not sure how to tell you how to do this ... aesier to show ppl .

i can retreive my boat by myself but i have a multi roller trailer. which means that as i winch her up she self straightens and that makes it just too easy. all i need to do once im at the jetty is to make sure the winch cable is near the back of the trailer, walk the boat up to the back of the trailer and pull her on just a little, make sure youve got a long front rope as i then hold presure on the nose while i walk around and clip on the winch. then winch away . if youve got strong side winds then put your trailer right next to the jetty and let the bum of the boat rest on it while you walk to the front (alli is nice here) .... if all else fails find more crew :)

deamweaver is there a reason you dont drive the boat onto the trailer .i know some dont do as they pick up crap off the bottom into the water pump etc .or dont like silting up the joint .or the trailer is not designed for it.just asking as i wouldnt say ive mastered this tecnique as i dont do it often enough [live 6 hours from the coast ]but i can say due to the fact my winch handle was lifted from my trailer the first time i did, i didnt have many options i now have a new winch handle .but on all occasions now i will attemp it and 9 time out of ten ill get the boat at least two thirds onto the trailer first go, a quick winch up sometimes with me giving the boat a bit of a squirt to make it easier on the deckie winching and your out of there 95% of the time your still dry .Ok the deckies a bit wet but hey thats why youve got a deckie

i think if my boat was fibre glass ide deffinatly want a few more rollers to assist in centering the boat and not scratching up the glass coat.but its not
places where the ramps a bit dodgie and your car is sinking in the sand this method after a bit of practice is great
always in it just the depth that varies

Cheers Feral - as you say, a lot harder typing words than showing, but really appreciate your effort!

Like most, I use a bow to stern for launch and retreival. My wife (the usual deckie) has very short legs, so I tend to defy convention and come in on the windward side. Of course, with that, you are 'fighting' the wind to push the boat out - and of course for that, we deploy a boat hook.

Agree on the bow rope to keep the bow keel snubbed against the front rollers, and, as I don't motor on, I always have the winch rope deployed before I drop the trailer in the water for a retreival.

As for finding more crew - weekends is not a problem - as wife is always available - it's during the week, unlike Perth, there is very few (if any) available.  

Colin

RECFISHWEST Member 576
VMR 610 - Albany Sea Rescue - Mariner 421

I launch and retrieve alone most of the time and it's not too hard.  It helps if the weather is kind but for me the trick is to have a bow to stern line to help control the boat on retrieval.  I always leave the line over one or two of the pylons, so that the boat will never get away from me.  Hold on to the slack to control the boat.  Crank it in and let out line where necessary.  Like the guys mentioned, easier to show then tell!

1985 Boston Whaler Outrage 18 Johnson 140hp 4stroke

Thanks Alfred, appreciate the feedback. I know, this is tedious via swapped posts.

You'd have to come in on the leeward side to allow the wind to push the boat out (most ramps don't go right up to the finger). If circumstances force you to come in on the windward side, then the hull would be pushed asquew from the bow (slightly away from the finger at the first trailer roller) - then how do you keep the boat away from the finger and parallel to the trailer?

Colin

RECFISHWEST Member 576
VMR 610 - Albany Sea Rescue - Mariner 421

I normally come in and see which ramp is available, then setup my dock line (bow to stern line). I try to have the wind push the boat away from the jetty, but if not then I set up a second control line.

If the wind pushes the boat away from the jetty, then you can walk the boat (using the line attached to the bow and stern to control the boat), onto the trailer so that the bow is lined up with or on the roller. Throw the line over a pylon near the stern so that you can control how much the stern drifts.

Hop down and clip the winch line on. Start winching the boat in and release the dock line where necessary.

Needless to say, you need a long bow to stern dock line.

If the wind pushes the boat against the jetty, then you will need another line to control the boat and pull it away from the jetty and line it up with the trailer.

Do not ever leave the boat untethered. I have see the wind change direction in a flash.

Hope this helps.

1985 Boston Whaler Outrage 18 Johnson 140hp 4stroke

Yup Alfred that helps a lot, thanks heaps. As we agree, very easy on the leeward side.

Oh, and hell yeah, I'm a tethered Natzi until the boat reaches horizontal hard stand . As we also agree - seen far too many boats do the uncontrolled drift!

Quote: If the wind pushes the boat against the jetty, then you will need another line to control the boat and pull it away from the jetty and line it up with the trailer.

Am I correct in understanding that this rope would go from the stern cleat on the side of the boat away from the finger, and you just pull that towards you (with you situated at the winch) to pull that side of the boat around so it's parrallel to the trailer / runners?

Colin

RECFISHWEST Member 576
VMR 610 - Albany Sea Rescue - Mariner 421

Came across this DVD, by NSW BIA - might get it anyway :)

http://www.bia.org.au/video/index.html 

Anyone got it or seen it?

Colin

RECFISHWEST Member 576
VMR 610 - Albany Sea Rescue - Mariner 421

Yes.

I have a very long dock line.  If necessary it will go from starboard stern to bow to port stern.  I feel that it is important to have control of both the bow and stern at all times, but that's just me. 

1985 Boston Whaler Outrage 18 Johnson 140hp 4stroke

Oh, something else I do, since the dock line is already there.  When I am fishing alone (most of the time), I normally tie up the dock line with just enough slack, that when left overboard, it would only just touch the water. I do this incase I fall in, then this way I have something to hang on to when I swim back to the boat.  You dont want the line drifting in the water or it might snag the prop if you forget it.

1985 Boston Whaler Outrage 18 Johnson 140hp 4stroke

Thanks Alfred, that great. One thing I'm NOT short of is rope - I have 450m in the anchor well and about 300m of spare LOL.

...and yes, a surface level hand hold is a GOOD precaution. Oh, and I don't wrap MY lines around props......these days   

Colin

RECFISHWEST Member 576
VMR 610 - Albany Sea Rescue - Mariner 421

i retrieve my boat by usidng a long rope, i walk down the trailer pull the rope in line the baot up and pull it up the first few rollers, with the winch line already clicked into gear i clip it on and walk away. the baot cant go backwards and the boat comes up easy. i do know that you can buy the centering rollers that bolt on the back of your trailer, they have springs  and the kkeep your boat center. they do work too with the wind.

Yeah, I can see there a few variations. I know the (drop) centering rollers you are talking about - go by various names.

Thanks for the input Mike!  

Colin

RECFISHWEST Member 576
VMR 610 - Albany Sea Rescue - Mariner 421