Draging the outdrive up the ramp.

[11 footer]

I can't tell you how many times I've seen people trash props and outdrives because then are in a rush to pull the boat out of the water.<br /><br />The last person I saw do it have a brand new Boston Whaler Dauntless, I was talking to the guy about his boat right before he did it. It was only his 3ed time out in his new boat. He backs him ford bronco and trailer down the ramp and loads the boat on the trailer. Everything is going great, then I see him jump out of the boat and get in the bronco, he left the motor all the way down I yell to him stop, he could not hear me over his strate pipes, He punches it and drags his almost new 225hp merc up the steep ramp, it was hard to watch. He trashed his SS prop. I neaver saw a look of shock on someones face before like this guy, the poor guy. A saw a Bayliner and a Glastron do the same thing. People have to slow down and think.

 

[DJ]

Re: Draging the outdrive up the ramp.

Ryan,<br /><br />Money does not make people wise, or careful.<br /><br />Those of us that do not have a bunch need to think before we destroy.

 

[mlslocks]

Re: Draging the outdrive up the ramp.

I was waiting to put my boat in and watched a " boater " pull his old 18 foot wooden boat out. After he tied up the dock trying to get the motor running. The trailer hit a bump. He did not have the tilt trailer locked so it tilted and the closeline on the wench could not hold anymore. so the boat ended up on the ramp. Not near the water. I had to help him. Could not put in till he was out of the way.

 

[WSUDERMAN]

Re: Draging the outdrive up the ramp.

We did that our first time out! No prop damage, but the skeg is about 1" shorter that it was! The way i figure, its just less drag = more speed!<br /><br />The other time i saw this was a rather rude individual with a bass boat that had irritated several other boaters at the ramp and we all watched as he draged is outboard skeg all the way up the ramp. Poetic justice i guess!

 

[marty_scher]

Re: Draging the outdrive up the ramp.

We dragged the skeg our first time out in our new boat and I was a seasoned boater (from many years ago). Only lost about 1/8 inch. I just forgot the mental check list.<br /><br />Boating is supposed to be relaxing and fun, but the way some people act at busy ramps, it a wonder we don't start seeing "ramp rage".<br /><br />Launching and loading are sometimes stressful anyway and I think people rush just to get out, before someone says something rude or cuts in front of them.<br /><br />I try to avoid busy ramps whenever possible.<br /><br />Marty

 

[KenOhki]

Re: Draging the outdrive up the ramp.

Im just amazed by this thread. Them guys must be using low rider trailors or something.. My boats trailor holds the boat up high enough that with the motor in the run position, there is plenty of clearance to the ground, Almost a foot.

 

[Tinkerer]

Re: Draging the outdrive up the ramp.

I'm same as KenOhki. 5hp on 12 foot timber dinghy and 60hp on 15 foot f/glass runabout both clear ground by well over a foot and 10 inches respectively, which is a lot more ground clearance than most cars have. I still lift them at ramps (well, I remember most of the time) in case there's car barriers or something under water, but it doesn't matter on the ramp.