Define "Powerloading"

[jigngrub]

Re: Define "Powerloading"

Hmm..
The previously posted video Professional Walleye Angler Jon Thelen seems to go against the one I saw just below it Do Not Power Load Your Boat

We do power load on occasion, but we have learned how to avoid it. As the water disappears from my slip, I can see a definite hole in the bottom where I powered on and off the lift in years past.

Anyone can draw an animation to depict anything they want... doesn't mean it's true.

So you mention a hole at the bottom of your slip (good catfish structure) but you don't mention the mound of mud behind it like the animation and many members here claim that results.

Some people may think Alabama is a backward state, but my state knows how to build launch ramps that take powerloading into consideration so there aren't any ill effects from it. We also have building codes for commercial ramps with the same considerations. It's too bad that other states don't have the foresight to take this into consideration when constructing their ramps.

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Define "Powerloading"

Anyone can draw an animation to depict anything they want... doesn't mean it's true.

So you mention a hole at the bottom of your slip (good catfish structure) but you don't mention the mound of mud behind it like the animation and many members here claim that results.

Some people may think Alabama is a backward state, but my state knows how to build launch ramps that take powerloading into consideration so there aren't any ill effects from it. We also have building codes for commercial ramps with the same considerations. It's too bad that other states don't have the foresight to take this into consideration when constructing their ramps.

You are correct. I neglected to mention the mound of silt and dirt around the hole the outdrive made. I'm about a foot and a half shallower behind the slip now. It's a bit less of a mound in the front of the slip, but it's mounded up there, as well.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Define "Powerloading"

You are correct. I neglected to mention the mound of silt and dirt around the hole the outdrive made. I'm about a foot and a half shallower behind the slip now. It's a bit less of a mound in the front of the slip, but it's mounded up there, as well.

I'd really like to see some pics of this phenomena, every time I've ever run shallow with my boat motor the bottom billows out into a huge cloud covering a considerable amount of square feet... it's not like my prop is a shovel a digging a hole and just moving the muck to one side of the hole.

 

[rlb9844]

Re: Define "Powerloading"

All I wanted was clearification on the meaning of the term not start another long drawn out discusion. Lord knows there are already enough on iBoats. As far as I am concerned this thread can be closed. Thank you all for your opinions.

 

[gus-gus]

Re: Define "Powerloading"

All I wanted was clearification on the meaning of the term not start another long drawn out discusion. Lord knows there are already enough on iBoats. As far as I am concerned this thread can be closed. Thank you all for your opinions.

Seriously?
I guess someone else will have to start this thread again, since it is the most active thread on Iboats. This forum is a great information source and being involved in this thread has been both educational and informative if tempers are kept in check, that is.

 

[Smokey496]

Sounds good to me.

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Define "Powerloading"

I'd really like to see some pics of this phenomena, every time I've ever run shallow with my boat motor the bottom billows out into a huge cloud covering a considerable amount of square feet... it's not like my prop is a shovel a digging a hole and just moving the muck to one side of the hole.

I'll see what I can do tomorrow. They've really dropped the lake fast this year and it's pretty educational to see all that was under my slip. Holes, mounds, sticks, rocks...

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Define "Powerloading"

Man, I am just glad half of you out there are floating on, so I don't hit a big mound when I come into the ramp to power load mine on!

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Define "Powerloading"

Man, I am just glad half of you out there are floating on, so I don't hit a big mound when I come into the ramp to power load mine on!

Hehe...I power loaded the Starcraft a few weeks ago. I screwed up on the balance of the trailer being too deep or too shallow.

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Define "Powerloading"

I don't want to add to the argument but just want to add my experience of hooking a trailer off the edge of a washed out concrete ramp. Not sure if it was from power loading but lots of people do it there. It's a really shallow ramp and when water is down a couple feet from average you have to back at least 20 feet further back. I can say we held up the ramp for a long time as trailers tend not to just pop back over the edge even with the old Dodge and a 360. Most ramps around here are short, I'd guess it has something to do with ice heaves and the fact that with 12,000 lakes it gets pretty spendy to lay an extra 60 feet of concrete at each ramp.

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Define "Powerloading"

I don't want to add to the argument but just want to add my experience of hooking a trailer off the edge of a washed out concrete ramp. Not sure if it was from power loading but lots of people do it there. It's a really shallow ramp and when water is down a couple feet from average you have to back at least 20 feet further back. I can say we held up the ramp for a long time as trailers tend not to just pop back over the edge even with the old Dodge and a 360. Most ramps around here are short, I'd guess it has something to do with ice heaves and the fact that with 12,000 lakes it gets pretty spendy to lay an extra 60 feet of concrete at each ramp.

Not sure where the arguments come in. I see what I've done in my own slip when I had a shallow lift that I had to power on and off. I also saw the mud cloud when I power loaded on the local lift a few weeks ago.

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Define "Powerloading"

Not sure where the arguments come in. I see what I've done in my own slip when I had a shallow lift that I had to power on and off. I also saw the mud cloud when I power loaded on the local lift a few weeks ago.

I was being pre-emptive. Everyone who gathered around to watch the drama gave the same reason for the event. My uncle's friend who can never catch a break supposedly knocked off his winch post and nailed the tailgate on his pickup once. That would have been fun to watch.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Define "Powerloading"

as I approach my usual ramp I watch the depth under the keel count down from 30 feet out in the channel to 1.5 feet 50 feet from the ramp and back up to 5 feet 30 feet from the ramp and then 9 feet right at the end of the ramp...... the mound where it is 1.5 feet is small rocks... I have to trim all the way up and then hit the trailer button to get past it without losing a prop..... most folks powerload on this ramp as it is very steep. My entire swim platform goes under water launching my boat there... as I posted in another thread I have also done my share of power loading there but no more with my bunk slicks..... either way the damage IS real.... it is much more of an issue with a rocky bottom than mud but many shorter ramps have rock dumped at the end of the concrete in an attempt to make the ramp longer.

 

[Gun Dog]

Re: Define "Powerloading"

All I wanted was clearification on the meaning of the term not start another long drawn out discusion. Lord knows there are already enough on iBoats. As far as I am concerned this thread can be closed. Thank you all for your opinions.

Are you our new mod for this forum?

I agree with Gus. I have learned new terminology from Incoop's post that may help me talk more intelligently to the next person I share my knowledge with.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Define "Powerloading"

I am neither pro or con on this subject all I can state is that I've never done it and can only reply as to what I have observered.

First I will state my opinion is that just because the "PROS" do it doesn't make it correct! They are finacially motivated, travel from location to location and have no connection to the folks that have to use those ramps after they are gone. Amature tourney fishermen are different in this regard yet they emulate the PROS. Also from what I have witnessed the Pro Tournaments are launching at facilities that have adequate ramps to allow this.

Next, not all ramps are created equal! I by choice use an unimproved all gravel ramp that is very shallow. At this place one would never be able to back a trailer in far enough to submerge a trailer enough to float a boat off or motor on or off. If the motor isn't tilted all the way up one would never be able to use this launch. Primative? Yes. Yet I never face a line waiting to use it either! And it's FREE.

There is also a huge difference in the way ramps are constructed between those in the North and those in the South from what I have observed. Ramps here in the Northern part of the country are typically much shorter and at the end of the ramp the bottom is much softer. Very easily washed out. The wash-out doesn't just disappear it is displaced to the whole surrounding area and yes it does mound up. It doesn't disperse into the whole waterway. At the same time natural wave action also has an erosive effect at some of these ramps.

My opinion is that it is all about the particular ramp. If a ramp has adequate length as to not cause damage to the ramp area then no harm no foul. But if the ramp is short and one has to go all the way to the end of the concrete pad or there is no pad then it should be avoided. If one really feels the need to do this each time then they should find a ramp which is conducive to the practice. Again not all are. The attitude of I've paid my fee I can do what I wish doesn't cut it. It's discourteous to anyone else who chooses to use that ramp and then have to deal with the results.

Lastly is the safety issue. I have wittnessed many folks that can do this very safely and with regard for those around them and also as many that scare the hell out of me when they do it and have no regaurd for anyone else in the area. Saddly, this part of it no one has any control over. Which also goes along with some people just shouldn't be allowed on the water. They are a danger no matter what, to themselves and everyone around them.

This disscussion rates right up there with which is better, bunks or rollers. There is no real right or wrong, just personal preferance and at times one works better than the other under the situation.

 

[Don S]

Re: Define "Powerloading"

Are you our new mod for this forum?

No, but it is his thread, and if he wants it closed, so be it.