Old guys getting into/ launching small boats: I'm 73, legs not doing as well as they used to. I've been very active and athletic all my life. Just moved to Springfield, Mo., and...

MoJoe Loc: Springfield, MO

I'm 73, legs not doing as well as they used to. I've been very active and athletic all my life. Just moved to Springfield, Mo., and wanting to buy a Tracker Panfish or a Tracker Pro V 16, which I plan to mostly use by myself.
Question: How do you all launch/ retrieve/ get in and out of your boat? Any tricks or assists out there? I plan to install steps on the trailer tongue. Thanks, Joe

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

I also have a Tracker pro V 16. I've had it in the water pace. It was easy enough to step off a dock into the boat by holding onto the side console. Now when I have a launch with no dock, I have a swim ladder on the stern which I'm hoping will work well with a bit of wading. Jury is out on that one. Check back in April. By the way I'm 77, same age range.

Omaryam2 Loc: Wi

A remote deploy /drive trolling motor takes the stress out of launch and load. You might also check the launch sites to see which one has the easiest dock height for climbing in and out

Tom Z Loc: Perkasie,Pa

Just recently sold my Tracker PT 175 as I
was having some age (77) related issues. Plan on selling all my bass fishing equipment and sticking with fly fishing for trout. Good luck!!

Fishandrods Loc: Alpine Ca foothills of San Diego

MoJoe wrote:

I'm 73, legs not doing as well as they used to. I've been very active and athletic all my life. Just moved to Springfield, Mo., and wanting to buy a Tracker Panfish or a Tracker Pro V 16, which I plan to mostly use by myself.
Question: How do you all launch/ retrieve/ get in and out of your boat? Any tricks or assists out there? I plan to install steps on the trailer tongue. Thanks, Joe

I’m 78 and I have a 15 ft alum boat and I made a steel ladder welded to the trailer tongue. So I back into the water and put on rubber boots to walk to the tongue and climb into the boat and back it off the trailer. And drive the boat back onto the trailer and put the rubber boots back on get back off the boat.

J in Cleveland Loc: Cleveland, Ohio

Tom Z wrote:

Just recently sold my Tracker PT 175 as I
was having some age (77) related issues. Plan on selling all my bass fishing equipment and sticking with fly fishing for trout. Good luck!!

Please PM me with whatever your looking to sell. I’m a gear addict and your close enough to me. Have family in PA and I’m heading there in the spring to meet some stagers. You are invited.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

The ladder is a good idea, but regardless you need to be careful. Falling into your boat, or out of it is not fun, because I've experienced some of that. Just Sayin...RJS

Hock Loc: Illinois

Used to step off my tailgate and enter the boat both launching and loading. Also tried using a 25 ft rope which I attached to the truck and would use that to launch and load. Both worked fine, but finally broke down and bought a good step system attached to the trailer tongue which works just great. Cost were around 400 but when you put that into perspective of breaking something it did not seem that much. I use the system with a 18 foot boat and it was worth every dime, just find a company you like.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

Check out Brian’s Custom Steps online, a WI based company.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

OJdidit wrote:

Check out Brian’s Custom Steps online, a WI based company.

Also check out a Drotto catch and release unit for launching and landing.

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

OJdidit wrote:

Also check out a Drotto catch and release unit for launching and landing.

I have a fishing buddy that has one on two of his boats and he really likes them. Fortunately, at 78, I'm pretty agile, and I don't have a problem docking or loading my 17' Crestliner, but I did with the 18' Lund Tyee, and that is why I no longer own it.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

flyguy wrote:

I have a fishing buddy that has one on two of his boats and he really likes them. Fortunately, at 78, I'm pretty agile, and I don't have a problem docking or loading my 17' Crestliner, but I did with the 18' Lund Tyee, and that is why I no longer own it.

I don’t have those units yet, but I see the use for those who have stability issues. I also made an aluminum checkered plate for my trailer tongue for something less slippery to stand on other than the painted tongue.

Jeremy Loc: America

I use long rope to launch weather there is dock or not. A step ladder in shallow water can help someone step up over a gunnel if no dock is available. Still may end up getting wet or using waders. I wear shorts usually and just add dry sweats or jeans once aboard if want to.

I love boats and water… fishing. Some wet feet for few minutes at ramp is ok putting boat in or pulling out but most all launches I use have really nice docks and ramps.

Catfish hunter Loc: Riggins idaho (Paradise)

MoJoe wrote:

I'm 73, legs not doing as well as they used to. I've been very active and athletic all my life. Just moved to Springfield, Mo., and wanting to buy a Tracker Panfish or a Tracker Pro V 16, which I plan to mostly use by myself.
Question: How do you all launch/ retrieve/ get in and out of your boat? Any tricks or assists out there? I plan to install steps on the trailer tongue. Thanks, Joe

I’m only 66 but I launch and load my 18 foot Lund Fisherman by myself a lot. I can step off of the back bumper of my pickup onto the trailer pretty easy. Unhook the boat and push it off the trailer. If there’s a dock I just push the boat back out of the way and tie it off to the dock and go park my pickup. If there’s not a dock I pull the nose back up touching the shore and tie it off to whatever is there or a drive in boat anchor I have while I go park the truck. A small, folding step ladder gets me right in over the side and my boat is deep sided. I fire up the kicker and back myself out into deep enough water for the main motor and away I go. Just the reverse for loading. I have a bunk trailer so it’s easy to line up close and just coast into the bunks. Then I can hop off the front of the boat and winch it right up to the nose roller. The key is backing in far enough to float the boat up off the trailer a little bit. Same with loading or launching. You don’t want much drag on the trailer. Good luck

fast_randy Loc: Blackfoot, Idaho

I'm 68 and have a 16 ft Lowe and like Catfish just said; back just enough to barley float it, then walk up the toung, unhook and push it off a little then jump in and start it and back off the rest of the way. I lower my tail gate of my Toyota before I back the trailer up and use the wheel to climb into the back. Most times I can do it without getting wet. If you can, always lower your tail gate when backing your empty trailer back into the water. Then you can see the trailer better with your center mirror. You can see it better than trying to use the side mirrors. I back up a little less when loading the boat and drive on the trailer then finish the last bit with the front winch.