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Boat launching question.
#12861745
08/12/18 03:04 PM
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 805
west tex angler
OP
Pro Angler
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OP
Pro Angler
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 805 |
Question- Do you guys launch your boats with both the winch strap and hard point strap disconnected? I've always had a fear of having my boat slide off the trailer halfway down the ramp. Many years ago, I was at Possum Kingdom launching at the old Scenic Point launch. Some of you'll may remember it. This was a very steep launch. Anyway, one guy launched his boat and it slide off the trailer half way down, and crunched his boat. The way modern trailers are built, does that still happen? I fish by myself a lot and that means launching and loading by myself.
PB 9lbs 13oz
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Re: Boat launching question.
[Re: west tex angler]
#12861754
08/12/18 03:11 PM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 35,817
Allison1
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 35,817 |
Shallow ramp, unhook it all. I may only loosen the winch strap if I am alone just so the boat can't float off. Steep ramp, unhook the hard and loosen the winch a little.
Make sure you've taken off the rear boat buckles and put the plug in. Also the motor support. I've left that on and heard it leaving the first time I punched it.......twice.
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Re: Boat launching question.
[Re: west tex angler]
#12861757
08/12/18 03:12 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,896
heybaylor
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,896 |
keep your fear, leave the winch connected until at the water. takes a few extra seconds to undo it there, however you wont have to tie up the ramp getting your boat off the concrete.
heybaylor
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Re: Boat launching question.
[Re: west tex angler]
#12861787
08/12/18 03:38 PM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,606
ChuChu1
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,606 |
I unhook both and connect a dock line to the winch. I back in till the transom floats, unhook the dock line, get in the boat, start the engine and back on off.
Snowflakes and entitled brats will be the doom of America!
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Re: Boat launching question.
[Re: west tex angler]
#12861796
08/12/18 03:56 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 16,815
ezbassin
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 16,815 |
I unhook the back but leave the winch strap a little loose but locked so the boat can't slide off the trailer so far that I can't get in.
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Re: Boat launching question.
[Re: west tex angler]
#12861852
08/12/18 05:41 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 640
EZ_Legend
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 640 |
Same as above, I pull a foot or so slack in the winch and then lock it back in to position so it doesn't unwind the whole spool when she starts to float.
I have never been really scared of the boat sliding off while trailer is dry (not saying it is any safer) but if your carpet is worn down then it can be very slick... about like those pcv bunks you can buy.
Last edited by jackson_ranger; 08/12/18 05:42 PM.
2003 Legend LE21 Optimax 225
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Re: Boat launching question.
[Re: west tex angler]
#12861861
08/12/18 05:52 PM
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 2,561
Jeff From Iowa
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 2,561 |
Im always alone. I use to use a long rope and send it floating back.
Now I use one of these. It works as it should I can release the lever and back the boat off or pull it over by hand and tie to the dock.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Drotto-Automatic-boat-latch-boat-auto-latch/201649623277?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649
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Re: Boat launching question.
[Re: west tex angler]
#12861879
08/12/18 06:18 PM
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,900
Topwater2
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,900 |
I always leave the winch strap tight until I launch. I've seen boats on the concrete and that's not where I want mine. The lighter the boat (tin) the more likely it will slide off, especially with wet bunks and a steep launch.
FishKen
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Re: Boat launching question.
[Re: west tex angler]
#12861888
08/12/18 06:29 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 693
BAIT956
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 693 |
Always have a line connected to the boat bow. I disconnect the winch strap and slowly back in. The rope is connected to the winch handle. The boat floats off and I get out, pull it to shore and go park the vehicle and trailer. I usually fish alone and this works well.
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Re: Boat launching question.
[Re: west tex angler]
#12861892
08/12/18 06:35 PM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 836
Fish2222
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 836 |
I launch alone 98.3% of the time. I launch in the dark 99.6% of the time. I used to unhook it all....until earlier this summer, I couldn't see my fenders and floated the BassCat off the damn trailer. Trust me, that was a dark, weedy swim at Naconiche. I leave it hooked up now.
"I only catch the ones that bite" BassCat Sabre Mercury EFI 175
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Re: Boat launching question.
[Re: west tex angler]
#12861906
08/12/18 06:56 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 385
stratos caster
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 385 |
I leave the strap on alone or with a buddy because if your buddy is backing down and hits the brakes to hard that's when your going for a sleigh ride.
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Re: Boat launching question.
[Re: west tex angler]
#12862299
08/13/18 12:59 AM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 7,011
beartrap
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 7,011 |
handiest thing I've got on my bass boat and duck boat is an anchor rein...got a brass snap on it that I hook to winch stand, and I unhook winch/tie downs,back down ramp til boat floats off trailer,pull up enough to where I don't have to get my feet wet,anchor rein has fed out enough rope to where I can unhook brass snap and pull boat to the bank beside the trailer... neither of my boats will slide off the trailer and I've launched at some pretty steep ramps... if you watch most experienced tournament fishermen,almost all of them unhook prior to backing down ramp and they don't hook up pulling up ramp afterwards either... if you are concerned your boat might slide off the trailer try this...put about a foot of slack in your winch strap and back down the ramp...stop halfway down the ramp and check to see if your boat has moved...I'll bet 98% of bass boats won't move even if you slam on the brakes... DON'T DO THIS IF you have put some sort of glide bunks on your trailer or sprayed the bunks with silicone spray...also do not unhook your winch if it is below freezing and your bunks might be icy..... you can do this same test loading your boat too...hook up then put a couple feet of slack in your winch strap and when you load your boat push nose up against winch stop,leave engine idling in gear but trimmed up,signal your partner to slowly pull out and when you feel the boat settle on the trailer,shut the engine off as the prop clears the water...saves couple of minute vs you having to lean over front of boat and hook up winch then run back and shut engine off....couple minutes isn't much until you multiply it by 50-100 boats loading after a tournament...
Last edited by beartrap; 08/13/18 01:04 AM.
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Re: Boat launching question.
[Re: west tex angler]
#12862369
08/13/18 01:59 AM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,435
Squirrely Dan
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,435 |
Leave the strap hooked with plenty slack. When water gets colder I use rubber boots to walk and unhook then get on.
Fully sponsored by my mom
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Re: Boat launching question.
[Re: west tex angler]
#12862374
08/13/18 02:08 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,512
Fishspanker
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,512 |
Alone I just loosen the strap a couple of cranks but leave the winch engaged. Back it down into the water to where the boat goes back slightly. Unhook it then climb in the boat and drive it off the trailer.
The Sheep who only fears the Wolf is eaten by the Shepherd.
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Re: Boat launching question.
[Re: west tex angler]
#12862375
08/13/18 02:08 AM
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 786
kevine80
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 786 |
i back down to the waters edge - unhook winch -and hook up a rope -- back in shoot it off the trailer -- let it spool out then hit my talon remote -- throw the rope down on the bank --go park
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