Boat Launching

[Ryan]

This may seem like a stupid question to everyone, but I have to ask.  I have read many posts where people are waiting for “idiots” to get their boat in the water.  I don’t know if I make good time, but I also try to go to lakes that are not busy.  I get all of my gear ready before I take up a spot on the access and I don’t think it takes a long time after that for me to get the boat in the water then off fishing.  My question is, how long can a person spend at an access before they are classified as an “idiot”?

[kenhuntin]

It does not take long if someone is on the ramp holding traffic taking off a cover or tie downs or loading the boat from the vehicle. The upset response is immediate to some people.

[Woody]

Well 1st of all, no matter what you do you can't please everyone all the time.  A rule of thumb I go by is to have as much of my stuff in the boat and ready to go when I get there.  There is always something you wait to put in the boat until you get to the boat launch, so not everything will go in ahead of time.  Myself I have the rod, tackleboxes, net and all other gear in the boat when I arrive at the launch.  Some things that may not be in the boat yet when I arrive are the cooler (no one likes to loose a cooler lid) and the bait. 

When I arrive at the launch, the very 1st thing I do is remember to have patience.  I'm a rookie at launching a boat compared to some others.  I pull up to a "staging area", to undo the tie-downs, and finish loading the boat.  Not all boat launches have a staging area, so I'll pull over out of the way until I'm ready to launch. 

In my case I'm a one man launch team.  I back the boat in the water, get out and unhook the boat from the winch. Then depending if anyone is waiting for me, I'll either jump in and start the boat and drive it on shore or to the other side of the dock or grab the launch rope and walk it around to the other side of the dock.  From there I tie it up, tell the family to get in while I drive the truck/trailer out of the landing to a parking spot. 

I hope this helps someone out.  Feel free to add any ideas you may have.

I think if everyone used a lil patience, courtesy and maybe even some of that common/uncommon sense-life could be a tad bit easier!

[Tami]

Question

I have never owned a boat and trailer that didnt have rollers on it.. I know theres a lot out there, but i cant think of the name of them... I know you have to fully put in the trailer mostly into the water?

[Woody]

I believe you're referring to Bunks? 

[Bobby Bass]

I own a bunk trailer. I run a 17' tracker pro and total weight of boat and load is around 1200#'s
One of the first thing is added was Teflon pads to the bunks to ease in loading and unloading. All I need is enough water to float the rear of the boat and then I can push it of with not to much effort. Retrieving is done by backing in the water just enough to get the back third of the bunkers wet, I  then push my boat out using a 30' length of rope and guide it on to the bunks and with enough forward momentum the boat will run up most of the way on the trailer. Just a matter of attaching the winch and cranking it  up. Of course I have had this boat for 20 years and have launched hundreds of times. Takes less then five minutes to launch or retrieve.

As for launch rules, as soon as you start doing anything to your boat or trailer that could have been done before you get your wheels wet you are an idiot. This includes and I have seen. Making out with your GF before she leaves, putting line on your reel, testing your motor for the first time. Loading batteries. Adding gas, washing and waxing the boat.  Having a picnic. Taking calls on the cell phone, hanging on the side with four other guys talking about what bar to go to, Get the idea?

Some people are very good at backing up and some look like kids getting ready to take their drivers test. If it bothers you that much offer to help. Everyone had to learn sometime. Best to take a little time at a parking lot and practice. I drive around just about the entire summer with either a boat trailer or a work trailer on and I just forget all about backing up, I just do it. Besides I am going fishing to relax, and you can't do that if you get all bent out of shape at the landing.

[Woody]

Some people are very good at backing up and some look like kids getting ready to take their drivers test. If it bothers you that much offer to help. Everyone had to learn sometime. Best to take a little time at a parking lot and practice. I drive around just about the entire summer with either a boat trailer or a work trailer on and I just forget all about backing up, I just do it. Besides I am going fishing to relax, and you can't do that if you get all bent out of shape at the landing.

I just started learning last year myself.  That first time I was very apprehensive.  Luckily for me I've helped my dad while growing so many times I can't count.  And my first time I was the only boat there, so I took my time and launched/loaded without a problem!  I did get some bunk style guide on's from Fleet Farm (kinda bulky looking), it helps when I bring the boat on the trailer.  It's a 19.5' so it can easily get cockeyed on the trailer without the guide ons. 

Now depending on the wind it doesn't take me very long at all to launch or land the boat.   And I've offered to help people myself, not because I was upset they were taking so long, but because I know from experience and extra hand can come in handy from time to time! 

[Ryan]

Some people are very good at backing up and some look like kids getting ready to take their drivers test. If it bothers you that much offer to help. Everyone had to learn sometime. Best to take a little time at a parking lot and practice. I drive around just about the entire summer with either a boat trailer or a work trailer on and I just forget all about backing up, I just do it. Besides I am going fishing to relax, and you can't do that if you get all bent out of shape at the landing.

I'll admit I am not the greatest at backing a boat into the water, but have gotten a lot better.  That is the main reason I try to go to lakes that are not busy right now.  I was kind of wondering if anyone has a guess to how many minutes it should take you to get the boat in and out of the way so the next person can get going.

[Spinach]

I really dont think its a matter of time, as long as they prep there boat beforehand, unplug the trailer wiring, get tackle and rods loaded, lifejackets, straps undone etc.... I dont mind if they take a few minutes to get the boat in myself. If they start doing all this when they are supposed to be ready, thats when people get upset.

2 minutes is really all it should take for the average person i suppose. If your over that, then they should be practicing in an open parking lot or slow lake access.

It doesn't really bother me much if they are making an honest effort to get done quickly.

[The General]

I drop a buddy off at the dock.  He backs the trailer in I drive the boat on.  Takes about 2 minutes and I'm out.  Same with unloading.  Buddy back the trailer in with me in the boat.  I start the motor, push it in (roller trailer the only way to go), and drive away.  I pick him up at the end of the dock. 

[Bobby Bass]

You can't put a time on launching, every boat is different. I have seen guys drop big boats in so quick it's like there back wheels don't get wet, then have seen guys take 10 minutes to get a canoe wet. Practice when you can. No one at the landing take time and make a few runs at backing in and out. With the low water the past few summers it has been hard on everyone. Up here we got some good rain in the fall and landings should be much better this spring.  Last summer might have been the toughest season in a long time for launching boats so if you could launch in that you will be much better this year.

[Tami]

I got to remember the plug lol

Well if you see me at a boat landing with trouble offer help lol

I am sure it will take me a few times myself..with this boat..

Sometimes when i would sit and fish off a dock, i would see someone  putting their boat in and yes it did take them time, and the one waiting yelling out the window and getting mad, to me sorry to say guys is not sportsmanship at all..And i hope the one yelling caught nothing all year lol
I believe by showing an example, helping them shake their hand, and let them know about MNO.. they will come...

Later that night... yeah i was having trouble with gettign the boat in the water, and this nice guy or gal from MNOUTDOORSMAN helped me and was really friendly, i think i might check out their site..

what comes around gentlemen and ladies goes around....
Everything i do now i think to myself, i am representing MNO..

[The General]

NG, I hope you put on you're brightest red lipstick before you posted that last post.  That way Tim and Pat can show us a picture of their new tatoos on their back sides.  

[Tami]

Did it work?

Your supposed to brown nose or kiss up before you get what you wanted, not after... right?

[Cody Gruchow]

lol im with you (hed)rocks i am a complete novice at backing a boat in, to tell you the truth i suck at it, so i go to smaller lakes and back in and pull out and stuff like that to pratice but on a great day it will take me a average of about 5 minutes to get everything done by myself. last time i went to a busy lake it didnt turn out so good lol i was trying to hurry and it ended up taking 15 minutes (only my second time backing a trailer up period lol) it all comes down to how much you acually do it, you improve the more you do it

[Spinach]

I learned to back a trailer many years ago and I am very good at it. I mastered it when i worked at UPS and drove a 12 cube truck with a trailer around town everyday, the trailer was not even visible behind the truck...... Realtree probably knows what i'm saying, on how to use your mirrors only when backing such a large truck. (He's a driver for Fed Ex)

My dad has been fishing his entire life and to this day still can not back up a trailer very well. Sometimes i just start laughing because he makes it look so hard.

Just keep practicing......

[HD]

It's the best way to learn, practice.

I got mine from backing up big rigs into loading docks. (the truck that peter built)


Hunter

[Bobby Bass]

This post reminded me of a launch that I had up at Rainy river a few years ago. There is a launch there that is on an incline with about a 100 feet of blacktop that you need to back down. Not only do you have a 100 feet of wet, sand covered black top to back down but you have an audience of perhaps 30 to 40 fishermen on shore and a hundred boats in the river all watching you. I backed down with a buddies little s-10 with a topper on it and a 16' deep vee boat that I could not see the river over or around. ¾ of the way down I went to stop and adjust my approach. The weight of the trailer and wet pavement just pulled the truck right down to the water. With a controlled skid I put the trailer in the river like it was all planned. Got a couple of thumbs up and pulled out to find my parking space about a half a mile away. That is one place you don't want it to be your first time launching a boat..

[Cody Gruchow]

sounds like a nightmare lol

[HD]

I remember one time going down to Red Wing, fish'in the river.
We was driving down the road, and in my rear view mirror, I could see this blue bronco pulling a boat, weaving in and out of traffic. People were honking their horns and giving out hand signals to this vehicle as they passed cause the road was just packed. They got up to me, and I had to pull to the side of the road cause they almost cut me off cause they cut the pass a little short.

Anyways, they got to the landing ahead of the last 25 boats they passed. 3 guys jump out, 2 walk across the road to the liquer store and the other one was putting the boat in. The one guy is backed up to the landing and then stops as he's lined up. He jumps back out cause he forgot to take his strap off. He musta not got the truck in park, cause as soon as he got out of the truck the whole thing rolled backwards into the river. The other 2 dudes were coming from across the road with 2 cases of beer apiece, one in each hand, dropped the beer and ran to help. By the time they got there, it was to late, the rig was already in the water.

Well, the sheriff showed up and they called a tow truck, and they all got hauled away. The whole ordeal took only a few hours to clean up.


Needless to say.....in my eyes.....that was an idiot.



Hunter

[The General]

I'd say.  How could you just drop 4 cases of beer?

[HD]

Ya know, now that you bring it up......I don't quite rememeber what happened to that beer......






Hunter

[Super Star!]

Backing up is a cake walk i think.

but i was waiting at the landing one time when two guys from ND where trying to back there brand new boat in the water. Funny thing is the guy hit the gas instead of the brake took the dock out and dented the boat and put a nice bend in there trailer LOL I was amazed how dumb these two guys where.

[Cody Gruchow]

that would of been entertaining to watch i guess hunters trying to say he didnt go thirty while he was fishing  

[Ace]

When I bought my first boat about a hundred years ago. The first thing I did was to teach my wife how to back it in the water. She wasn't real happy about it at first but I told her if she wanted to go fishing with me every weekend she had to do it.

Now she can do it with her eyes closed. We now live on the lake, so trailering is a once or twice a year event for me now. I can just get a cup of coffee, walk a 100ft and step into my boat, ahhhh the good life. 

Sometimes on opening weekend we go down to the ramp, just to watch all the once a year anglers try to launch their boats.   It can be very entertaining.

"Ace"

[tripnchip]

Worked part time for the sheriff dept. and on opening weekend we would go to some of the more popular landings and assist in getting boats in the water. We had one guy that did nothing but stand down the waiting line and make people get out check plugs, hook up gas lines, make sure all equipment was in the boat, and straps were off. They got one pass at backing in, if they didn't make it another guy would offer to do it for them. Sounds like a lot of effort for the sheriff dept. but it was better then running deputies up there to break up fights and make arrests.

[Woody]

When I bought my first boat about a hundred years ago. The first thing I did was to teach my wife how to back it in the water. She wasn't real happy about it at first but I told her if she wanted to go fishing with me every weekend she had to do it.

Now she can do it with her eyes closed. We now live on the lake, so trailering is a once or twice a year event for me now. I can just get a cup of coffee, walk a 100ft and step into my boat, ahhhh the good life. 

Sometimes on opening weekend we go down to the ramp, just to watch all the once a year anglers try to launch their boats.   It can be very entertaining.

"Ace"

You wouldn't wanna train my wife how to launch the boat would ya?? 

[Tami]

and me????

[Duckslayer]

My dad used to drive truck.  He told me... put your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel.  If you want the boat to go to the left move your hand to the left.  If you want it to go right move your hand to the right.  The big secret that I have not seen shared here yet is do not turn to sharp or you will never get back straight again.  Been working for me for years!  I never have to crane my neck around either, learned a long time ago what those silver things on the outside of the door are for!  Best place to practice is an empty church parking lot or something like that.  Try to park it inside the lines of a certain parking spot.  NG, come on down I'll teach ya how to do it!  Take care and N Joy the hunt././Jimbo

[thunderpout]

Im goin with the 2 minute rule...aint nothin that cant be done in two minutes, if you cant , theres somthing wrong, and youve got issues!  Man I could write a book on boat landing misshaps!  (other peoples...)Nothing wrong with inexperience, ya gotta learn sometime, but dont make folks wait when youre learnin!  go on off hours or to lakes where you wont be dealing with the masses!  Heres a few good ones Ive actually seen, not the urban myths ya hear about....   A guy forgot to flip up his wheel/jackstand when hookin up his trailer at home apparently and when backin down the ramp, the stand hit the ramp, became unhitched from his truck that he forgot to hook the saftey chains to, the trailer with boat attached went veering off the ramp into some shore fisher people, took out a guy sittin on a chair!  Then the boat owner started screaming at his wife for not flippin up the jack...before helpin/checkin on the folks he nearly killed!   One more...  Never unhook your boat till yer at the water...saw this twice...one 20' , one 16' boat glideing off onto pavement with 20 plus other boats/amused folks(some not so amused) watching in amazement...    These Ive also unfortunatly witnessed... NOT unhooking/unstrapping the boat from the trailer, & watching the boat float the trailer...   & of course...the ever -popular not putting the tow vehicle (car and a truck) in park/parking brake and both completely in the water...imobilized on single vehicle launches with lots of not so happy folks waiting in line...    I wont even go into the pleasures of watchin people back down ramps!  Ive often thought about goin to launches, especially on opener, just to watch people...just for giggles and such, no gear, just a chair, a six pack and maybe a movie camera!