Advice for solo launching?

.."Huck Palmatier" wrote in message
news:g2D8g.51163$k%3.38773@dukeread12...
...always check the bail plug three times
said Huck



Been there done that have we? LOL.

Me too.


--
Bob La Londe
www.YumaBassMan.com

"Huck Palmatier" wrote in message
news:g2D8g.51163$k%3.38773@dukeread12...
...always check the bail plug three times
said Huck

My new boat has three drain plugs!

Does that mean I have to check nine times?
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com

"Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers" wrote in
message ...

"Huck Palmatier" wrote in message
news:g2D8g.51163$k%3.38773@dukeread12...
...always check the bail plug three times
said Huck

My new boat has three drain plugs!

Does that mean I have to check nine times?

YES!!!

That was one of the big problems with my tunnel hull. The Baker had three
drain pugs, and two livewell over flows at the back of the boat. The
livewell over flows were the same size as the drains, and yes I accidentally
put the plug in one of the livewell drains a couple times. Thanks gfoodness
for three automatic bilge pumps. One in each section.


--
Bob La Londe
Fishing Arizona & The Colorado River
Fishing Forums & Contests
http://www.YumaBassMan.com




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"Bob La Londe" wrote in message
.. .
"Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers" wrote in
message ...

"Huck Palmatier" wrote in message
news:g2D8g.51163$k%3.38773@dukeread12...
...always check the bail plug three times
said Huck

My new boat has three drain plugs!

Does that mean I have to check nine times?

YES!!!

That was one of the big problems with my tunnel hull. The Baker had three
drain pugs, and two livewell over flows at the back of the boat. The
livewell over flows were the same size as the drains, and yes I
accidentally
put the plug in one of the livewell drains a couple times. Thanks
gfoodness
for three automatic bilge pumps. One in each section.

Yeah, my Cat is set up similarly, but luckily the drain plugs are screw-in
types, and the drains are totally different, so it will be impossible to mix
the two.

My friend Gil has a Cobra boat and because of a back injury, he has a hard
time getting down low enough to see where he's putting the drain plug. I
can't tell you how many times he's launched his boat with the plug in the
livewell drain!
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com

One thing I haven't seen anyone mention is to make sure your motor will
start before removing the boat from the trailer (if depth allows). My
process is similar to many described on my 21' but before I unhook the bow
strap, I tilt the motor down and start it. That way if the motor doesn't
start, I can pull the boat back up on the trailer easily and get out of the
way. A lot easier than parking the truck, getting back to the boat and
finding out it's not going to start.

Some other tips:

I have a secondary safety cable on my bow in case the strap fails. I leave
this on until in the water just in case I forget to reset the winch -- the
boat will stop rather than dragging the winch strap out

Prepare as much as you can before entering the ramp.

Take your time but only do what you need to do without stalling and noone
should give you grief.

Be systematic about launching solo and you'll soon start doing things
without having to think twice. This takes a lot of the pressure off of solo
launching. I do so many things without thinking about it anymore, I often
get that "oh, did I leave the gas on?!" feeling.

If the dock is really busy with people standing about, ask them to help,
they are often willing to grab a line, help tie off, walk the boat down the
dock, etc.

Definitely pay attention to current and wind when solo. Use them to your
advantage. I'll often get in line for an advantage and let others go ahead
of me when I can't get it.


- Ray

"JimmyG" wrote in message
...
I"m really close to upgrading to a 17 ft G3 aluminum boat with a 60 HP
Yamaha from my 14 ft johnboat with 8 HP evinrude. I have not been
able to identify any devoted fishing buddies (yet), so I usually fish
alone. When launching and landing the boat, I seek out very small
ramps that are less crowded. Most of these don't have docks, so I
just drag my boat on the bank. I'm thinking that I'll have to start
using the deeper water ramps now and they are sure to be crowded. Any
advice for the solo launcher?

Thanks,

J