Single-handed launch & retrieve of Tom Cat?

D

Doryman

New member
I am curious whether any Tom Cat owners here launch and retrieve their boats by themselves, without help. If you do, could you outline the procedure you use?

Most of the time when I am launching I have to give the boat a nudge with the truck brakes to get it to slide off the bunks. If you do that, how do you get into the boat?

Retrieving would not be as hard, but unless you drove your boat all the way up the bunks to the ladder (assuming you have a ladder trailer) how do you get out of the boat without getting very wet?

Does the Tom Cat present more of a challenge in this regard than a 25?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Warren
 
I have single handed launched and retrieved both the 25 and 255. Both are fairly easy to do--as long as the trailer is far enough in the water, and good angle on the ramp. I climb over the front of the bow from the trailer frame on both boats--but am usually wearing waterproof boots. Drive on/drive off. But, we do have slicks on the 8 front feet of the trailer of the Tom Cat and use "Mary Kate Liquid rollers" (silicone spray) on the C Dory 25. We do not "bump" the boat off.
 
Warren,

When Launching, I back the boat in close to the dock and tie the stern line to a dock cleat with slack. I tie the bow line to the trailer ladder (with slack)and climb back in the truck, back up and hit the brakes. She slides right off but does not have anyplace to go.

Fred
 
Alli Cat":27zkjxvv said:
When Launching, I back the boat in close to the dock and tie the stern line to a dock cleat with slack. I tie the bow line to the trailer ladder (with slack)and climb back in the truck, back up and hit the brakes. She slides right off but does not have anyplace to go.
Click to expand...

Fred, that sounds very workable. Thanks! What about retrieving? Do you drive the boat all the way up on the bunks? Sometimes that is not easy to do if the ramp is not steep enough.

Warren
 
Warren, I usually get the Cat as close as I can with the engines, climb down the ladder, hook up to something firm and drive up to level ground. It's a fairly simple matter (if you're careful) to drive forward a little and tap the brakes to get it to slide up to the rubber bumper.

Charlie
 
Warren , when you come back through Ill show you how we do it . There are a couple techniques that work in different situations.
Marc
 
Warren, I have never had to retrieve the boat alone, but I suppose I would walk it on a little (just like when I have help), then step aboard and run her up. The trouble is how far to power up before using the winch. I like my wife to drive it on as I crank. I don't look forward to ever doing this part alone.

Fred
 
Alli Cat":19gpqt8b said:
Warren,

When Launching, I back the boat in close to the dock and tie the stern line to a dock cleat with slack. I tie the bow line to the trailer ladder (with slack)and climb back in the truck, back up and hit the brakes. She slides right off but does not have anyplace to go.

Fred
Click to expand...

Just be mindful of too much slack. If too much slack the line can/will get caught around the wheel fender, then it it can get in bind where you can't go forward or back. Don't ask why I know so much about what can go wrong?

Roger
 
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