How to Launch a Boat by Yourself Without a Dock or Getting Your Feet Wet- Lake Travis Fishing Guide

I fish over 250 days a year and launch my boat by myself the majority of the time. Sometimes you don't have the luxury of a boat dock being directly adjacent to the launch ramp. In the summer it's no big deal to kick your sandals off and walk in the water, but what about during the winter?
In this video I'll show you how I launch my boat without climbing on my truck or jumping onto the trailer. A simple launching cord you can make for less than $10 and this technique will show you how!
If you are from the Austin area and fish Lake Travis, check out my channel and visit my website. I regularly post detailed fishing reports on my website to help you guys put more fish in the boat!
If you are looking for a fishing guide in Austin, I would love to get you out on the water! More info can be found below on my website.
www.torwicksguidingservice.com

[@tbauer2521]

I would hook the rope directly to the boat and tie the bungee in 2 spots to the rope so there is slack. Bungee is still a shock absorber and if it breaks your boat isn't floating away. Good video

[@kimberlymarshall5674]

Great video! I fish by myself and this is such a great idea and definitely makes it easier when launching.

[@zhelko]

neat trick. i will try it next spring, thank you for sharing!

[@gsh341]

I did something similar with my little 14' boat. I backed up until I was barely in the water, unhooked the strap, put the anchor on the beach and backed up. It floated free and the anchor kept it from floating away. I pulled ahead until the trailer was clear, then got out and pulled the boat to the shore. I parked and then climbed in over the bow. When my weight hit the back of the boat, the bow lifted free and I took off.

[@bobwalton3642]

Good for you

[@erikandrehoglund55]

One of the best i seen thanks a lot

[@billythekid5196]

I do this with my 14 ft on beach boat launch works great

[@hodagtrapper4167]

Very well done!

[@nybbhUSA]

Good video and I know this is a little off topic but One other point when putting in where ice can develop is to keep your safety chain hooked up until your close to the water because when fishing multiple days in a row bunks can become icy and boats have slid off trailers on steeper launch sites.

[@ericdelacruz3746]

power poles also help.lol but definetely will try this out.

[@carlosvelo2912]

What is that in the back of your boat that kept the boat in place by dropping?

[@FISHNMISFITSJimMattBryanRick]

Good video

[@travelthenrepeat]

Good video. Recovery is the hard part without getting your feet wet. Especially when you’re in a vehicle that’s not a pickup truck.

[@krazyivan007]

I do not recommend removing the strap before the boat is in the water. I did this once. Our ramps are pretty steep around here. My boat slid off the trailer halfway down the ramp. And I wasn't backing down the ramp very fast at all. Also, I have bunks, not rollers. So it doesn't really matter either way.

[@andronclock1]

True I dont know how someone can let their boat untied to the trailer going down the ramp

[@storyfirstfilms149]

brilliant

[@nicoibzschalin-hr4bj]

Nifty. Would it work on a beach?

[@ScruffyCityFishing]

Great idea. I’ve used a variation of this for years. I’ll tie the line from the ring to the back of the trailer. I always worry it will catch on something when the boat slides off though.

[@Joekiuber]

That's great if you have power poles but I'm not beaching my boat on a concrete ramp.

[@kkeesy]

A boat is worthless if you can't scratch it.

[@DriftmanX]

Great idea. But only for specific circumstances.

[@chadbosko8935]

What if you have a steep boat ramp like I use wouldn't the boat come off the trailer and wreak your motors and the back of the boat especially with roller bunks which I'm about to change to.

[@tylertorwick7385]

Think about that... based on the scenario you're describing wouldn't the motor hit the ramp whether it slides off the trailer on its own or from you backing it off under power? The angle of the ramp and trim of your engine hasn't changed. As long as your engine is trimmed up... like you would when you launch a boat the normal way, there's no way for your motor to get "wrecked".

[@martyepperly5803]

I do this with my 18' Tracker all the time using a 50' rope and no bungee. My ramp is a single concrete ramp with rocky shoreline on either side, and I don't have power poles. It's easy enough to launch, because I can pull my boat up on the ramp after launching. My problem is recovery, as the rocky shoreline renders my keel guard useless, and I can't back the trailer down the ramp if the boat is beached on the ramp. And, if the wind is kicking up, I struggle mightily to keep the boat from getting slammed into the rocks. Thoughts?

[@tylertorwick7385]

Sounds like a tricky situation if there isn't a dock there. If you have a trolling motor with a remote you could use spot lock to keep it in place and then bring it back to you... might be an issue once it gets close to shore though unless you can wade out into the water for it.

[@RichZFishes]

The last glass boat I had, I fashioned a cushion with a rope that went loosely under the boat from one forward cleat to the other, and had a pool noodle over it. It worked pretty well to keep the damage minimal.

[@jobu88]

Like anything else, this gets easier with practice. I do this with a jonboat all the time, I don't have to worry about the keel but twice I've pulled the boat towards the ramp without having the trailer far enough out of the water and the boat hit and broke one of the trailer tail lights.

[@tylertorwick7385]

Might try using a longer rope to avoid that!

[@jobu88]

@@tylertorwick7385 Nah, all it took was removing my head from my ass LOL now it's no problem

[@dwaynedenman3530]

Great Video for launching solo. Another idea is to attach directly to the boat and tie the other end to a "tie down hook" in your truck. If you have a ramp with a dock that you can parallel , you could tie off on a cleat at the dock instead of your truck and just bump the boat off your trailer.

[@RichZFishes]

Really should wait until the bow of the boat is about at the water's edge before unhooking the winch strap. I've seen way too many boats come off the trailer on the ramp to consider doing otherwise. Been launching by myself this way since the late 60s. FWIW, I don't use any shock cord -- just a rope about 10 feet longer than the trailer, that I leave hooked to a cleat on the bow, and tuck right against the corner of the gunnel and bow before climbing in.

[@tylertorwick7385]

Where's the fun in that? haha As long as you don't have roller bunks or a super steep ramp, I wouldn't worry. But no need to fix what isn't broken! Sounds like your way works great.

[@elkbow]

Yup I agree, watch the videos on KZbin of this happening

[@ArchinatorWC88]

whats that thing that came down in the back?

[@tylertorwick7385]

They're called Power Poles. They are shallow water anchors designed to fold down and stick into the bottom to hold you in place.

[@akbychoice]

I launched in swift cold water rivers with my 18’ no problems. Just don’t get into a hurry.

[@richardcranium5839]

ok with bunks dont try with rollers. seen boats drop on to the concrete just as soon as they get off level on the ramp.

[@tylertorwick7385]

Seems like common sense

[@wishiniwasfishin8164]

@@tylertorwick7385 lol what is common sense now days?

[@evanwindom3265]

@@wishiniwasfishin8164 Right? What is it about boat ramps that seems to preclude the presence of common sense? Honestly, I think it's just a case that most boat owners haven't been trained, and don't launch/recovery often enough to build skill before they do something unfortunate (like most of us have at some point).

[@BHARGAV_GAJJAR]

How will prop turn in such shallow water ?

[@tylertorwick7385]

Not sure what you mean "shallow water"? Boat ramps are angled so that it's plenty deep at the stern of your boat.

[@drh488]

Awesome tip, appreciate it...but...what do i do when I come back in?

[@tylertorwick7385]

If you power load your boat, you shouldn't have to back into the water as far. I just step off my bow onto the step on the trailer, then down to the boat ramp.

[@BeaglyBeagle488]

@@tylertorwick7385 right but first you gotta go put your trailer on the ramp. How do you do that?

[@tylertorwick7385]

@@BeaglyBeagle488 Are you asking how to get your trailer down the ramp? You back it down the ramp with your truck... not sure I follow your question.

[@chadwentworth6968]

Check out Boat Load Mate. So much easier to launch n load by my self.

[@BillSias-op7xw]

Great, except, leave the rope attached to the bow and tie off to something or if nothing is there, tie the anchor on placing the anchor off to the side of the ramp as far up the slope as you can. While you drive up and park your boat is secure, otherwise, wind or a wake can break your boat lose and you could find your boat out in the lake, then you gotta swim for it!

[@GrownManHipHop]

I solo launch all the time. This is not the ideal launch settings as most ramps are busy and most boats dont have power poles. I launch on a busy ramp away from the dock without getting wet. 5min launch. Maybe i should do a video.

[@marks6072]

Only works if you have power poles or a dock to tie off to....

[@keithrowell5895]

10 15 mph wind can be done alone. Ben lonching a 17ft bass boat by my self for over 25 years.

[@evanwindom3265]

How do you do your recovery?

[@tylertorwick7385]

Just power load it back on the trailer!

[@evanwindom3265]

@@tylertorwick7385 So you still might get your feet wet, unless you can do the trailer-tongue-tight-rope-walk. That's where I get stuck. Getting the boat on the trailer is easy. Getting me out of the boat? No so much.

[@tylertorwick7385]

@@evanwindom3265 I have a camper shell on my truck as you can see, so not climbing through the bed for me. I back my trailer in just enough that I have room to step from the trailer step below the bow, down to the boat ramp. If you power load your boat you don't need to back in super far (unless its a super shallow ramp, which in that case getting your feet wet is inevitable without a dock next to you) But everyone figured out their own way and what works for them!

[@kapnbill]

Besides what Tyler said about power loading, you can pick up a Fulton F2 2 speed winch on Amazon to replace the stock winch on the trailer. If you put it in low gear you can winch the boat that last couple feet with almost no effort. So that also means you don’t have to back in far to retrieve it.

[@briantaylor8407]

Evan windom if you have your trailer backed in at the right depth you should be able to gently float or idle your boat nearly all the way on. Alot of people don't back in far enough and try forcing the boat to drive on or they bury the trailer and winch up front busts thru the front hull.

[@alphonsotownsend8208]

Thanks for your video and time

[@michaelmantione286]

I want to do this without a keel guard or power poles lol

[@tylertorwick7385]

Your local fiberglass shop will thank you! haha

[@cliffhaehl8543]

Wish I had that five minutes of my life back. My ramps all have piers on either side. Just back down close, take a long rope from the boat to the pier, tie it off, get back in the truck, slide the boat off and go pull it over to the pier.

[@tylertorwick7385]

In my experience people who take the time to leave rude comments like yours, their time isn't worth very much anyways. But thanks for the views!

[@wyattjarvis4983]

I was really excited until you said near the end that I needed a keel guard. Guess I am getting a keel guard.

[@tylertorwick7385]

A keel guard is a great investment whether you launch this way or not! Highly recommend one.

[@thepeople4142]

I wonder how many people tried this and dropped their boat on the ramp. Never unhook the boat til the trailer is in the water.... It may work a thousand times... Til it doesn't once.

[@kevinstone9825]

ok so what would you do if people was at the ramp?? not go fishing?? I didn't see you take up anymore space than you would if there was a dock and by yourself..be respectful for solo boaters

[@tylertorwick7385]

Kevin I have no idea what you are even asking. Are you telling me to be respectful of solo boaters?... because last time I watched this video, this was aimed at teaching solo boaters.

[@kevinstone9825]

@@tylertorwick7385 sorry but you said if there was other boaters there you would not launch like that..why? I think your way is perfect even if other boaters are around..you have to launch somehow just sucks by yourself and other guys with partners give us solo guys a hard time

[@rogercarpenter418]

To think I have just been throwing my front anchor in the trunk of my car. Unstrap boat back in. Then pull out.

[@cuauhtemocbarragan9632]

Well that's a $10 rope + $4000 powerpoles 😂 but I'll try it

[@fourfortyroadrunner6701]

Yeh. OK. Now let's see ya do that in about a 10-15mph "breeze"

[@broadfall1]

Now all I need is and extra $4k to spend on powerpoles

[@dcrican762]

Sucks sucks sucks because we don't have a remote anchor

[@dcrican762]

Sucks sucks sucks I don't have power poles...!!!

[@keithrowell5895]

Don't need them

[@perception-reception]

Was cringing watching it run up on that ramp. Glad you have keel guard

[@Seektruth-59]

Outboard should be trimmed up.

[@tylertorwick7385]

It is... did you watch the video?

[@Seektruth-59]

@@tylertorwick7385 at 3:00 it is not trimmed up, it is ever so slightly trimmed up and if the boat were to slide even a bit, prop would be close to dragging.

[@PainterD54]

I've been doing it that way all my life. How did people not figure this out as soon as they got a boat? You don't need two people to launch a boat.

[@BeaglyBeagle488]

OK, boat is in the water. Now you want to retrieve. Powering onto the trailer is sound advice - but how to you get off the boat, to the truck, in the first place?

[@tylertorwick7385]

When you put your boat back on the trailer you don't back the trailer as far into the water. Unless its a super shallow ramp you can usually just step down from the bow of the boat to the trailer frame and onto the boat ramp.

[@BeaglyBeagle488]

@@tylertorwick7385 how do you get off the boat to go get your truck? Beach the boat?

[@DoubleCinco]

Winds not blowing and you have powerpoles. Useless where I live.

[@tylertorwick7385]

Then don't do this where you live...

[@michaelquigley1411]

Generally good info but #1 - why in the world would you use your truck to pull the boat in as opposed to bring it in by hand? #2 - Busy boat ramp or not, this method doesn't change. If you want to launch, you're alone, and the ramp is busy, what choice do you have? Go ahead and launch. If I'm the 3rd in line then I'll offer to help you. #3 - Bringing the bow up onto the concrete ramp is not acceptable at all. July or February, I'd rather get my feet wet than have the bow sitting on a roughly-finished ramp. Power pole the boat out a little farther, keep a bow line secured on shore (an anchor sitting on the ramp would work), then bring her in by hand when you're ready to board. But, no, never have your boat sitting on that ramp... ugh.

[@tylertorwick7385]

Did you watch the video with the sound off or not watch the whole video???? I literally addressed every single thing you brought up.

[@geostrong3606]

Bring some one it's safer

[@AlThePal78]

and then that anchor on the back of your boat cost like 3k lol

[@tylertorwick7385]

They cost more than 3k, but is there sometime wrong with that?

[@MrGsxr10001]

I"d lose the bungee before losing my boat. those things are made in China and that boat is heavy..........SNAP!

[@tylertorwick7385]

I make sure to only use pre-Cold War bungee's made in the USSR... only the best 🙄

[@easyfoshzy]

NOT a good idea to unhook your strap as you are backing down the ramp. Do this only when the boat is partially in the water. Please don't follow this guys advice. Many boat bunks are slippery and your boat will absolutely slide off on the ramp if you don't keep it strapped. Trust me on this!