How to Launch a Boat by Yourself 

Point being, you are a good Dad who not only takes your son fishing but also care enough to help other Dads launch their boats on their own so they could take their kids fishing. Thank you!

I've been boating all my life (I'm 66 yrs. old) been fishing and waterskiing a long time and what I tell all new boaters is when you know you're going to the lake that day the first thing you do is put the plug in at home before you even leave for the lake because there's a lot of rush rush rush when you get to the launch and that plug sure is easy to forget.nice video.

Just bought my first boat, and doing as much reading an watching as I can. Thanks for the helpful video.

I just turned 50 and am not ashamed to say I got my first real boat for my birthday and really didn’t know where to start. I took backup with me and was fairly successful and my son then sent me your video on launching. I notice there are some who are just slightly negative in their comments but probably 90% have gratitude for a great video. I also noted the great quality of the vid and sound (even while you were in the boat and the camera was not) the sound was good. Thanks and please note that pointer on not backing too far into the water to load your boat is one worthy of taking note of. I had this issue. Then I saw your video and know how to resolve it the correct way. Thanks for sharing this!

I solo launch all the time with the long rope method. Everything you did in the back of the boat then I unhook winch strap and with my long rope probably 25ft heavy easy to handle rope, with hooks on both ends. I hook one end to where the winch strap was unhooked on the bow hook , then i coil it up on my front deck where it will easily feed out, and then the other end to bow roller support on the trailer. I back down , let it float out into the lake, and then ease up with truck , not to stress the rope or boat when the slack is out,,,, then ease up enough to clear the trailer from the water,,,,, set my park brake and get out and grab the rope on the trailer end, unhook it and guide it off on the side of the ramp. And when coming back on trailer, I am now a firm believer in the bunk "glide on slicks" vs. carpet..... Comes back on trailer so much easier..... Still love your instructional video and all of yours. Great channel!!!!!

I've found that backing the trailer down till the bunks are completely submerged and then moving back up to the optimum loading spot helps make the boat slide easier than on dry bunks.

When I was a boat inspector I always reminded people to put their plugs in and the amount of times people have said "oh thanks, I almost forgot" is a little startling

I have to say out of all the instructional videos about launching and retrieving, this has got to be the best instructional video I've seen so far. Thumbs up!!

I'm getting my first boot soon. It seems kind of silly looking up videos to back up your boat but I'm trying to learn so I wont sink it!! I heard stories!!!

I always roll my window down when alone. I've seen to many people lock their keys inside the truck, at the ramp.

I'm not sure if you mentioned this as a precaution, but you should leave the drivers side window down, no passengers, and seat belt off while on the ramp. That way in worst case scenario you can easily escape.

A tip a guy showed me and that I now use every time, is to trim up my motor a bit once it starts to get it on the bunks. You don't have to do a lot, just a little. The main reason is that some folk find it hard to find the sweet spot in where to put the trailer or the ramp is a bit funky (too steep or too flat) and so they struggle with getting the bow caught under the roller. So I back the trailer in until I have about 2 inches of front fender showing. Then I drive my boat up onto the trailer. Trim up the motor about a quarter the way up. Give some gas and the boat slides forward and the bow rises up and right onto the roller she goes. Works every time. I used to really struggle with the roller problem and its just damn embarrassing to be at the ramp for 15 minutes trying to load the boat. Meanwhile some old dude who likely knows it all and has seen it all is telling his fishing buddy what a beginner you are ;-)

I have a deck cleat on both sides of my boat next to and across from the driver’s seat and one in the front. I have a rope attached to both side cleats long enough to reach the truck stake holes with room to spare with snap hooks on each. I completely prepare the boat for launching including disconnecting the winch hook. If I am launching next to a dock I use whichever rope is going to be next to the dock and snap hook it to my truck. I back in-float the boat completely off and pull forward enough to take up some rope slack. I unhook the rope from the truck and tie it snug to the dock and than park. In your demonstration I stretch the rope to the front cleat (from either side)-tie a cleat knot-and hook it to the truck. Float the boat off-pull forward to take up rope slack-get out and pull it to shore-tie it up-park the truck. Never ever get my feet wet.

Many many years ago, launching our boat with my father. I was piloting the boat. We forgot to put the plug in 🥴. I backed off the trailer, was slowing bringing it to the dock, looked back and the water was up to the back of the front seats. Had to floor it and do circles near the dock until most of it drained back out. Good times.

Very important to have a mental checklist of things to do when launching and when taking the boat out. I find I forget to do stuff when I get distracted so really try to focus on what I'm doing.

I agree with several other comments - best video I've seen on self launching. One thing I'd add, even though it wasn't the main focus of your video. Protect our waterways from invasive species - before leaving the area, inspect and remove vegetation/debris that may contain invasive species, lower the outdrive to drain water from the hub, and be sure to drain your live/bait wells.

Gene - nice video on launching and retrieving a boat by yourself. The part about not forgetting to put the plug in is very important. I used to have a 14' fishing boat with a 25hp Mercury tiller. I learned this lesson the hard way. Many years ago, I had a boat. A friend and I decided to go fishing on spring morning. After several attempts, I got the boat launched. Everything was fine until I got back to the boat and my friend says "there is water coming into the boat.: I went back and got the trailer and we got the boat out, drained the water out and put the plug in and went back out and fished. The second time was when I took a trip up north and went fishing with my best friend and my son. Again, I forgot to put in the plug. This time, I learned that I could keep the boat moving and the water went out, and I put the plug in. My friend was driving the boat so I could put the plug in.

I’m 42 now, but when I was a kid, my father had grip tape on top of the trailer. He also hand a plank with grip tape along the left side of center. The electric winch had a small nylon cable ran down the trailer, so when we hooked up to come home, we could run the winch and walk backwards on the plank while loading and pulling the boat to its trailering position. Thank for these videos, I keep learning from you as I am a new subscriber. Happy Father’s Day sir!

I have a smaller boat (14/48 with a 25 HP). I have a lanyard (about 25 foot) that I hook to the trailer and the front of the boat. Undo the ratchet strap when I get close to the water. I then ease down, until the boat floats off of the trailer and goes out to the end of the lanyard, then I ease the truck and trailer back up the ramp and pull the boat right up behind it, until it is docked gently on the launch. Unhook the lanyard and go park. Never get wet feet launching. Always worked like a charm for me. I fish by myself 95% of the time.

Just bought a new 2020 tracker xl boat last Saturday. First boat. This helped a lot. I appreciate the pointers. Thank you, Sir.

Just got me a new boat man here in the U.K. and this video is a big help thanks for sharing

I heard that when you power into your trailer with your engine down, it will push the gravel at the end of the ramp and create a drop off at the end of the concrete ramp. Instead trim the engine up a ways so you're not blowing away the backing components to the concrete ramp creating that drop off for trailers who do tend to stick out a little longer or shallower water to get stuck on.

I’ll be getting my first boat soon, and so glad there is videos out there like this. Makes the launching a bit less terrifying.

This guy is like a calmer version of my dad.

Great video, I unhook my boat when I launch by myself but I leave a rope attached to the boat and trailer that I can unlatch and tie to the dock at the ramp. Another thing that I have been told, ( could or could not be true ) a good thing to get in a habit of doing is "dunking your bunks" you back your trailer in until the bunks are completely covered and then pull the trailer back to where you need it to load the boat properly. dunking them lets the boat glide on easier so you don't have to power load as much and it saves wear and tear on the bunks. Great video keep teaching me and many more to fish/boat.

For me this was super interesting because I’ve never been to a lake where you didn’t launch right at a dock.

Man where was this video 6 months ago when I got my boat! I learned everything you showed the hard way the first week I had it. From the plug being in at launch, getting ready before the ramp, not undoing the hitch when you launch by yourself, trailer being to deep when loading. Great vids though, all of them, keep them comin'!

Great video. I took my bass boat out for the first time by myself today and forgot when loading the not put the trailer in as far. Was frustrating at first, but quickly saw my mistake. Another tip is to have a lock that you can put on the front of your trailer where the safety pin goes. This stops anyone from coming up and just hitching your trailer/boat to their truck and stealing it when your not there. Oh and always carry a backup plug

I tie about a 25-35' leash on my front boat clip the other end to to the winch. I back in until the boat floats free and pull trailer out of the water. I then gather the leash end off of the winch and walk the boat over to the ramp. Works for me on a non windy day. Usually it's in the morning so no wind.

Your camera work/placement/editing has been done amazingly well!

Thanks Gene! This gave me a bit of confidence heading out for my first time on my new boat.

Kyle, you forgot one major safety detail. You missed a golden opportunity to remind your viewers to ALWAYS USE THE TRUCK’S PARKIING BRAKE in addition to placing it in the PARK setting when sitting on the ramp. Too many folks have either failed to place it in PARK, or the “parking pawl” in the transmission failed, either will result in the boat, trailer and truck going into the water in a matter of seconds. Always use the vehicle’s PARKING BRAKE when placing the vehicle in PARK while sitting on the ramp.

when backing up if your bad like me, just look at the side mirrors and if the boat is sticking out the left mirror, turn left, if it's sticking out the right mirror, turn right. you turn towards where it's sticking out, but i guess we all have our tricks (hand at bottom of wheel)

Thanks for a great video, I am a new boat owner, has taken my boat to the lake only 3 times, Your video has helped me alot. I appreciated it sir and a big hello from Texas.

I've been using the steering wheel and neutral trick since you did this video and man, it's made my life a ton easier. Lol. Also makes my buddies happy when I don't take 10mins to back their boat. Haha thanks again as always Gene!!

Only boat I've been on is a fairy boat.. next week I will be bringing home my first boat nitro z18 I know nothing about boats but I've been digging deep on videos on how too's.. thanks for posting this video

The rope method works on some docks but not all....some are awkward and you’d need a lot of rope to do it...so this is definitely a good option which I don’t mind...getting your feet wet right when you get to the lake just feels good and is motivating! :)

Just a couple additional tips I would like to add. First, is if your in a truck, when retrieving put the tailgate down so then you can just look out the back window for full view of the trailer to see how far it's in in the water. This can also be done while launching the boat, if you have enough room to not hit the boat with the tailgate, so when parking you can also see if your trailer is straight. The second tip I would like to add is when retrieving I like to back the trailer all the way into the water to get the bunks completely wet. I found this makes it easier to load with the entire bunks being wet to allow it to slide on easier. Great video Gene! You gave a few tips I have never thought of before and will make it even easier for myself!

Just got a boat for my son and I to do some fishing. This was a good instructional video.

I just inherited two bay boats and don't have a single clue what to do but your videos are by far the ABSOLUTE best videos on RU-vid! Keep it up.man!

Having just acquired my first boat and not having put it in the water yet, this video was was very informative...thanks!

I'm total noob looking for my first boat... I enjoyed your video and learned something new, thanks! :)

Thanks for the video. Just bought a Nitro bass boat yesterday. Excited to get in the water!

I do this all the time but honestly... I just wanted to see your boat!:)

thank you. I'm am picking up my new boat in a couple of days and this was one of my concerns as a first time boat owner who plans to fish solo a lot.

Love the videos and NEW BOAT, but as someone that always launches by myself, I can add a few tips. First, get on ebay and buy some 1" wide strips of outdoor anti-slip tape for use on stairways and put the EVERYWHERE that you might step when getting on the trailer. (you'll know why when it happens!) Second, I let out about 2 feet of slack on my winch so that when the boat starts to float backwards, then I stop and don't ever have to push it back more after I step into it and ad 200 pounds of weight to it.

Hello Flukemaster. I like your technique of maneuvering the boat by putting hand in lower half of steering wheel. Great video. I will check out all your videos for sure and I need to learn the basic before launching my very first boat ever.

Thanks for showing what an aluminum would look light for me. I'm at the point of needing a lighter boat from past back and hip surgeries. I do it similar with my fiberglass ProCraft. Only thing I do different,,,,for me,,,is I hop out of the truck just at the point of the trailer going into the water and open my tailgate so I have a safe way of hopping across onto the boat instead of climbing up or walking in the water. I cannot submerge the fenders as it may float off by itself and go sideways across the trailer,,,not good..lol! I leave the winch strap hooked but do let off the tension about a foot of strap. Go on the tailgate, step onto the bow, start the engine first then reach down and undo the strap and simply back it off the trailer. I load the same as you, but our ramps are kind of steep, I do however back the bunks all the way in to get them wet to help with the boat sliding on the bunks then pull back up to where the fenders tops are a couple inches out of the water. I end up powering it back up to the roller to its resting spot. Leave the engine in gear and slightly wound up to hold it in position. Walk to the front and reach over the bow and hook it again and crank it from the inside of the boat..If I shut it down it will slide back off the front roller and its tough to crank it back up there so I let the engine do it for me. I'm actually way quicker than 75% of people doing with with a group of "helpers"..lol! It is time for a lighter boat though due to health issues. Jacking the trailer up to hook it to the truck hitch and off again takes a lot of strain to jack up a heavy glass rig..thanks for the vid..we all do things slightly different and find what works best for us.

99.9% of the time I fish solo but I use a rope from my bow & attach it to the trailer tongue.I step out of my truck & take the rope & guide the boat to a clear spot & tie it off & move my truck.I sometimes wear my UGA baseball cap as well. {:>)

Small world. I could tell immediately that this is the riverside boat ramp at Betty’s branch. Nice video.

Go Dawgs!!!! The fluke and fluke magnum are my favorite baits!

You did the same thing that my dad did when I was a kid and as I got older taught me how to back the boat in the water using the same way you did on the steering wheel. Miss those days going fishing with dad.

Gene, I like your videos so much that I watched this entire one and I don't even have a boat :) keep the videos coming!

about forgetting the plug, you didn't mention quick way to get water out (as long as its not swamped) when you realize the plugs not in, don't panic just gun it back to the launch as its moving at a good speed the water will get sucked back out the hole, giving you time to get the boat out of the water back at the launch.

some suggestion, get a routine on how you get boat ready, check motor will start BEFORE you launch, pinch one side of rubber strap on motor saver so you don`t lose it ,if rope launchin hook rope to boat ,i use large snap hook to boat an winch,one other thing ,i keep boat key in tackle bag, if left in boat a lot can happen to it ,i also don` t allow any one to help get boat ready to launch so i know everything is right unless i`ve fished with them a LONG time,also i have spare keys to boat,van, trailer, spare tire in plastic box hidden in boat JUST in case ,hope this helps some folks out

Little steering corrections go a long way when backing down the ramp. Dont over steer or you will be zig zagging down the ramp.

When loading your boat back the trailer bunk boards til they are underwater and then pull forward. The wet bunk boards makes it easier to drive boat on trailer.

Bettys Branch... I love fishing there in the hot months! You know I’m board during this pandemic.. I’ve been launching boats for almost 30 years! 😂😂🤣🤣

Gene another tip is to back the trailer all the way into the water, completly submerge the bunks and then pull back up to your desired position. that way the entire bunk is wet and the boat slides up so much easier.

I like the " NEUTRAL TIP " I've NEVER heard that before, and I will try it next time I go out.

Great vid, you make it look a lot easier than a lot of people at my local marina do!

Best video to date on how to launch your boat solo.. 1 thing to add is for older boats or boats without LED lights, make sure to unhook your lights before backing the trailer into the water. keep up the great videos Gene :)

Just about to purchase my first (used) boat, ive backed up my camper etc.. but to me backing up a boat down a ramp is different, not to mention the pressure from all the other boaters waiting and watching you make a mess of it... Thank you for this video....

Man thank you for the instructional vid. I'm a new bass boat owner and had NO IDEA on how to launch a boat by myself lol so this has saved me from looking like a complete idiot.....i still made a few mistakes but overall i was successful. I'm a new fan and a subscriber.....the only this is that Georgia Bulldogs hat lol I'm born and raised from Tuscaloosa, Alabama.....Roll Tide! LOL But it's all SEC

Thanks for the video. My first time launching my new boat was today. It didn't go as smoothly as yours but now I know a little more thanks to you.

thanks Gene great instruction here! Got my first boat yestersay, picking it up late next week and hitting the ramp that day to practice when useage is low.

Nice demo on unloading and loading, more boaters need to watch this in my area. I avoid the weekends at the local lakes, just too crazy and too many agro boaters.

i appreciate this video so much. when i buy my new boat i feel that now i can launch it safely. so thank you for educating me.

My first time I forgot the plug. I even had it in my pocket and telling myself I wasn’t going to forget but some how did.

I should’ve watched this before my very first launch ever, yesterday - although it went well. I’m just glad no one was around to watch. :)

7 years later I finally have a reason to watch this video.

Was this at the riverside boat ramp? I live about 5 minutes from that. Good to see someone so local doing RU-vid.

This video is great, gonna use this technique when I take me new jon boat Thursday!

Maybe our boat was lighter than his, but we just backed down the ramp until the trailer wheels are completely under water or the rear tires of your car/truck touch the water. Connect long line on bow and disconnect winch line. Lift and push the boat from the bow toward the water. As it leaves the trailer let the line out until we’ll clear of trailer. Then maneuver the boat to the dock. When putting the boat on the trailer, do the same in reverse.

Great video, my wife and I are looking at our 1st boat and I'm nervous as hell about messing up at the ramp. So doing my homework now. Thanks for the help👍

If you have surge brakes you don't want to put your tow into neutral or the brakes will lock. The backup lights are wired to a lockout on the surge brakes to prevent the brakes from engaging when going backwards. Also, unless you're in the boat, you never want to start moving the boat off the trailer unless there is a rope tied to it. Many people have drowned chasing a boat off the trailer and into the lake. Leave the bow strap connected, move the boat backwards, get in the boat, unhook the bow line or safety rope.

Thank you... Needed that... Trying to buy or win a bass boat next yr...

My two cents: Most people over compensate when backing up. Little turns on the steering wheel, a quarter turn is enough once your lined up with your target.

Great video Gene, it can definitely be a little nerve racking doing it yourself the first time or two. Excellent job brother!!

A really important note for launching a boat by yourself, make sure your emergency brake on the truck works! I've seen it happen several time that guys put the truck in park but without the e-brake and the weight of the boat + trailer drags the truck down the ramp

I'll stick with the way my grandad taught me. Tie a long piece of rope to the front of the boat and the back of the trailer. Boat slides off, pull forward in the truck, hop out and pull the boat to shore. Never even need to get your feet wet.

your the man! I'm about to buy my first boat and that really helped me feel more confident about launching it!

bought first used boat at 66 yrs young, forgot plug , problem , thanks enjoy the quality of your videos , Mike ,westerly,r.i.like to see videos of weedless lures ,mine still get stuck.

Thanks for taking the time to put this together!

You make it look easy coming back in!

I disconnect the trailer lights before putting the trailer in the water. I hate replacing bulbs.

I'll toss a nickle in too. To those talking about using a bowline to 'walk your boat to the dock'. Thats fine IF you don't have a couple of signs or poles in the way. If you look carefully in the video there are a couple of warning signs on either side of the ramp that would interfere. Like everything, practice makes perfect so if you launch the same way every time you are most likely to have a successful and enjoyable experience. The tips on backing were especially nice for noobs. Flukemaster, excellent video that covers the basics very well. I did have to laugh when you were undoing the straps in the back and kept repeating 'put in the plug'---I do exactly the same thing thanks to a lesson hard learned by a friend during a day on the lake. Backed it off the beach and found only 2" of side above water. Bilge pump kaflooie and no manual pump aboard. Almost swamped it as he installed an old style 'flapper extractor' that someone loaned him and took almost an hour of running around to drain enough water to pull it out enough to let it drain. Ruined an otherwise perfect day on the water with dates BUT taught me "the plug' the plug, the plug".

Hey man.... thank for the video on how to launch your boat on the ramp and recover the boat too.... Yep don’t forget to put the plug in!! I like that most important tip!! Thx and happy fishing man!! Ed!😊

I appreciate the good knowledge in the video bud, good looking out.

Thanks for taking the time to share. I scraped my skeg first time recovering but appears to be cosmetic only. Managed to not put any other marks on it. Wish I had watched this video first. It's surprising how much I didn't know I didn't know.

Thanks for the video buddy. It's been several years since I launched a boat. Just purchased my XPRESS PRO X18 and very xcited about wetting it today.

2 points to address, ALWAYS keep motor up at least 1/2 way when launching cause all launch drops are different(better safe than sorry/damage) 2nd is that crocs are slippery so be careful when stepping down cause it can be a ride that your back wasn't expecting(yes i know from experience)... GO GATORS!!! 🤠

Most helpful video on How to launch a boat by yourself on RU-vid thank you so much

Favorite part of the video was seeing that beautiful first gen tundra

0:02 "gonna be a real quick video." Know how those go :). Thanks for sharing.

I start my motor before I take the winch off. If it didn't start all I have to do is pull back out. Next thing when loading the boat on the trailer. Back in the water and get the runners under water first. Come out to where you like and stop.The cover on the runners will last longer. I have a '94 Strados with a 175 Johnson. Starts every time and the cover is factory on the runners.

My dad upgraded to the minnkota ulterra. One of the beet things ever when launching by yourself. If the water is calm a rope from the front eyelet to the back of the trailer works fine. I have a glass boat but don’t pull it hard enough to make it hit the ramp before I can get there and stop it.

Thanks for creating and posting this video!

Great video! Thanks. My brother just got his first bass boat and ill be helping with loading and unloading. Your video was very helpful

Another word of advice is to purge the hubs of your trailer (if you don't have airtight hubs) to push the water out of your bearings. Pop out the outer seal on the grease cap to access the grease zerk