Apparently I'm "that idiot at the ramp". Help!

[inboardnewbie]

Re: Apparently I'm "that idiot at the ramp". Help!

Idk if this will help but i had a 22 ft nitro and we would back the trailer in the water just until the top of the fender was about level with the water and raise the motor up and simply drive the boat on the trailer minimal winching at all

 

[sw33ttooth]

Re: Apparently I'm "that idiot at the ramp". Help!

Re: Apparently I'm "that idiot at the ramp". Help!
"that idiot at the ramp" was the group of kayakers I ran into last summer. 2 vans parked on the ramp with roof racks, 2 more on the side of the ramp with racks. EIGHT kayaks sitting on the beach. Took them 40 minutes to unload the yaks, get them secured to to the roof racks then spend another 15 minutes probably discussing where they were going to go to get something to eat! All the while completely blocking the ramp. Mind you, the beach/water is only about 15-20' from the parking area. Guess those plastic yaks at 50# were too heavy to carry across the sand.

Just so everyone knows I'm not picking on yakers, up until 2 years ago and a near heart attack, I used to kayak 4-5 times every week from iceout to iced-in!

i think we ran into the same people.... few years ago i pulled up to a launch and it has 1 spot these rude kayakers take up the whole frigging launch to strap there plasic toys down for 15 minuites if not longer... they had 4 kayaks and a special trailer put them all on the rack then preceded to take there time as if i wasnt there. all i wanted them to do was pull foward 50 feet so i could back in and go. i dont think there would be mass casualties or damages with in 50 feet.

 

[gilbugs]

Re: Apparently I'm "that idiot at the ramp". Help!

Skagit,

Thanks for asking the question and seeking help when you need it. I am a newbie as well and get severe ramp anxiety if things dont go perfectly. I have a 21ft Sea Ray Seville Midcabin and have launched it three times and had issues every time. The last time the latch on my winch broke while I was backing down the ramp and the boat rolled right off the EZ Load trailer until the back of the transom hit the ground. I had unhooked the safety chain in anticipation of just disconnecting the strap when the boat floated. Luckily no damage occured to the boat. Four of the teeth were chewed off the drive gear for the winch because the handle got caught on the trailer and the boat just spun the spool with all its weight. I had no chance of winching the boat back on the trailer at that point. It was a two lane ramp with valet launching and tried in vain to get some help from the valet (kids mostly) or other boaters. I was finally able to get a couple of bystanders to get on the bow of the boat so it would sit flat enough on the trailer again so my wife could back into the water and I could finish the launch.

Rookie mistake on my part by removing the safety chain before I was ready. But I was honestly dissapointed in the lack of help from the experienced crowd around the ramp. The frustration is high when there is an idiot on the ramp but it sure will clear the lane quicker and get everyone on thier way if the masters of the ramp will pitch in and lend a hand when someone is obviuosly in distress.

I understand the rules of the ramp and do my best to be quick in and out of the water but sometimes inexperience will bite you (we have all been there before) and believe me I am more frustrated when I am "the idiot on the ramp" than those around me waiting.

I am planning on launching again this weekend.....Incident Free!

DG