Proper launch

[mikeg205]

Originally Posted by Miss Rita

I back the trailer in the water until the hull is wet, then pause. Once the driver (whoever it may be) gets the engine started, I back in further until the boat floats off the trailer. They drive away, I drive away.

It's not that complicated.

+2 -- - good launch should take about 2 minutes from back up from staging area, boat luanch, pull away to park.

[musicmd]

All are helpful comments - - - thanks.

Ms. Rita, I would love it to be that easy. It definitely *should* be. My wife is actually very good at pulling skiers and wakeboarders (usually just me, as I'm the driver for everyone else). But, she puts up a lot of resistance to slow speed maneuvering, including driving the boat off the trailer and bringing the boat up to a dock. That's why we have typically floated the boat off the trailer while she held the lines.

I have always power loaded the boat and it hasn't been an issue. I agree that depth of the trailer is key and find that having the top of the fenders about 1" above the water seems to be the perfect depth for my boat.

Luckily, our favorite boat launch is usually pretty low stress, even on busy weekends. It has 6 slots and the parking lot is attached. People are usually very understanding and cordial, which helps.

When launching, I typically back to within 5 feet of the water, unhook the boat from the trailer, secure the lines, confirm all is ready (plug in, engine blower on, etc.) then back the trailer in until the boat floats off. My wife holds the lines while I park the boat and trailer then we are good to go. Whole thing takes 3 minutes from start to finish.

However, it would be even easier if my wife (or someone else) would be agreeable to driving the boat off the trailer OR backing the boat the last few feet and then parking the car and trailer while I drove the boat over to the passenger loading area.

[mikeg205]

MusicMD where in the midwest are you....

[thatsmrmastercraft]

Originally Posted by musicmd

All are helpful comments - - - thanks.

Ms. Rita, I would love it to be that easy. It definitely *should* be. My wife is actually very good at pulling skiers and wakeboarders (usually just me, as I'm the driver for everyone else). But, she puts up a lot of resistance to slow speed maneuvering, including driving the boat off the trailer and bringing the boat up to a dock. That's why we have typically floated the boat off the trailer while she held the lines.

I have always power loaded the boat and it hasn't been an issue. I agree that depth of the trailer is key and find that having the top of the fenders about 1" above the water seems to be the perfect depth for my boat.

Luckily, our favorite boat launch is usually pretty low stress, even on busy weekends. It has 6 slots and the parking lot is attached. People are usually very understanding and cordial, which helps.

When launching, I typically back to within 5 feet of the water, unhook the boat from the trailer, secure the lines, confirm all is ready (plug in, engine blower on, etc.) then back the trailer in until the boat floats off. My wife holds the lines while I park the boat and trailer then we are good to go. Whole thing takes 3 minutes from start to finish.

However, it would be even easier if my wife (or someone else) would be agreeable to driving the boat off the trailer OR backing the boat the last few feet and then parking the car and trailer while I drove the boat over to the passenger loading area.

Your routine sounds fine and you should probably just be satisfied with it. The price you pay for trying to get the wife more involved than she is comfortable with is too great. Just sayin'

[musicmd]

Originally Posted by mikeg205

MusicMD where in the midwest are you....

I'm in Madison, Wisconsin.

[musicmd]

Originally Posted by thatsmrmastercraft

Your routine sounds fine and you should probably just be satisfied with it. The price you pay for trying to get the wife more involved than she is comfortable with is too great. Just sayin'

I think you're spot on. My wife is very comfortable with our routine and we are pretty efficient (MUCH faster than many people we observe). It doesn't make sense to ask my wife to do something outside of her comfort zone.

I also realize that, while I LOVE driving the boat, my wife only does it to be helpful (i.e., when I'm the one in the water.) Otherwise, she is happier being a passenger and observer.

[thatsmrmastercraft]

Originally Posted by musicmd

I think you're spot on. My wife is very comfortable with our routine and we are pretty efficient (MUCH faster than many people we observe). It doesn't make sense to ask my wife to do something outside of her comfort zone.

I also realize that, while I LOVE driving the boat, my wife only does it to be helpful (i.e., when I'm the one in the water.) Otherwise, she is happier being a passenger and observer.

I can identify with that

[mikeg205]

Originally Posted by musicmd

I'm in Madison, Wisconsin.

Give a shout out to Madcityskier.... he's from Madison.

[musicmd]

Originally Posted by mikeg205

Give a shout out to Madcityskier.... he's from Madison.

Yes, we've connected a few times on the TT forum. I got the X-10 in late September and haven't yet hooked up with other MC owners here in Madison. Next year . . .

[skps190]

I would say if your routine is working for you then stick with it. When we had our 190 I usually launched and loaded by myself, when my wife was with all she had to do was make sure the boat didn't float away from the dock, otherwise she pretty much just stayed out of the way. The last thing you want to do is start the day off on a sour note if something were to not go as planned when launching. We've all seen and heard the arguments, not the way I'd want to start my day on the lake.