Solo Boat Launching
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Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: Hints,Tips and How To's
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URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=126021
Printed Date: 21 Jun 2026 at 11:44pm
Topic: Solo Boat Launching
Posted By: Steps
Subject: Solo Boat Launching
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2017 at 11:38am
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Done a forum search nothing comes up but know there is a couple threads way bay on the subject.. think from memory included in other subject threads, Any way What is the best way to do so? 5.5m 1100/1200kg cabin boat, Keel trailer with guide posts at the rear, on and off at a ramp. |
Replies:
Posted By: MacSkipper
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2017 at 12:39pm
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If going solo I consider - ramp if no pontoons 2 anchors (main plus spare) to hold while parking trailer. If pontoons spare rope on bow to help feed boat slowly into water and one at back to tie off to pontoon as well (stops boat swinging out). Dress expecting to get wetter as may have to wade in particularly retrieving and don't have phone or keys in pocket! Weather - don't want a lot of wind blowing boat, tide and swell (at Little huia incoming tide some surge then) & how busy ramp will be as unfair to other users if a peak time particularly off loading. Tie boat off at end of pontoon before parking trailer so another user can launch in meantime. Call club and arrange a helping hand beforehand if launching from your usual spot? Have seen online some self locking systems where you can drive onto trailer and locks boat on - not keen personally on them as would be running motor in shallow/dirty water at ramp. I know Snapper Geoff pre warms engine (runs on muffs before leaving as lives 2mins from beach) so no hassle getting motor going but he is launching from a West Coast beach and has to get through waves pronto.
------------- Good fishing trip nothing breaks, great trip catch fish. |
Posted By: Steps
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2017 at 4:15pm
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All tide ramp with pontoons..inside break water , sheltered from prevailing winds.. and Easterlies that just dont suit going fishing in the area anyway. Call club and arrange a helping hand beforehand if launching from your usual spot? usually the club ppls days off, and bit much to ask the office lady.. if in their working hrs..anyway .. If club members around, they are always willing to help.. which negates the"solo launch"thing If pontoons spare rope on bow to help feed boat slowly into water Hmm low tide not alot slope.. 5.5 1200kg keel rollers.. once the boat start to roll back, no way one want t stop it..or risk doing so. If stops then have o climb down the trailer t get it moving again.. if tide low boat more level.. only way to move is climb back in the truck, roll back 1/2 m hit break and it will then side again... Yep rollers are all greased maintained etc.. one at back to tie off to pontoon as well (stops boat swinging out).. ok see that..but stop swinging out?? that would have to be tied off about 5.5/ 6m behind...once the boat is off will be next to where tired off, 6m slack to move.. am I missing something here? Have seen online some self locking systems where you can drive onto trailer and locks boat on Bit of a chicken to do that.. get the line up a couple inches wrong on a keel trailer and you have just ripped out the keel on the trailer roller frames. And a lot ramps frown.. ban that because digs big holes at the end of the ramp trailer drop their wheels over, , mud guards get bent back onto the tyres etc. I know Snapper Geoff pre warms engine I always check/ run engine evening before or just before leaving.. , always fires well ramp if no pontoons 2 anchors (main plus spare) to hold while parking trailer. Have 'bungy' anchor.. 12m bungy with 20m light warp attached. motor into ramp, beach, rocks what ever.. drop anchor/ tie off.. reverse up, drop bungy anchor. kill motor, pull boat up to tie off/ anchor.. bungy stretches a good 9/ 10ms. jump out, let boat go. Real sweet for parking very close in on rocks fish /dive etc.. except keep bungy stretched. You have got me thinking down a different line now Mac  boat on the trailer. A bungy 'warp' off the stern bollard... boat 5.5m..tie off stretched out 5.5 to 6m to pontoon behind boat...simply let the boat go (or use a rope to slow it against the bungy).. bungy shrinks..stops stern swing, holds the boat... Hmm depend how much the 5.5m stretch shrinks back to right? bit back yard play this weekend then?? now gettin it back on.. hold the stern straight so lines up with the keel rollers as comes up... Lining up initially is ok.. bow in self center roller.. hook rope in, hold tight was walk up the trailer plank (keeping feet dry..) start winching up... If the stern swings a little, before boat is in the 1st 3 rollers, it will come up over the roller frames ... how to hold the stern straight till then? |
Posted By: MacSkipper
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2017 at 6:33pm
------------- Good fishing trip nothing breaks, great trip catch fish. |
Steps wrote:Posted By: Joker
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2017 at 7:13pm
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I've been spoilt with my GPS Minn Kota with anchor lock and hand held remote. Just launch it with a rope, drop motor down and push away, motor a few metres away, press anchor lock then go and park trailer. Coming back in de the reverse but sit at the bow steering until its time to jump off. Great to watch the spectators reaction at Takapuna. |
Posted By: MacSkipper
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2017 at 8:11pm
Is there a plan B? ------------- Good fishing trip nothing breaks, great trip catch fish. |
Posted By: Kandrew
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2017 at 9:01pm
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You can get a self centring spring loaded roller system. Fits onto the back of the trailer and has a long roller on both sides that the spring pulls together. Might be the answer for your trailer steps hold the boat in line with the keel rollers. eziguide boat rollers, they are a bit pricey though. https://www.burnsco.co.nz/ark-eziguide-trailer-roller-kit" rel="nofollow - https://www.burnsco.co.nz/ark-eziguide-trailer-roller-kit |
Posted By: muchalls
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2017 at 9:25pm
| I have a brand new set for sale! |
Posted By: cirrus
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2017 at 10:25pm
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Its easy steps.Just race down the ramp,hit brakes,boat in water,preferably cabin up. Jump in and off. Well maybe not. Just find a ramp with good pontoons,enough depth at all tides. A bow rope and stern rope. Fasten boat to cleats ,park up. Back to boat. Remove ropes before motoring off. Important. Easy to forget that. Then Off fishing.Total peace and quiet.and as many rods out as you want.Same process coming back. Pontoons are great as nothing under them to prang the prop into . |
Posted By: Joker
Date Posted: 29 Oct 2017 at 6:48pm
It holds anchor whilst we fish all of the time so why wouldn't it hold near the ramp where its calmer. These things have a big range and we are only talking 30 metres. It will take hours for it to stop unlike a petrol engine that can stop unexpectedly. Remote is on a lanyard around your neck. Plan b is swim. |
Posted By: Steps
Date Posted: 30 Oct 2017 at 8:25am
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You can get a self centring spring loaded roller system. Fits onto the
back of the trailer and has a long roller on both sides that the spring
pulls together. Might be the answer for your trailer steps hold the boat
in line with the keel rollers. eziguide boat rollers, they are a bit
pricey though. looked at those a while back.. they center the bow to line up.. thats not a problem... I walk down the planks, hook the winch line, hole tight held and lined up nice.. at the bow... it is the stern that swings off line.. Im not sure if those spring things will hold , or have the strength to swing the whole boat back onto line.. And the price.. would love a GPS Minn Kota again price.. do theory have their own gps system or do they connect to the boats system? again price thu Thinking thu...if stern swings away from pontoon, a rope of the stern cleat, to pontoon, at an angle to the bow...that holds stern for enough time to hit next couple rollers and stable direction... and if say 3m rope just over 1/3 boat length, then can pull boat right up then , unhook the stern rope from pontoon. Problem remains if stern swings to the pontoon.. And same method same length rope when slide the boat off. 5.5m boat, tied off 3m behind boat, boat slides off, as rope comes up to the end, it pulls back into the pontoon.... A 2nd one from the bow cleat...again 3m tied off just after reat of trailer. Slide boat off, boat tied off , bow and stern , against the pontoon, drive way and park. next boat lines up, backs down... in therory bu the time they ready to slide off, Im moving our boat down the pontoon without holding them up... thats right up the list. Maybe a bungy shock cord?? same bungy rope top end of the bungy anchor??/ or also use for sea anchor shock cord??? |
Posted By: puff
Date Posted: 30 Oct 2017 at 6:48pm
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Tie a loop rope on back bollard and front of boat with long rope off the front... Pull the pin and watch the boat roll off the trailer hold onto rope hop up on ramp pontoons tie off rear and front with looped rope... done Plus buy on of these....[IMG][/IMG] |
Posted By: puff
Date Posted: 30 Oct 2017 at 6:51pm
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[IMG][/IMG] Not sure why image is not loading |
Posted By: Steps
Date Posted: 31 Oct 2017 at 10:01am
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go to "post reply" not quick reply browse to pic on your computer. upload ok If pic is too big . ie megs, crop it/ re size say longest side 600 then upload. |
Posted By: Fraser Hocks
Date Posted: 31 Oct 2017 at 11:21am
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Get yourself one of these Steps. http://boatcatch.com/" rel="nofollow - http://boatlatch.com.au/ Iv used one and it works a treat. You reverse the boat till its nearly afloat then park the car, climb aboard your boat. Start the motor and as soon as you give it a nudge in forward the catch releases. You reverse the boat of the trailer. dock the boat and go park your car away.
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Posted By: Fraser Hocks
Date Posted: 31 Oct 2017 at 11:40am
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Just looking online and their looks to be a few versions now available? Hate to say "steal an idea" but this one by Bar Crusher looks like something you could make up yourself at home? https://www.barcrusher.com.au/technology/bar-catch-launch-and-retrieve-trailer-system/" rel="nofollow - https://www.barcrusher.com.au/technology/bar-catch-launch-and-retrieve-trailer-system/
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Posted By: Steps
Date Posted: 31 Oct 2017 at 12:01pm
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Note that the demo has 2 ppl.. thu as you explain can be done by 1 but a lot of time messing around. Reverse down.. climb out of truck oup onto boat on trailer, set motor, fire up, back off, close down motor etc, tie off bow and stern, climb down to truck, drive out... Then retrieve.. much the same.. note this is a keel trailer and as I said above, lining up blind with the motor, dead on the center oller, and exact in line with keel roller.. blind.. get it wrong and you have stuffed, the keel, and even more getting off to line up again... Sry dont have the balls to believe I can do it every time, in winds under all conditions including night time. A roller trailer where drive in , most of the way up the trailer , ide roller center up... very different. One thing that gets right up my nose at a ramp.. ppl who screw around.. This can be just unthoughtful, not thought thru, and thoughtless to others, disorganisation or say a 4m plus keel boat/trailer with a elcheapo 1.6m per minute winch. back trailer down, climb up on the pontoon, into the boat (assuming have a pontoon..) drop motor, fire up, back off, , get out, tie off boat bow and stern so doesnt swing.. back to the truck and park... The Boat Catch And all assuming the ramp allows.. many dont.. firing up engines and digging out the mud off the end of the concret for trailers at low tide to drop their wheels over.. With one person At the moment. we pul in, line up.. drop quick release strops off the back , take motor off hydrolic carrier, remove prop rag, .. back down... crew goes to the pontoon to hold the (perminant) bow rope..the shackle and hook by then. push.. walking back to truck as boat moves.. fire truck.. go park. pull hook out of the to rear of trailer... 2 turns left on spool. All over in 2 mins. Retrieve. everything stowed for road at sea... pull up to pontoon, crew ties off, goes gets truck..backs down...walks down trailer plank, picks up hook, puts in bow hook.. holds rope tight , holding bow in centring roller, crew hold stern lined up by the peminent semi stretch ropes between stern and bow, runing down top gunnels, on each side.. couple winds to pull boat up so stable lined up on 2nd/ 3rd roller... reaches into back f truck , gets out the 18v drill puts on winch, boat comes up faster than can wind it.. about 60 sec for 5m... shackle in.. all in truck and up to wash down. Yep solo a little longer...but still in reasonable time frame. Still have to work out the geometry of the bungy/ stern/ bow to pontoon mentioned above. basically as above 2ppl, but instead the bow and stern are tied off to the pontoon BEFORE the boat slides off...boat slides off, jump in truck, drive up and park... OR thinking out allowed.. tie off just stern, leave winch hook on.. slide boat off.. rope length has bow a couple feet from end of trailer.. down trailer plank unhook bow.. rope ready for retrieve.. Hmm still need to tie off bow before parking up... nup means extra climb up on pontoon and climb down..  back to bungy off bow stern method before boat slides off. |
Posted By: MacSkipper
Date Posted: 31 Oct 2017 at 2:46pm
------------- Good fishing trip nothing breaks, great trip catch fish. |
Posted By: Steps
Date Posted: 31 Oct 2017 at 4:56pm
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Going to come out with us when 'trial ' it? Mac? Frasher.. the demo vids look good.. notice how he can come in at angle to the trailer ...I CANT DO THAT with a keel trailer... boat NEEDS to hit the centering roller spot on and NEEDS to have the boat stern lined up as comes OVER the centering roller and come down on the next keel rollers. at the end of the trailer.. not 1/2 to 2/3rd of the way up as with a roller or skid trailer. |
Posted By: muchalls
Date Posted: 31 Oct 2017 at 8:59pm
| Best thing I did was put a jamming cleat on top of the winch. As you pull the boat onto the trailer, lock the painter off in the cleat. Then stroll down and hook up the winch |
Posted By: xtremefisho
Date Posted: 31 Oct 2017 at 9:52pm
| i use kawakawa bay when im flying solo its great with there help at the ramp hang onto ya boat why u park up and when you come back in never struck this anywhere else dont know if this is just weekends and holidays but they are amazing |
Posted By: Steps
Date Posted: 01 Nov 2017 at 8:19am
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Seen that couple yrs back at KK very cool Did have me wondering thu... As kids we had a paper run.. well not many papers now Then weekend off to the local golf club, caddy... dont know if stil can.. bet too many bureaucratic rules now We had our lawn mowing neighbours...commercial guys taken that over. We have window washers at intersections.. So why not have kids helping out at ramps like kk..? |
Posted By: Fraser Hocks
Date Posted: 01 Nov 2017 at 8:40am
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You could add some mods to the trailer to allow it to be drive on and off Steps? Bunks can be added either side of the keel rollers to guide the keel to them when you drive on. The bunks mean you can come in at an angle and the boat will self center. Iv set-up 2 boat in years past with the same system and wouldn't be without it. Non of that nobbing about trying not to bounce the boat keel on trailer beams. I know what your saying about drive on and off people often digging out the ramp, but that's more due to poor boat handling skills when driving on and off. I used to drive my 6.7m boat on and off and it required the slightest amount of thrust. Line the boat up and allow momentum to do most of the work.
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Posted By: Steps
Date Posted: 01 Nov 2017 at 11:59am
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You could add some mods to the trailer to allow it to be drive on and off Steps? Really looked at that...moving the rear cross beam in, and lowing it 120mm. We have sat at the ramp low mid high tides , watched taken movies how boat comes up etc. Moving the rear centring roller in id ok because the rear keel area of the hull has no keel, doesn't sit on the last 2 roller and centre roller... But doesnt do anything to line up with the keel roller blind. Have even considered mirrors , but at that distance just not defined enough.. well at all. There is a (very expensive) bolt on spring loaded pad system that mounts at the rear crossmember that guides the bow in and apparently the springs are strong enough to swing the stern straight...or keep straight as winched up. As to being strong enough for driving in.. dont know. Still comes down to .. tie off boat to pontoon.. go up get the truck trailer.. back trailer in to place...then unhitch boat, re fire up engine, drive on...some sort of holding clip.. exit the bat , climb down .. shackle.. drive out. Where as using bungy ropes .. IF boat is placed well on the pontoons/ ramp.. back trailer down to bow... walk down planks, hook the winch rope in (which is already at the end of the trailer... back to winch... winch up.. shackle. Then up on the pontoon, unhitch the bungy ropes.. drive off. You got a couple pics of your bunk system..? we thought about something like that At low tide .. ramp flattish at low tide...we pull the bow up and over the centring roller, it doesnt come back down till the 3rd roller... to have centering bunks each side of the 1st 3 rollers heigh enough has the hull when right on supported on the front roller and the bunks are the rear.. on a unreinforced section of the hull. Thats the thing with older keel boats.. they are designed to support the weight thru the keel, and the side rollers to keep stable. Note here: the correct set up of side rollers on a keel boat/ trailer... boat not lashed down, on level ground, the boat should be square/ level and ALL the side rollers so can JUST turn by hand. |
Posted By: Steps
Date Posted: 19 Nov 2017 at 7:31pm
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Seams like the only real way to retrieve with a center roller keel trailer is install one of these things http://www.burnsco.co.nz/ark-eziguide-trailer-roller-kit." rel="nofollow - https://www.burnsco.co.nz/ark-eziguide-trailer-roller-kit. Has anyone installed used them? An old thread here, incomplete http://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/ark-eziguide-rollers_topic110934.html" rel="nofollow - http://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/ark-eziguide-rollers_topic110934.html |
Posted By: muchalls
Date Posted: 19 Nov 2017 at 10:38pm
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Ha! Never installed as the trailer frame was the wrong shape! For sale, pm if interested. |
Posted By: Steps
Date Posted: 20 Nov 2017 at 7:49am
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What was the problem with the trailer cross member shape? Does it need to be box? or dimensions? |
Posted By: Legacy
Date Posted: 05 Dec 2017 at 12:11am
Hi Joker, What size mini Kota are you using and what battery set up do use , cheers just wondering if the 55 would be enough on my boat and which you have ? |
Posted By: letsgetem
Date Posted: 09 Dec 2017 at 3:30pm
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One thing I like - is a permanent bow rope, from the bow, and just long enough to avoid reaching the prop when it eventually gets into the water unexpectedly. On each side coaming, close behind the helm seats, a cleat. When launching, tie the bow rope to the jetty bollard and back to the cleat; holds the boat parallel to the jetty; doesn't need to be tied off at the stern. When coming in - the bow rope is reached on its cleat from the helm, to be deployed singlehandedly over the jetty bollard. Ok, but this is tricky particularly if theres a wind blowing the boat away from the jetty. Oh and don't forget to put the motor in neutral and turn it off and raise it as high as possible. Miss any one and potential disaster. Happened to me, forgot to put it in neutral, then wondered why the boat was slowly backing towards the jetty. Bang! the prop hit a steel pile on the jetty (thanks for that stupidity Council), bending it badly. Launching off a all-tide ramp should be piece of cake, although if theres no jetty, theres the problem of how to hold the boat after launching and when coming in while you go get the trailer. Ive tried just pushing it bow first onto the beach, but several times it goes hard onto the sand and been a hell of a job pulling it off. So I now always put the anchor down far enough out to avoid it swinging onto the beach. Doable but a bit of a wade out. Fine but less fun in winter.
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Posted By: Steps
Date Posted: 09 Dec 2017 at 8:09pm
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Is your boat / trailer keel roller or wobblies? I have always had a bow rope, one each side, long enough NOT to go under a trailer wheel iff ever comes loose. If you have ever had a trailer rope go under a wheel at speed, you will NEVER left it happen again... accidentally or not. Any way up date from the last 2 trips out.. Most keel trailers are tilt.. which we used many yrs back.. once, from a beach retrieval... great but when that tilt goes full height and doesnt come down till the boat is near full on is a hell of a wind uphill....2 4 lettered words come to mind.. one is "work" Since then never used it... Till since last post above.. This time we limited the amount of tilt with the tilt safety chain to only a couple inches. Had a side wind taking the boat away from the ramp pontoon, ignored it and hooked the winch rope onto the bow eye, then pulled the bow to the centre of the 1st centering roller, holding in place with the boat at near right angles... Tilt released, but limited to about 3" Then just started to wind....as the boat came in, it hit the right (looking rearwards) side guide post, and the momentum of the swing it kept on centering as continued to come up  , and wind took it back to hit the left pole again.. bow is now over the centering roller heading to the 1st roll that NEEDS to hit square on... The side curve of the bow hits the pole, cant go full right angles again, then pulls straight.At this point the 'holding points'.. the bow winch rope, and the center roller its sitting on, are in a straight line, which as one pulls on the winch, the boat swings, nps against the wind straight. At this point we put the 18v electric drill on the hand winch, and the boat comes up text book Would never have thought that getting the alignment would be as easy. Lot ppl have chopped the side poles on tilt keel trailers..welded up the tilt After seeing the above...it is obvious ppl today have no idea just how a tilt roller trailer is so damn good in side currents, winds, and lifting off the beach/ ground. So the centereing part is sorted. The part from pulling into the ramp , mooring, then hooking winch rope onto bow hook This thinking, considering above posts... Got the bungy cords, to stretch and moor bow and stern while still on trailer to the pontoon.. side boat off drive way. And possbly use these when coming in also ??? If next friday (nice window) can get out again, and ramp not busy.. well MT will have another play. Oh and don't forget to put the motor in neutral and turn it off and raise it as high as possible. nearly done it a couple times.. now routine is before getting in to close.. good distance, now have the trim gauge 'marked' at a point still have cooling inlets below water but as high as possible.....come in, kill engine, and it is still more than high enough when pulling out, towing out etc. When off the plain, chugging in the water level at the stern is way a way higher, so can tilt higher. |
Posted By: reel crayze
Date Posted: 10 Dec 2017 at 8:22am
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One thing you gotta watch out for is old ladies at Whangaroa... I was launching my boat [mid week and bugger all others around ] and i got told off for being to slow , I said sorry but I am by myself and got told " well you shouldnt be by yourself"
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Posted By: Steps
Date Posted: 10 Dec 2017 at 9:37am
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A boat comes in behind us.. we are not solo.. and I always ask if have spare crew to watch, see if need a hand, or grab their boat as it sides in.. Often a solo will launch or retrieve next to us.. will always offer or simply hold/ tie off the boat for them... As it happens , most of the solo guys are real onto it guys, and generally launch an retrieve fast than so many of others... As to your old ladies.. maybe they should offer a hand to hold the boat rather than b1tch...b1tch1ng (which distracts and delays in its self) rather than giving a a hand is adding to THEIR issue rather than being proactive in helping to sort THEIR issue. A couple weeks back. we drove down to the ramp, backed straight down stopped just before the water.. 20 secs releases the rear tie downs , 1 crew still in truck continues to back trailer into the water, released the travel latch on the tilt.. then backed in.. 2rd crew take bow rope on the pontoon, boat slides off.. crew drives away, and someone told us we should not do that.. when we launch faster than them and others. Oh bung is put in at home. Some people just open their mouths and need to have a b1tch before even putting their brain into gear...or bother to watch how the WHOLE operation gets carried out... If they did they may just learn something once in a while. |