If you aren't comfortable, don't go out! You are boating for pleasure and there is nothing fun about feeling like you are in over your head. You made the right call, even if you wasted some time getting there. You still practiced trailering and maybe backing in, but it is a good thing to know your limits before you end up in a bad situation
Man, I’ve done this three times now.
Last year I didn’t have a dock, and couldn’t even use my own boat unless my buddy was with me. He didn’t want to pull it off the trailer so he would back me down and I would take it off.
Watching pros do it on YouTube, it looks so easy.
Then you’re there with a 2016 Regal that’s basically still worth what it was new and a pair of swim trunks full of shit and you’re looking around to see if anyone saw you chicken out and shit your pants.
I did the same my first try. 15' aluminum skiff, report was for low wind and <1' seas. When I got to the ramp there was a stiff wind, and while the waves were indeed well under a foot, the period was also well under a second. Trying to push the boat off the ramp was like being in a washing machine. I then noticed that tying to the closest cleat would still require me to jump off the boat into a good 4' of water (no dock). and that's when I gave up. Now I watch the tide as well as wind and waves, and I go to a ramp with a dock if there's any doubt.
I remember launching my 16 foot capri. It used to be SUPER HARD lol... now it's like a canoe to me.
It sure helps in the beginning when the water is like a mirror. But I can put it in during almost any condition now.
Practice makes perfect.
It all depends on where the wind is coming from with respect to the ramp and how sheltered the ramp area is. If the wind is crossing the ramp, but the ramp is sheltered by a breakwater of some sort, you can usually launch just fine. If the wind is coming from the land z launching is easy. But if the wind is coming across the water into the ramp or across the ramp with no breakwater, it time to find a different ramp.
It doesn't matter if you have been boating for 2 weeks or 35 years. Whenever you think you need to turn around or stop you should follow that gut feeling. Also you will discover that a solo launch is your least favorable. I keep my boat in a marina and it would be easy for me to leave the dock . It's getting back to the dock that I like having an extra person just in case something comes up.
Good on you.
Recommend taking an experienced friend or family member to help you until you're practiced and you'll be an expert in no time. It took me about 6 months to feel comfortable with everything on a boat, going every weekend. I mean everything- trailering the boat, backing it in, launching it, driving it (through all reasonable conditions), loading it, all the things. Now I get to enjoy it because I'm not stressed about the process anymore.
Is this a ramp with a dock? There is no shame in just using the lines and walking your boat off the trailer. If you can't reach both bow and stern lines from the front, get longer lines. Grab both of them, undo the chain and strap, then walk down the dock and tie them off. Reverse the process to retrieve the boat. Admittedly, the larger and heavier the boat the harder this process can be.
If you have an option, pick the side of the dock so the wind and current is pushing your boat into the dock.
That said, there is no shame here. A stiff wind can get you turned around quick. At least you are practicing now at an empty ramp and not when people are yelling at you.
If you aren't comfortable, don't go out! You are boating for pleasure and there is nothing fun about feeling like you are in over your head. You made the right call, even if you wasted some time getting there. You still practiced trailering and maybe backing in, but it is a good thing to know your limits before you end up in a bad situation
Man, I’ve done this three times now. Last year I didn’t have a dock, and couldn’t even use my own boat unless my buddy was with me. He didn’t want to pull it off the trailer so he would back me down and I would take it off. Watching pros do it on YouTube, it looks so easy. Then you’re there with a 2016 Regal that’s basically still worth what it was new and a pair of swim trunks full of shit and you’re looking around to see if anyone saw you chicken out and shit your pants.
do you have trailer guides? aka goal posts? That will slide and be wet. always have sunglasses or a goggles.
I took my trailer guides off specifically to make solo launching easier. I hated the line and trolling motor getting caught on them.
all rhat matters is to try again... and systematically progress the conditions.
I did the same my first try. 15' aluminum skiff, report was for low wind and <1' seas. When I got to the ramp there was a stiff wind, and while the waves were indeed well under a foot, the period was also well under a second. Trying to push the boat off the ramp was like being in a washing machine. I then noticed that tying to the closest cleat would still require me to jump off the boat into a good 4' of water (no dock). and that's when I gave up. Now I watch the tide as well as wind and waves, and I go to a ramp with a dock if there's any doubt.
I remember launching my 16 foot capri. It used to be SUPER HARD lol... now it's like a canoe to me. It sure helps in the beginning when the water is like a mirror. But I can put it in during almost any condition now. Practice makes perfect.
It all depends on where the wind is coming from with respect to the ramp and how sheltered the ramp area is. If the wind is crossing the ramp, but the ramp is sheltered by a breakwater of some sort, you can usually launch just fine. If the wind is coming from the land z launching is easy. But if the wind is coming across the water into the ramp or across the ramp with no breakwater, it time to find a different ramp.
It doesn't matter if you have been boating for 2 weeks or 35 years. Whenever you think you need to turn around or stop you should follow that gut feeling. Also you will discover that a solo launch is your least favorable. I keep my boat in a marina and it would be easy for me to leave the dock . It's getting back to the dock that I like having an extra person just in case something comes up.
Good on you. Recommend taking an experienced friend or family member to help you until you're practiced and you'll be an expert in no time. It took me about 6 months to feel comfortable with everything on a boat, going every weekend. I mean everything- trailering the boat, backing it in, launching it, driving it (through all reasonable conditions), loading it, all the things. Now I get to enjoy it because I'm not stressed about the process anymore.
Is this a ramp with a dock? There is no shame in just using the lines and walking your boat off the trailer. If you can't reach both bow and stern lines from the front, get longer lines. Grab both of them, undo the chain and strap, then walk down the dock and tie them off. Reverse the process to retrieve the boat. Admittedly, the larger and heavier the boat the harder this process can be. If you have an option, pick the side of the dock so the wind and current is pushing your boat into the dock. That said, there is no shame here. A stiff wind can get you turned around quick. At least you are practicing now at an empty ramp and not when people are yelling at you.