Anyone boat alone? Launch and retrieve Solo?

[johnbandrews]

Originally posted by NICKYPOO
xpjim,

Damn, I'm sorry dude. I honestly feel bad for you. One thing I absolutely love about my wife is the way she handles herself and the boat at the ramp. She has gotten way better than me and she knows it. Before we bought the boat she had only been in one a few times let alone drive or tow somebody or dock or load or anything. She was terrified. Now she is an ace and I can't think of a bigger turn on. I absolutely beam with pride when I see her perfectly timing the launch/retreive process. My only reason for writing this is that mabey you will have your wife read it and be inspired to overcome her fears and allow you to know the joy of having the ultimate wife. Or mabey just get the hell out of my way at the ramp.

I hope you don't take this the wrong way, it's all in good fun.

Ditto what Nicky says. My wife had NO experience when we bought our first boat, and now she's totally comfortable (and PRO!) at trailering the boat. Better than most anyone we see, male or female. She regularly gets comments on her boat driving prowess from onlookers. Be patient, and take your boat and wife to a quite ramp some day and practice. You'll both be happier, and it's WAY easier to work as a team than do it all solo.

[b/w05]

As with the last few posts', I found that 30 minutes of "patience" with your wife or whatever, pays off soooooo much later! It's great to get compliments from the guys and gals on the ramp when they see my my wife back the trailer or load/unload the Tige'.

Mark

[bneub]

Another great place to practice backing up with a trailer is a large empty parking lot. You don't have to deal with the steep ramp and tight spaces.

You are right a couple of 20 min sessions of backing practice and she might feel more comfortable around the ramp.

My wife is great at backing the trailer and driving the boat. I hope she never figures out she doesn't need me!

[xpjim1]

Believe me people I have had my wife on vacant launch ramps. She is a person who does not have the back up gene! On pulling in the boat she does ok when the ramp is empty and no wind. She will not attempt in wind or crowds She really hates crowds and gets stressed. it is easier to do it my way and not get her stressed. Again I will be showing my daughter how to drive the boat and back the trailer. She is ready for the challenge

[TeamAllen]

I'm with you xpjim1! I'm working on teaching my son. There is hope in the future generation.

[Tequilasun]

Originally posted by Matt Garcia
WOW! That is some work and guts there! Props to you!

It really isn't that big of a deal, the ramp has nothing around it for 6 yds or so and I could park the truck just up the ramp, so I really wasn't worried. I was more concerned about Water patrol giving me some sort of citation.


As for wives, my wife is an absolute champ at trailering the boat, she will not back or drive the truck though, this is where she draws the line. Although she has done it before and she did great, her stress level goes through the roof and it makes for a bad day (you KNOW what I mean)

I have buddies who won't do either. So I become the "one-man show" when they ride with me. I guess if something were to happen, they want me to be soley responsible!

[NICKYPOO]

xp & Allen-

You guys got the right idea. Get 'em going when they are young. I learned to drive at 13, learned how to back a trailer at 14 and learned to handle the boat at 15. It's all second nature now and hard to see it from the other side. Your kids will love you for teaching them early though. I see your point on the wives. If they are going to plex up, best to just handle it yourself. All you can do is all you you can do. No better training than seat time though.

draginass-

You got buddies that won't do either. I don't know man. That's pretty weak on their part. I hope you give them plenty of crap for their limited sack dimentions.

[Tequilasun]

Originally posted by NICKYPOO


draginass-

You got buddies that won't do either. I don't know man. That's pretty weak on their part. I hope you give them plenty of crap for their limited sack dimentions.

You know I do

[Boarder_X]

Nick,

You got buddies that won't do either. I don't know man. That's pretty weak on their part. I hope you give them plenty of crap for their limited sack dimentions.




Good stuff. I needed a laugh today. I have been sick since Friday afternoon.

[Original Wing Nut]

Practice for everybody

I never wanted to have to worry about the solo launch. Last season was new for my family and the tige. Just 4 of us me, wife, 16 year old son and 15 year old daughter. I tool all to the parking lot and everybody got turns until they said they were comfy. Then all last season it was a round robbin, every trip we just rotated who did what. We did this when pulling riders as well. After a whole season and everybody jetting 25% of the practice all is good. Now in the future if I am not able to go or have to meet them later after work or whatever, I'm comfortable letting go of the baby in the family. Once last summer taking out the in-laws it is daughters turn to drive truck and wife at the wheel in the boat. 25 mile cross wind. daughter backed like a pro and wife lined up 40 to 50 feet down wind and brought it in perfect. All the time I am silent, which was the best policy until asked last season, but the father-in-law kept saying your not lined up and my wife saying I'll be fine. One her most proud moments. Man being at the lake is great.