Solo launch on concrete slip

[HughN]

I usually have someone with me when I launch / recover from a concrete slip. They keep the boat against the ramp whilst I get rid of / get the car & trailer. There isn't anything to tie up to.

What's the received wisdom about doing this 'solo'?

• Don't
• Drag the boat down/up onto/off the concrete as far as I can and hope its still there after I've done the trailer stuff
• A (very) long rope to something solid

[Starovich]

depends on the boat, the swell/waves tide/current.

Sib, small or no waves, no or little current, pull the boat up and/or tie it to something

Rib - Forget it if you value your hull or, use a running anchor system like Anchor budy or similar,

[Ovey]

I would suggest a long rope and some kind of ground anchor. I have a couple of screw in dog tether posts from Halfords (for tying up my 4 dogs) but I would guess these would be pretty good for the temporary anchor point for a boat, provided the weather isn't too bad?

Halfords | Halfords Spiral Screw Stake

[Downhilldai]

Anchor the stern and run a line from the bow to the slipway, attached to a second anchor/lump of rock/whatever.

Do the car/trailer bit as quickly as possible. Be ready to jump into the car as soon as you leave the boat. Don't faff about between boat and car with waders/wetsuit/flipflops, etc.

[Barrowboy]

....and don't even think about doing it solo on the slip at Calshot.

I've only launched and recovered there once but saw enough near disasters in 30 minutes with boats being broached onto the slip as the swell from a passing tanker/cruise ship came ashore!

Luckily, Whisper showed me the alternative sheltered slip up the creek which is only accessible for an hour, or two, either side of high water but for which I'm forever grateful.

[bedajim]

Originally Posted by Barrowboy

....and don't even think about doing it solo on the slip at Calshot.

I've only launched and recovered there once but saw enough near disasters in 30 minutes with boats being broached onto the slip as the swell from a passing tanker/cruise ship came ashore!

Luckily, Whisper showed me the alternative sheltered slip up the creek which is only accessible for an hour, or two, either side of high water but for which I'm forever grateful.

Yep nice slip shh

I did see a guy tie up to the jetty and sort his car out, put the trailer into the water then fetch the boat and drive it onto the trailer, not sure if that's really allowed ?

[Barrowboy]

Originally Posted by bedajim

Yep nice slip shh

I did see a guy tie up to the jetty and sort his car out, put the trailer into the water then fetch the boat and drive it onto the trailer, not sure if that's really allowed ?

Nope, I don't know if it's allowed either but it's exactly what I did!

[Ovey]

That's what I do every time I launch! But I do launch from a different place, with a jetty right next to the slip for that very reason!

[paddlers]

With any boat it's down to conditions at the time wind/swell how busy it is at the slip. If it's a busy slip I wouldn't hesitate to ask for help of one of the other people there if they look vaguely boaty
Let's face it if you're keen to launch/recover it's no advantage to have somebody fannying about.........

If it's quiet and calm as others have said you can take your time and get some form of anchor sorted.

[MustRib]

fortunately at the harbour I launch from there is a very small sand beach to the left of the slipway and I usually push the boat off the trailer and up the 10 yards to the beach, then drop the anchor and chain in the sand and put out a very short warp. The boat cant really go anywhere other than onto the sand as its reasonably sheltered. Never gone long enough parking the car and trailer for it
to get unmanageable or high and dry (yet!).

[bedajim]

Originally Posted by Barrowboy

Nope, I don't know if it's allowed either but it's exactly what I did!

Not at the little slip, the big one

[Peter_C]

I do launch where there is no dock sometimes, and the boat has to be anchored offshore. I don my drysuit and swim back in with my fins.

Otherwise as suggested an anchor trolley system would be the best alternative. If there is a place to sink a T stake that would make it pretty easy.

[HughN]

Thanks, you have confirmed my pessimism!

I will have to start being nice to the missus and she might start helping...

[Barrowboy]

Originally Posted by HughN

... she might start helping...

Good luck with that one!

[cptsideways]

I usually bung an anchor out either side of the slipway when its like this, however when a gale force 8 blows in unexpectedly as your due to recover that's not much cop!! did'nt work with two of us hanging onto the thing for dear life, as we found out last week.


Had to go to a marina up the way instead & borrow their sheltered slipway after some faffing with trailers & stuff

[lakelandterrier]

Alternatively have a back up launch site in mind.
single handed launching of a concrete slip (like Calshott) with nowhere to tie up is a mare. If solo why not consider another site.

[DJL]

Hythe Marina slip has a nice big wooden post you can tie up to right next to it. I used to solo launch there all the time and wade/swim back in my drysuit. If you're nice to the marina staff they might even let you use the lock waiting pontoon while you sort the car out

[9D280]

I usuallly launch single handed.

For that very reason there are places I avoid.

E.g Port Edgar has, on paper all you need - slip, pontoon etc, but it's a *long* walk for a short cut back to the car & trailer, so thankfully as it's a wide slip I can either launch right over to one side to keep the car / trailer out the way as much as possible while I walk / jog back round, or ask someone already afloat to pull the boat over to the pontoon.

I can understand people might not want to trust someone else with their pride & joy, but anyone who has seen the state of my toobs will know why I'm not as bothered letting someone tow/ moor it! I used to ask people to hold it at the slip, but since I got the hull re-gelled I'm a bit more protective of the underside!

But yeah, in summary there are places I just wouldn't bother launching single handed, even if it means going somewhere with a bigger launch fee - the hassle reduction is worth the money!


Also setting up the trailer well can improve slip timing a lot.

[grahame42]

Originally Posted by Starovich

Rib - Forget it if you value your hull or, use a running anchor system like Anchor budy or similar,

Neat idea - also available on Amazon with cheaper delivery. Click, click. Purchased!

[Peter_C]

Careful with the bungee anchor system if it is windy. I have seen boats hit the shore. They work well in calm conditions though.

Another option that takes a minute for setup is to put three stakes into the ground. Use an old tire under the bow, and tie the boat to three stakes with two from the stern and one from the bow. That was my preferred method for leaving my Nautique wakeboard boat onshore at the lakes. I can sleep well while not worrying about the anchor coming loose in shale. Of course tidal waters that would only be good for a short term solution.