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scratch free launch at nightcliffe

Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2017 11:01 pm
by joesgotone
I had my first try at launching the boat at nightcliffe boat ramp on my own and protecting the boat from the rocks by using the electric.

I had basically worked out the plan and put it in action. On sunday 20th Aug at about 0610. The 5.5 m boat rolled easily off the trailer. I was now standing on the end of the trailer as the surge pushed in and out with each swell. I don't like the swell at nightcliffe when the boat is painted. It is so much easier to tie up a raw ally boat against the rock and not fuss over the paint. Bit worrying when the whole boat gets dumped on top of the rock platform, but the was a few years ago. Anyway, I was already wearing the remote for the Motor Guide and deployed it from the trailers end. I had to wait only a few seconds for it to find the satelites and be ready to mind the boat. The next surge pushed in and I pushed the boat out a few good metres. I hit Spot Lock and it responded quickly. a few more taps on the down button and the boat moved to some more clear water. Still not happy I used the path function and moved the boat into open water and hit Spot Lock again.

Was I happy, you bet. I parked the car and rushed back down the ramp. The boat was still in open water just waiting for the next command. I walked down the rocky left hand edge and found a good position to manouver the boat in to get me. The bow was still pointed up the ramp so nice and easy step bt step, taking my time to make sure each movement was finished before doing the next to try to keep the electric off the rocks. The boat came in almost parralel to the rocks and a quick pull with the gaff and step in and a press to the left saw it move away from the rock edge. Yay. All the paint still in place. The 6 ft gaff was still in my hand in case anything went wrong in the process as it provides that long reach that could be required to get the boat close or push it away. Turning the boat was easy with the electric and I was off on a new adventure. North gutter, stenna and south gutter were fun but that could be another story. But I still had to return to the ramp again.

Coming in seemed easy enough and all I had to do was deploy the 80lb electric. I worked my way in bit by bit under spot lock to ensure the boat sat in a good line to achieve my goal and confirm how it was going to sit in the surge. I ended up on the left side coming in but needed to get of the boat safely. With gaff in hand I stepped on the pod at the rear and pulled the back end in closer to the rocks while fighting the electric. I stepped off easily and ensured the side scan tranducer stayed clear of all those solid bits that always try to generate another unexpected fishing bill.

I moved the boat out a bit further to make sure it had room to cope with teh surge and swing around if needed. This also gives it room to make sure it comes in to the trailer bow first. Standing on the end of the trailer again I used the step by step method to move the boat toward the trailer. It was working but not as well as I was hoping. Coming in on an angle the bow came to the back corner of the trailer and as the surge receded the prop hit the boat ramp a few times, so I grabbed the bow and disengaged the prop with teh prop button on the remote. I have guide arms on the back corner of teh trailer and grabbed it to make sure I didn't end up washed out with the boat. I quickly lifted the motor and held on through the outgoing surge until I could tilt it into its resting position. The winch cable always waits around the second roller and I hooked it in position and held the tension on the rope while I walked back up to the winch. Winching the boat out of the water is always my prefered recovery method and I rarely have to realign the boat because I missed wneh driving it up.

A few of my bad habits for interest sake.
- I launch and recover my boat on my own and rarely get my shoes or feet wet except at Buff Ck on a big run in tide.
- The usual culprit to wet my shoes is the idiots who think that taking off up the ramp quickly when they launch their boat is a good idea. the trailer makes significant waves when pulled hard. Why drive water under pressure into places it can't normally go??? and splash it up under your trailer mudguards etc. A little courtesy on the ramp would be appreciated by other users.
- I park my trailer for recover or launch so the last roller is just in the water. This way I can put the bow against it and use it to centre the boat every time I winch it up.
- I can stand on dry land and winch up the boat until the next yahoo races up the ramp to cause a wave.
- I have 4 galvanised square tubes that run the length of the trailer so I can walk down the trailer and stay dry.
- I bought a home made 5.5m boat with a 50hp Yamaha on a home made trailer and am very happy with this rig.
- It has an 80lb electric and way too much fishing gear inside it on most trips.
- The guide arms on the trailer are a great idea most of teh time and I try not to use them. They can occasionally catch my fuel breather outlet when launching. But when the world under your feet feels slippery due to rain and wet shoes they can provide a bit more balance if needed.
- The guide arms have in the past removed a good layer of paint so care is required when new mates are trying to help.

I'm not sure of the remote control range on the Motor Guide but so far it seems to work up to 20-25 m and can be left operating while you park the car. If it loses satelite connection the spot lock will stop working so is a little bit of a worry. But it worked the first time so seems to be a viable option for now.

I did note that the next time I used the motorguide it took a while to find the GPS signal but I had travelled a good distance since using it so will keep that in mind if I tow it a long way before launching with it.

I'm sure many of you don't have these issues as you have friends, but I still love to fish on my own or take the kids out for a quick fish,which often means I launch and retrieve basically on my own. They will be able to winch the boat up soon I hope.

Hope your drag screams soon

Joe

Re: scratch free launch at nightcliffe

Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2017 7:48 am
by wazdog
What's your plan when spot lock doesn't work buddy??? You will be swimming for you boat.

Re: scratch free launch at nightcliffe

Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2017 8:12 am
by cjgp
Nice write up, I am a bit interested in an electric with those sort of capabilities. I saw a video once from the guys at Tales from a Tinnie showing your description in fast motion, it got me interested.

I launch mostly on my own. Does the electric have a self deploy function off your remote? or a self stow? they are features I would love.

wazdog I dont have satellite TV but I doubt it drops out too often these days, and the times it does is usually a raging storm, so would you be out in the boat anyway? So same technology really.

Last time i lost my boat (Daly river tie down tree pulled out) someone had it back to me in a couple of minutes.. almost as good as spot lock they were

The earth is round, and no matter the predictions it continues to rotate.

Re: scratch free launch at nightcliffe

Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2017 10:01 am
by nomad
Yeah i tried the Mario method at dinah. Put the boat out 20m. Parked the car and collected the boat no probs. 2nd time the batt wasnt fully charged and spot lock dropped off. Was lucky to get it back.

Re: scratch free launch at nightcliffe

Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2017 7:58 am
by theodosius
Works well. Minn Kota remote works all the way from the car park

Re: scratch free launch at nightcliffe

Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2017 11:51 am
by jeffish
Seen this work well , just make sure you batteries are good in the remote .
I,ve given a few blokes a lift out to their boats .

"You got spare batteries mate ? yep,,, in the boat" :rofl:

Re: scratch free launch at nightcliffe

Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2017 8:04 am
by wazdog
Classic jeffish!!!!

Re: scratch free launch at nightcliffe

Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2017 8:38 am
by joesgotone
Don' t get back here as often as i would like. The Motor guide doesn't self deploy or stow but the spot lock is very accurate. I have lost spot lock a few times in the last 6 months. Pretty rare. Happened last week under north side of Stenna Clyde. Not surprised with all that steel though. Did have a mate in the boat at the ramp that time. For over $4K in total I expect it to be a great asset. So far seems worth the investment.

Re: scratch free launch at nightcliffe

Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2017 8:46 am
by Matt Flynn
How times change. Maybe in a year or two you'll be able to fly out under your drone.

Re: scratch free launch at nightcliffe

Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2017 9:35 pm
by joesgotone
Matt. I did try drone fishing on Fraser Island. Got bored with standing in the water for 2 hours without a touch. Wound in the line and went back to casting chromies. When the drone crashes people don't seem so keen on fishing anymore.