www.iFourWinns.com

So let's say the ice is going out early.
And let's say the water is about 40 degrees.
And let's say I want to take the boat out soon but there's no dock.

If my family is on the boat when I launch it, how do I get into the boat without getting soaked and frozen? Wear waders and climb the swim ladder?

Have you northern climate guys done this?

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2015 H180 OB + 2015 Evinrude 135 HO

I launch mine with no dock all the time. We keep it on a mooring here in Long Island for the season. First I put my dinghy on the mooring. Then I take a line loop the loop end around 1 bow cleat run it around the winch post and leaving some slack tie it off to the other bow cleat. I use this line to hold the boat from drifting off the trailer while I wind out the winch line so the stern is floating.
I have an extra long trailer tongue and have the spare tire mounted right in front of the winch post. Since the tire is mounted horizontally I can climb up on the tire and climb over the bow. Then release the winch line because the extra line is holding the boat. I put the drive down about 1/2 way, start it up and let the engine warm up. Then untie that line and back off the trailer. To retrieve I just reverse the process ....don't even get wet. If there is no room to mount the tire horizontally in front of the winch then get a ladder that bolts to the winch post..

Man you're a hardy soul we get the boat ready soon but no boating till its at least 60 out....

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

That's great procedure, but I think part of his question might be "how do I get in the boat with no dock after parking the truck?"

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"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

Thats were a dinghy can come into play. I use to do it all the time too until I got a slip.

My wife would park the truck and row out to me. Than I would tie the dinghy to my mooring.

Is there a soft shoreline nearby where you can nose the boat onto shore and climb in?

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Terry
Current: 07 Crownline 255 CCR cuddy - 350 Mag MPI/B3 "Casi Cielo"

Previous:97 245 Sundowner 5.7GI/SX

Tow vehicle: 1986 GMC 2500 Camper Special 454/TH400

We have no mooring, no dinghy and TONS of rocks so I guess I'll buy some waders if I really want to do this.

Even if we did have a soft or sandy bottom I don't want to beach my boat. It's too new. Maybe in 20 years. :)

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2015 H180 OB + 2015 Evinrude 135 HO

Yep I have 2 Walker Bays that I keep on the beach, I usually use the 8' and just row it but if I have few people coming we might use the 10' which is a lot more seaworthy and we put the 2.5 hp 'Zuke on it.
For what you are talikg about an inflatable would work as long as you can tie it off somewhere when you re out boating. One of those Seyvor ones that are not expensive like a Zodiac. I love the WB boats they are rugged as hell, rocks, sand, dock poles nothing hurts them.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Are there any docks nearby that you could temporarily use?
We didn't have a dock last year when we splashed the boat so my friend got on the boat and I back the truck down to almost floating and he started it up. They I unhooked and bumped him off with the brakes. He drove to our marina and I met him there right across the river.

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--2002 3880 Regal Flybridge | Twin Merc 8.1HO **Seven**
--2003 AB 13 VST Console Inflatable | Tohatsu 40hp TLDI **Phish'n ski**
--310 Mercury Inflatable | 1982 9.9 Johnson

Unfortunately no. These are seasonal homes so no one has their docks in yet. Thanks for all the replies. We can let the thread die. The waders just might work in this case.

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2015 H180 OB + 2015 Evinrude 135 HO