boat back on trailer.

i would like to start sailing singlehanded, the only problem is i have trouble getting the boat back on the trailer. i usually walk the boat down on the beach on the trailer. to get the boat back on trailer when i have crew. i just have the crew lift the bows and i push the trailer under the boat.

my trailer does have a rusty hand winch. does any of you know how to get the boat back on trailer by myself.

The couple of times that i had to do this alone without being able to use the ramp, it was tough. But I walked the trailor out as far as I dared and then lifted the bows onto the back of the trailor.Then standing on the trailor I just started pulling. After a few minutes I had it on there.

Simpler solution...buy beach wheels! that is what I did and the are a small slice of heaven!

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Nacra 5.2 "Elsies"
Hobie 14T, "Blazin" I guess I am keeping her!

I agree with gree. The beach wheels are great and really help to push the boat up on the trailer. The winch is even better, as long as it will turn I would care less about how rusty it is. I sail solo most of the time and have to trailer, rig, de-rig, and trailer the boat every time I go. If you have a boat ramp it's super easy, just back up the trailer until it's under water and push the boat up. If not, I lift the bows up onto the rollers, give it a shove from the back as best as I can, and then connect the winch line to where the bridle wires meet and winch her on up. Sometimes I'm able to just lift the boat from the rear and slide it all the way, but then again I'm 24 and still have a little bit of youth to me, I don't know your situation. To me, most of the time sailing is the easy part, It's figuring out how to do all of the rigging, and as your concerned, getting the boat on and off the trailer solo that's the hard part. Eventually, necessity will over power your troubles and ingenuity will wim, and you'll figure out what works best for you.

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James
86' Redline Hobie 16
Sail # 76909

I also solo most of the time and do it all by myself. I use a ramp when I can get one and it is a cinch. I do not submerge the trailer however. I just go in far enough that the rear crossbar of the trailer is just barely in the water. I then walk the boat from the beach to the trailer and start the bows onto the rollers. My winch is also a rusty mess, but is functional. I get it as far as I can by pulling on the front cross bar and then I reach behind me where I left the hook and line from the winch and snap it onto the striker just above where the bungee to the righting line is tied. That way it stays up close to the crossbar and puts less stress on the striker. Then I go to the winch and crank it in and guide it onto the front rollers.
When I am on a beach I have done the same thing. I use my old 4x4 chevy truck to get it down there, but you could walk it down if the surface is firm enough. Get your winch working. Mine was inop when I bought the boat, but some elbow grease and regular grease have restored the function if not the appearance. Good luck.