Bryan wrote:

Have I got it? Did I miss anything?

If you eventually retrieve after dusk/dark on a multi-lane ramp please
turn off your headlights so others can share the ramp without being blinded.

-rick-

"Bryan" wrote in message
...
Here's my plan for my first singlehanded launch. The boat is a Sea Ray
185 Sport. Trailer has bunks.

The dock will be on the port (left) side of the boat.

Arrive and prep boat for launch. Drain plug in. Fenders over port side.
Transom tie downs removed. Stern and bow lines attached to boat. Bimini
down to allow more access to boat. Load stuff onto boat.

Back trailer down to dock (I can get real close). Back trailer into water
until stern floats. Unhook bow safety chain. Release winch hook (or
should I keep it attached and just let out several feet of winch strap).
Grab bow and stern lines and walk boat back along dock and tie off to dock
cleats. Park truck/trailer. Start bilge blower. Start motor. Have a
nice day on the water.

Tie boat off at dockwith fenders and dock lines in place. Retrieve
truck/trailer. Back trailer alongside dock. Walk the boat onto the
trailer. Attach winch strap. Winch bow to bow stops. Attach safety
chain. Pull trailer out of water watching boat for centering.

Perform my solo act on a slow weekday.

Have I got it? Did I miss anything?

Bryan
Sea Ray 185 Sport


Put the fenders on the side that the dock is on. You will launch at places
where the dock can be either side, depending on amount of boats and lanes.
I tie the bow rope to the trailer. Bow rope should be a little shorter than
the bow to the prop, so if it falls in the water, it does not tangle in the
prop. I then back down until the back of the boat is in the water a little
and the front of the boat is still over dry ramp. Do not have to get the
feet wet to unchain and unstrap boat. Do not forget to remove rear tie
downs in prep area. I then back the boat up until it is floating and pull
forward just enough that I can get the bow rope without getting feet wet. I
also launch in salt water at times and cold winter waters. Walk boat to end
of dock and tie off. Then pull truck and trailer out to the parking lot.

I would use an additional rope on the dock side tied to both a forward cleat
and a rear, long enough to reach 4-8 ft towards the dock. This allows one
person to pull the front or rear towards the dock. We use that approach
always.
LD

"Bill McKee" wrote in message
ink.net...

"Bryan" wrote in message
...
Here's my plan for my first singlehanded launch. The boat is a Sea Ray
185 Sport. Trailer has bunks.

The dock will be on the port (left) side of the boat.

Arrive and prep boat for launch. Drain plug in. Fenders over port
side.
Transom tie downs removed. Stern and bow lines attached to boat.
Bimini
down to allow more access to boat. Load stuff onto boat.

Back trailer down to dock (I can get real close). Back trailer into
water
until stern floats. Unhook bow safety chain. Release winch hook (or
should I keep it attached and just let out several feet of winch strap).
Grab bow and stern lines and walk boat back along dock and tie off to
dock
cleats. Park truck/trailer. Start bilge blower. Start motor. Have a
nice day on the water.

Tie boat off at dockwith fenders and dock lines in place. Retrieve
truck/trailer. Back trailer alongside dock. Walk the boat onto the
trailer. Attach winch strap. Winch bow to bow stops. Attach safety
chain. Pull trailer out of water watching boat for centering.

Perform my solo act on a slow weekday.

Have I got it? Did I miss anything?

Bryan
Sea Ray 185 Sport


Put the fenders on the side that the dock is on. You will launch at
places
where the dock can be either side, depending on amount of boats and lanes.
I tie the bow rope to the trailer. Bow rope should be a little shorter
than
the bow to the prop, so if it falls in the water, it does not tangle in
the
prop. I then back down until the back of the boat is in the water a
little
and the front of the boat is still over dry ramp. Do not have to get the
feet wet to unchain and unstrap boat. Do not forget to remove rear tie
downs in prep area. I then back the boat up until it is floating and pull
forward just enough that I can get the bow rope without getting feet wet.
I
also launch in salt water at times and cold winter waters. Walk boat to
end
of dock and tie off. Then pull truck and trailer out to the parking lot.

Sounds like you have it. Don't worry, it isn't that difficult and I've been
doing it for years. The only problem you may have is if there are
"dock hogs" hanging around the dock and not using it. Sometimes when
I bring mine in, I simply beach it gently (if it's soft there) and not
use the dock.

Additionally, I usually start my boat in my driveway (with one of those
"ear muff" water hose attachments) to make sure everything works before
finding out at the lake (saved me two trips back over the years due to
faulty batteries). That way, when you do kick it over at the lake, it
starts in a second or two.

b.

wrote in message
roups.com...

Sounds like you have it. Don't worry, it isn't that difficult and I've
been
doing it for years. The only problem you may have is if there are
"dock hogs" hanging around the dock and not using it. Sometimes when
I bring mine in, I simply beach it gently (if it's soft there) and not
use the dock.

Additionally, I usually start my boat in my driveway (with one of those
"ear muff" water hose attachments) to make sure everything works before
finding out at the lake (saved me two trips back over the years due to
faulty batteries). That way, when you do kick it over at the lake, it
starts in a second or two.

b.

Lots of great tips from everyone! I especially appreciate that parking
brake suggestion. Starting motor before floating off the trailer. Tie
bow line to winch. Portable charger/starter on board. A quick look in the
bilge before heading for the parking lot. And the list goes on ... Thanks.