Launching and Loading - What do you do?

[eyepatrol]

In the early part of the season, when the water is too cold for wading out in shorts, I take my chest waders along so that I can walk out in the water to help launch the boat off the trailer and then load it back on. I usually need to walk out in the water to help get the boat off the trailer, get it aligned back on the trailer and such.

Does anyone else find themselves having to get in the water for launching and loading and do you bring waders along? Wondering if I'm missing something here that would eliminate the need to get in the water and having to bring chest waders along. When the water warms enough, I just walk out there in my shorts, but not this time of year!

[harvey lee]

Yes, when fishing early for crappies and the docks are not in yet,it can be a problem.This is one reason I fish out of the boat I do.It is much easier to load and unload a 16 ft lund than a bigger boat.I can stand on the trailer and do it.

When I had a bigger boat,17 ft Starcraft it was nicer on the bigger lakes for most everything.But the majority of the fishing I personally do is on the local lakes and the smaller boat to me is the ticket.At times I have had to walk in the water just a bit to load and I just take off my shoes and pull up the pants and walk in.Its a little cold but works fast and easy.Another product that really helps with loading when fishing alone is trailer guides.

Maybe we need to lobby the DNR to get the docks in a little sooner,like the portable biffs.

[Can'tFishEnuf]

Hi, just like to say hello. This is my first time on the SouthCentral forum.

Before the docks are out, I bring some hip boots and just put them on right-away. Then I throw my shoes in the boat and change after I'm out in the water. Right before I go in, I put the hip-boots back on. I have a bunk trailer, so once the docks are in, it's pretty easy to stay dry. Most of the time anyway.

[Team Otter]

Welcome Can't Fish Enuf. Like the user name!

I drive my boat on the trailer. No shorts, no waders, no docks, nothing.

[Willy]

Me too. Fastest and best way to do it. No cranking either!

[wplatehunter]

I agree driving the boat on the trailer works the best for me. There is no need to get into the water.

[eyepatrol]

I must be doing something wrong then. Even on my previous boat, which was a bunk trailer, I wasn't able to get up all the way on the trailer and had to get out and crank it in the remaining distance to get it snug and hook up the safety chain. I'd think it would be even harder to accomplish this on a trailer with rollers.

[ddsbyday]

If you are by yourself do you just leave your trailer in the water? I drive my boat on the trailer too but I have to move the car. Thats why I need the waders when there is no docks. I suppose if you have a wide landing you could beach the boat and jump off to back the trailer up but I usually don't have that luxury.

[james_walleye]

I guess in the 3 years i've owned my boat i've always brought someone else along and i have them back my trailer in and i drive the boat on and off the trailer. I have it down too a science so i dont take too much time on the landing. Sure is slick too just drive it on.

[harvey lee]

That works great with 2 guys.I just take my tennys off and walk in 5 ft and hook up the boat.Only cold for a minute.

[Muddog]

I have two 2X4's running down the center line of my trailer which I can walk down to line up the boat. I also use a large retractable dog leash to control the boat when it is off the trailer. I love the dog leash becase it puts itself away!

You know as I think about it, when ever I see someone drive a boat onto a trailer there has always been someone in the cab of the tow vehicle. It takes two people who know what there doing. One to drive the boat and one to back up the trailer. If it's a fiberglass boat with no dock, well someone is getting wet.

[riverrat56]

Depending on who drives, I'm in either a 12 ft tin can with a trolling motor, or a 14 ft boat, I can usually push the boat off shore with the tow rope attached and then manuver it around the trailer until it lines up, then we just somehow get it on the trailer enough to get it out of the water, once on land its easy to lift the boat and aline it correctly.

[Rippinlip]

I agree two is better than one for driving on & off, but I do a ton of fishing by myself and I have a glass boat with bunks. I just back in far enough so the back of the boat and motor are in and jump in the boat, unload and beach it.

park the truck and start dunking baits. If I must back in too far, then I jump into the back of the truck then jump into the boat and presto no wet feet if I don't slip.(By the way that has happened too)

Anyways good luck to all on the open water, and please be safe.

[eyepatrol]

Two people is definitely easier and quicker. When I'm by myself, I always bring my chest waders along during the early part of the season when I don't want to get cold feet and legs, etc. However, I put my waders on before I back the trailer up to launch or to load, so that I'm not messing around on the launch pad. I too will beach the boat when I'm by myself. I don't even like to dock it, because that takes too much time to tie up and hold up the launch.

Good to hear what everyone else does though. Best thing is to just be prepared and ready to launch or load before actually doing so. Hopefully next Saturday I'll get my chance to do a little launching and loading down in the 'kato area!

[Willy]

Yep, I drive on by myself alot too. I have a roller trailer though and have to leave the motor running and in gear while I run up and hook her up.

[Mad Lake Bomber]

I'm with Willy on this one. I have a Crestliner 172 Tournament Series with a roller trailer and I never get wet unloading or loading even when I'm alone.

To unload, just back the boat in, clip a rope onto the front hook, and push it off.

Beach the boat and park the truck.

To load, beach the boat, back truck in.

Drive boat on all the way, reach over the bow and hook it to the trailer.

Hop over the bow and you're good to go.

[Team Otter]

Amen.

[clamtrap]

I've got 17ft crestliner and I got a roller trailer and sometimes I have a heck of a time to load and sometimes it goes very well, I never thought of leaving the motor in gear thats a great Idea thanks

[The_Duckslayer]

The one thing that I always try to do is get the trailer far/deep enough into the water so that I do not have to rev it up to half throttle to get onto the bunks! Save wear and tear on the boat landing as well! That 60 horse will throw a lot of water which will pick up a lot of the bottom and send it out into the lake. Just one of those "polite" things to do. That way if the boat does decide to go backwards after I am there the engine running on idle will hold it till I can get to the front of the boat to attach the hook. Food for thought... Have a good one and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo

[love2fish4ever]

I have a shoulder that bugs me now & again & I've considered a electric winch. It's not really a problem most of the times, but cranking at places like Kelly-Dudley, it does cross my mind. Any thoughts? L2f

[delmuts]

if you don't want to go with the elec. they do make winches in different gear ratios that would be easier on your shoulder .

[love2fish4ever]

yeah, that would be my next step, but it really hasn't gotten that bad. It just seemed like a useful luxury, but I've never seen too many people use them, I figured there is probably a reason, cause you see other items like trolling motors that put themselves down & up into position again & power anchors.Oh well, a person needs a little more excercise than pulling in fish & 12 oz. curls! Thanks for your input! L2f