I have never really understood why old guys launch with a rope. I launch by myself most of the time and have never seen the need for a rope. I back in with the winch strap still connected but in free spool. Once the boat is in deep enough that is slides off the bow roller, I unhook the strap, get in the boat, crank it and back off the trailer. I have seen several people launch with a rope, only to not be able to crank their motor. It's a real pain to load a boat that won't start.