Self Launching

[jjmparsons]

Anyone have any recommendations on self launching? I get the boat in the water just fine but I find that more often than not, if I don't take the time to walk the boat back and around the end of the dock to face it going outwards once I start it, then I catch hell trying to get away from the dock/ backing out. One thing that certainly doesn't help is the continual thrust forward as soon as the boat starts.

The boat launch ramps are set up perfectly to catch the wind and its always in the direction of the launch ramp/ dock. Ideal resolve is to master backing out against the wind without rubbing the side of the boat all up and down the side of the dock, however I have yet to unlock that skills set on my adventures.

 

[Dixie Highway]

Get yourself a boat hook, and push yourself away from the dock before you start backing. In addition, with your twin engines you can reverse thrust with one, slightly less forward thrust with the other, keep the wheel slightly turned away from the dock. This helps to “crab walk” the boat back and to the side. Also make sure you leave those fenders out until you are out away from the dock. Practice practice practice!

 

[CDENsomnia]

In the beginning to protect the boat put your fenders out that way your boat wont get dinged up while you master the backing skills with these boats. Its not easy but I will say most pick it up pretty quickly after a few tries. If you need more control maybe getting jetboatpilot's lateral thruster.

I also back all the way until I am well clear of the dock. I see some people try and turn the boat right off the dock but usually I just want to get away from all the other boaters that don't know what they are doing. On your boat don't be afraid to hammer down on the reverse. It wont break...it is a little nerve racking seeing the swim platform under water depending on the conditions of the lake but if you have been around long enough on the board you will see these boats don't just sink from a little water.

 

[Jgorm]

Don't fear lots of throttle. I'll go 5k rpms forward on one and reverse on the other.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Gotta push off then start motors if you are in close quarters. Push bow out INTO the wind, try not to back the stern into the wind as its much harder to control in wind.

 

[Dean P]

Gotta push off then start motors if you are in close quarters. Push bow out INTO the wind, try not to back the stern into the wind as its much harder to control in wind.

I disagree. One should never leave the dock without the motors running. I understand what you're saying about tight quarters but definitely not a practice one should get used to.

It should be understood that if wind is pushing you into the dock, it may be harder, but that is the proper way to get off the dock. You must turn and back into the wind, get some distance between you and the dock, turn again to point the bow into the your desired direction and go.

 

[Dixie Highway]

I’ll agree with those that have said lots of throttle in reverse. Very weak on these boats.

 

[jjmparsons]

I disagree. One should never leave the dock without the motors running. I understand what you're saying about tight quarters but definitely not a practice one should get used to.

It should be understood that if wind is pushing you into the dock, it may be harder, but that is the proper way to get off the dock. You must turn and back into the wind, get some distance between you and the dock, turn again to point the bow into the your desired direction and go.

I see this happen at the ramp quite a bit and every now and then you will find someone who pushes off from the dock, then cant get the boat to start. Not gonna lie, I've done the push off, hop in, start and go a couple of times successfully, but only after I've hopped in the boat while tied off and started it for a minute or two, checked compartments for leaks etc... I'm taking copious notes here and plan on engaging the reverse out and crab walk method my next few times out to practice and learn. I don't mind walking the boat back and flipping it around the end of the dock so I can be facing directly out when I'm ready to go, but that's not always a feasible action and honestly, not how I want to handle things going forward!

 

[CDENsomnia]

I see this happen at the ramp quite a bit and every now and then you will find someone who pushes off from the dock, then cant get the boat to start. Not gonna lie, I've done the push off, hop in, start and go a couple of times successfully, but only after I've hopped in the boat while tied off and started it for a minute or two, checked compartments for leaks etc... I'm taking copious notes here and plan on engaging the reverse out and crab walk method my next few times out to practice and learn. I don't mind walking the boat back and flipping it around the end of the dock so I can be facing directly out when I'm ready to go, but that's not always a feasible action and honestly, not how I want to handle things going forward!

Plus having to turn the boat around ties up the dock. Trust us, you will get it!

 

[jjmparsons]

Plus having to turn the boat around ties up the dock. Trust us, you will get it!

OH trust me... if there is people there, I wont do this. Luckily I can generally get in and out before the hoards show up. I refuse to be THAT guy! Saw way too much of that this weekend while I was cleaning up my cabin cruiser. People literally backing down the lane, then getting out to prep their boats for launch.

 

[swatski]

I’m with the “don’t be afraid to use hard bouts of thrust in these boats for close quarters’ maneuvers” club!

—

 

[Murf'n'surf]

You need to believe in your gear and train yourself to always put boat into neutral when you stop. That way she starts every time

Do what works for you and your conditions/boat after trial and error. I see people jam their bows into the dock and pilings while reversing off the dock. You can easily push the entire boat 2’ off the dock and more on the bow to get your 45 degree launch angle and pull right out. It’s much easier and safer than blipping throttles and steering to the right, to the left back right.

Given enough time behind the throttles, you will not even think about what to do.

 

[Weeb]

I agree that lateral thrusters can help in that situation, but you can push off Ike others have said.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

I disagree. One should never leave the dock without the motors running. I understand what you're saying about tight quarters but definitely not a practice one should get used to.

It should be understood that if wind is pushing you into the dock, it may be harder, but that is the proper way to get off the dock. You must turn and back into the wind, get some distance between you and the dock, turn again to point the bow into the your desired direction and go.

I completely agree about leaving the dock without at least one motor running. This no motor approach was suggested in very tight quarters as in there is a $100K+ go fast boat 2 feet ahead of your bow and theres 10 people standing on the dock watching you........we have all been there!

 

[Dean P]

I completely agree about leaving the dock without at least one motor running. This no motor approach was suggested in very tight quarters as in there is a $100K+ go fast boat 2 feet ahead of your bow and theres 10 people standing on the dock watching you........we have all been there!

Too much risk for me to do what you've suggested. Yes, I have been there, with people holding dock lines and guiding me safely away. Most people standing on the dock will help. I've helped several as I'm sure you and everyone on this forum (including the owner of that very expensive boat) would. I'll say it again, never leave the dock without motor(s) running. Otherwise, You have no control should they not start (maybe you forgot to turn the batteries on). Just saying...

 

[jEt_jAk]

The lateral thrusters have helped on this for me. Can completely spin the boat around while still in my lane. I only launch solo so I have gotten quite good.

 

[gthh]

You should have absolutely no problem backing out your Boat from the Pier/slip you are launching, even in high winds (which is never good boating conditions in my opinion). Take your Yammie out in open water and put those jets (hang on!) in full reverse if you are not convinced.

Hey, as a long time member and contributor , I like to think of this forum as a helpful and caring community, can someone near Huntsville meetup with this fellow JetBoat forum member and help him out.

If it is a steering problem, I am totally blown away about how much steering control I get from the JetBoat Pilot’s Thrust Vectors Wake fins.

It is like steering the boat with a prop-something to consider...