235 launch/recovery

[bigmall]

I went to a boat show this weekend and saw the 235 for the first time out of the water, the boat is huge. I primarily fish alone and have no trouble launching/recovering my 215 by myself, but I'm not sure that is possible with the 235. Are there any 235 owners out there that have figured out how to launch and recover alone?

Thanks

-JB

[Triumphed]

Hi JB, I own a 235 but it is so new I haven't had a chance to launch it as yet. The electronics should be installed by sometime next week. I can't comment from 1st hand experience but if your launching ramp is steep enough you should be able to use the same procedure as your 215. I have some concern as my launching ramp is shallow. If you go alone you will have to power the boat off the trailer after you've climbed into the boat by using a 6 foot ladder or you may be able to back up far enough and fast enough and then slam on the brakes and hope she comes off that way. The latter not recommended as you risk getting water(I'm assuming saltwater) into your vehicles rear brakes or what happens if your brakes fail(not good). Don't forget to tie that 50 foot rope from trailer to boat. I wish for your ramp to be steep enough and my concerns are not met. Good luck if you get a 235. I think the boat is awesome and I can't wait to start fishing her this spring.

[bigmall]

Thanks for the reply Triumphed.

To launch my boat I unhook the safety chain and back in until the rear of the boat floats. Then I hop it tilt the motor into the water and start it. Then I reach over the bow, place the winch in reverse and slowly back the boat off the trailer with its own weight. I then tilt the motor the rest of the way down and give a little gas until I'm clear of the trailer. I don't tie the boat down until I'm at the end of the pier, because I never need to get off of the boat. Recovery is basically reverse of lauching.

My worry is that I won't be able to launch/recover without relying on someone else.

Please keep me posted, I'm very interested in knowing how everything works out for you.

-JB

[Putershark]

Something else you want to consider and have installed to make that job a little eaiser
Trailer Steps

[Eric G]

See double winch launch & retrieve in Trailer forum. Can be used for all size boats, if rope & block are rated for weight accordingly. Remeber the weight rating is for a "rolling load" not the full weight of the boat (even though Triumph uses bunks instead of rollers).

Big blocks can be found at Lowes and Boatersworld (accessories for Power Winch, $49)

Put 28' footer in back yards to be stored on concrete blocks with the Marina yard trailer with the double winch system.

[Triumphed]

Thanks for your input Eric. I used a pulley setup on my last rig and it worked out fine. I had a Rule Electric Winch that had a retrieval rate quite a bit faster than a Powerwinch so it didn't take much more time to retrieve the boat as opposed to a single pull Powerwinch. To me Rule winches are a lot less complicated than a Powerwinch (just a single planetary gear as opposed to several shafts and gear reductions on the Powerwinch). I've owned 2 Rule winches with no problems whatsoever and they were used quite a bit. The electronics will be installed either today or tomorrow on my new 235. The Simrad A24 Autopilot is back ordered until March so that won't be finished. I'm planning on posting pictures sometime this week if things work out and I can figure out how to do it. Can't wait to wet those fishing lines again. Eddie

[Eric G]

Got a brand new 235?

Be curious as to what you paid..Be at the Atlantic City Boat show this weekend

My email address is in the profile should you want to keep things private.

The powerwinch pulley block is "commerical towing truck rating" with a zinc coating for only $49. Harborfrieght has the same pulley with rating for $85 (plus S/H)