Access to CDory from ramp

G

Gene&Mary

New member
How do CBrats get onto the boat when launching from a ramp that does not have an adjacent dock? The dock at our normal launch point is on a point well away from the ramp.

Maybe I'm overthinking this but when the boat is free from the trailer and pulled back onto the beach (bow first), without being a gymnast, how do you get onto the boat? I suppose one solution is a stepladder but are there others that can be conveniently stored on the boat for later use?

thanks
 
When I had my 22' CD we launched in the surf all the time.

Launch the boat into the water. Pull it by the bow line sideways to the beach and then throw your leg over the side and slide into the boat. Be careful of "the boys" if the surf is rough. Then use a pike pole to shove away from shore to get the engine into deep enough water. We have done that at least 500 times in the 26 yrs we had that boat.
Good luck.
 
Normally, I get in the boat before it is all of the way in the water--Marie drives the truck/trailer to a depth where the boat will float free, and I fire up the engine, and back away.

Some boats put a folding ladder on the bow, which allows them to board at any time with beach on the bow.

We prefer a stern to the beach, because of the dog. If you want to do a stern to the beach, take both a bow and stern line with you. The stern will have to be longer. With engine up, you can swing the boat around so the stern is to the beach. We often go stern to beach when anchoring for the night--when there is no tide or bad weather, such as Lake Powell. Just don't damage the depth sounder transducer or trim tabs.
 
When I launch singlehanded without a dock, I loop the bow line over the winch post with enough length so that when backed in the boat will float off and clear the trailer guides. I then tie the boat to shore while I park. When using a dock, I have a giant shock cord that I stretch and tie to the dock. When the boat floats free, it is pulled over to the dock while I park.

Mark
 
We don't find climbing up the bow to be very easy, especially if you are trying to do it from a few inches of water wearing boots.

We just make sure the engine is trimmed up and bring the boat in sideways to access the cockpit. If you had waves coming ashore, this would be harder for sure. Find another launch would be our move at that point.

Greg
 
This can be a very challenging task. Depending on my guests at the time, its not even a possibility for some with limited athletic ability.

But we have done it dozens of times, and using the above technique. I slide the boat off the trailer, move down the beach to where Im not in the way and pull the bow up onto the beach as car as I can using the bow line. At that point I park the truck and trailer. I then push it back out and pull the aft cleat line until the boat is parallel to the shore. I try to keep a few inches of water under the boat to protect the gelcoat but that doesn't always help if there's lots of rocks or my guests are of generous proportions.

Its not always possible to have a dock, but if its just another 5 miles down the road for a launch with a dock, its worth it to me 100 percent.

The biggest problem I've had is not launching, but coming back to the launch when the weather is kicked up. Now try to get that boat back on the trailer in 3 foot wind waves and a strong side wind. Done it, and wouldn't want to do it again without beer and a good sense of humor.
 
I don't think the OP is asking about surf launches, just boat launches without a dock?

If there are waves to contend with, you need someone to launch you and you need to be on the boat and running it when it hits the water (start and warm up your engine before you launch!). This is whether it is a surf break or not.

If it's a calm launch in protected waters and a no wake zone, Aurelia has it, trim up the engine and pull the boat broadside to the shoreline. The stern will float in inches of water. We do this all the time. If you are worried about a hard concrete ramp and your gelcoat, put a couple 2x4s on the ramp and pull the boat onto them. Remember the middle is the widest, keep the line from the transom to the center parallel to the shore, this leaves the bow slightly out to sea.
 
I've seen a commercial where a guy has his bass boat rigged with remote. The boat takes off and hovers around until he has parked and come back to the ramp. Be a good app and iOT application
 
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