Going Solo? How to Launch Your Boat Without the Boat Ramp Stress
There’s something pretty good about a solo day on the water. You choose where you’re going, when you’re leaving and how long you’re staying out. No waiting for mates who slept through the alarm and no debate about which fishing spot to try first.
There is just one part that can make the whole idea feel a little less relaxing.
The boat ramp.
Launching your boat by yourself can look difficult when you haven’t done it before, particularly when the ramp is busy and there are other boats waiting behind you. But once you have your own routine sorted, launching solo becomes much easier.
The key isn’t trying to do everything quickly. It’s making sure you have very little left to do once you actually reach the ramp.
Here’s how to make your next solo launch smoother.
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Before the Ramp, Get Yourself Sorted
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is arriving at the bottom of the ramp and only then remembering you still need to remove straps, organise ropes, load the esky and find the boat keys.
That’s how a simple launch turns into a stressful one.
Use the preparation area before the ramp to get everything ready. Load your fishing gear, safety equipment, drinks and anything else you’re taking with you. Remove the trailer tie downs that need to come off before launching and make sure the bung is firmly in place.
It’s also worth getting your ropes sorted before you start reversing.
When you’re launching with someone else, there’s usually another pair of hands available to grab the boat. When you’re solo, your rope becomes that extra pair of hands. Have a good bow line attached and ready to go. Depending on the ramp and conditions, having another line attached towards the back of the boat can also make it much easier to control.
Just don’t disconnect the boat completely from the trailer while you’re still on dry land.
A simple routine before every launch can save you a lot of trouble.
- Bung in.
- Gear onboard.
- Straps sorted.
- Ropes ready.
- Keys with you.
Once you know those things are covered, you can concentrate on the launch itself.
Take a Look Before You Reverse
Every boat ramp is slightly different. Even if you’ve launched hundreds of times, an unfamiliar ramp is worth having a look at before backing your trailer down. Check how steep it is. Look at where the jetty sits. Pay attention to the wind and which direction it is likely to move your boat once it starts floating.
It’s also worth looking at the water level. A spot that worked perfectly the last time you visited might be completely different depending on the tide. If the ramp looks particularly slippery or unfamiliar, walking down and checking it before you reverse can give you a better idea of what you’re dealing with. Those couple of minutes can make the actual launch much easier.
Don’t Let the Queue Rush You
Most people who struggle at boat ramps don’t struggle because they can’t reverse.
- They struggle because they suddenly feel like everyone behind them is watching.
- Someone pulls up behind you.
- Then another trailer arrives.
- Suddenly you feel like your normal reversing skills have disappeared.
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Ignore the audience. Reverse slowly and make small steering adjustments. If the trailer starts heading somewhere you don’t want it to go, pull forward and straighten up. There’s nothing wrong with resetting. Trying to rescue a terrible trailer angle usually wastes more time than simply pulling forward and having another go. The more often you launch the same boat and trailer combination, the easier this becomes. Eventually you’ll know exactly how it responds.
Find Your Boat’s Sweet Spot
There isn’t one perfect depth for every boat trailer. Some boats will slide off easily with only part of the trailer submerged. Others need to go a little further. The goal is to reverse far enough that the boat can float or release comfortably without putting your tow vehicle unnecessarily deep into the water.
After a few launches you’ll learn the exact point that works for your setup. Once you’re in position, secure the vehicle properly before stepping out. Make sure it’s in park, apply the handbrake and take a second to make sure everything is stable. A boat ramp isn’t the place to rush the basics.
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Keep the Boat Connected to You
Once the boat starts floating, this is where having your rope ready really pays off.
The last thing you want is to successfully get your boat off the trailer only to watch it slowly drift away from you.
Keep control of the bow line while releasing the boat. If the ramp has a jetty or pontoon alongside it, guide the boat across and secure it somewhere that doesn’t block other people using the ramp. Wind can make this part interesting. A light breeze might barely move the boat, while a stronger crosswind can push it surprisingly quickly.
That’s why having your ropes ready before launching matters. You’re not trying to grab whatever you can reach after the boat is already floating. You’ve already got control.
Get Your Vehicle Off the Ramp
Once the boat is safely secured, move your vehicle and trailer away from the launching area.
You can finish organising everything else afterwards. This is one of those little things that makes a massive difference on busy ramps. Nobody expects you to launch your boat in record time, but everyone appreciates someone who arrives prepared and clears the ramp once they’re finished. Especially on a good Saturday morning when it feels like half of WA has decided to go fishing.
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What Happens When You Come Back?
Retrieving the boat solo can sometimes be trickier than launching it.
You might have left early in calm conditions and returned when the afternoon breeze has kicked in. The tide could also be different.
Start by securing the boat somewhere safe while you collect your vehicle and trailer.
Reverse your trailer into roughly the same position you used earlier. From there, use your ropes to guide the boat into position and attach the winch before bringing it onto the trailer.
Wind is probably going to be your biggest challenge. If it’s blowing across the ramp, having control of both the front and back of the boat can make lining it up much easier.
Once the boat is properly secured to the trailer, move away from the ramp before doing the rest of your pack up. Attach your travelling tie downs, organise your fishing gear and prepare for the drive home somewhere away from the launching lane.
Watch the Afternoon Breeze
WA boaters know how quickly conditions can change.
You might launch into glassy water first thing in the morning and return to completely different conditions later in the day. Before heading out, don’t just check what the weather is doing when you launch. Check what it’s expected to do when you come back.
Wind direction is particularly important when you’re launching or retrieving by yourself. If you’re still getting comfortable with solo launching, choose a calm day and somewhere you already know. There’s plenty of time to test your skills once the basics become second nature.
Beach Launching Is Another Level
Launching from the beach can open up some brilliant fishing opportunities around WA, but it comes with a completely different set of challenges. Sand conditions, tides, waves, wind and your vehicle setup all become part of the equation. The beach you launch from early in the morning can look very different when you return later in the day. If you’re new to beach launching, local knowledge is incredibly valuable.
Watch what experienced boaties are doing and pay attention to where similar sized boats are entering and leaving the water.
And if the conditions don’t look right, don’t force it. The ocean isn’t going anywhere.
You’re Solo, But You Can Still Ask for Help
Launching solo doesn’t mean you need to prove you can do everything alone.
If the wind starts causing problems or you’re having trouble controlling the boat, ask someone nearby for a hand.
Chances are they’ve been in exactly the same situation at some point. Knowing when to accept an extra pair of hands is part of good boating too. The Real Trick Is Building Your Own Routine. After your first few solo launches, something changes:
You stop thinking about every little step.
You already know where your rope sits.
You know how far the trailer needs to go into the water.
You know how your boat moves when the wind comes from a certain direction.
And you know exactly what needs to be done before you start reversing.
That’s when solo launching stops feeling like a big event and simply becomes part of going boating.
So don’t focus on being the fastest person at the ramp. Focus on being prepared. Get everything ready before you reverse, take your time, keep control of the boat and don’t let a queue behind you dictate how you launch. Once you’ve got your routine sorted, heading out on your own becomes a whole lot easier. Then you can focus on the more important question. Where are you fishing?
Getting Ready for Your Next Day on the Water?
Whether you’re getting your current boat ready for another season or looking for a new setup, the team at Chivers Marine can help.
From boats and Yamaha outboards to servicing, parts and advice, we’ve been helping WA boaties get on the water for generations.
Drop into Chivers Marine in Bibra Lake and have a chat with the team before your next trip.
