Launching a Kayak from a Dock

Learn how using a rope attached to the mid-point of a kayak can make launching and unloading from a dock easier

[@DarinBoutilier]

Thanks for this!! I went for an unintentional swim this morning and was just shopping or about to engineer a wet dock!! Honestly can't thank you enough

[@rogerdaigle6777]

I usually launch from a high dock and always found it to be challenging for my 66 year old body. I used your rope idea today (6/5/20) and eureka! Thank you!!! I enter and exit my kayak with the grace of a gazelle :)

[@paulcropper3903]

I'm 66 as well and had to ask a passer by to help me out of my kayak yesterday, looking forward to trying this, I'm practicing my knots, especially the bowline.

[@jayspot4]

The man moves like a young teen! Bravo sir great tip and instructions!!

[@nancywong1195]

Absolute genius. So glad I watched your video. Now I'm no longer afraid to launch from a high dock.

[@ne-phil]

Thank you! I have avoided docks like this for this reason alone.

[@BushKayakersCampingAustralia]

I very rarely launch from a dock but now when I do I now have this tip in my bag of tricks Thanks

[@kentwood9821]

Beautiful solution and demonstration. You deserve an award for this!

[@mikehenebry]

Thank you!

[@emc0853]

Simple and elegant. Well explained and follows a clear logical plan. Many thanks.

[@mikelewis4487]

Awesome my wife and I will have to try this. She went to get into the kayak yesterday from the dock and rolled it. I laughed but she wasn't very happy... Thanks

[@jeremoe1]

Very informative video; thanks for sharing. I just bought a kayak today, and I took it out for the first time this afternoon. I've been canoeing for 35 years; finally got a kayak after considering it for a few years.

[@johntzeimet]

I'm going to try kayaking and launching from a dock for the first time and thankfully you can find everything on KZbin well lo and behold here's your video that explains it so perfectly, I feel I'm ready to go. Thank you!!

[@ozzmanzz]

Great idea, I would never have thought of this. Thanks.

[@patrickwood4728]

So clever yet so simple. I cant wait to try this!

[@faridessack]

Thanks for sharing that. I'm picking up my kayak tomorrow and most of the pontoons in our area end up being a foot or two off the water depending on the tide. Super helpful.

[@JeffWunrow]

This is genius! I have a technique I developed over the year that has worked, but it’s not very pretty to watch. you have opened my eyes! Thank you for sharing.

[@pattymint3814]

Thank you for this video! I have struggled getting in and out for years! That rope trick looks great! I may try it today!

[@paulcarter8215]

Brilliant - foolproof. I'm using a sit-on-kayak on UK canals and this method never fails! Drops are often 3 to 4 ft and I don't know of any other method that is as reliable.

[@BeaglyBeagle488]

Can confirm this 100% works! Hey - tip for those of us who paddle huge-cockpit boats: use the seat frame as your tie-off, with a line stiff enough to take your weight. CAREFULLY move your weight from one place to another. I had my paddle out as an outrigger (think Gandalf's staff, in the hand facing away from the dock). These might be overthinker type precautions, but this worked for my friend who has a very large frame. And I used it too - could have jumped into the boat!

[@vickicourtney6668]

Thank you! Never thought about tying to a cleat!

[@6ixsidedeezy]

Genius! Wish I had stumbled on this video years ago. Thank you!

[@sethh.3518]

Thanks for the video. Excellent demonstration.

[@joemcnerney8765]

Thank you for the tutorial. Really good tips there!

[@rowalong]

Good grief. Sometimes the most simplest solutions are the ones you need to be shown!! Great video.

[@grahamarcher2597]

Great idea , new to kayaking tried it out worked great ..only used a super string thin rope polyprop , if no anchor cleat rope fits thru board joints easily , would not try to lower boat tho with this gauge of rope.. hard on hands id think .. Graham

[@johnmulligan1382]

Best video I've watched in months

[@TimSheets]

Thanks neighbor! -from Peoria

[@Canadarago]

Have launched my canoe many time tying off to a clear or post but docks always scared me with my kayak. Have to try this. Will be real helpful here in NC where the air can be warm but the water's still cold and beach launches are foot freezers.

[@josephjordan4173]

What a treat for older guys like me (age 78)! Going to try it out right away. Joe Jordan

[@mikehenebry]

Good for you. I am 69 myself, and plan to paddle at least into my 80s. I tend to do stand up paddle boarding almost more than kayaking during the warm, summer months.

[@MidwestFishingShow]

+Mike Henebry Whoa that's impressive guys hopefully I'll be able to do the same when I'm that age!

[@cricketthoffman9499]

I don’t get why people don’t keep a rope handy and use it. I use my rope to lead my kayak to a quiet part of the dock. I tie off my kayak and I can leisurely get my kayak ready and slip into it, get my skirt on, retrieve my paddle from the water (my paddle is leashed). I don’t feel rushed or like I am juggling things. Ditto getting off the water.

[@notwrkn2mch]

That is one neat trick which i will forever remember......Thanks :)

[@ellzgoespro6568]

Genius! Pure genius! Thank you!

[@dusterguitar]

Simple but brilliant !

[@sheenponte1470]

Great tip, thanks!

[@opwave79]

Using a rope to secure your boat to a cleat is standard procedure. The only thing I would suggest is to look up how to secure a rope to a cleat. You don’t want to use knots because those can be tricky to untie especially in an emergency. Some knots tighten when tension is applied to the rope. So if you use such a knot, the weight of your body when you board your kayak will tighten the knot, making it doubly hard to untie.

[@tomdale5346]

This is a great video. Thanks so much. I will use this technique soon.

[@soihavetoplay]

This is very helpful!!!

[@1cupKBAC]

Thanks for sharing! Really amazing technic

[@rescuehoundemtd]

Great video. I live on a river and I have floating docks. I have had a heck of a rime launching and getting out of my kayak for a while now. I hope I can Utilize this method. I weigh close to 300 pounds. So it’s harder to pull myself up from my lower distance.

[@pushyapotnis9669]

Thank you for sharing. What is the make/model of your kayak and paddles? Looks great

[@debr628]

genius! thank you for sharing!

[@kennyc388]

What are you attaching to on your kayak?

[@jorgen.zamora]

Thank you for sharing this.

[@paulcarter8215]

Excellent, works even on drops of over a metre.

[@gfp1011]

Very helpful!

[@knittylane3016]

So very helpful.

[@PACSFIXER]

What do you have the rope attached to on your kayak, please?

[@ladynataliemarie7780]

Thank you!

[@brokenmarbles70]

my guy got ropes on everything

[@stephencarlton3616]

Wish I saw this before I tried my first time. Rope at the middle is the difference.

[@mitch2k19]

Thanks very helpfull !!!! just received my new kayak ;)

[@justintheory7417]

Really clever and practical plan! Where did you get those "tallish" cleats. They look handy.

[@SillyTubereal]

This will only work for floating docks. You will go under the dock on the other kind of docks.

[@mikehenebry]

You are correct; I know, I tried it.

[@davidleasure9138]

Great tips. Thank you

[@gw6797]

Great idea

[@scruffy2365]

Great tip thx buddy

[@lindajohnson1984]

Beautiful

[@toms9736]

Where do attach the rope to on the kayak?

[@james-tm1rm]

thats fantastic!! Thanks

[@wizeird]

love this tip, will have to try it out. watching him wrap a sheet around his arm at 0:42 makes me a bit nervous though

[@rustyshackleford3647]

Great.. thanks! Just got my first kayak.. the park where I'm testing it has a dock.. was wondering how that was going to work.. side rope!

[@britchey11]

also you can put paddle on dock behind cockpit, put your hand and some weight on the shaft with the remainder of paddle out over your boat which gives your other hand something to study yourself on.

[@Gromit801]

And if there’s no cleats or anything to tie onto?

[@robbrien8506]

Can this also be done with a canoe?

[@before3340]

Thank you sir

[@Bad_Batch_65]

Very cool. Thank you!

[@davidbucklew804]

Perfect! Thanks!!

[@hv1461]

What kind of paddle is that ?

[@keithlapere7650]

great idea if your yak is light but having a 80 lb. one I don't think it will work that easy.

[@britchey11]

i've done this with 17 ft 60 lb kayaks and small cockpit and i don't think the weight matters if you can get it in the water.

[@pru5730]

@@britchey11 Great video, thank you. However I know I cannot lift my 60 lb kayak out from the water the way you show here (I only weigh 110 lbs, and I'm old). The same might be true for getting it into the water! Any tips for a way to do this without requiring so much muscle?

[@confidence9892]

Great and helpfull vid, thanks mate.

[@teop7887]

Brilliant 😎👍

[@volumeturneddown9600]

So how about a 2-person kayak with an 8 year old?

[@steverusso177]

Is that a Little Wing kayak???

[@mikehenebry]

Yes.

[@peterstaadecker]

brilliant

[@brndnew01]

What kayak is that?

[@vickyking3408]

What if you have nothing to attach the rope too😮

[@Herboutwest]

Whats with the mirrors on the paddles?

[@wjennin1]

reflectors for night paddling most likely

[@alexjesudowich4292]

These are reflectors for daytime use in areas where there is powerboat traffic .. they really work, and are available from the Coast Guard or Coast Guard Auxiliary, free of charge along with “If found” stickers for the inside of your boat.

[@kellyburke5990]

This works!

[@willfarkouh]

Nice video. You missed the most important part. How did you move the kayak from the ramp to the water? You skipped this in the video.

[@PabloDon27]

Well done me ol lad

[@york04]

Good tip. What kind of kayak is that?

[@mikehenebry]

I am using a Warren Light Craft Little Wing 12.5 in the video.

[@courtneypope8979]

Thanks

[@quentswatszeup5260]

Mdr quel agilité cet personne !!! C'est dingue mais ce suis dis c'est pas du tous comme cela que l'ont grimpe Dans un kayak !!! 😣😣😣

[@RevnedC]

Ty

[@mikedriscoll5689]

What technique would you use for an uneven muddy bank? In most, of my kayaking I don't have the luxury of a dock of any kind (good info to know where I do, thank you!)

[@britchey11]

if the sloe is gentle i float 90% of the boat leaving a little stern on the mud then i wade out and get in. sometimes i sit on the stern deck and slide in.

[@britchey11]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/amTWaISLr6iKaKc

[@paulstradley9157]

I plan to add a pull up strap as soon as I can get around to it. I’m just going to tie some webbing to my front carry handle and tuck it under my bungees. Just wrap it around your forearm and you’re good. There are kits to buy but I’m a DIY guy. Search pull up kayak strap for ideas.

[@slaume]

The boat would be even more stable if the line was attached to the far side of the boat. good job and nice simple solution.

[@joemg82]

you could capsize towards the dock, It would also be in the way as you enter the kayak. His way is more stable for securing both the side away and facing the dock. Its also out of the way as you enter the kayak as well as making it easier to pull the kayak out of the water.

[@nemod3338]

I just drink 6 cans of beer before boarding and it happens automatically, don't care how. PS. Usually I go head first.

[@keepitreelcatfishing5883]

My kayak fully rigged weighs over 120 lbs

[@fuzzygreen3634]

that sucks lol

[@josephinebennington7247]

Assuming you have a dock with handy cleats. Not guaranteed....

[@ReneSchellenberg]

Sorry ...but this is a Video that shows how NOT to do it !!! Wy you lift your kayak ...its wood you just can slide it ...so you can protect your back ...instead of the fancy rope you can use a tow line.... paddel can be keppt on the kakak ...so you dont step on it... Video like this are not really helpfull ! Will make on ...promised

[@generationfunk]

How you gonna slide the kayak when you have rope hooks on the edge of the dock? If a 60yo man can pick it up with ease, anyone can lol. Do u call a rope fancy? Where are you located, Ethiopia? Also, are u that stupid that your going to step on your paddle? Dude shut the fuck up, you sound so stupid. You are the only one on this page being a whining bitch

[@britchey11]

its heavy kayak probably 83 lbs. he's using his paddle leash because its close by and attached to paddle.

[@emaier5785]

The gentleman articulates and nearly everyone appreciates. Always a lone dissenter.

[@pru5730]

4 years later and still no video? Okay then.

[@supermike0822]

What do you have the rope connected to on your kayak?

[@cricketthoffman9499]

Many kayaks have either bungee cords or paracord on the deck. If you don’t check your seat. There may be a web strap you can use. My first kayak didn’t have a cord and I had to use my seat webbing.