Launching a Boat and Submerging the tow vehicle muffler

[Illinoid]

Of more concern is what is underwater on the ramp. I have dropped a wheel in a pot hole once and driven off the end of the pavement once both time having to use the winch and boat to have to float the trailer back onto the trailer. I now have a rope from each back corner of the trailer to up by the winch so I don't have to go swimming to tie on a rope again. Every ramp and trailer is different on how deep you have to go in.

 

[redneck joe]

Two things to add:
1. Don't power off the trailer - prop wash will remove the soil at the bottom of the ramp creating a drop off that can trap trailers.
2. Don't raise your voice - sound travels exceptionally well over water, and you will feel like a heel if you embarrass your bride.

The second one is way more important than the first one.

I get the boat to where she can do the final backing and she can park well.

 

[oldjeep]

My wife just deals with the boat, has no desire to learn to back a trailer. No problem though, she takes the boat off the trailer - comes back around to the dock to pick me up after I park and then puts it right back on the trailer when it is time to go. Been so long since I put the boat on or off the trailer I'm not sure how I would even do.

 

[Horigan]

My situation is the opposite. My wife doesn't want to deal with the boat and would rather manage the trailer. Multiple times while I'm waiting with the boat while she backs the trailer in guys will come up to me and tell me how lucky I am. She cracks up when I tell her. As long as you have a good team arrangement it's all good.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

It's funny how philosophise can be so much different. A pal owns a Marine service down the road and I am there puttering around daily. I do his books and payroll in exchange for service and dry storage for my boat. I asked no less than a dozen guys this week about going into the water submerging the tail pipe. 100% said never. 1 guy said he only uses a ramp that won't get his brakes wet. Brakes get soaked every time it rains or snows so I don't get that one. Canucks can be a strange group, polite but strange.

 

[ondarvr]

If someone can explain why submerging the tail pipe is an issue, and that's real facts, not just some outdated notion, then I'll switch sides.

 

[rosie_riveter]

If someone can explain why submerging the tail pipe is an issue, and that's real facts, not just some outdated notion, then I'll switch sides.

I don't know much about exhaust pipes but I have had a bad experience with water and an exhaust. It was many years ago and wasn't on a boat ramp but I drove through a deep puddle of water. My car immediately lost power. It wouldn't shift out of first gear and I couldn't get over 20 mph even after getting on dry pavement. It would start and idle with no problem.

My mechanic determined the exhaust was restricted but couldn't see anything wrong on the outside. After cutting it apart, he told me that there was a double wall pipe and that when I hit the water it had caused the inner wall to collapse at one point and back up the exhaust pressure.

I have driven through water on other occasions deep enough to hit the exhaust without issues.

 

[jkust]

My wife will drive the suv with the trailer to access and I will drive the boat to the access from our house for end of season removal. She has zero interest in backing the trailer down or driving the boat to the access putting all of it on me. She tried it in the past and sideswiped a trailer at the access and will no longer attempt it.

 

[thumpar]

I don't know much about exhaust pipes but I have had a bad experience with water and an exhaust. It was many years ago and wasn't on a boat ramp but I drove through a deep puddle of water. My car immediately lost power. It wouldn't shift out of first gear and I couldn't get over 20 mph even after getting on dry pavement. It would start and idle with no problem.

My mechanic determined the exhaust was restricted but couldn't see anything wrong on the outside. After cutting it apart, he told me that there was a double wall pipe and that when I hit the water it had caused the inner wall to collapse at one point and back up the exhaust pressure.

I have driven through water on other occasions deep enough to hit the exhaust without issues.

When I see it I will believe it.

 

[hemi rt]

When I see it I will believe it.

Some GM products that had single exhaust had a double wall 'Y' pipe, the inner pipe used to collapse causing a great lose in power however driving through water didn't cause this, just a really poorly designed exhaust. I have seen engines and transmissions overhauled because of this.

 

[thumpar]

Some GM products that had single exhaust had a double wall 'Y' pipe, the inner pipe used to collapse causing a great lose in power however driving through water didn't cause this, just a really poorly designed exhaust. I have seen engines and transmissions overhauled because of this.

Yea, that is kind of what I was getting at. It wasn't the water on the tailpipe.

 

[Bad Pete]

If you sit at the landing and watch others load and unload long enough, you'll know a lot of exactly what not to do.

yes sir I'm new at this but lighting up a ceegar and hanging out at the busy boat ramp for 1/2 hour or so last Memorial Day was some of the best entertainment I've had in a long time. And it was live entertainment! Wife and husband teams provided the best. I swear there was not a single woman that looked happy out there. I have a lot to learn or I'll be the punch line soon

 

[thumpar]

The husband/wife thing doesn't work out unless each knows what they are doing. I now have an ex-wife and a boat.

 

[redneck joe]

The husband/wife thing doesn't work out unless each knows what they are doing. I now have an ex-wife and a boat.

I have two, and three respectively....


I guess my question is why does one need to back in that far. The Carver sits quite high on the trailer and even on shallow andle ramps I never even get my tires wet

 

[bajaunderground]

I have two, and three respectively....


I guess my question is why does one need to back in that far. The Carver sits quite high on the trailer and even on shallow andle ramps I never even get my tires wet

​There are many factors that determine how far you have to back into the water to launch/retrieve...Weight (can varies depending on how much stuff/kids my wife can cram into the boat), height of boat on trailer, length of boat, draft, angle of ramp, bunks vs. rollers, angle of trailer on hitch (I try to make it level, but on occasion someone else from our camping group will launch another's boat for convenience and the hitch height varies)....

​I've launched my three boats in so many different ways...and each boat has it's launching/retrieving sweet spots. My Buddy has a Interceptor and had a Stroker Bass boat, both on Boatmate trailers...he launches consistently the same way every time as his system never changes (only locations)...I will say it's partially because his wife listens to him and never deviates from her instructions; whereas, my wife knows everything and makes sure to remind me whenever I have an idea...in her defense, my ideas usually costs us more money!

 

[redneck joe]

yessir i get all that (and the wife thing now after two prior attempts) but still never ever in 30 years of adult boat ownership and 16 different boats have I ever had to wet a tailpipe or muffler

 

[thumpar]

I have only had to get the tailpipe wet a few times. It is usually the ramp that determines it. Bunk trailers are sticky so the boat has to be floating to get on and off. A couple years ago I had the tongue extended 3'. Since then it has really helped.

 

[glust]

you really want to have some fun? Don't even have to leave the house. Go to YouTube and type in boat ramp failures. Plenty of what not to do's. Usually out to music... Quite nice..

 

[redneck joe]

I have only had to get the tailpipe wet a few times. It is usually the ramp that determines it. Bunk trailers are sticky so the boat has to be floating to get on and off. A couple years ago I had the tongue extended 3'. Since then it has really helped.

True on the longer tounge I've never had a short one.

 

[Scott Danforth]

True on the longer tounge I've never had a short one.

If your tongue was long enough, I don't think you would have 2 ex wives...... Too much?