How to Solo Launch your Boat With Your Family

Launching a boat can be very difficult. Especially when you have high winds, impatient boaters, young kids that required adult supervision, and have to launch the boat solo. Not every boat launch goes as plan. But, here is how I do it.

[@eventhisidistaken]

To avoid getting feet wet, could climb into the bed of the truck from the rear tire and from the tailgate onto the trailer. Have seen other videos where a long enough bowline is looped around the trailer, and you eject the boat with an abrupt stop, then walk the line over to the dock.

[@mariegage3356]

The steps made by coyote cost around $350 and are a game changer for solo launch. No issues with spare. I had problems with my 246 nosing into the bunk on load and having to use too much throttle on launch. The bunk glide spray really made a difference even with full fuel and water.

[@GULF2BAY]

Big take away from this Video are: Placing your tailgate down can assist you when getting on the boat, you can use the wrench as a bow rope if needed, a self deployable anchoring system makes launching a boat easier, clear the boat slip when possible to allow other boaters to launch, and sometimes not everything goes as plan. Don't panic work through the situation.

[@ElliotP27]

Get some steps from your trailer to the bow of the boat. I have the EasyStep System and it's awesome. Why not have the dock lines ready before you get to the ramp? Mine are on inexpensive hangers and always ready to deploy. Too many people don't set their boat up at a "Make Ready" area and have to scramble for dock lines and fenders. That close to the dock I give my wife two lines, stern and mid lines, and she holds them while I back in and the boat floats off. I park the truck and come back to board. Doesn't take but a few minutes. If I'm alone, I tie the lines to cleats on the dock (if possible), back the boat in, hit the brakes and the boat floats off. Park the truck. Pretty easy.

[@GULF2BAY]

I have looked into the steps but there is not enough room on the coyote trailer to install it with the tire mount that I have installed. Do you have a pic of how’s yours is set up?

[@ElliotP27]

@@GULF2BAY I have a photo ready to send. I had to re-position my spare tire from the vertical mount to laying it flat between the winch and the boat. I can also use it as an extra step when hooking the winch to the bow eye if necessary. I also have a second spare tire in the bed of my pickup if necessary on a trip, so if you can store the spare in your tow vehicle, that eliminates that problem.

[@GULF2BAY]

@@ElliotP27 [e-mail]

[@arandompersonp9883]

Nice launch on a windy day.

[@pinocavallini3067]

Maybe have fenders ready...

[@joesullivan6709]

We just recently purchased a 246 cayman. We had a 24 ft sea hunt deep V. Crazy question but seems like I have trouble loading my cayman. Seems If I put trailer to far in water then the bow is below the roller and then if I’m not in the water enough I come up short and the roller hits at the top of bow and put marks on boat and to much pressure on the plate. Just seems hard to load. Seems I have to winch it to much. Any advice or help is much appreciated. With any other boat I’ve owned we could easily pull right up to the winch with the boat.

[@GULF2BAY]

Try just backing into the water until the trailer tire finders just go under water. Probably 2 inches of water above the finders

[@jasonvelasquez6673]

Way to make real. Other utuber would edit that or show w no wind and no boats

[@GULF2BAY]

Thanks for watching, we decided to make this video as we were pulling up to the boat launch. Had a lot of criticism on this video on different platforms lol

[@tpa32312]

Why can't your wife park the truck and trailer and meet you at the dock?

[@GULF2BAY]

She does not feel comfortable with backing in and parking the truck. This is a common thing with a lot of families. She will do it when there is not a lot of people around. This is also how I a launch when they are not with me.

[@moblack5883]

at least back the truck/trailer to the ramp. she can back up straight and then pull forward. they always say they don't feel comfortable to get out of doing it.

[@mobeious]

rule one of owning boat with family ... wife must learn how to back trailer and park trailer

[@GULF2BAY]

Lol, she starting to learn, but it’s easier and quicker if I do it.