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Launching a bay boat solo - tips?
Posted on 11/16/25 at 9:36 am
Posted on 11/16/25 at 9:36 am
I don’t have any help and need to get my boat in the water today to check some things. Any tips on launching a 25’ bay boat solo? Tie a dock line to the trailer?
12
Posted on 11/16/25 at 9:42 am to Neauxla
I back all the way up to the point right before I would brake bump it into the water, tie my bow line to the furthest back pile it will reach, and then push it off the trailer by hand or bump it. It ain’t pretty on a two wide launch, but it gets the job done safely.
This post was edited on 11/16/25 at 9:43 am
Posted on 11/16/25 at 10:03 am to Neauxla
There's quite a few YouTube videos that will show you how, so check a few of those out.
Posted on 11/16/25 at 10:31 am to Neauxla
Ask someone at the dock to get in the truck. If they refuse to help, tell them they suck at being a human.
Posted on 11/16/25 at 10:44 am to Neauxla
Yes tie long bow rope to trailer…also helps if you get pretty close to dock for stepping on boat. I solo launch my 22’ bay boat all the time.
Good luck
Good luck
Posted on 11/16/25 at 11:01 am to Neauxla
Any one that has a second guy in the truck next in line would want to help you get your boat in faster.
The way it should really go is:
He sees you solo and simply says,
“hey, I know you got this, but mind if I help you?”
It only helps him and there are still 90% good people in the world. Especially fishers and hunters. It goes to about 95%.
The way it should really go is:
He sees you solo and simply says,
“hey, I know you got this, but mind if I help you?”
It only helps him and there are still 90% good people in the world. Especially fishers and hunters. It goes to about 95%.
This post was edited on 11/16/25 at 11:03 am
Posted on 11/16/25 at 11:03 am to Neauxla
I start the backdown, before the water I give my strap about 2-3’ of slack (make sure to lock the winch). Back down very slowly and very close to the dock. Once floating, the strap should give it enough room to clear the bow roller and float back, but stays between my guideposts. Set the break, hop out, step from dock to boat, lean over bow and unhook, go park boat then go park truck.
It’s really not hard, and I do it solo but also when with people that are incapable of helping for whatever reason.
I’ve tried the bow line tied to trailer, but I like using the winch strap, it keeps the boat in a little more control. The time I tried the bow line, it came off a bit too quickly, went a bit sideways and broke a guidepost.
It’s really not hard, and I do it solo but also when with people that are incapable of helping for whatever reason.
I’ve tried the bow line tied to trailer, but I like using the winch strap, it keeps the boat in a little more control. The time I tried the bow line, it came off a bit too quickly, went a bit sideways and broke a guidepost.
Posted on 11/16/25 at 11:06 am to Neauxla
Go on YouTube and watch Miami Boat Ramps for what not to do.
In all seriousness, if I see a guy trying to go it alone launching, I’ll always offer to help. It’s somewhat self serving, clears the line quicker, while helping a fellow fisherperson.
In all seriousness, if I see a guy trying to go it alone launching, I’ll always offer to help. It’s somewhat self serving, clears the line quicker, while helping a fellow fisherperson.
Posted on 11/16/25 at 11:10 am to teambooyah
quote:
back all the way up to the point right before I would brake bump it into the water, tie my bow line to the furthest back pile it will reach, and then push it off the trailer by hand or bump it. It ain’t pretty on a two wide launch, but it gets the job done safely.
Launch mine solo all the time and do pretty much exactly this. As mentioned, not pretty, but it works well and I don't care.
Posted on 11/16/25 at 1:00 pm to BrotherEsau
^^This man knows^^
Pretty simple solo, rare for me to have competent help launching when I launch. Sometimes it’s difficult for my help to figure out Up/Down on lift switch.
Pretty simple solo, rare for me to have competent help launching when I launch. Sometimes it’s difficult for my help to figure out Up/Down on lift switch.
Posted on 11/16/25 at 1:06 pm to BrotherEsau
This is the way
Posted on 11/16/25 at 1:53 pm to Neauxla
Get a boat 2 trailer automatic bow latch. Total life saver.
Posted on 11/16/25 at 2:00 pm to Redlos
Yes tie long bow rope to trailer… I solo launch and pick up my 24’ bay boat when I take it out the lift.
Posted on 11/16/25 at 2:09 pm to BrotherEsau
quote:
I start the backdown, before the water I give my strap about 2-3’ of slack (make sure to lock the winch). Back down very slowly and very close to the dock. Once floating, the strap should give it enough room to clear the bow roller and float back, but stays between my guideposts. Set the break, hop out, step from dock to boat, lean over bow and unhook, go park boat then go park truck.
Yep. This is the smoothest way I've found. Can be a little challenging to back your trailer close enough to the dock though - especially with docks where there's a gap between the ramp and the dock
This post was edited on 11/16/25 at 2:14 pm
Posted on 11/16/25 at 4:07 pm to Neauxla
Back up really fast slam on brakes hop out of truck and dive into the boat before it floats off too far
It’s a fun challenge
It’s a fun challenge
Posted on 11/16/25 at 4:34 pm to Icansee4miles
quote:
Miami Boat Ramps
On instant grams, hilarious
Posted on 11/16/25 at 7:59 pm to Neauxla
quote:
Launching a bay boat solo - tips?
Make sure the plugs in.
Posted on 11/17/25 at 7:11 am to Neauxla
Have the plug done, battery switch on, keys located and rope ready before you head to the ramp. Keeps you from having to climb in the boat down there. Then stay tight to the dock like they said.
Posted on 11/17/25 at 7:39 am to Neauxla
I used to launch my world cat solo from time to time. I backed in as close as I could to the launch wharf and left the boat in the water just enough that I could power it off. I would unhook, jump in boat, power off and go tie up then walk back to the truck and go park the trailer. Not ideal at a busy ramp but if not many people it wasn’t terrible. Also wouldn’t have worked out if I couldn’t hop from the wharf into the boat.
This post was edited on 11/17/25 at 7:40 am
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