Hey folks,

I recently upgraded to a 1860 CC boat (previously 14ft jon boat). At the moment I still launch it the way I did my smaller boat, which is to get out and push it off the trailer then pull it up to the bank then go park the truck. This method worked for the jon but I think a better technique is in order. Should I stand in the boat and back it off the trailer? For some reason I do not wanna stand in it while on the trailer (not sure why).

YouTube videos show people attaching a rope to the trailer and pulling their boat to shore with that (when pulling out (of the water)). What do you all recommend?

You do what works for you.

I agree with ChuChu1.

Here's what I do, I attach a 50 foot rope to my boat and the winch strap, back in, let it float and ease back up to the ramp. I have a glass boat with a keel guard so it works well. One thing to note, do not have the winch strap in the release position, let me just say it is from experience.

I back in till the boat is floating, then board the boat (Step from tailgate to trailer, trailer to boat). I leave a fair amount of slack in the winch strap, but don't unhook it until both feet are in the boat.

It only takes one time of watching your boat drift away to learn that!

I usually back down until the back of the boat starts to float. Put in park and set E-brake!!!. Climb onto rear tire and into the bed of my truck then over the tailgate and onto the trailer. I will unhook the winch and trailer safety cable. Climb in the boat and crank the engine. I will then back off the trailer and either beach on the bank depending on terrain or tie up at the dock. Get back in the truck and park it.

I will say this. Don't get in a hurry!! That is what will get you into trouble whether unloading or loading the truck. Too many things to forget or that can go wrong when rushing. Everyone else can wait and if they get mad then they get mad.

So your boat is floating when you step in it? You the back if off and beach it nearby?

How do you pull in your boat just fast enough so you don't hit the boat ramp to hard. Practice?

You will develop a routine when you launch and recover the boat alone. It will work well. Then one day a well-meaning companion will attempt to assist you. You will overlook one or more procedures because your routine was broken.

Do what works for you, but do it the same every time; tell the well-meaning assistants to back off and let you do it alone.

I used to leave the winch strap hooked up and back it in until it floated. Unhook the winch strap and back it off the trailer. You will quickly learn how far to back in on recovery; drive up on the trailer with the bunks high enough to center the hull (many ramps prohibit power loading) and hook up the winch strap, then pull it and tie it down out of the way in the parking lot.

Ditto. And I am generally as fast or faster than others on the ramp. I am serious about never having folks waiting on me.

I was taught to reload on to the trailer by first backing trailer completely in where water comes over the fenders this should get all the carpet on the bunks wet. I will then pull up until the fenders are a few inches out of the water. This should allow the boat to slide easier onto the trailer. Of course every ramp is different depending on the grade as to where the fenders need to be.

Every ramp is different. I usually do what is mentioned above, but I have never used a rope. Sometime I have to push it off just enuff, but I always get in and back it off. Occasionally I dump my boat and park. Of course under the right conditions.

For some reason, i feel my current technique isn't "proper". It was fine for my little jon but now (i feel) i have a legit boat and should unload it legitimately. It also doesn't allow me to let the engine warm up to long unlike if i was able to dock it and let it idle until i I came back from parking the truck.

I unhook the winch strap, clip my bow line onto the winch stand, back in till the boat floats off the bunks. I then unhook the bow rope, climb in the boat, start up, back off trailer and tie up to dock. I sometimes leave the motor idling sometimes not. Then pull the trailer out and park it.

I fish solo mostly and don't like people waiting on me as I don't like to wait. I also pride myself in being faster than most with partners. I keep about an 8' rope with both ends tied in a loop. While getting everything ready I use 1 loop to attach rope to foot of trolling motor by sliding rope through loop and cinching it up. I then lay excess rope on bow and drop other loop at end over or around something on trailer. I've used winch crank, winch, pipe above winch, etc. I then back up (unhook your strap at your judgement of ramps, but needs to be unhooked by water entry) - so backing up I just go slow until I notice back end start floating and then usually another 1-2' depending on boat until bow slides back past roller. I then set truck brakes and climb in boat via trailer, start boat motor, back up, used same rope to tie off to dock. Let it idle while I park truck.
My exception has been when I had motors that were stubborn to start. In those situations, I would just lengthen rope to 20-25' depending on boat length and back up and pop it off where it floated back past end of trailer. Get out and just pull boat to the side and tie off.

When the water is warm, I just back in until the fenders go just under the water. Boat is still sitting on bunks. Walk to boat climb in , start motor and use the engine to back off then drive it to where I am going to park it and walk back to the truck. I don't leave a motor running on an unaccompanied boat. Plenty of time to warm it up later. To load boat reverse the procedure except the top of the fenders are just out of the water and drive on. It will stop just before seated and then just enough power to seat it against roller. Have engine tilted as much as possible removing and loading.

In winter, tie a long rope on and back it until it floats. Bump the gas to push the boat back and pull the trailer a couple of feet forward. Once rope tightens and boat starts back to shore, pull it by hand to where you want to dock then park truck. The only tricky part for me is loading. I have a suburban so I have to carefully climb around the bumper and jump to stay dry. Some waders would solve that issue.

No reason to worry about standing in it while on the trailer. It is more stable than when floating

If no one is at the ramp. Take your time and do it how ever you want. If ramp is busy, undo winch strap, back down and hit the brakes. Get a ride to your boat.