Float tube Dock launch...how to

Someone brought this up to me and asked me if I could do it. I have never done this. Would anyone like to add some tips? I think I could get into the tube...getting back on the dock I'm not sure of.

Why would you want to, well I guess if there was no other option on lauching this would be important to know. Ya I think getting in would be ok it is the getting back out part that would be the problem. I guess we could ask LOLLY he has some experiance in this.

jeffcpr wrote:Why would you want to, well I guess if there was no other option on lauching this would be important to know. Ya I think getting in would be ok it is the getting back out part that would be the problem. I guess we could ask LOLLY he has some experiance in this.

Ya the "why" is a valid question. But the answer lies in the question...do you want to limit your access to new fishing grounds? Some places you just have to deal with obstacles to get there. If you want to go there. I also can see this as a valuable skill to have in general. I would like to have the confidence in knowing I could manage it on any given occasion.

True for the Harbors and bays it would be a safety issue. Getting out of the water were you are at might be the only option you have. There have been a few moments when I though dam that Seal is close I could just hop on that dock to get away from him if I needed to. Maybe we should try this next time out, just to see what happens.

In order to get in or out, the easiest way (to me) is without fins and right next to the dock cleat and inside the slip (for minimal to no current). To get out I face the dock, put both hands on your tube and lift yourself to get your feet under you and above your seat. Now you are on your knees. Grab the cleat for security and pull yourself as close to the dock as possible. Lastly, pull yourself onto the dock.

For the last part you want to be careful on how much leg pressure you use and the angle of your legs. You have to remember that if you use to much leg pressure at an angle, you can push your tube away from you causing you to go into the drink.

See I would think at least getting out I would keep my fins on. Grab the dock and use my arms to get a good hold them when getting out of the tube use my fins to trust me high out of the water and use the are and kick to get me up on the dock. Just me thinking out load I have never done this before.

jeff: That's exactly what I thought on my first attempt. I figured I'm a good swimmer, I've climbed in and out of pools this way hundreds of times, plus with fins on this would be cake.

What you fail to realize is the distance between the water and the top of the dock. It is higher than I thought it would be. But that was just my experience.

Hey I'm willing to go out and do some drills on this if anyone else is. Actually, I'm going to do it anyway. I'm a big guy and I need the practice and I want the confidence. The crap that makes me nervous is the mussels that gather on the docks and the splinters.

.:LOLLY:. wrote:jeff: That's exactly what I thought on my first attempt. I figured I'm a good swimmer, I've climbed in and out of pools this way hundreds of times, plus with fins on this would be cake.

What you fail to realize is the distance between the water and the top of the dock. It is higher than I thought it would be. But that was just my experience.

Ya you got me there the dock is and could be much higher than the side of a pool.

waxon67 wrote:Hey I'm willing to go out and do some drills on this if anyone else is. Actually, I'm going to do it anyway. I'm a big guy and I need the practice and I want the confidence. The crap that makes me nervous is the mussels that gather on the docks and the splinters.

Good luck watch out for those splinters. If it works out ok we could make this part of the workshop buddy.

jeffcpr wrote:

.:LOLLY:. wrote:jeff: That's exactly what I thought on my first attempt. I figured I'm a good swimmer, I've climbed in and out of pools this way hundreds of times, plus with fins on this would be cake.

What you fail to realize is the distance between the water and the top of the dock. It is higher than I thought it would be. But that was just my experience.

Ya you got me there the dock is and could be much higher than the side of a pool.

waxon67 wrote:Hey I'm willing to go out and do some drills on this if anyone else is. Actually, I'm going to do it anyway. I'm a big guy and I need the practice and I want the confidence. The crap that makes me nervous is the mussels that gather on the docks and the splinters.

Good luck watch out for those splinters. If it works out ok we could make this part of the workshop buddy.

Ha ha...so no practice for you eh?....ohhhhhhhh kkkkkkk

I would be willing to go out and practice (just depends when)

I cannot go this weekend I would liek the practice as well. Maybe we can set up a date in like 2 weeks and get some practice then before or after we fish. But don't wait for me get out there at try it out guys.

From my experience the best way to launch from a dock or get out of the water onto the dock is to find a dock with a swimstep or ladder. They are all over the local harbors...just got to find them.

The next issue is that of trespassing. Most of the docks in the harbors are private.

If you guys do try and practice this maneuver please be very careful!

I forgot all about those ladders LOL
good one!

Ya we would need to practice on the public docks our at least with the owners approval. But in and emergency I will take the trespassing fine screw it

LOL...similar to getting in and out of a kayak from a dock but harder...wondering if anyone got to practice?

EVERYTHING is easier without fins...oh, and don't worry, if you go in, you'll have to empty your waders anyway...

FYI: take your cell phones and cameras out of your pockets before you try...just sayin'

...am I the only one that can stand up on the tube and fish?  

Standing up on the tube is not against the law but standing up and peeing is lol

wiseguy wrote:...am I the only one that can stand up on the tube and fish?  

I'll believe it when I see it! I almost tried it one time but my balance is way too shitty on flat land, I could only imagine how it'll be standing on a tube... although, I was able to kneel on it during an emergency.......

jeffcpr wrote:I cannot go this weekend I would liek the practice as well.  Maybe we can set up a date in like 2 weeks and get some practice then before or after we fish.  But don't wait for me get out there at try it out guys.

Please let me know when you guys plan on doing this. I want to be there with my video recorder. I think I could make $10,000 with that video!  

I've seen aquaholic walk around his entire tube searching for his dog!

While making a samich.... Ask him

fisheromen wrote:

jeffcpr wrote:I cannot go this weekend I would liek the practice as well.  Maybe we can set up a date in like 2 weeks and get some practice then before or after we fish.  But don't wait for me get out there at try it out guys.

Please let me know when you guys plan on doing this.  I want to be there with my video recorder.  I think I could make $10,000 with that video!  

ya that would be an easy $10,000 for sure

n2deepfsw wrote:I've seen aquaholic walk around his entire tube searching for his dog!

n2deepfsw wrote:While making a samich.... Ask him

      

fisheromen wrote:

jeffcpr wrote:I cannot go this weekend I would liek the practice as well.  Maybe we can set up a date in like 2 weeks and get some practice then before or after we fish.  But don't wait for me get out there at try it out guys.

Please let me know when you guys plan on doing this.  I want to be there with my video recorder.  I think I could make $10,000 with that video!  

You probably could have made some money video taping while I attempted to eskimo roll my inflatable kayak in my pool...when I asked the manufacturer about rolling he said he wanted video if I could do it. I wore a helmet and my g/f said that I'd roll, then with the kayak upside down there was a lot of thrashing until I would give up and bail...repeatedly...I was determined to go 360. Apparently my model was designed to not go over easily.

n2deepfsw wrote:I've seen aquaholic walk around his entire tube searching for his dog!

I can't believe that you said that lmao he knew were his dog was when he started walking  lol