How to Launch Rowboat: Options?

thinkxingu · 09-12-2019, 07:57 PM

This may be a dumb question, but besides a standard trailer or carrying, are there any (easy) ways to launch a rowboat with/without motor? An awesome forum member reached out to offer a rowboat for my 9-year-old's first vessel, but there's no trailer so I'd need to come up with a solution to bring it from the storage area of my camp to the boat launch.

Thoughts? Thanks!

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

DBreskin · 09-12-2019, 08:00 PM

Depending on the size/weight, you may be able to mount wheels on the transom that extend just below the bottom. I’ve seen this done for dinghies at marinas. You move the boat by lifting the bow and rolling it into the water.

Descant · 09-12-2019, 08:03 PM

Need more info. How often> Once a year>? Daily?
Do you own a pick up? Too many questions without back up info.

thinkxingu · 09-12-2019, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Descant

Need more info. How often> Once a year>? Daily?
Do you own a pick up? Too many questions without back up info.

I've got a 4Runner with hitch. I'm guessing once every week or two. Storage area is ~1/4 mile away. Launch is down a slight hill.

Obviously, trailering would be easiest, but if I need to buy one, the value of the free boat becomes a diminishing return.

Anyone got a trailer for a 12' rowboat they wanna donate?!

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

jbolty · 09-12-2019, 08:08 PM

google boat beach wheels

lots of options to buy or to get ideas for DIY

DesertDweller · 09-12-2019, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbolty

google boat beach wheels

lots of options to buy or to get ideas for DIY

+1

There are a lot of options. If you are just going 1/4 mile, some form of a caddy/set of wheels will be fine. We have one for our canoe and it works great. Just get the widest wheels you can. The skinny tires have a tendency to dig in versus the wider tires roll over things.

thinkxingu · 09-12-2019, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DesertDweller

+1

There are a lot of options. If you are just going 1/4 mile, some form of a caddy/set of wheels will be fine. We have one for our canoe and it works great. Just get the widest wheels you can. The skinny tires have a tendency to dig in versus the wider tires roll over things.

Do you then move it by hand? Given the hills, I'd be very inclined to not ever launch it!

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

DBreskin · 09-12-2019, 08:21 PM

There are some examples of boat dollies at https://wheeleez.com/shop/products/d.../boat-dollies/

Wheeleez also sell the wheels separately if you want to build your own.

thinkxingu · 09-12-2019, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBreskin

There are some examples of boat dollies at https://wheeleez.com/shop/products/d.../boat-dollies/

Wheeleez also sell the wheels separately if you want to build your own.

For the price of a couple wheels, I'd be close to a trailer?

Anyone know if the trailer place in Tilton has old trailers like what I'm looking for? I won't be taking it on road, so it can be bare bones.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

DesertDweller · 09-12-2019, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

Do you then move it by hand? Given the hills, I'd be very inclined to not ever launch it!

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

Affirmative. You put the wheels on one end of the boat, pick the boat up at the other end, and them roll it down to the lake. Hills will make it a little more of a challenge...….

Here's an example:

https://www.wholesalemarine.com/garelick-boat-dolly/

thinkxingu · 09-12-2019, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DesertDweller

Affirmative. You put the wheels on one end of the boat, pick the boat up at the other end, and them roll it down to the lake. Hills will make it a little more of a challenge...….

Here's an example:

https://www.wholesalemarine.com/garelick-boat-dolly/

Ok, thanks--given the situation, I'm not sure that would work. When we had Dad's camp, which was much closer, we might have been able to do that, but the storage area is a fair distance with some rough terrain and hills.

Sounds like I'd need a pickup or trailer...

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

DBreskin · 09-12-2019, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

Sounds like I'd need a pickup or trailer...

You could use the transom wheels and attached the bow to a trailer hitch on your vehicle. The boat IS the trailer!

thinkxingu · 09-12-2019, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBreskin

You could use the transom wheels and attached the bow to a trailer hitch on your vehicle. The boat IS the trailer!

Interesting idea--just looked and hard to find pricing.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

DBreskin · 09-12-2019, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

Interesting idea--just looked and hard to find pricing.

Here's a suggestion for transom wheels

chipj29 · 09-13-2019, 07:46 AM

There are lots of utility trailers listed on craigslist. You could use one and muscle in/out of the water. Alternatively, you could mount a trailer winch to the front of the trailer to get the boat out of the water.

fatlazyless · 09-13-2019, 08:51 AM

Build a row boat dolly by using a 48"x2"x6" piece of construction lumber, assuming the width of the stern is 48", two 10" plastic garden wheels with rubber tread, a 1/2" x 56" black iron pipe for an axle, two large screw eyes, one large rope cleat, and 12' x 1/2" rope line.

This gets roped to the stern, held by tight rope friction, either right side up, or upside down ...... either way will work ...... so you can move the boat like a wheel barrow.

Also, suggest you get two #10x4" pan head, stainless machine screws and stop nuts, drill a hole through the long wood oars, and through the two oar lock wings on each oar lock, to permanently pin the oar to the oar locks for the correct angle and position while rowing ..... which makes rowing a whole lot easier to do ..... for anyone ..... any age. Is important to get the angle, and location, and drill holes all perfectly correct for holding the wood oar in correct rowing position. (You need a vise to do this correct.)

Very long wood oars ..... about 72-76" ...... that are light weight, work the best .......about $75/pair at Parafunalia in Gilford which has a big selection of oars and oar locks. Getting the right oar locks and oars is important for making it a happening row boat.

There's no insurance, registration, or gasoline needed ...... so's you can spend on some quality wood oars ..... plus a non-engined row boat is covered by the standard home owner's policy ..... just like a bicycle ..... for liability.

Pinning the oars also makes it go much better and easier for the novice to advanced rower. One rower, sitting in the center of the boat and slowly rowing, makes it very stable in waves a lot bigger than you would think ..... like in wakes as big as 36" high .... for both the 11' jon boat or 12' vee hull ..... sitting in the center seat makes it very stable.

A nine year old can easily row from Meredith to Wolfeboro on the windiest day of the year ..... with no problem! ...... (well, maybe not)

jbolty · 09-13-2019, 09:53 AM

two of these and a couple 2x4.

https://www.harborfreight.com/10-inc...ire-67465.html

Or something like this, but I would do it upside down.

DickR · 09-13-2019, 09:59 AM

Maybe check the town dump for something small and repairable. Four years or so ago I took an old trailer that wasn't worth fixing (to me) to the dump, and they had me park it next to a few others in sad shape. Someone with welding ability was going to grab it, maybe sell it on Ebay for a few quick bucks. When I dropped off an old, broken JD snowblower there a couple of years back, it wasn't there but a couple of hours before someone took it away. You never know.

thinkxingu · 09-13-2019, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DickR

Maybe check the town dump for something small and repairable. Four years or so ago I took an old trailer that wasn't worth fixing (to me) to the dump, and they had me park it next to a few others in sad shape. Someone with welding ability was going to grab it, maybe sell it on Ebay for a few quick bucks. When I dropped off an old, broken JD snowblower there a couple of years back, it wasn't there but a couple of hours before someone took it away. You never know.

Interesting idea. I called and they took my name and number in case they hear of something.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

fatlazyless · 09-13-2019, 01:57 PM

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.

Descant · 09-13-2019, 10:14 AM

A bicycle shop may have used large balloon wheels/tires that can be either attached to the boat or used to build a cradle. I have a Sandusky Garden cart that I've used to carry 100's lbs of stone. The bigger 26" wheels are easy to push, fully loaded. Even at just 1/4 mile to be able to go uphill, it sounds like you should be able to attach it to the car, especially if you add a motor later, adding weight. Used boat trailers are hard to find, I think, but you may find a used flatbed landscapers trailer. M & M Boat Salvage in Meredith might have something.

jbolty · 09-13-2019, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Descant

A bicycle shop may have used large balloon wheels/tires that can be either attached to the boat or used to build a cradle. I have a Sandusky Garden cart that I've used to carry 100's lbs of stone. The bigger 26" wheels are easy to push, fully loaded. Even at just 1/4 mile to be able to go uphill, it sounds like you should be able to attach it to the car, especially if you add a motor later, adding weight. Used boat trailers are hard to find, I think, but you may find a used flatbed landscapers trailer. M & M Boat Salvage in Meredith might have something.

Bicycle wheels are a great idea. Large diameter, easy to roll and easy to find.

09-12-2019, 08:03 PM	#3
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,030 Thanks: 1,209 Thanked 1,509 Times in 982 Posts	?? Need more info. How often> Once a year>? Daily? Do you own a pick up? Too many questions without back up info.

09-13-2019, 07:46 AM	#15
chipj29 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bow Posts: 1,874 Thanks: 521 Thanked 308 Times in 162 Posts	There are lots of utility trailers listed on craigslist. You could use one and muscle in/out of the water. Alternatively, you could mount a trailer winch to the front of the trailer to get the boat out of the water. __________________ Getting ready for winter!

09-13-2019, 08:51 AM	#16
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,525 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 295 Thanked 957 Times in 698 Posts	Build a row boat dolly by using a 48"x2"x6" piece of construction lumber, assuming the width of the stern is 48", two 10" plastic garden wheels with rubber tread, a 1/2" x 56" black iron pipe for an axle, two large screw eyes, one large rope cleat, and 12' x 1/2" rope line. This gets roped to the stern, held by tight rope friction, either right side up, or upside down ...... either way will work ...... so you can move the boat like a wheel barrow. Also, suggest you get two #10x4" pan head, stainless machine screws and stop nuts, drill a hole through the long wood oars, and through the two oar lock wings on each oar lock, to permanently pin the oar to the oar locks for the correct angle and position while rowing ..... which makes rowing a whole lot easier to do ..... for anyone ..... any age. Is important to get the angle, and location, and drill holes all perfectly correct for holding the wood oar in correct rowing position. (You need a vise to do this correct.) Very long wood oars ..... about 72-76" ...... that are light weight, work the best .......about $75/pair at Parafunalia in Gilford which has a big selection of oars and oar locks. Getting the right oar locks and oars is important for making it a happening row boat. There's no insurance, registration, or gasoline needed ...... so's you can spend on some quality wood oars ..... plus a non-engined row boat is covered by the standard home owner's policy ..... just like a bicycle ..... for liability. Pinning the oars also makes it go much better and easier for the novice to advanced rower. One rower, sitting in the center of the boat and slowly rowing, makes it very stable in waves a lot bigger than you would think ..... like in wakes as big as 36" high .... for both the 11' jon boat or 12' vee hull ..... sitting in the center seat makes it very stable. A nine year old can easily row from Meredith to Wolfeboro on the windiest day of the year ..... with no problem! ...... (well, maybe not) __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

09-13-2019, 09:53 AM	#17
jbolty Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 653 Thanks: 312 Thanked 244 Times in 143 Posts	two of these and a couple 2x4. https://www.harborfreight.com/10-inc...ire-67465.html Or something like this, but I would do it upside down. Attached Images

09-13-2019, 01:57 PM	#20
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,525 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 295 Thanked 957 Times in 698 Posts	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. __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

09-12-2019, 07:57 PM	#1
thinkxingu Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 5,943 Thanks: 1,153 Thanked 1,962 Times in 1,212 Posts	How to Launch Rowboat: Options? This may be a dumb question, but besides a standard trailer or carrying, are there any (easy) ways to launch a rowboat with/without motor? An awesome forum member reached out to offer a rowboat for my 9-year-old's first vessel, but there's no trailer so I'd need to come up with a solution to bring it from the storage area of my camp to the boat launch. Thoughts? Thanks! Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

09-12-2019, 08:00 PM	#2
DBreskin Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Wolfeboro NH Posts: 283 Thanks: 143 Thanked 121 Times in 76 Posts	Depending on the size/weight, you may be able to mount wheels on the transom that extend just below the bottom. I’ve seen this done for dinghies at marinas. You move the boat by lifting the bow and rolling it into the water.

09-12-2019, 08:08 PM	#5
jbolty Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 653 Thanks: 312 Thanked 244 Times in 143 Posts	google boat beach wheels lots of options to buy or to get ideas for DIY

09-12-2019, 08:21 PM	#8
DBreskin Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Wolfeboro NH Posts: 283 Thanks: 143 Thanked 121 Times in 76 Posts	There are some examples of boat dollies at https://wheeleez.com/shop/products/d.../boat-dollies/ Wheeleez also sell the wheels separately if you want to build your own.

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to DBreskin For This Useful Post:
ApS (09-12-2019), Cal Coon (09-13-2019)

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to chipj29 For This Useful Post:
thinkxingu (09-13-2019)

09-13-2019, 09:59 AM	#18
DickR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 735 Thanks: 4 Thanked 254 Times in 166 Posts	Maybe check the town dump for something small and repairable. Four years or so ago I took an old trailer that wasn't worth fixing (to me) to the dump, and they had me park it next to a few others in sad shape. Someone with welding ability was going to grab it, maybe sell it on Ebay for a few quick bucks. When I dropped off an old, broken JD snowblower there a couple of years back, it wasn't there but a couple of hours before someone took it away. You never know.

09-13-2019, 10:14 AM	#21
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,030 Thanks: 1,209 Thanked 1,509 Times in 982 Posts	Diy? A bicycle shop may have used large balloon wheels/tires that can be either attached to the boat or used to build a cradle. I have a Sandusky Garden cart that I've used to carry 100's lbs of stone. The bigger 26" wheels are easy to push, fully loaded. Even at just 1/4 mile to be able to go uphill, it sounds like you should be able to attach it to the car, especially if you add a motor later, adding weight. Used boat trailers are hard to find, I think, but you may find a used flatbed landscapers trailer. M & M Boat Salvage in Meredith might have something.