Boat Launching / Retrieving questions

[labguy]

Re: Boat Launching / Retrieving questions

Am I the only one that noticed the sunken boat still tied to the doc in the picture of that gigantic boat launch, lolololol???

 

[kamby]

Re: Boat Launching / Retrieving questions

Am I the only one that noticed the sunken boat still tied to the doc in the picture of that gigantic boat launch, lolololol???

I saw it too, who ever owns that boat is part of the forgot the plug club

 

[Jeepster04]

Re: Boat Launching / Retrieving questions

Am I the only one that noticed the sunken boat still tied to the doc in the picture of that gigantic boat launch, lolololol???

Is that a boat?? I was wondering what that was..

 

[AZBoatDreamer]

Re: Boat Launching / Retrieving questions

Am I the only one that noticed the sunken boat still tied to the doc in the picture of that gigantic boat launch, lolololol???

Nope your not the Only one. I think that Picture is in the Stupid Trick Boater forum or was it Forgot your Plug Club Forum.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Boat Launching / Retrieving questions

what's the big coil of rope on the windlass for?

 

[AguaSki]

Re: Boat Launching / Retrieving questions

Not sure when the boat season actually starts in AZ but it seems I can boat all year long. Water Sports in the Summer, Fishing and exploring in the Winter.

I was wake boarding on Presidents day this year. The air was in the mid 70?s, and the water in the mid 50?s. Of course the dry suit helped, but I am normally playing in the water with just swim trunks my mid April.

I have never seen a boat ramp like the one in the picture and can't imagine all 10 lanes busy at the same time.

Oh yes, during the summer all 10 lanes will be occupied, and there will still be line of tow vehicles in the make ready area. If I can remember I will take a picture this summer and then revive this thread with the pic so that everyone can see the ramp at its peak. It is really a sight to see.

Am I the only one that noticed the sunken boat still tied to the doc in the picture of that gigantic boat launch, lolololol???

I mentioned the sunk boat when I introduced the picture. No idea what happened, but I tend to agree with the boat plug speculators. This boat was tied up like that the entire day I was on the water. It is actually the first of three sunk boats I have seen at this lake. The 2nd sunk boat is in the pic below, and was taken about 50 yards West of the 10 lane boat ramp. The 3rd sunk boat I came across was swamped in the middle of the lake and had a flotation marker tied to it. In all three instances the owner was nowhere to be found.

 

[northernmerc]

Re: Boat Launching / Retrieving questions

Like someone said, how to launch depends a lot on the nature of the boat launch.

I never start a boat on the trailer. Almost everywhere that we launch, we have the luxury of a dock next to the launch. With the bunk trailer, we undo all lines before backing in and a helper stands on the dock and hangs onto the line as the boat floats off. A minute later, after parking the truck, I start the boat. Don't undo the front connection between the boat and trailer before backing down the ramp if the trailer has rollers; the reason should be obvious.

If we ever get tired of being on the water, we can hang around the boat launch for priceless entertainment. Someone should start a thread on "funny or strange things seen at boat launches." Some of us (who me?) could even add a few stories where we are the central characters.

 

[MTribe08]

Re: Boat Launching / Retrieving questions

Don't worry about it. I am familiar with all the lakes in your area, and all the ramps are steep enough that it is impossible to get your lower unit too low. Lake Pleasant is a little far away from Gilbert, but this lake has the best 10 lane ramp I have ever seen. If you can swing it, I would make a trip to Pleasant to practice your launch/retrive routine. During the summer all 10 lanes are busy, but this time of year you can practice as long as you want on the ramp. Below is a pic I took of a boat that sunk at the dock, but in the background you can see how big the 10 lane ramp at Lake Pleasant is. You can also tell in the pic that this is a fairly steep ramp. I don't think you have anything to fear if you lower your drive all the way down.

This is the lake I frequent and the only one I've been to in the Valley..just a short 30 min trip to the ramp from my house. One of my first outings in my boat, I got caught in a approaching monsoon as it was getting dusk. Talk about a mad rush to the ramp The winds were whipping up and there were boats everywhere trying to get out. Luckily I was able to stay calm and guided my boat on to the trailer correctly the first try and up we went as the Rain and lightning was fast approaching.

I wanted to add...I've launched at both this 10 lane ramp and there is another smaller 4 lane ramp a bit further north up the lake. The 4 lane ramp seemed much more shallow than the 10 lane..I dinged up my prop that outing, and I think I did it loading up. Be careful if you use that one.

 

[cr2k]

Re: Boat Launching / Retrieving questions

Here in Central CA boating season is considered from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Then Fishing season.

The only way you would drag a drive launching is if you kept the back straps on.
and you ain't gonna launch with the straps on anyhow.

The stern is gonna float when you launch. As long as you do this you should be able to lower the drive once the trailer is in the water.

OMC Stringer...Having replaced several Ball Gear Sets I know how you know.
Fortunately for me, having done the above, I knew before I got a Stringer.

 

[AZBoatDreamer]

Re: Boat Launching / Retrieving questions

Thank you all very much. Looking forward to my next outing Sat 13th. Canyon Lake here I come. Weather Says 78 degrees. I might need some sun screen or my face will look like this.

 

[marknmolly]

Re: Boat Launching / Retrieving questions

I was paranoid about running my outdrive with it all the way down after hearing a horror story about someone who ran it when it was up and damaged it.

However, I was too paranoid, and ended up hitting bottom, breaking the skeg off. Unfortunately I nicked the prop a couple in a couple of places too.

The good news is that the skeg was relatively inexpensive to replace, and I needed a new prop anyway.....

I've settle in the camp of dropping the outdrive down enough so that it's in the water, and then idling backwards off the trailer.

I've never been comfortable with shoving it off the trailer and banking that it will start, for the reasons above.