Bob's Geronimo - launch tomorrow

[bobinpowayca]

Well, she's about done and I'll be launching Agatha tomorrow morning. It's a big wide concrete ramp with lots of dock space so hopefully it'll go smoothly. I will have some help from my daughter and her family so it should go okay.
I need to learn a method so just me and my wife can use the boat. She's a great nurse but can't swim and no boat experience so it'll be a learning process. Things like learning to float the boat off the trailer, at what point do I get in and start it, or do I just use a long painter and pull it over to the dock like I did my Glen-L 17, etc etc. We need to get comfortable with the process before we go anywhere with the boat so we don't tie up the launch ramp fumbling around! If anyone has a technique you do for launching a boat like mine with one helper (oh yeah, she also doesn't drive the truck with the trailer on it) I'd appreciate hearing it. Bob

[Bill Edmundson]

Bob

I give my wife a Gin & Soda. And, do it by myself!

Bill

[Jimbob]

Hi Bob,
I used to launch my 20' runabout by myself even though my wife was present. Here's what I did.
Put all of your fenders and dock lines on the boat before you go down the ramp.
Pick the spot on the ramp closest to the dock.
Back down the ramp just to the point where the boat floats up. (assuming you put the plug in )
Unhook the boat from the trailer and push it over to the dock and tie your lines to the dock cleats.
Start the motor and let it idle at the dock while you pull out the trailer and park it.
Congratulations and good luck on your launch.
Jim

[Bill Edmundson]

Bob

My best! Of coarse! Reports expected

Bill

[Roberta]

All the best for the first splash.

Roberta

[chugalug]

I live pretty close to a boatramp and have seen all kinds of mishaps.I'll hold off of the stories until after you launch yours.Don't be in a hurry ,don't forget drain plug and don't unfasten boat until boat will slide off trailer into the water.keep a long rope from bow and have missus or whomever hold onto that so boat won't go drifting off.

[bobinpowayca]

Thanks for the good wishes folks! I'm pretty excited. Seemed like I'd never be done but then things just kind of came together at the end. Bill I like your idea , kind of like giving the grandkids ice cream cones to calm them down. Bob

[hoodman]

If you can get your wife to at least park the truck after you unload the boat you can just pick her up at the dock.

[PeterG]

Exciting day, good luck and have lots of fun!

[vupilot]

You definitely need a method that works for you. Also since many of us use trailers converted for our boats you might want to take tools to adjust your trailer if needed.

[obd]

Bob,
We have been launching our 18 foot bow-rider for 26 years and the same checklist has served us well all those years.
1. Is the drain plug in?
2. Are the trailer lights unplugged?
3. Are the safety straps removed?
4. Is the safety chain unhooked from the bow eye?
5. Is the motor off the crutch?

I never launch the boat without going through the list. Every ramp is different so I back-up until I think I can push the boat off the trailer, but try not to put my back tires across the water line. My wife holds a bow line on dry land while I unhook the boat, climb in, and crank her up. She tosses me the line and I drive to the dock. I can tie off at the dock and pull my trailer out and park but my wife is comfortable pulling the empty trailer up the ramp and parking so I usually just pick her up at the dock.
Good luck and have a great time! Boating is an awesome investment in family time. Some of my family's sweetest memories have been on the boat together!
Bob