- Keep in mind, this is NOT the only way to launch a boat solo. There are many other factors that come into play that will determine the best way to launch a boat by yourself, including the type of boat you're launching, the size of the boat, the type of ramp, the type and condition of the trailer, etc.
This method has worked very well for me for years. To ensure the success of launching a boat this way, you really have to pay attention to the depth of the ramp and how far back you put the boat into the water. This method works best when you back the boat up into the water until you see the back of the boat start to float. If you back the boat up too far and try this, your boat runs the risk of hopping the bunks on the trailer. Take your time. If you cannot back the boat off of the trailer under its own power, turn the motor back off, re-hook the winch to the tow eye of the boat, back the trailer in a few more feet, and try again.
Getting into a hurry is what gets most people in trouble.
Thanks for watching!
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Soooo many good things about this. One thing he doesn't say, but he does--and it is good, is he TAKES HIS TIME. The guy who rushes you is--trust me on this--nowhere to be found if you mess up. One more thing, this video shows, as is normal, is putting in the boat next to a dock, but where I launch, there is no dock. Large, plenty of room avenue to open water--now, that is entirely different. The DOCK is one hundred yards away, and we always have two people, one drives the boat to the dock and side ties, while the other parks the truck and trailer. If you are alone, this becomes problematic, one answer is a cool step that you can purchase that fit on your trailer tongue, three steps up and over the bow, otherwise you would need to "go for a swim" to get on the boat. Good video, thanks for the reminders--and I really like the idea of leaving her inn forward while you mount the boat--also, really like that you don't back down so far, as many do, salt water damaging their truck. This is the right way. One last thing though, IMO, no one should boat alone--not ever. Just an opinion, but just as every system/tool on the boat should be redundant (having two or more), so should you have two--people. You just should, in my opinion. Safe boating--and cool rig too, truck and boat/trailer.
Thank you so much for this comment! I’m not sure how I didn’t see it before… must have gotten lost in the rest of them. By far my most viewed and commented on video, so I apologize for the delay.
Thank you for the kind words. Stay safe out there!
Re boating alone, agree. But I'm considering a boat and my SO won't be comfortable handling it, so this is good info
I'm only watching because a friend asked me to install a new lowering strap. It's a chilly morning in Colorado 😝
Got no boat, got no truck, why am I watching this video, I have no idea. You made it looks too easy. Thanks for sharing.
I can help you with the boat ownership... Thanks for watching!
Same here! Lol!
You should do all your pre-checks in the staging area away from the ramp.
Agreed! Should have done that in this video. We actually did our pre-check in the staging area, but we didn't film it. Decided to film that part when we had the boat ready at the top of the ramp. The boat ramp that I used has 5 slips, all of which were empty at arrival, so we did one quick take and ran with it.
Great point!
Amen, brother.
0
Tim...never mind..
Good thing this video wasn’t about pre-checks but that is was about launching and retrieving the boat, right?
Few things are more stressful than backing down the ramp and launching your boat while being scrutinized by all the bystanders who have their own best way to do it. While I wouldn't leave my boat running while unattended, I appreciate your willingness to demonstrate your technique. The conditions at individual ramps can be significantly different so your approach may well be the best for your location.
No good if you have surge at your boat ramp
first time boat owner here and this is so helpful....thanks!
here's something even more helpful. dont turn on your motor and leave it in gear while you're no on your boat. that *&^% may even be illegal in some areas.
Nice video in ideal circumstances. I launch a 28' cruiser myself. This video assumes the trailer has already been adjusted to the boat. Does not cover ramp conditions, current, and tide changes while boating. I prefer fenders out to avoid potential damage to hull, a flag of some sort to assist with wind speed and direction, and I think many seasoned boaters refer to boat ropes as dock lines. I really like the walk around inspection but boaters should disconnect the power between the boat trailer and tow vehicle before launching. Otherwise, we need more videos like this to start learning from. Boaters can launch by themselves if they have confidence and patience. Like another comment, I prefer to walk my boat on and off the trailer if there is a good ramp and dock. Thanks for the inspiration!
Thank you. This eased a lot of my fears about boating.
Hi , Im from New Zealand , down here most boat ramps dont allow powering on or off the trailer because it can create a hole by shifting sand at the bottom of the ramp . When I launch by myself
I simply pull the boat off the trailer by ropes whislt standing on the jetty , tie it up , go park the trailer , then return and motor off . I have a laminated check list on the boat reminding me about life jackets , fuel , oil , KEYS ! etc so i dont forget antything . Anyway happy boating !!
That's interesting! I have heard of ramps here in the US that have similar rules, but I have not personally used or seen any of them.
Ropes can be a good idea with multiple people, but can be difficult to control solo, at least with larger vessels 20ft +. You tend to be more at the mercy of the wind and current, which can cause the boat to bounce off of things (the dock, the trailer, other boats, etc.), which is why I prefer to do it this way when I can.
Thanks for the comment!
Light Pine timber chocks/brace is ideal. no hard wood or bricks.
Hi Jeffrey, Any chance you can send me that checklist if you have a photo of it or an electronic copy?
Actually walking the boat off and on is my preferred method..
By pulling it on it avoids any missed attemps and allows deeper trailer position...Just hook up to hand winch and pull her snug.
@@BoatingWithBrad I was going to comment the same thing about powering on the trailer and digging a hole at the bottom of the ramp. That’s common up here in Oregon where the lakes get drained for the season and refilled in the spring. At full pool nobody really cares if you power on as there is plenty of ramp under water. But as the lake drains for the season and the ramp under water shortens up it will dig a hole at the end of the ramp. Man and tell you what when your backing down and your trailer falls into that hole before the boat is floating. You know you’re in for it.
You make it look so easy. Thank you
Love watching this after all the boat launching fails, nice work 👍🏽
This was very helpful, thanks a lot, man ! 😀
thanks for this video! As a beginner, I am thrilled to learn this step.
Excellent video! I haven't owned a trailerable since the early 80's and now that I am buying one again, this video was an excellent refresher. I also remove the plug once the boat is secured to the trailer and out of the water to let water drain while driving home and once I got there, thoroughly rinse both boat and trailer.
That was a good instruction video. Thanks, have a nice boating summer everyone!
Thank you - just what a good lesson should be.
Nice… just like a pro…Thnk you for sharing 😎😎😎
I’m not sure about this...there’s probably a big split between leaving the boot hooked to the trailer and not when launching. Being single handed, leaving the helm with boat in gear looks like an issue at some time. I wouldn’t be afraid to get my feet wet and not giving up control of the vessel using a bow line in hand.
Yeah. Leaving the boat in gear and walking away and getting off the boat is terrible advice!
agree 100%, leaving your boat while in gear and running is terrible advice
One more subscription here bro… great job explaining. A new Boater thanks you!
Welcome aboard! Thank you for the sub!
Launched my WC325CC alone in Bahia! Good video👍🏾
This is a perfect video!!!
Good video! Keep rocking it.
These are awesome tips, thank you for making this video!
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks for an informative video. Think I'll use this to make a checklist and laminate it!
Great Job my friend!!
Perfect video thanks
Good video. Thanks
thank you
Awesome information
thankyou very useful tips !
Very Good !!!
I love all these professionals I have these tutorials with perfect boat ramps perfect dock to cleat ratio perfect tides and nobody f****** breathing down your neck
Great tip can’t weight to try that one .
very interesting and clear
Thank you.
Thanks
Interesting that you get off the boat while it's running in gear. I run a little 1648 jon boat so I'm sure that's the difference. I have never owned a boat over 18 feet. Well it looks like what you are doing is working perfectly for you. Thanks for sharing. There are always more than one way to do it. Be blessed and tight lines Captain. 😎👍
On a small boat like that, it is much easier to control by yourself. I dont think that I would need to do this method with a boat that size. On larger boats, when you have it on the trailer, they run more of a risk of sliding back off the trailer because of their weight.
@@BoatingWithBrad right on. That makes sense. Thanks Brad.
Yeah, I don't think I ever remember seeing anyone leave the boat in gear while getting off the boat. Then again I don't pay much attention to those who self launch/retrieve so maybe it is a thing, rather than just using a line tied off and controlling it that way.
Great video
i always lower my tailgait on my truck before i back down the ramp so i can see the boat thru the truckbed going in the water and how far it is in the water
wow, you never leave a boat unattended while running in gear.
It wasn’t in gear, it was idling in first the boat won’t move no matter how long you leave it there in that position
there's almost no similar content in arabic and its hard to have access to boating skills like this. so definitely this is very useful and helpful. thanks for sharing.
I probably won’t ever do this but was very informative lol
I feel like my local LE would stop and write a ticket for leaving the helm, and having the engine engaged without the lanyard attached.
Subscribed! Very helpful
Awesome, thank you! Glad you liked it! I plan on posting more videos like this in the future. Stay tuned!
Gotta love bay pines boat ramp
Shot at 3:00 on a Wednesday... Still crowded. lol
another thing I really like is that his truck is nowhere near getting wet, and that is a good thing. No need to bury the back ass of the truck in the drink. Also, there is a transducer on most boats, on the stern and it often stops just short of the trailer bunks. By easing it up, as he did, you don't shear it off by hitting one of the trailer bunks. In fact, my preference is to not even "power on", but use the retrieving crank, and inch it forward and into position. What he does is fine, as his trailer is sitting perfect.
thank you great video
Glad it was helpful! More videos on the way.
Leaving helm unattended in gear and power loading are not part of what I’d suggest.
Good info
Excellent video. Voting should be an experience filled with pleasure. The only way to enhance this is to have your own private boat ramp.
Killer vid, what are those boat shoes you have on sir?
Wow! Thank you so much. I am a loner and nobody is coming to save me when I fail. This video likely saved me hours of time wasted and mental frustration. Great job on keeping it short and getting right to the main points.
Nice 👍🏽
Most convenient ramp ever. Ill bet every launch comes with a complimentary breakfast
Hahaha my thoughts exactly
Little guy is scared to get his whittle feet wet
Damn good video thank u
Nice explanation new subscriber Cheers!👊🏼💯
Welcome aboard!
Cool video
Nice sharing about the boat. You show nicely that's really good. I'm your new subscribers. I love it.❤❤❤
Welcome aboard! Thank you for your comment!
New sub
That guy sure knows what is doing
spolied with that boat ramp//lol come to CT to try that out
this was awesome and informative, but now what? how do i take the boat back home?
Vary few boat ramps around here have a way to walk onto a boat while it’s on the tailer not sure sheer you are but here you’d have to walk the boat off or jump up on the bow from the tailer
I think a lot of guys are to embarrassed to ask these questions. Really enjoyed this video. Very helpful, thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it!
As someone already suggested, tides, wind, and condition of the boat ramp are not taken into account.
My comment will have to do with launching: my suggestion is to releas the hook from the winch while the boat is backed on to the ramp but not in the water.
Then with a long rope - tie the boat front clear to the trailer above the winch.
Slide the boat off in a smooth but not very slow motion.
Get that damn boat off trailer to avoid pulling your truck in. Calmly out the truck in park, ebrake on , grab the rope and bring it to the dock.
Always make sure that damn hook is off!!!
The reason for this is the majority of issues is the boat is still hooked to the trailer and pull your truck in. When that damn boat starts to float, and it’s attached to your truck and trailer - those back tires no have no traction.
Seems like great way to launch, one question is it safe an or legal to leave a boat in gear while not in direct control? I know its just barely in gear but doesn't stop something from moving the throttle while your off the vessel.
Thank you I am gonna get ready to buy a boat to take to the lakes with my wife and 2 dogs …and this video was a go
Glad you found it helpful!
Trying doing without dock. On off boat that is active is dangerous
Do the same boat where there isn't a pear to walk on to get in the boat. Great video.
Question? What about the trailer straps on the back of trailer?
Used to launch my 24’ bay boat with a rope in my hand out the window tied to a front cleat, then reverse it in with winch disengaged. Got out, pulled it in and tied it down, then took truck up to park. Easy.
Cool
At 5:25 did the boat bend the mounts for the pole style trailer guides or were those mounted loose or something? I ask because those are coming in the mail today and I plan on installing them. I won’t if they bend at the mount that easily. I’ll just return them.
I want to get a boat but i dont nothing about it. Thank yoy for this video.
How do I load it back up again stuck in the harbour please help
every time I go to my boat ramp, there is not a soul there, and I can use multiple platforms to do what you did. Thanks
You do a great video but your e-brake is only good for your back wheels it's a bad practice put wheel chocks under the front of your front wheels in back of your front wheels I'm sorry so if your back wheels are in the slime of the water your wheelchucks to keep your truck from going in the water and for the price of wood of a wheel chocks it's worth the money
I'm by the way put a line on the back of your will jogs and just put it on your on your steps on your truck so when you pull forward they'll drag drag with the truck
Rule #1 of boating… never leave the helm while the boat is in gear.
I never thought of leaving the boat in forward gear. A great idea
How about the rear tie downs
Have you looked at an Australian product called L&R Boat Latch?
Can i do that with a f150 2 wheel drive?
My sterndrive has too much torque for that, so I just lasso the dock posts with my fore and aft mooring lines (and hang dock bumpers)
This is often the way fishermen do it in the Pacific NW. The recreational guys will dunk the entire trailer into the water and winch it in.
The only thing I’d add is that I normally tie my bow line to my truck and back it further down to release the boat from the trailer. Once it’s floating, I will untie the bow line from the truck, keep the line in my hand and hop on the boat and reverse the boat off. I never leave it in forward gear and step off the boat. You never know when a wake will come when you’re off your boat, and then even if it’s in forward gear, it will move off the bow roller. Then you have another problem to deal with.
You must have no current.
I’m south FL the current is normally ripping. If there’s a boat next to you; you can’t just back in with a rope tied to truck. It will move sideways and block the whole ramp
@@anthonymannarino3376 No we have current, tide, and wind. And it’s still salt water. The bow line is only for safety, the boat is partially sitting on the bunks when it’s backed down. If you have a helping hand, someone can also grab a line that’s attached to the boat dock-side and hold it as the safety. You can also tie a long line to a cleat. But we stop the trailer when the motor is submerged just enough that we can reverse the boat off the trailer.
Nothing wrong with this method. There are variations.
ONE THING that I do but never see in videos ….I trim my motor up about 20 degrees when going onto the trailer bunks. 1) sometimes the water is shallow and 2) it helps lift the nose a bit making the boat slide up just a bit easier.
Great point!! This is also true to keep the engines from hitting the bunks or cross bars. This is especially true for catamarans and tritoons.
How to look the value
I am sure you have had alot of success doing it this way, but I'd never leave my boat in gear while unattended. There is potential of major damage to your boat if left in gear. In this situation, I could see a boat steering off the roller when disconnected, slowly jamming into your trailer/truck/ramp. Mainly could come off the roller and guide bunks if you backed down too far. Varies alot depending on the tide and ramp angle.
I avoid this situation altogether. I back the trailer almost halfway in the water, then loosen the trailer winch. I let out a foot or so of strap but keep the boat hooked in. Then I back the trailer up more until the boat is just floating. I then unhook the boat from the trailer and use the winchpost to step on the bow (this step might be difficult for older folks). From there, everything else is the same.
This method is probably trailer dependent, yes. I have not tried this on a roller based trailer. But I have done this with everything from a 43 foot center console to an 18 foot flats boat. This is why the boat should only be backed down into the water until the transom begins to float. This ensures that the bow of the boat is still on the trailer and the boat will not move when you put the boat in forward idle gear.
Thank you for your comment!
i can never get our boat of our trailer from our ramp...i think they built these ramps for bass boats only or something...the angle is so slight...I have to get those tailpipes deep deep into the water.
When do you take rear straps off? Just before it goes in I’m thinking?
Correct. I should have gone over transom straps in this video, but I didn't have them at the time. Always prep your boat in the parking and in a place that doesn't slow the traffic at the ramp, and I would do everything at the same time -- boat plug, transom straps, dock lines, fenders, and gear should all be ready before you start backing down to launch.
Lol I remember the time my Grandpa forgot to plug the boat and had to jump into the lake and plug it, he almost destroyed his boat, Good times, lol
Everyone knows someone who has forgotten a boat plug before. I'm guilty of it myself. Was 14 and got in a hurry at the ramp. Glad I noticed in time. lol
Now do one I reality. 20 boats waiting in line, everyone is honking at you. There is not convenient dock you can hop on and off from. Annnnddd go!
are you on stock height and if you are whats your wheel and tire setup
Are you asking about my truck or the trailer? Lol
@@BoatingWithBrad truck
That's a beautiful boat, anybody know the size and specs?
It's a 21 Parker.
Won’t work on New England steep ramps and a roller trailer , your asking for trouble
difficult when so many boat launching
My trailer needs guide poles 😂
What a pain in ass lol.
I do it 2 times a week also.
Bay Pines? Almost busted my ass on that ramp once. Can get slimy and slippery.
0:50 Woah WOAH! What did you call it?? A boat Plug?? I'TS A BUNG!
Do you have a 4x4?
Yes I do!