No Clue Boater

TiltonBB · 07-31-2016, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAMIAM

Just for the fun of it I like to go to the other extreme. Wanted to set the worlds record for the fastest launch. My 26" Hurricane was on a twin axle trailer with rollers, As I approached the ramp I would unhook the chain, winch and have one person on the bow line. All I had to do was touch the brakes and the boat would slide right in and I'd drive away. Total launch time under two minutes.

But if you want to be really quick (30 seconds) and not tie up the dock at the ramp you disconnect the boat and have someone in the boat who starts the boat as you are backing, and puts it in reverse as soon as the stern hits the water. No bow line needed. That requires two people with at least a little talent.

noreast · 07-31-2016, 10:54 AM

Or, the gps/remote on an expensive trolling motor. You'll look like a genius. I saw a guy do It, sent his boat out a bit, Parked the truck, then recalled the boat. I think it was Bat Man.

Winnisquamer · 07-31-2016, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noreast

Or, the gps/remote on an expensive trolling motor. You'll look like a genius. I saw a guy do It, sent his boat out a bit, Parked the truck, then recalled the boat. I think it was Bat Man.

Seen that on Ship Shape tv. How cool is that!

4Fun · 08-01-2016, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

But if you want to be really quick (30 seconds) and not tie up the dock at the ramp you disconnect the boat and have someone in the boat who starts the boat as you are backing, and puts it in reverse as soon as the stern hits the water. No bow line needed. That requires two people with at least a little talent.

This is our method. 60 sec launch. Back in with wife in boat. When stern is in the water I stop get out and unhook the winch line, she starts the boat and gives me a thumbs up that it's running fine. I then bump her off the trailer and pull away. It can be done without talking let alone yelling.

Retrieve may be 2 min, Back the trailer in and she drives the boat on at 2-3 mph, as soon as it hits the bunks she turns off the engine and trims up. I winch it the rest of the way and pull away. No power loading etc. Just be consistent with your trailer depth and it works every time.

A little practice and anyone can do it. It gets tough when only 1 person can drive the car and boat.

NoBozo · 08-01-2016, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Fun

Just be consistent with your trailer depth and it works every time.

I am a launch ramp junkie. I now enjoy watching the newbies at the ramp. I have used the ramps over the years and know how to launch a boat. Yes..3 minutes, single handed. Retrieve: The same.

Anyone can dump the boat in the water. THE KEY to a successful Retrieval is... How Deep to put the trailer in the water.

ADVICE: Back the trailer in so the TOP of the FENDERS of the trailer are "just above" (say an inch or two)..the surface of the water. It works.

During Retrieval, The biggest error I see is people put the trailer into the water TOO Deep and now the boat is "Swimming" all over the place and can't find the center of the trailer. NB

Hillcountry · 08-01-2016, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoBozo

I am a launch ramp junkie. I now enjoy watching the newbies at the ramp. I have used the ramps over the years and know how to launch a boat. Yes..3 minutes, single handed. Retrieve: The same.

Anyone can dump the boat in the water. THE KEY to a successful Retrieval is... How Deep to put the trailer in the water.

ADVICE: Back the trailer in so the TOP of the FENDERS of the trailer are "just above" (say an inch or two)..the surface of the water. It works.

During Retrieval, The biggest error I see is people put the trailer into the water TOO Deep and now the boat is "Swimming" all over the place and can't find the center of the trailer. NB

I think it's something called "common sense" of which there seems to be a void of nowadays...

Dave R · 08-02-2016, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoBozo

ADVICE: Back the trailer in so the TOP of the FENDERS of the trailer are "just above" (say an inch or two)..the surface of the water. It works.

During Retrieval, The biggest error I see is people put the trailer into the water TOO Deep and now the boat is "Swimming" all over the place and can't find the center of the trailer. NB

I agree that the most common mistake is backing in too deep, but proper trailer depth can vary widely. For instance, if any part of my fenders are above water at most ramps, I would barely get the bow on the last 5 feet of the trailer. My fenders need to be quite deep (like 2 feet at the back) to get the boat on the trailer unless the ramp is really steep. "Flat" ramps are a problem for me.

My advice is to start shallow and get the boat winched as far as is possible without over-straining the winch, then back the trailer in a few feet, as needed, to get the boat all the way to the bow stop.

The ramp mistake that bothers me the most is when people leave their kids in the tow vehicle during the launching/retrieving process, That's a recipe for a needless tragedy. One simple mistake (which is especially easy to make when you are stressing out about the process itself) with the shift lever, gas pedal, or parking brake and the tow vehicle can easily be rapidly dragged underwater. Get everyone out and roll down the window(s) before launching and retrieving.

The Following User Says Thank You to TiltonBB For This Useful Post:
fanfig77200 (07-31-2016)

07-31-2016, 10:54 AM	#2
noreast Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 648 Thanks: 316 Thanked 120 Times in 93 Posts	Or, the gps/remote on an expensive trolling motor. You'll look like a genius. I saw a guy do It, sent his boat out a bit, Parked the truck, then recalled the boat. I think it was Bat Man.

The Following User Says Thank You to 4Fun For This Useful Post:
TiltonBB (08-01-2016)