I connect my launch rope to the wench strap hook. Leave the wench unlocked so when I pull out the wench unwinds a little and doesn't pull the boat up too fast. Then I grab the wench strap and pull the boat to shore by hand. I did have a trailer that was custom made with coated steel webbing (not sure of the technical term) welded to the trailer that gave a nice flat surface to walk on. The holes let the water drain when it rained.