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Posts: 7
| Thanks in advance for what may amount to be a somewhat lengthy reply, but as a new owner of a Crestliner 1850 Sportfish, would anyone be so kind as to run through the steps they have employed when launching a boat solo at ramps with or without piers.
I have assisted countless times with my buddy's boats, but going alone gives me reason to pause. If my boat was a 14' with a 9.9 I probably would try to wing it, but considering my investment I don't want to screw up badly.
Thanks again. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | it's different for a bunk or roller trailer obviously. i've got a ranger on a bunk and i just take off the safety strap and loosen the winch strap enough for the boat to float and not get bound. oh, lock the winch after i loosen it out enough. once the boat is floating i just loosen it enough to remove it, get in the boat and beach it, then go park the truck.
if you don't have a keel protector, you should get one. the key to any of this is to remember why you buy insurance and that's to use your toys. i'm not very easy on my boat, that's not to say i don't take care of it. i'd rather have a couple scratches than not want to use it.
loading, just look at the amount of fender you want out of the water and drive it on. clip the winch strap and tighten. if you are on your own and the boat is big, back in a little more (not too much to let the tail out of the bunks) and let the weight get carried by the water when you crank. |
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Location: Athens, Ohio | step #1 is always: insert drain plug
Now, I don't have a Crestliner so I can't answer your question directly. I do have a 16 ft. BassTracker and I devised a method of solo de-trailering that works for me. I installed a large eye hook to my truck's rear bumper. My rope is about 6 feet longer than ther trailer. I unhook everything attaching the boat to the trailer (the steepness of the ramp will determine where the winch strap is detached!), and hook one end of the rope to the eye on the boat and the other to the eye hook on the trailer. Back in, boat floats off, drive slooowly forward until the boat beaches itself on the ramp. Slack the line and attach the bumper hook to the dock while parking. good luck and be careful. m |
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Location: Des Moines IA | I have a little boat , but this is what I do ... Tie a knot about 8 feet into your launch rope . Close the tailgate with the rope inbetween, make sure the knot is on the inside of the tailgate. Launch the boat til you see it float. The knot will hold it til you can get out and tie it to the dock. As far as getiing it back on ... that's a diferrent story ..... |
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Posts: 2112
Location: The Sportsman, home, or out on the water | If you do not have guide bars, buy them or have someone you know make them. It makes a world of difference on putting the boat back on the trailer- by yourself or otherwise. Look at my Paintin' da Boat post to see the ones my father in law made for me. When I fish with the wife, son, others that they have fished with me before, they all have asigned tasks for launching, as well as putting the boat back on the trailer. When fishing by yourself, you have to remember to do everything yourself. also, as refered to in another response, PLEASE DO NOT POWER LOAD, or drive on the trailer. I have seen several lake's boat launches have signs posted where it is not allowed. Power loading leaves a bar just outside the launch where boats get hung up on, if the bottom material is silt-like. we have all been there, and it sucks. Winch your boat up, please, especially on soft bottom launches. |
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Posts: 956
Location: Home of the 2016 World Series Champion Cubs | I employ a method similar to mikie and muskiemike but I use a line just about as long as my boat tied to the front of the boat (cleat or eye) and to the tail end of one of my trailer's bunk. You could tie directly to the rear of the trailer if you have no bunks. I lay the line on the boat's gunnel. I unhook the safety chain and winch strap (note i have a bunk trailer not rollers).Back in till the boat is afloat. Pull trailer out just till the point you.ve tied to the trailer is over land. Get out, untie the trailer end and retie to pier or whatever. Park your truck/trailer. off you go. I never have any problem launching alone and do it nearly as fast as boats with two people. the only reason I might be slower is if the spot I have to secure the boat is not right next to or at the bottom of the ramp. The truck will be sitting on the ramp while i move or motor to boat to the pier or tie down location. Then I return to move my truck. I never get any heat for this as people know I am working solo and can obviously see I have a working system. If there are people waiting to get in behind you or people just hanging around the launch, they almost always offer assistance. Ill usually let them pull (not drive) my boat to a docking location while I park my truck.
Edited by KARLOUTDOORS 5/27/2005 2:54 AM
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Posts: 5874
| The key is too not get the trailer too deep, either launching or loading. Develop a routine, and don't deviate. Learn to use your mirrors when backing. I back my trailer in right next to the dock. I simply get in the boat by stepping off the dock, and back her off. No ropes to screw with, except when tying off to the dock. Reverse the procedure when loading. Again, depth is key.
As I stated. Get a routine, and don't deviate. If you do, you'll forget to do something, like a plug, or a tie down, or???? If meeting up with somebody, make sure they don't mess up your routine. Check everything, as though you were alone. Get the boat ready to launch in the staging area, never while on the ramp. Don't hurry, but don't dally at a busy ramp either. |
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