Shallow boat launch fun!

[Andy in NY]

this is the beach launch at the campground we went to last weekend. good thing for tilt trailers! this pic i was pulled a little further out of the water, but when i actually launched, the back tires were up to the hubs, and the tailpipe was in the water and the boat still wasnt touching the water!

 

[KurtG]

Re: Shallow boat launch fun!

Our community ramp is like that all the time!

I switched the leaf spring axle arrangement, got smaller wheels, and adjusted my bunks and rollers.Now I can slide the boat on/off like butter with no issues.

I had also built an extendable 8' tongue, but later realized the ramp is really not long enough to really use the tongue as I'd be way off the end at that point.

 

[HappierWet]

Re: Shallow boat launch fun!

That looks like a pretty good way to limit the size of the craft that launches there.

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: Shallow boat launch fun!

That looks like a pretty good way to limit the size of the craft that launches there.

believe it or not there was a 20' seadoo out there when we were. he said he backs in till the water hits the bottom of the doors, then slams on the brakes to get the boat to slide off!

 

[HappierWet]

Re: Shallow boat launch fun!

That'll be funny when the trailer falls off the end of the ramp, or when the truck stalls because the exhaust is so far under water....or, let's see ....what else can go wrong.....the catalytic converter could split, the O2 sensor could crap out, Geez, the list is endless


AND what's it take to get it loaded again?

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Shallow boat launch fun!

getting a hitch receiver that has some rise to it will also help. it will raise the front and tilt the back end down. Get as much rise as you can safely back up with, you may have to swap it out for actual road trailering.

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: Shallow boat launch fun!

That'll be funny when the trailer falls off the end of the ramp, or when the truck stalls because the exhaust is so far under water....or, let's see ....what else can go wrong.....the catalytic converter could split, the O2 sensor could crap out, Geez, the list is endless


AND what's it take to get it loaded again?

well, not that i am defending the guy with the 20 footer... but there is no "end of the ramp". there is no ramp at all! its all beach.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Shallow boat launch fun!

man, launching in conditions like that is a bummer.
while i've not been there for years, last time i was at lake mcconaughey in western nebr. it was like that too. there were ramps but they were high and dry. i swear i had my van 75-100' into the lake. back wheels submerged, exhaust pipe submerged. water up to the bottom of the doors where ya step into a van... it was a 2500 chevy van. w/ posi. man. thank goodness for the posi. for the sand at that lake will eat yer vehical up in a flash and ya'll be stuck. how i didn't get stuck is beyond me... even when i was that far into the lake, the boat still wasn't floating either... it was a drag..

i've not gone back to that lake since it's so hard to launch.... it's a great lake but just ain't worth the 4 or 5 hr drive for condtions like that... when it comes up from after the drought then i'll go back perhaps..

 

[indy440]

Re: Shallow boat launch fun!

I launched at one almost that bad yesterday. I stopped when I heard the exhaust blowing bubbles, then we had to push the boat off the trailer (roller trailer). Its a decent launch but they really lower the lake this time of year and it gets more difficult.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Shallow boat launch fun!

getting a hitch receiver that has some rise to it will also help. it will raise the front and tilt the back end down. Get as much rise as you can safely back up with, you may have to swap it out for actual road trailering.

That is what's been working for me...I launch at Michigan DNR sites that often have no dock let alone a paved ramp so having the boat on a bit of an angle helps slide it right in when launching shallow. Works great, and I enjoy being the only boat on the lake, no huge wakes stirring things up- just me and the fish since people don't want to deal with the hassle

 

[BLU LUNCH]

Re: Shallow boat launch fun!

Looks like the old Niantic River launch before they fixed it and that was salt water.

 

[rp23g7]

Re: Shallow boat launch fun!

The launch we go to on Lake Washington is like that. Maybe a bit more grade to it. It used to be a sea plane ramp, and they never remade it.

I had two 20' boats before, now i have 17' that we tow with a 99 EB Explorer.

The extra 3 feet came in handy floating the boat off the trailer. Now we usually need to back it in about level with the bottom of the bumber.

 

[Numlaar]

Re: Shallow boat launch fun!

Thats why you need a truck like mine for launching:

Its an 82, carbureted, no emissions junk...

Paid 600 bucks for it, 800 for tires, and waterproofed the ignition... stripped out all the carpet from inside, and drilled some drain holes...

I have had it in water, 3/4 the way up the doors, driven it in lakes, and huge mudholes, and still going fine...

If it breaks eventually, then i'll toss it and get another one heh.. but I have had it for 5 years now, and use it to launch wherever I want cause of the 4WD... and not put a dime in it other than oil changes.

The shallow ramps where I go, usually put me in the water at least to the middle of the rear tires...

If I launch on the causeway, then I have to go as deep as the doors sometimes... but hey, look at it! LOL who cares.


/edit - the only drawback is, it gets about 10mpg on a good day, usually around 8 LOL

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: Shallow boat launch fun!

Thats why you need a truck like mine for launching:

Its an 82, carbureted, no emissions junk...

Paid 600 bucks for it, 800 for tires, and waterproofed the ignition... stripped out all the carpet from inside, and drilled some drain holes...

I have had it in water, 3/4 the way up the doors, driven it in lakes, and huge mudholes, and still going fine...

If it breaks eventually, then i'll toss it and get another one heh.. but I have had it for 5 years now, and use it to launch wherever I want cause of the 4WD... and not put a dime in it other than oil changes.

The shallow ramps where I go, usually put me in the water at least to the middle of the rear tires...

If I launch on the causeway, then I have to go as deep as the doors sometimes... but hey, look at it! LOL who cares.


/edit - the only drawback is, it gets about 10mpg on a good day, usually around 8 LOL

i think we need to see some pics of that!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Shallow boat launch fun!

Back to the first picture: you're in too deep. Your axle and hubs are underwater. But your boat looks alot like my old 16' starcraft that I would launch and retrieve--hand crank--with the axle dry.
I will agree, however, that a better slope helps!

 

[Navy Jr.]

Re: Shallow boat launch fun!

I love fishing at a particular local lake, but it has a shallow ramp like this, too.

Earlier this summer we were in a drought and the lake level was much lower. That actually turned out to be a good thing for launching and loading since the contour of the lake dropped off a bit more, so the end of the trailer went down enough such that the stern of the boat was actually in the water.

But then the rains came. All the lakes are back up to normal again, and normal for that lake means a shallow ramp. -Ken

 

[symonds86]

Re: Shallow boat launch fun!

i hear ya numlaar i love havein my truck when they let the my local lake down

 

[jkust]

Re: Shallow boat launch fun!

All I can say is roller trailer. Best option ever. You should see the looks and comments I get launching my boat...then comes the big ah haaa. 3,500 lbs and it never touches the water while on the trailer. I honestly think a lot of people have truly never seen a roller trailer in action based on how many "helpful" tips I get at the launch. Your trailer is actually deeper than it would need to be to properly launch from a roller trailer.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Shallow boat launch fun!

jkust you are made to be a salt water boater!

 

[jkust]

Re: Shallow boat launch fun!

jkust you are made to be a salt water boater!

From your lips to God's ears...someday when the kids leave home and we retire we will leave the tundra for the south.