If you are going to launch a boat at a place like Lake Fairfield without a dock any suggestion on best way to do solo

Beach it. That is what I do, but I am in an aluminum boat. If there is another person there you can ask them to hold a rope for you or something.

Another option is to go to Wal*Mart and get one of those tie out things for a dog, the one that screws into the ground. You can attach a rope to this for a tie off.

I use 150' rope on a spool for extension cords. I skid the boat off the trailer and let it float out about 50-75'. Then I stop the boat and let it float as I unwind the rope up the ramp. I get in the truck and go park it. On the way back I pick up the spool and rewind the rope and pull the boat in. Hop in and go fish.

You can also use the anchor with a LONG rope and toss the anchor on shore while you park the truck. Use enough rope to let it float out a ways to keep it from getting beat up. Just make sure the anchor is secure.

If there's a lot of people unloading their boats, just shove the boat off, go park the truck, and hitch a ride with the next guy to go get your boat.

Ya I like Toxarch's idea just let it float off then hitch a ride..Funny stuff!

put a Hamby's on the boat and beach it on the ramp... Dan

That would work unless there are folks lined up waiting to launch.

This is exactly why I went to aluminum. I can beach anywhere so far. When i had the Champ, I had to be real picky and 98% of the time I was by myself. If people get pissed off cause it takes someone by themselves longer tell em to go s)^&$ themselves. Always worked for me. What do people like that think a single person should do? Not fish? Not enjoy boating? I don't think so!

Nobody has a lease on a boat ramp. If someone starts complaining about the amount of time it takes you to unload your boat, Invite them to help you. I launch by myself on accasion and beach the boat, use a lengthy rope with anchor on the beach, then go park my truck. And sure enought some "fellow boater" and especially jet skis, will put a 2 footer right behind my boat and watch it smash up and down on the rock, SOooo's Here yer sign!

If they are that impatient about how long you are taking, then they can come give you a hand with dropping the boat in or getting it on the trailer. If I am waiting, I usually get out and help a single fisherman out with loading his boat. I do it alone and have it down pretty good, but another hand definitely helps.

x2 or 3 on the part about helping

If someone gets there undies in a wad while waiting on you to unload solo then do not let it concern you. Just ask them to help, and if they won't then don't worry, they really are not in a big hurry anyway.

If you have already loaded your gear and prep'ed for launching, you won't take but a minute or two longer to launch than if two people were launching. You will be a lot faster than people who are not ready when they back down the ramp. They have to load up their gear, lawn chairs, coolers while others sit waiting on them. I always launch by myself, and my routine gets me in and out quickly, a lot quicker than most. As far as tying up while you park your vehicle, you just have no choice except to beach or let your boat drift on a long rope if there is no dock or bulkhead.

I use a Hamby's and just beach it on the ramp. Park and your gone. If anyone wants to get mouthy I just smile and wave , if it goes further than that then we just have to take care of business .

Jim

I launch by myself about 90% of the time and I do it with a bad back so it's not like I'm rushing around. I've noticed with the way the ramp is an idiot magnet, that I'm normally launched and have my vehicle parked before most people can even get their boat in the water. There are enough morons that can't launch a boat with all the help in the world that a guy launching by himself shouldn't even draw someones ire. If for some reason somebody has a problem with how long you're taking to launch by yourself, they can stick it where the sun don't shine. The main focus should be safety, not how fast you can get out of people's way. If they wanted to launch before you, they should have showed up earlier.