How to Launch Rowboat: Options?

jbolty · 09-13-2019, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

For thirty dollars, someone in Gilmanton NH has a boat dolly for sale in nh-craigslist/boat parts that looks like it could work good on a 12' flat transom row boat.

My links to craigslist never work and it does have a good photo so maybe someone who knows what they are doing could post a link.

https://nh.craigslist.org/bpo/d/gilm...977719690.html

The Winster · 09-13-2019, 04:40 PM

You may be able to mount a regular light duty trailer tongue over the handle of a dolly enabling attachment to your vehicle hitch. This could potentially work if the height of the hitch puts the dolly and boat at a workable angle when attached.

FlyingScot · 09-13-2019, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Winster

You may be able to mount a regular light duty trailer tongue over the handle of a dolly enabling attachment to your vehicle hitch. This could potentially work if the height of the hitch puts the dolly and boat at a workable angle when attached.

I have not looked closely, but this is close to my house so I've driven by many times. I thought the dolly had a trailer hitch? I can check next Thursday unless Winster beats me to it

fatlazyless · 09-13-2019, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbolty

https://nh.craigslist.org/bpo/d/gilm...977719690.html

Amazon has this from Rage Powersports for 56-dollars ..... it weighs 10-lbs ..... overall length at wheels is 26-inches.

LIforrelaxin · 09-13-2019, 05:40 PM

https://www.harborfreight.com/1195-l...ler-62648.html

Something like this would work, you can likely even find something on Craigslist that is similar.... You might need to increase the width a bit with a 2x4 or two going across the width.... but just flop the boat upside done and away you go.......

jbolty · 09-13-2019, 06:50 PM

We all have a big emotional investment in getting this to work. I hope OP will report back with the result or I don't think I could stand the suspense.

8gv · 09-13-2019, 07:07 PM

What if you hire some sherpas to haul it to the water?

Do you have a riding lawnmower?

If so you can easily rig an attachment point for the bow.

With the $10 transom wheels the boat will travel upside down.

A heavy duty angle bracket sticking out from the rear of the mower can support the bow via a length of rope and a carabiner.

You will be going slow enough for this to work IF you take the corners at dead slow.

If you awaken the local constabulary, plead ignorance and promise to rehabilitate yourself!

thinkxingu · 09-13-2019, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8gv

What if you hire some sherpas to haul it to the water?

Do you have a riding lawnmower?

If so you can easily rig an attachment point for the bow.

With the $10 transom wheels the boat will travel upside down.

A heavy duty angle bracket sticking out from the rear of the mower can support the bow via a length of rope and a carabiner.

You will be going slow enough for this to work IF you take the corners at dead slow.

If you awaken the local constabulary, plead ignorance and promise to rehabilitate yourself!

Ha! The problem isn't pulling the boat, it's stopping it!

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

Cal Coon · 09-13-2019, 08:50 PM

I think your best option of all the ones offered, is the 30.00 boat trolley on CL. You flip the boat upside down with this dolly on the transom so you can put the bow over the ball of your trailer hitch somehow, like someone else mentioned, and just tow it down to the launch with your vehicle. I think that's probably the easiest, and cheapest way to solve this dilemma. I would buy, or use an old dock line, cut it to length, (to use specifically for towing this boat), and tie a loop in one end, and use the existing loop in the other end to tie to a cleat, or the bow eye of the boat, and then just put the loop on the other end over the ball of the hitch. If there is no cleat on the bow of the boat to tie the loop to, then I would get a "D" ring and put the "D" ring on the loop of the rope to use as a quick connect / disconnect to the bow eye. Simple.

fatlazyless · 09-13-2019, 09:10 PM

.....that's right ..... a deal at $30 ..... could be a steal at $20 ...... just show up in an old, clunky car and wear some old clothes and mention how you missed out on lunch today cause you was too broke to eat ......so's "is there any chance you can be a buddy and sell this here boat dolly for $20 ........ buddy?"

ApS · 09-14-2019, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

.....that's right ..... a deal at $30 ..... could be a steal at $20 ...... just show up in an old, clunky car and wear some old clothes and mention how you missed out on lunch today cause you was too broke to eat ......so's "is there any chance you can be a buddy and sell this here boat dolly for $20 ........ buddy?"

At a flea market, I bought a bunch of counterfeit Chinese silver dollar coins, minted in 1927.

You'd be surprised at how readily someone will trade something big (and in the way) for something that appears valuable but can be slipped into one's pocket.

09-13-2019, 05:40 PM	#5
LIforrelaxin Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Texas, Lake Ray Hubbard and NH, Long Island Winnipesaukee Posts: 2,970 Thanks: 1,064 Thanked 912 Times in 539 Posts	https://www.harborfreight.com/1195-l...ler-62648.html Something like this would work, you can likely even find something on Craigslist that is similar.... You might need to increase the width a bit with a 2x4 or two going across the width.... but just flop the boat upside done and away you go....... __________________ Life is about how much time you can spend relaxing... I do it on an island that isn't really an island.....

09-13-2019, 09:10 PM	#10
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 9,169 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 310 Thanked 1,103 Times in 812 Posts	.....that's right ..... a deal at $30 ..... could be a steal at $20 ...... just show up in an old, clunky car and wear some old clothes and mention how you missed out on lunch today cause you was too broke to eat ......so's "is there any chance you can be a buddy and sell this here boat dolly for $20 ........ buddy?" __________________ .... Banned for life from local thrift store!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

The Following User Says Thank You to jbolty For This Useful Post:
fatlazyless (09-13-2019)

09-13-2019, 04:40 PM	#2
The Winster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Connecticut and Tuftonboro Posts: 55 Thanks: 118 Thanked 41 Times in 18 Posts	You may be able to mount a regular light duty trailer tongue over the handle of a dolly enabling attachment to your vehicle hitch. This could potentially work if the height of the hitch puts the dolly and boat at a workable angle when attached.

The Following User Says Thank You to LIforrelaxin For This Useful Post:
thinkxingu (09-13-2019)

09-13-2019, 06:50 PM	#6
jbolty Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 689 Thanks: 327 Thanked 267 Times in 160 Posts	We all have a big emotional investment in getting this to work. I hope OP will report back with the result or I don't think I could stand the suspense.

09-13-2019, 07:07 PM	#7
8gv Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,193 Thanks: 63 Thanked 764 Times in 497 Posts	What if you hire some sherpas to haul it to the water? Do you have a riding lawnmower? If so you can easily rig an attachment point for the bow. With the $10 transom wheels the boat will travel upside down. A heavy duty angle bracket sticking out from the rear of the mower can support the bow via a length of rope and a carabiner. You will be going slow enough for this to work IF you take the corners at dead slow. If you awaken the local constabulary, plead ignorance and promise to rehabilitate yourself!

09-13-2019, 08:50 PM	#9
Cal Coon Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Lakes Region Posts: 475 Thanks: 175 Thanked 158 Times in 100 Posts	I think your best option of all the ones offered, is the 30.00 boat trolley on CL. You flip the boat upside down with this dolly on the transom so you can put the bow over the ball of your trailer hitch somehow, like someone else mentioned, and just tow it down to the launch with your vehicle. I think that's probably the easiest, and cheapest way to solve this dilemma. I would buy, or use an old dock line, cut it to length, (to use specifically for towing this boat), and tie a loop in one end, and use the existing loop in the other end to tie to a cleat, or the bow eye of the boat, and then just put the loop on the other end over the ball of the hitch. If there is no cleat on the bow of the boat to tie the loop to, then I would get a "D" ring and put the "D" ring on the loop of the rope to use as a quick connect / disconnect to the bow eye. Simple.