Launching solo in Havasu, any tips?

[wellspun]

I just had a friend cheese out on going out with me today, which leaves me with a situation. I'm here with 3 kids who definately want to go out on the boat, and my only option is to launch the boat solo, which I've never done. I'm also just barely getting comfortable with launching in general, as this is my first boat, and I've had it out maybe 8 times so far.

Wondering which launch ramp in Havasu would be best to try this for the first time. I'm stressing. I usually have at least one friend who can help with anything that comes up. Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Billua]

Although I have not done this, I have noodled it a little.


I think I would disconnect the rear straps, back the boat into the water until it just start to lift off the trailer, put the e brake on the truck, walk around, board the boat by walking over the trailer tongue...

Once on bard the boat, start it, move to front, unlatch the eye hook

then back away, go to boarding dock, tie the boat off, recover the truck, go boating.

I haven't been to Havasu in a few years and cant recommend a ramp. Obviously, you would try for no current, or to launch upstream..

I caution you that I have only noodled this and have not had to try it yet.


I am sure others will come along with actual experience..

Cheers

[xpjim1]

Go to cat tail cove. Back up to ramp closest to the dock. Pull boat off with rope off rear ring. Tie off boat. Park truck. Go boating. Just did this yesterday

[Jason B]

^^
I've done this. It worls well. You can also just leave a bow line on and then hold on to it while you crank the winch line out until it floats off.
Do your best to stay out of the way as much as possible and be as fast as you can while being safe.

Good luck!

[wellspun]

Go to cat tail cove. Back up to ramp closest to the dock. Pull boat off with rope off rear ring. Tie off boat. Park truck. Go boating. Just did this yesterday

I'm actually planning to head to Cat Tail Cove for the first time today, so I appreciate the tip from someone that has actually launched there. I'm getting better at controlling the boat around docks and such, but still stress on it for some reason. Hopefully after this season I'll be much more comfortable with it. I'm going to also take the advice on attaching a rope to the boat so I can control it a bit better.

Do you walk the boat over, or dock it under power? I'm a bit confused on that part. I was assuming I would power the boat over to the dock, tie it off, and then handle the truck. I would obviously be much more comfortable walking the boat over, but that didn't occur to me as an option.

[wyodoc1]

Either will work, since you are still beginner, pull it over and tie it off, anyone seeing you loaded up with kids will under stand. I kow I do, the ones we dont appreciate are the ones the block off the ramps at high periods to wipe down, load etc.
The recommendation of which launch area is probably one of the better ones in yor predicament.

[xpjim1]

I just pull it over. It is really close. Pull straight back off the trailer and it is at the dock

[Billua]

Pulling it with the rope is a great idea.

My noodling was all about the courtesy dock being farther away from the ramp itself and usually jammed up with NUMBn&ts using it as a social gathering place...

All good thoughts for launching solo!

[evil0ne]

If all else fails, ask someone standing around if they can back the truck for you.