Going out to sea alone can be forced by a lack of a crew member or a personal choice. The desire to go out alone is often tempting. Of course, safety recommendations must be respected such as the permanent wearing of a life jacket, the circuit breaker when sailing and always notify a contact on land of the place of departure and the place of fishing as well as the basic schedule.
Going out alone, if your boat is not docked at the pontoon, but stored on its trailer, implies to carry out the launching without the assistance of a third person. If this step can discourage some, it is perfectly feasible on appropriate docks.
Choosing the right wedge
Obviously, launching your boat alone cannot be done on all slips. You will need a large slipway, easily accessible, with mooring rings along the quay and a trailer park not too far away. For example, the one in the port of Moulin Blanc in Brest offers the possibility to do this by yourself.
Launching the boat step by step
- Load your boat with all the necessary equipment.
Your boat will remain unattended for a certain period of time, more or less long depending on the distance from the parking lot. To avoid attracting unwanted attention, don't install your electronics or leave your fishing equipment on the spot. - Back your trailer into the water until the tires are submerged below the rim. Depending on the slope of the chock, this gauge may not be respected. I insist on the proper adjustment of the trailer. If it is well adjusted or broken, you will not need to immerse your wheels. For those who have a submersible trailer, this precaution is not to be taken into consideration.
- Unwind the strap until the boat is afloat.
- Keep the bow between the last 2 rollers of the trailer. This will have the effect of wedging the boat and thus prevent it from pivoting to one side or the other.
- Unstrap the boat from the strap and get on board.
- Once on board, go along the quay to moor the boat on a ring.
- Last step, you just have to pick up your vehicle and park it on the dedicated parking lot if there is one.
