"Bryan" wrote in message
. com...
Picture this:
A picture-perfect day at the lake. Not a boat in sight and none anywhere
near the launch ramp. The ramp is empty, the dock is empty, the water is
empty. The sun is shining. The air is warm. Only thing left to do is
launch my boat.

Oh, one problem. While I was prepping my boat a PWC'er came to the dock
from the water and tied up on the dock near waters edge! He had 4 options
that wouldn't have interfered with my solo launching plans and he picked
the one that kept me and anyone else from using the dock for a launch.

Anyway, it forced me to perform my first water launch and solo at that.
The water launch went well. I'll be comfortable doing that from now on
when the dock isn't available.

So, the bad news: just another encounter with another knucklehead.

The good news: it caused me to learn another water skill.

Oh, and I practiced using my new anchor buddy in preparation for teaching
my wife how to use it for her upcoming boat-in camping trip this weekend.
Glad I practiced; I'll need a longer land line and I think I'll take
advantage of the suggestion to tie the anchor rode and land line to a
float for easy come easy go.

Once again, I've learned as much from this ng as I have from boating
friends; in fact, I'm finding myself more knowledgeable than most, but
less experienced/skilled.

Summer 2006: So far so good!


Glad to hear things went well with only a small bump along the way.

All you need on the stern anchor is 50 feet of line at tops as you don't
have to anchor on the beach or tie up to a tree on the beach.........setting
the anchor in the water (assuming sand or mud) will work just fine. You
also do not need a special float on either the bow or stern anchors when
anchoring near the beach. Get everyone on board except one after running
the blower for 5 minutes. Have the person in the water lift the stern
anchor and bring it to the boat, taking in the line along the way. Let that
person board the boat. Start the engine (with someone on the bow) and
slowly motor out to the bow anchor, taking up line along the way, until you
can pull it up and into the boat.

No need for anything fancy Bryan.