How many load and unload their boat alone

[VONCE]

When I had the Dynasty, I could easily launch it by myself. I would just dip the trailer a little extra so the boat is floating, tie off to the cleats with the ropes I had already put on the dock, walk down the bed of the truck and undo the winch and she was free. Winching the boat onto the trailer was a similar process. I just backed the trailer right under the boat, walked the boat the extra 3 feet it needed to be resting on the bunks, and winched it the rest of the way. I didn't even have to get wet! Never had to deal with a cover because I just backed it into my average suburban sized home garage next to my car when I got home. Easy peasy.

The Yamaha, not so much. It's a lot heavier than the Dynasty. I've had my fair share of medical issues since my stem cell transplant. I am nowhere near as strong as I used to be, and walking up to get the truck means I'm taking a 2-5 minute break when I finally get there to catch my breath. So because of all this, I am a weak little weasel. Winching the Yamaha sucks. Putting the cover on by yourself sucks. And it doesn't fit in my garage. I've considered getting some of those bow buddies that automatically latch your bow hook when you power load. There are a lot of mixed reviews on them, though. I wish someone had a solution for the cover. An automatic cover... that'd be neat. Or a big barn on my big piece of land so I could just drive in and stay cover-less. That'd be neat, too. We can all dream.

 

[Beachbummer]

Have you considered an electric winch? I'd like one, but it would be pure laziness for me. It might make your boating easier, and they do not seem that expensive.

 

[VONCE]

I know about them. Never really looked into it, though. It requires power through a big wonkin cable, right? You couldn't use the trailer plug 12v or anything subtle due to the current. I like things being clean. I suppose there are many ways to install it and keep it clean, maybe I'll look into it. Can you manually crank them as well?

 

[Beachbummer]

I think you can manually crank some models, and you might be able to have a dedicated small battery near by just for it, if it saves your back, so no weird extra wiring.

 

[Scottintexas]

[QUOTE=". My son has been in training since he was a toddler, so he is a lot of help, sometimes, but won't be driving on the road legally for at least another year or so, I can't wait.[/QUOTE]

Ronnie.
In tx they can get boaters license at 14 after a online course. It's been great for me to have my kids unload and dock the boat instead of risking the oldest trying to park the trailer

 

[MattFX4]

I do, I turn a lever in that white box and down she go's. Ok, I know you were asking about trailering. Yes, I have launched solo but it was a pain docking the boat and then running back to the truck to move it. I wouldn't recommend doing it at a crowded ramp.

 

[Chance Stahlhut]

All the time by myself, my wife recently started pulling the trailer out and parking it after I got the boat off so that's nice.

 

[Evil Sports]

Up until last year I have been doing it since the 90s

 

[2nazt]

All the time! It's fast and easy I don't mind at all. When I have help I usually just have them sit back as it complicates things for me.

 

[Zonie]

I do it all the time. If my wife is with me it depends on the ramp. Some of them have easy parking so she can back it in the last few feet and park the truck. It's kind of cool to show up at the ramp all alone, park in the prep area to uncover and ready the boat, solo launch and park before other boaters are even backed down the ramp.

 

[aceofbase]

2103 Yamaha SX 240 HO....I do it by myself all the time. Back boat in drive it off or pull it off and tie to end of ramp dock, park trailer, untie boat and leave. When I come back I park at the day dock, get trailer and get in line for pick up, back it in to water just above the trailer fenders, walk over to the day dock, start up and maneuver to ramp onto trailer, hook it up and pull out. The picking up process takes maybe 15 min? The dropping off a bit longer because I have to carry some stuff from car to boat. The public ramp that I use is busy, and people get very grumpy depending on the time of day (and how many beers they've had) if you take too much time. Once I was doing this with my previous boat and I had one of our dogs with me, dog was sort of nervous and it took more time and someone made some comment. Oh well.

BTW I trailer my Yamaha with a 2011 Jeep Wrangler Sport (2 Door) in 2 wheel drive mode with no problem. The jeep is lifted 3" and rides on 18 rims and 35" tires with upgraded shocks, cool air intake, tuned exhaust, and superchipped in tow mode. It probably looks funny to tow the rig with a "little" jeep but its only .3 miles on a back road. But I have towed the boat more than 30 miles at highway speed without a problem....except it uses more gas!

 

[Eric Ballard]

I find it easier to do it myself. When people "help" things get missed or forgotten. Unless you have a routine where the same person always helps of course.

 

[GMAN2015]

All the time but my teenagers are getting better at helping and understanding what needs to be done. Not ready to let them drive it by themselves yet though.