The Bar Catch is designed to assist with single-handed launch and retrieve. To retrieve, the skipper drives the boat onto the trailer with the elastic strap attached to the rear of the Bar Catch, so that the hook eye on the front of the boat will ride over the Bar Catch and click into position, retaining the boat. When it is time to launch, the boat is driven back into the water, the winch strap is loosened to allow the boat to slide back so that it is retained by the Bar Catch. The elastic strap is then moved to the rear position. When the skipper powers the boat forward slightly, the Bar Catch will be free to drop down and the boat can be reversed off the trailer. Importantly, the boat and trailer should never be driven out of the water until the safety chain and winch strap are secure. The Bar Catch is for launch and retrieve only when the trailer is backed into the water. It is never to be used for towing.