How to launch a PWC

[Golden ghost]

This might sound stupid, and I have rode a PWC before, but how do you launch one by yourself? I have to believe you un clip the trailer strap but then what? Do you back in to a certain depth that the craft won't float off and then get on and back it off in reverse? I'm a little worried it will just float off.
And how about loading? Back the trailer in to the same depth and ride it on? Then do you have to get in the water and winch it up or is there enough weight to pull it out then winch it up? As I say I've rode them but they were always docked at my friends house.

 

[red2blue]

This might sound stupid, and I have rode a PWC before, but how do you launch one by yourself? I have to believe you un clip the trailer strap but then what? Do you back in to a certain depth that the craft won't float off and then get on and back it off in reverse? I'm a little worried it will just float off.
And how about loading? Back the trailer in to the same depth and ride it on? Then do you have to get in the water and winch it up or is there enough weight to pull it out then winch it up? As I say I've rode them but they were always docked at my friends house.

I leave the front hooked. Throw a loop around the handle bars and run the other end of that rope to a cleat on the floater next to the ramp. Back down into the water till the ski almost floats. Place truck in park. Unhook the front of the ski and walk to the end of the rope that you left on the floater....pull the ski off the trailer and then tie at far end of ramp. Park trailer.

ta da

If your ramp has a pier not a floating dock next to the ramp...be carefull of wave action moving your ski back into that dock while you're parking your trailer.

To trailer the ski by yourself...just reverse that process. Dock your ski..get trailer backed into water ...with rope around handle bars pull unto trailer and then connect winch strap. Always be mindful of running the motor in shallow water...even a ramp.

You will need a rope that'll reach 20' or so in some cases depending on what your ramp/pier looks like.

 

[kicker]

my method is tie a 2 ropes, one to the front and one to the back. Back in just far enough that the back end of the ski lifts slightly in the water. grab the 2 ropes and pull it the rest of the way off the trailer. If it is to heavy to pull back in a slightly deeper. Tie it off to the dock or ramp and pull your trailer out.

To put it back on, put the trailer in the water and drive the ski on the trailer. If you don't want to get wet you have to craw over the hood or shimmy along the trailer to tie off the front clip. Depending on how steep the ramp is, I would not recommend pulling it out without clipping the ski to the trailer, its not worth it, its only wet feet. Take a towel with you.

i have a suburban, so if I dont want to get wet and the launch does not have a dock I can jump onto from the ski on the trailer, i leave the back hatch open and crawl in the back.

 

[Golden ghost]

I leave the front hooked. Throw a loop around the handle bars and run the other end of that rope to a cleat on the floater next to the ramp. Back down into the water till the ski almost floats. Place truck in park. Unhook the front of the ski and walk to the end of the rope that you left on the floater....pull the ski off the trailer and then tie at far end of ramp. Park trailer.

ta da

If your ramp has a pier not a floating dock next to the ramp...be carefull of wave action moving your ski back into that dock while you're parking your trailer.

To trailer the ski by yourself...just reverse that process. Dock your ski..get trailer backed into water ...with rope around handle bars pull unto trailer and then connect winch strap. Always be mindful of running the motor in shallow water...even a ramp.

You will need a rope that'll reach 20' or so in some cases depending on what your ramp/pier looks like.

So you have an extra rope besides the winch rope?

 

[red2blue]

I carry several different ropes. Two have clips on one end, loops on the other...maybe 7' long, that I use to tie off at acceptable floaters. I have 1 16' braided line that came off a 22' ChrisCraft (this is my docking/towing rope). I also have a 20+'r that I use for all sorts of things...usually just tying off at unusual places or floater that my short ropes don't reach comfortably. I have an anchor with a 25' line/and diy snubber.

 

[red2blue]

kicker-

When I do drive my ski on and I'm riding alone...I can reach my trailer's fender over the side of my ski. after that...step in and get wet.

I wouldn't suggest jumping off the back of the ski and risk the footing of the slimy ramp surface...heh.

 

[Golden ghost]

Thanks guys. What is the best way to tie the craft the dock? Mine has a front and rear eye hook so I could hook to both of those and to a cleat on the dock? Does anyone use the boat bumpers when tying to a dock? Sometimes with the low water the bumper on the jet ski is below the dock so I'm afraid of getting it scuffed up or worse.
Is it best to tie it tight to the dock or just have one end of the rope secured?

 

[red2blue]

Every situation and dock is different.

Personally...so as not to allow the ski to go under the dock...I'll tie off on the leeward side of the dock with a single line attached to the front. That'll allow the ski to drift harmlessly away from everything that could hurt it. If that isn't possible think about what affects the movement of the ski...ie wave action...wind....wake from traffic...ect...and what the corresponding movement will have the ski coming into contact with. Don't forget to inspect the edges of docks and floaters...you're gonna want to be looking for nails that've come loose from boards and are sticking out past the bump rails....if there are any bumpers/pads/folded fire hose...ect.

I haven't found any "bumpers"(that attach to the side of a pwc) that I'd trust after the first contact....with anything.

Aside...if you don't have the room to allow your ski to drift on a single line away from the dock...tie off fore and aft to the leeward or down wind....down wave side....when ever possible. This one small thing will help you keep the dings(to your hull) to a minimum.