Boat Ramps and your 'Toon

[Mr Crabbs]

We are soon to be first time boat owners . DW and I are picking up our new Suntracker PB20 on Thursday and we plan on taking it out on our shakedown cruise on Friday. We're not going to waste any time!

Yesterday we went and watched the boat ramps at a nearby state park where we plan to do a lot of our boating this year http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/parks/caesarck/tabid/720/Default.aspx. We wanted to 'go to school' so to speak, learn the ins and outs of launching and retrieving a boat. We watched 3 different ramps and learned a lot, but doing that created more questions.

My first ramp question. The three ramps we watched were relatively flat, steeper and steepest . Is there an advantage to using a steeper or flatter ramp when launching or recovering a 'toon? Ours is a 20' Suntracker Classic with a 90HP 4 cycle.

Our TV is an 07 Tundra Crewmax 2wd with the 5.7 V8 and tow package, I already tow a 21' hybrid travel trailer. with no problems.

TIA, I have more questions to come, Mr Crabbs

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Boat Ramps and your 'Toon

Flatter will make it much easier to load the pontoon.

 

[Mr Crabbs]

Re: Boat Ramps and your 'Toon

Flatter will make it much easier to load the pontoon.

I wondered about that. We can actually put in and retreive from different ramps, they are relatively close to each other.

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: Boat Ramps and your 'Toon

I would start with the flatest one first. An advantage of a flat ramp is the ease of getting the stern to settle in the bunks upon retrieval. The disadvantage of the flat ramp is that it may not be deep enough to get the boat on or off the trailer.

Good luck and enjoy the new toon.

 

[Mr Crabbs]

Re: Boat Ramps and your 'Toon

I would start with the flatest one first. An advantage of a flat ramp is the ease of getting the stern to settle in the bunks upon retrieval. The disadvantage of the flat ramp is that it may not be deep enough to get the boat on or off the trailer.

Good luck and enjoy the new toon.

That leads me up to my next question. Would a tongue extension be worth using to get more trailer into the water? Some of the deep V boats I saw had extensions that may have been 4' to 6' long.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Boat Ramps and your 'Toon

That leads me up to my next question. Would a tongue extension be worth using to get more trailer into the water? Some of the deep V boats I saw had extensions that may have been 4' to 6' long.

I wouldn't do it unless there is no other way. Tounge extensions make your breakover angle at the transition of a ramp much worse, not to mention adding additional "wag" to the trailer.

If you did get an extension you would have to make sure that the existing tounge you are connecting to is of beefy enough material to support the added leverage.

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: Boat Ramps and your 'Toon

I agree with oldjeep. A tongue extender is not needed. If you can't get the boat off the trailer at the flat ramp, and I'm almost certain you will, then go to the next one.

You may consider some outside guides then the depth of the ramp is almost irrelevant. They are also great if you encounter a strong current or high crosswind at the ramp.

Take your time and continue to do your homework and you'll do fine. And don't be afraid to ask for help at the ramp. Boaters are some of the nicest and most friendly people you'll meet anywhere.

 

[Jeff-in-PA]

Re: Boat Ramps and your 'Toon

A couple of suggestions ( you probably already know the first )

1) When backing up, keep your hands on the bottom half of the steering wheel. That way the direction you move the steering wheel will be the direction the boat tailer goes.

2) When you retrieve your boat, wet the bunks with a bucket or sprinkle can so the boat glides easier.

Have fun
Jeff

also, take the USCG safety course. State Farm gives me a 10% discount for passing the course

 

[KStoon]

Re: Boat Ramps and your 'Toon

I prefer the flatter ramps for my 20' toon. Maybe since I've only owned mine for a couple of years and I'm not deeply experienced I feel more comfortable with the gradual slope. That being said, you may have to back further down the ramp to be in deep enough. Once you've launched your's a time or two you will know where the water level needs to be for success. It helps when there is no one waiting and you can take your time and do it slowly with no pressure. Practice, practice, practice leads to comfort. Have a checklist and don't let others rush you. Good luck, happy boating and welcome!

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Boat Ramps and your 'Toon

I have the same toon in the Regency edition. I launch and retrieve at a fairly steep ramp with deep water, and used a FWD mini van until this year (4WD Jeep). Had no issues. I would suggest high exterior trailer guides for this situation though.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Boat Ramps and your 'Toon

I don't know how many people you saw do it right but the biggest problem at ramps is people don't use them right.

There is an area away from the parking and ramp that you get the boat ready to launch, do everything you can here so you are on the ramp as little as possible, I'm sure you saw someone back down the ramp then load coolers ect, few things more frustrating.

If you have never owned a boat get ready to go to school, there is ALOT to learn on the water, the only similarities between a car and boat are they have steering wheels and burn gas, almost everything else is different.

My biggest tip for you would be to keep your head on a swivel, always know who is around you and what they are doing, if you assume everyone around you is an idiot and they are going to do something stupid and you will rarely get in trouble.

Unlike the street water is 360 and there are no signs to tell people what to do so they are going every direction all at different speeds, it can be alot to keep up with.

Good luck and congrats on the boat.

 

[Mr Crabbs]

Re: Boat Ramps and your 'Toon

First of all, thanks for the information, I might start with a set guides to get her on the trailer.

I understand what you mean about ramp etiquette. Most of the boaters got in or out of the water and dealt with cooler, kids and straps in the parking lot and used the courtesy dock to pickup the TV driver. We did notice quite a few fishermen in aluminum bass boats with jinormous outboards tie up at the ramp and then go get or wait for their trailer. Holy cow, it's Saturday of Memorial Day weekend! You don't have to own a boat to know better.

My 2 BIL's have owned boats and they have already warned me about the crazy's out there. Kids on PWC's, what can you say!

I quit my management job about 10 years ago and teach shop now, so I can go on weekdays when it's a lot quieter. I'll have the ramp all to myself so I can get lots of practice and not be in anyones way!

 

[capt sam]

Re: Boat Ramps and your 'Toon

pick the ramp where you have the most room to navigate around, throw wind in there or a strong current and pontoons become sails, you'll need the room.

 

[flycaster]

Re: Boat Ramps and your 'Toon

One thing that I did not see mentioned is to find out where the "END OF THE RAMP" is. You DO NOT want to back the trailer in so deep to where the trailer tires go off the end of the ramp.
With the "power loading" of most boats the soil and stones most likely are washed away from the end of the ramp and backing in to far will cause the trailer to come to rest on the frame on the end of the ramp.
If this ever happens DO NOT try to jerk the trailer out, you will only tear the spring shackles off.