Loading small 14ft v bottom boat by yourself. Need help with a solution

Ive got a old 1970 14ft Alumacraft v bottom that Ive been fixing up to fish this fall and just realized that there's no way to get out of boat after pulling up on trailer to load. Cant step over front of boat as trolling motor is in the way and cant hop over side as its too high, Im 64 and have a very bad knee and blown out disc in my back. No way to mount steps on tongue due trolling motor and tongue on trailer is too short plus spare tire is mounted on it.
Was thinking maybe a small aluminum step stool/ladder to get out of side of boat where boat is out of water but would have to leave in boat and would take up a lot of room. A rope ladder is a no go as my knee couldnt take the twisting when stepping on it. I hope I havent wasted a bunch of time/money and wont be able to use by myself.
If any of you guys use this type of boat and had this problem how did you solve it any ideas/help appreciated. Only pictures of boat are after I mounted trolling motor on aluminum plate I put on which makes it hard to reach over front of boat also.
Also on aluminum plate trolling motor is mounted to there are now tie off cleats on both sides taking up space

Attachment 509480Attachment 509481Attachment 509482

Room for this? Might take a little minor engineering?

Boat Step Combo 3 Step Boat Trailer Steps Universal High Quality | eBay

No there is no room on the tongue and even if there was you wouldn't be able to get up over the trolling motor safely the way it has to be angled. Ive thought about welding up a step off the side of trailer that extends past side of boat when in water but then would have to worry about tearing it off on something. Only solution I can see is a light weight 4 or 5 ft folding stool thats about 16-17 in wide and a couple inches thick when folded, would still be in way when fishing though. Ive taken middle seat out of boat and put in a wooden floor so that made it a bit roomier but also left about 8 inches of seat on each side to attach shelves to so can lay stuff in them instead of throwing on floor.

Robot or human?

Ladder link not sure what says that

I promise I’m human

Might try cutting the aluminum plate down some to give you some more room up front, especially on the right side/opposite side of the TM mounting spot. I fish solo and am 70 y/o. I have a raised platform where my TM mounts, and I can get on my knees to hook the bow winch line up after loading on the trailer. I also can then crawl down and put one foot, then both feet on the trailer tongue to tighten down the winch strap. I then have to usually jump off the trailer tongue over to the edge of my truck to get in the truck. I could wear rubber boots but haven't so far to avoid wet feet.

Other option I see is to back the trailer in a bit deep, then using a long rope, just pull/float the boat onto the trailer. Wear rubber boots as needed.

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Originally Posted by jimp

Might try cutting the aluminum plate down some to give you some more room up front, especially on the right side/opposite side of the TM mounting spot. I fish solo and am 70 y/o. I have a raised platform where my TM mounts, and I can get on my knees to hook the bow winch line up after loading on the trailer. I also can then crawl down and put one foot, then both feet on the trailer tongue to tighten down the winch strap. I then have to usually jump off the trailer tongue over to the edge of my truck to get in the truck. I could wear rubber boots but haven't so far to avoid wet feet.


Other option I see is to back the trailer in a bit deep, then using a long rope, just pull/float the boat onto the trailer. Wear rubber boots as needed.

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I have my battery and charger mounted on small step under the plate to keep it out of the weather so cutting plate down would mess that up.
The lakes I fish the docks are not right where you launch, one is a 100-150 ft away and the other is 80-100 ft away so even a really long rope would be very difficult. For some reason the DNR doesnt put any docks close to launch ramp which makes it really screwed when by yourself. I may just go with the Dakota boat retriever to launch at the closer dock and a small 4-5 step ladder or step stool to load/get out of boat,seems to be the simplest yet not cheap way to do it.

I have a boat like that with a factory aluminum plate at the nose . I put a 2 X 12” with brackets down the tongue . I sit on the nose of the boat and spin to the side . Then step out on the board, then the ground. Mounted the brackets with unbolts . The board goes all the way from front to back of the trailer. Makes it easy to load .

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Originally Posted by keeferfish

Robot or human?

Ladder link not sure what says that

I promise I’m human

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That might work if it wouldnt slide on side of boat, would be compact at least.

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Originally Posted by RCS

I have a boat like that with a factory aluminum plate at the nose . I put a 2 X 12” with brackets down the tongue . I sit on the nose of the boat and spin to the side . Then step out on the board, then the ground. Mounted the brackets with unbolts . The board goes all the way from front to back of the trailer. Makes it easy to load .

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RCS you have any pics that you could share. thanks.

Step ladder stored in the truck. Put it next to the trailer when you back it in.

I would reposition the troller running parallel to the port side of the boat, mounted on a Shuttleslide or similar mount. Does three things. Puts the troller in line with the boat, frees up the right side to get in and out of the boat, and keeps the barrel of the troller from hitting the winch post. Trick steps or similar mounted on the tongue or winch post.

Attachment 509502

Similar to this.

d if I'm ever down there when you are I would most certainly help you get your boat in & out of water. I hate to see you get in that water at all with that slim that is at ramp. I have been upside down a couple of times at the main ramp & it didn't feel good. I would suggest you might try the ramp at Walker as it has a dock where you might be able to use a rope better than the main ramp. I usually only get a chance to go on weekends. I know you have mentioned you go during the week but if you want my # send me a pm.

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Originally Posted by dbowling

That might work if it wouldnt slide on side of boat, would be compact at least.

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Bet you could rig up a hook or some way to temporarily attach and remove.:ThumbsUp

I have the same boat. 78 years old. I wear a pair of hip boots. Bring the boat to the ramp and step right over the side,
Tie boat off or lift bow onto the shore, back trailer in the water. And put the boat on it. Dry simple and easy to do. Summer time I just wear a pair of water shoes.

Put the boat in the water and have a 30 foot line attached to the bow of the boat and the other end to trailer. Back it in and give it a little nudge to get it off the trailer and pull forward and beach the boat and clime in and go

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Originally Posted by Curlytail

d if I'm ever down there when you are I would most certainly help you get your boat in & out of water. I hate to see you get in that water at all with that slim that is at ramp. I have been upside down a couple of times at the main ramp & it didn't feel good. I would suggest you might try the ramp at Walker as it has a dock where you might be able to use a rope better than the main ramp. I usually only get a chance to go on weekends. I know you have mentioned you go during the week but if you want my # send me a pm.

Sent from my SM-S908U using Crappie.com mobile app

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Thanks Curly appreciate the offer., Walker is where I usually launch anymore.

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Originally Posted by sparkie51

I have the same boat. 78 years old. I wear a pair of hip boots. Bring the boat to the ramp and step right over the side,
Tie boat off or lift bow onto the shore, back trailer in the water. And put the boat on it. Dry simple and easy to do. Summer time I just wear a pair of water shoes.

Put the boat in the water and have a 30 foot line attached to the bow of the boat and the other end to trailer. Back it in and give it a little nudge to get it off the trailer and pull forward and beach the boat and clime in and go

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My trailer sets up way to high to step down out of, jump maybe but cant do that anymore. Ive got a long rope attached to boat and can do it that way but not when loading. I prefer to not drag boat up on concrete or rip rap if I dont have to.

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Originally Posted by keeferfish

Bet you could rig up a hook or some way to temporarily attach and remove.:ThumbsUp

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yeah I can probably make some hooks and bolt them on too it at the correct height. Will get it worked out appreciate all the ideas guys.

I had the same problem with the 1960 Feathercraft 14' I used to own. I would either climb over the side once it was on the trailer or pull up to the dock and get out and use a rope to pull it over to the trailer. Either way, you get wet. Only solution was to get another boat with steps attached to the tongue! Water sure was cold in Feb., but waders helped. Good luck with your solution.

Think a new boat will solve the problem

I would totally redo that trolling motor mount, so you can get by it.
Second, I would make a short grab rail for the bow. Just high enough to get a hand hold on for stability.
Third, I would weld some expanded metal to the side of boat trailer from the bow just past the boat winch to walk on.
Now you can sit on the bow, swing feet in or out. Just need muck boots to keep feet completely dry.

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Originally Posted by sparkie51

I have the same boat. 78 years old. I wear a pair of hip boots. Bring the boat to the ramp and step right over the side,
Tie boat off or lift bow onto the shore, back trailer in the water. And put the boat on it. Dry simple and easy to do. Summer time I just wear a pair of water shoes.

Put the boat in the water and have a 30 foot line attached to the bow of the boat and the other end to trailer. Back it in and give it a little nudge to get it off the trailer and pull forward and beach the boat and clime in and go

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I fish from a 14 footer and this is what I do also. I have a cheap pair of rubber boots I put on after backing the trailer down too the waters edge. It works great for ramps with no docks. I'm 62 years of age and I hold on to the boat railing when I exit the boat.

What if you put the trolling motor on a removable mount so that you get it out of your way when you are ready to climb in and out? I also think that a set of custom steps can be built for that boat/trailer combo that isn't going to be in the way of maneuvering for not too much money if you have the skills or know someone who can build it.

I think if you fix the trolling motor mount the way it should be( along one side instead of cross over) mount steps front steps that run up along the side of the V, multiple companies make them.

Will try moving it but I think there was a reason I didn't put it that way originally. I can probably build steps for it but don't believe there's enough room on the tongue to do it,very short tongue for a boat trailer. The jack and spare tire are in the way, no place else to move them.
I will get it sorted eventually might have to wait and do it over the winter.

While members are trying to help, can you take a couple pictures of the hitch area? One from the front and one from the side. Your other pictures don't show that area.

I moved the trolling motor over to right side running straight along edge of boat, it was a pain but got it done. Now if I move my spare tire somehow I can weld up a set of steps/handrail to go up into boat. If I remember I will take pics of hitch area tomorrow but other then maybe the tire nothing else can be moved. Want to thank everyone for suggestions/ideas, didnt think trolling motor would work the way it is but got it to fit, misses side of boat by maybe 3/4 in if that.

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Originally Posted by dbowling

I moved the trolling motor over to right side running straight along edge of boat, it was a pain but got it done. Now if I move my spare tire somehow I can weld up a set of steps/handrail to go up into boat. If I remember I will take pics of hitch area tomorrow but other then maybe the tire nothing else can be moved. Want to thank everyone for suggestions/ideas, didnt think trolling motor would work the way it is but got it to fit, misses side of boat by maybe 3/4 in if that.

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DB ... If your vehicle is a truck with a tonneau cover, put the spare in the bed of the truck. It's what I did after having my spare carrier bolts continuously coming loose.

Have fished and hunted alone much of my time. To launch the boat, disconnect boat at winch. Attach a long rope to the bow eye and tie off to back of trailer taking care to make sure it will not tangle with trailer wheels or guides. Reverse the tow vehicle sharply and when in the water, brake sharply allowing the boat to continue it's path off the trailer. Pull it to the ramp with the rope. When loading the boat onto the trailer, land the boat at the ramp. Then back the trailer along side the boat (on down wind side). Remove enough rope or strap from the trailer winch to allow the boat to be pushed slightly beyond the rear of the trailer. When pushing the boat out, use the rope or strap to guide the bow within the trailer bunks and guides. Use the winch to pull the boat onto the trailer. Hint: you can eliminate much of the friction on the trailer by installing the poly glide strips on the carpeted bunk boards. This procedure can be done in house slippers.lol

Guys appreciate all the suggestions, Ive solved the problem welding up a ladder on trailer tongue to get in out of boat. Will post pictures when its finished.

Heres ladder after painted, no end caps in tubing or grip tape on steps. Buddy used it today and loved it, didnt bother grinding most welds down, its very strong I weigh 272# and I jumped and jerked on it as hard as I couldnt and it didnt budge.Im not the greatest welder but have never had anything break or come loose after welding it.

Glad you got it figured out. I also fish alone a lot and launch much like has already been described with a long rope. Mine is dedicated for just launch and load and coiled up until it’s needed again. 30’ is about right for its length. I was going to suggest moving the TM parallel to the side, even if it stuck out the side some. Great little boat you have. I had one when the kids were small, now 40’s, and it was sweet for us at the time. I had a 1956 Johnson 5 1/2 hp with all the original labels and stickers over original paint with shine still on it. One with two fuel lines. Good memories. Always started with about half the pull rope, even cold. Hated to see it go. Enjoy your mods, they look well done.