Landing your boat

[Woody]

This article from the Iowa DNR got me to thinking.....what way do you land your boat? 

[The General]

I drop a guy off at the dock to go get the truck.  Then I go back out into the lake to get the heck out of everyone's way and put things away.  Guy backs trailer into water and I drive up on the trailer, hook the winch, other guy pulls boat out of the water and everyone's way.  Takes me about 2 minutes.  I sure wish everyone would watch and take lessons.  This is just my opinion.

[thunderpout]

I couldnt agree with you more General... over the years I have grown less tolerant with the morons and even less talented boaters and their antics at the ramps... I have never had a drive on trailer, but have always been able to do the 2 minute launch, even less putting the boat in... if I had another person to help, maybe 3 minutes by myself... there's no reason why it should take any longer... unless ya had like ten kids to corral up and put their rods away for...even then I'd say, oh, like 5 minutes max...

[7outof10]

if the landing is not steep ill just drive it on and pull out can load and unload in under 30 sceonds .........but if there is much sloop i use the safty chin then lol ........

[Jdrummer]

if the landing is not steep ill just drive it on and pull out can load and unload in under 30 sceonds .........but if there is much sloop i use the safty chin then lol ........

What Mike is saying is it takes exquisit driving skills to drive the truck (Mike) and unparalell talent from boat driver (Me) to get launched , park truck,  and pick up the other guy from dock in under a minute when there is congestion at the docks! 

You other guys , better be careful when waiting to get onto the docks. Last year a few under age drinkers thought it would be awsome to drive daddies boat around . well after they smashed into a small fishing boat with two guys in it they beached the boat and took off running. The cops did finally catch them because I do believe that the one kid did stay with the boat. It was known that they did not try to help the other boaters either!

[Tyler Rother]

Simple fix for congested landings = Make all launches like Waconias east side. 2 Lane ramp with 2 docks.

[Fawkinnae]

I use the general's method. I think there is a educational video that is just dying to be made.

[Jdrummer]

I use the general's method. I think there is a educational video that is just dying to be made.

I could see it now! it would be like a fishing show and its about all these new lures that are coming out but all they use is dianamite! 

[GRIZ]

I'm not very patient, it's just not in my nature. Although I did have some of it taught to me over the last 18 yrs from my kids.

I agree with the generals way of doing it. Even by yourself you can unload the boat, go park the truck and trailer, walk back and the boat will be on the other side (out of the way of others) of the dock b4 you get there. That is with the wind or current conditions in a helpful manor.

It all boils down to experience. Experience with handling a boat and backing up a trailer. I used to get bothered by those that didn't have much experience but have learned to deal with it. If I see someone haveing a hard time I'll offer to help. They usually don't get offended but are glad to have you back up the trailer, grab a rope or maybe run the boat. They don't have much experience and know it and are glad to have the help. The only problem you run into is the boob that thinks they know how but don't. I don't want anyone to take this the wrong way but women usually will come and ask you to back it in for them where as a man willnot unless you offer.

The thing that really gets me is the ones who unload the boat and then proceed to load the boat with the gear leaving the boat in everyones way. Your gear should be inside the boat b4 you pull up to back into the water.

Another thing to take into consideration is the boat. Some like me who ain't concerned with the appearance of their boat will load and unload faster. The ones who don't want a scratch on their boat will take longer as they don't want them rubber bumpers putting a mark on their vessel. I'm not going to comment on that other than they should have enough help with them so they can do it efficiently without wasting everyone elses time.

[deadeye]

Lord help anyone who gets behind my dad when he launches his boat.  You better head for a different lake or eat your lunch early!  I've tried to get him to change but was met with way too much resistance.  He has a 16 foot fishing boat with a 15hp outboard (gas disconnected with rag tied to protect the end). First off while traveling to the lake, nothing can be in the boat except the oars which are fastened to the seats. (you never know when you hit a bump and will scratch the paint or cause a leak.  For each lake access he uses there is a certain way you have to back in. (one side might be 2 inches deeper than another or there may be a rock some place).  Not that this would matter too much because there is no way the wheels can get wet beyound the tire rubber (You know the bearings may be hot and when they hit the cold water they will suck it in).  Once the boat is in the water the real fun begins. Deciding what to bring and what to leave behind. (you would think he would have this figured out by now).  Any way once this is decided and the gear loaded it's time to park.  He can't park just anywhere. (gotta watch the sun angle, possibility of getting hit while parked, cannot be slant to gas cap, must be able to see it from the lake in case someone tries to break in or steal the trailer).  Now we get the motor running and were off.  Well, for a few hundred yards before we head back to check if he locked the truck or left something laying by the shore.  If you think launching was a fiasco, you really don't want to be there when he returns.  Take all the launching stuff and throw in taking care of minows, fish, the ever important getting the boat loaded eaxctly in the center of the trailer will bring most boaters to tears.  The worst part is tomorrow I'm going fishing with him. If you see us, say a litlle prayer fo me.

[Woody]

deadeye that is hilarious (I can say this, cuz I ain't there!)    Good luck!! 

[sandmannd]

I drop a guy off at the dock to go get the truck.  Then I go back out into the lake to get the heck out of everyone's way and put things away.  Guy backs trailer into water and I drive up on the trailer, hook the winch, other guy pulls boat out of the water and everyone's way.  Takes me about 2 minutes.  I sure wish everyone would watch and take lessons.  This is just my opinion.

Exactly how I do it unless I'm alone. Then I just reach over and hook it, turn motor off and drive it out.