"Robert M. Gary" wrote in message
...
I'm trying to think of the best way to coordinate solo launch/recovery
at a busy dock. We have a very busy lake here. There are 4 ramps with
2 docks. The docks are only big enough for the active ramps (you
couldn't leave the boat at the dock without disrupting launches. My
wife can just barely drive the SUV so she certainly cannot drive the
car with the trailer and certainly cannot drive the boat. On a busy
day there is a waiting area where cars wait in line for the busy
ramps.

To launch I figure I could tie up to the dock, park the car and run
back to the dock. I could probably do this in the time it takes the
next guy to back his trailer down the long ramp (very, very long, the
water is low).

However, I'm not sure how to best recover. Usually people come to the
dock, drop off the car driver and then go back out to the water
waiting for their turn. The trailer driver them goes and gets into
line for a ramp. How can I do this w/o taking up dock space necessary
for operations? I was thinking of perhaps just anchoring off shore and
swimming to the dock and then swimming back out to the boat once I get
the trailer.

As you can tell I'm very sensitive to not disrupting people. I'm
trying not to be the annoying guy that everyone loves to hate.

-robert


My opinion (having done this for years)?

Obviously, it's best when you have an experienced helper to drive the tow
vehicle. But, if doing it alone, I'd just do as you said, tie the boat up
at the waiting dock. Go get your tow vehicle/trailer and wait for your
turn. When it's your turn, back down,
kill the engine, set the parking brake and, without delay but also without
undue hurry, go get the boat, line up and put it on the trailer. Climb off
over the bow and crank it up as quickly as you can, but without feeling
pressured by others waiting in line. Make sure it's up and the safety chain
is hooked in the bow ring or whatever you call it.

Pull out, and drive to a remote spot in the parking area and complete your
tie-downs, remove the "plug", gear, etc. and prepare otherwise prepare for
towing.

Point is .... ignore any feelings of pressure to unnecessarily hurry, but
don't dilly-dally. People that retrieve their boat, pull up only until
it's just out of the water, then do all the final tie-downs and removal of
gear while blocking the ramp from use by others is the major no-no.

Also, if you aren't experienced .... practice backing up the trailer in a
mall parking lot for a while until you master it.
You'll feel much more confident when performing in front of all the launch
ramp judges.

Eisboch