Loading, Unloading, Parking Sundancer 240 Alone

[tntitans21399]

I am looking at a 1998 Sundancer 240. I had a Four Winns Liberator 201 before. That one was 21 ft and I was able to load, unload, and park at docks pretty easy, taking my time. I was looking at upgrading to the 240, more cuddy room. I have seen 2 videos on YouTube with people taking them out alone. My girlfriend would probably join me 25% of the time, she does like heat. Do any of you trailer a 240 and take out alone? How hard is it to load and unload alone? I would think I could get that down easy after a few trips. How hard is it to park? I know being bigger it will catch more wind.

 

[wyrman]

I load, unload my 310 by myself.
I keep it in a slip, but take it out a couple of times a year.
Just don't get in a hurry, and don't worry if people are watching.

 

[keokie]

If there is a dock at the ramp, getting a boat on and off a trailer alone is pretty easy. I handle my 310 alone on a trailer and on the water as well as if it were a 20 footer.

 

[Getaway]

I load and unload my 290 by myself as well as head out into the Great Lakes alone for salmon/trout, walleye and perch. No issues. Like wyrman says, don't be in a hurry. If there's a breeze, always use it to your advantage even if it means sitting in the channel for a bit while the upwind dock opens up.

 

[ttmott]

The boat gets taken out quite often by just me. Pumpout, fuel dock, or just burning some dino juice to find zen. I'll admit this one doesn't get trailered....
Anyhow the biggest stress is trying to learn the trailering aspects on busy ramps. That education is best on a weekday when the weather is less than optimal.

 

[skibum]

Same here. I take mine out alone all the time.

Believe it or not, in a year or two you'll not think twice about doing that yourself. You just need to get used to how the boat behaves near the dock and how to work with the winds and currents to put the boat where you want it.

Practice docking 2 or 3 times each time that you go to your boat before you go out for the rest of your boating day for the first half dozen or so times that you use the boat. Docking is the most difficult thing to learn in boating, so learn it second (Learn the rules of the road, and the meanings of the various navigational aids first). You'll be surprised at how much you can learn in just 20 practice dockings.

 

[Skybolt]

I also take mine out by myself, well Cody (Lab) is always with me. But that is in/out of a slip.

I would, as Tom mentioned, get use to it during the week at the local ramp. Weekends are a trip for sure.

 

[copb8tx]

You'll have it down in no time. I backed my single engine 250 into a slip on my own all the time. Became second nature. I currently frequently launch, haul, and park my 25' without even thinking about it.

I wouldn't stress about it. If you like the boat and it's sound, go for it.

 

[skibum]

The most useful "trick" I learned for when the wind is blowing me off of the dock when I am alone is to back up to the dock and attach a stern cleat before the wind pushes me off. Once it's secure, all I gotta do is turn the wheel towards the dock and pop it in gear. The bow swings around nicely and will stay put long enough for me to get to the bow in time to get a line on it. I always try to take it out of gear before I leave the helm, but sometimes the wind is so strong i have no choice but to leave it on in gear until i can get that bow line secured and run back.

Just be sure to leave at least 2' of line between the cleats and in gear with NO throttle if you try this. Watch the slack in the line before you put it in gear to make sure you're not going to do anything dramatic, like ripping one of the cleats off of the dock or your boat.. I usually wait until just until the line gets tension on it before I pop it in gear. If you put it in gear when there is slack in the line, the boat might get a little momentum before the line gets taught. And quick little bumps in and out of gear are always your friend. It works well when you're solo, because you can do it without leaving the boat. If you cannot get the line on the cleat before you get pushed off, you can try it again. Don't ever try to step off the boat and tie that cleat off. if the wind is strong. You might lose the boat.