How Not to Launch a boat

[samo_ott]

Re: How Not to Launch a boat

It could have if he had gotten a rope on it but it had dropped a foot of the end of the ramp so there was no way... He's gonna need a crane or something...

 

[Wotam]

Re: How Not to Launch a boat

I've read stories that an algae grows on some of the Florida boat ramps that is so slick that once you get on the 'wet stuff' you will slide down the ramp with brakes locked. That sounds just like the incident you witnessed.

In particular I remember one story in which a poor bloke who had just lost his Suburban to the ocean noticed that tow truck operators were sitting in the parking lot across from the ramp just waiting for the next victim to slide in... like vultures.

A tow truck pulled his vehicle out, then charged twice the fee he had quoted. The operator said he was charging double because he pulled two vehicles out... the Suburban and the trailer. (It was still attached to the Suburban).

There are some individuals for whom you hope there is a special place in hell.

 

[oops!]

Re: How Not to Launch a boat

we got a slick ramp on one of our lakes here....alge on it. and oil from the engines.....i got a 2wd desil the ramp is really steep...8 or 10 degrees.....

i can see that happening to me......
gotta find another ramp

 

[External Combustion]

Re: How Not to Launch a boat

Eight degrees is the standard Corps of Engineers slope. If the ramp is so slimed that you have trouble walking on it then the easy solution is to put snow chains on the rear tires and walk away with anything that your driveline can handle. FWD is for those who can afford to be lazy. Nothing against them, Lord knows I wish my F700 was FWD at times, but it is not necessary. A few minutes of work and not worrying about thee comments from others that will be in the drink eventually will solve the most difficult ramp problems.

The worst ramp problem I had was a 12 per cent grade on clay and shale at a private ramp at Bull Shoals lake with a 1970 Toyota Hilux with a 1100 pound load on the trailer. That was no powerhouse, and I thought it amusing that the owner of the Ranger could not get it out of the water when he had a Dodge Power Wagon with over twice the HP I did.

 

[Wide Open]

Re: How Not to Launch a boat

Off topic but what is a Toyota Hilux?

 

[External Combustion]

Re: How Not to Launch a boat

HiLux=1970 to 1972 Toyota pickup. 1828 cc. 18RC engine. Four speed. Most were 1/2 tonners. Mine was a 1 tonner and that meant only 2,000 lb load, no forgiveness, no wishing.

The things were cheap, I only got 480,000 miles out of mine. Had to junk it because I could not get a replacement tie rod in 1994. Dang, if only someone would make a reliable pickup!

My beater around the place is now a '94 yota pickumup. I wish it had the low first speed gearing of the '70 one, yet the new guy has airconditioning. The new guy pulls the '71 MFG Gypsie well and takes it off the launching ramp with ease. No smoking the clutch, no heart attacks, no FWD.

 

[Wide Open]

Re: How Not to Launch a boat

HiLux=1970 to 1972 Toyota pickup. 1828 cc. 18RC engine. Four speed. Most were 1/2 tonners. Mine was a 1 tonner and that meant only 2,000 lb load, no forgiveness, no wishing.

1828 cc's for a 1/2 ton?? That sounds kinda little but for a 1 ton just sounds outrageous. I know the 1/2, 3/4, 1 ton nowadays doesn't really mean anything; how can a 1 ton be rated to carry 5000+ pounds in the bed??? Anyway, what was the tow rating on your truck?

 

[External Combustion]

Re: How Not to Launch a boat

WO:

Reread the quote. 1 ton for Toyota then meant 2,000 punds. Sorta like truth in advertising. The gearing was matched to the small engine. The British Hi Ace was geared even lower.

It has been 15 years, but I think the tow rating was 1,500 pounds.

Horsepower is greatly over rated. It is mainly a convienience in my opinion. A nice convienience mind you. To back up my opinion, note WWII six bys frequently had 90 hp engines. The Caterpillar "60" tractors that changed earthmoving world only had 60 HP and the trucks they filled, the Internationals, the Whites, the FWDs had engines around 100 HP. My '88 F700 only has 185 HP.

Yes, the litle Hiux was slow off of the line, but it went many, many fully loaded miles. It also went over unimproved roads half of its life. The thing I liked the most was the brakes were more than adequate to lock up the wheels at maximum load.

 

[PatrickGold]

Re: How Not to Launch a boat

They have 2008 and 2009 versions of the Toyota Hilux. Hilux is what they call a toyota pick-up truck in many countries other than the US. The suv in the US is called the 4runner. In other countries, they call it a Toyota SURF.

 

[Wide Open]

Re: How Not to Launch a boat

WO:

Reread the quote. 1 ton for Toyota then meant 2,000 punds. Sorta like truth in advertising. The gearing was matched to the small engine. The British Hi Ace was geared even lower.

I didn't misread your quote but I must not have clearly communicated what I was trying to say. I meant that it made sense to call it a 1 ton if it could carry 2000 lbs and that it doesn't make sense to call trucks 1/2, 3/4, and 1 tons that can carry substantially more payload than their nomenclature suggests.
As for horsepower:
You can never have too much! But gearing can certainly make up for a lack of it. Or lack of engine torque more accurately.

 

[rocket1968]

Re: How Not to Launch a boat

I had a similar experience with my two wheel drive explorer, still have nightmares . But it only pulled the car back a little and I got out, untrailered the boat and then didnt go as far back in (this occurred during retrieval). I know my next tower will be a 4wd.

 

[Arima90]

Re: How Not to Launch a boat

I was down at the private marina checking on my boat when I noticed a man and his son staring down into the lake, but, not at the location where we launch the boats. Turns out he launched his boat and docked at his slip, unhooked his trailer for storage then parked his VW Van. They headed down the dock, heard a funny noise behind them, then turned around to watch the van slip off the edge of a steep embankment then under the water right next to the boat slip. I guess the van had an attachment to the boat.

I was nice and gave them a ride home.

 

[cbavier]

Re: How Not to Launch a boat

Reminds of a mishap I witness. I watched a boater dump a fairly large pontoon boat off a roller bunk trailer. Evidently he removed the tie downs before backing down the ramp. One tap of the brake pedal and she rolled right off the trailer on to pavement! That's entertainment folks.
"Money Don't Fix Stupid" quote I heard somewhere.

I did that the first time I launched my boat. Not dumped the Boat on the ground, but I undid all the straps and backed down and tapped the brake. The Boat rolled off the trailer so easy. I thought WOW! It could have rolled off onto the concrete when on the steep incline. So from then on I don't undo the Bow Strap or Safety Chain from the Bow Eye Bolt until the Trailer wheels are actually in the water. If one person reads this and it saves them from doing what nobody wants to happen. Then I have accomplished at least one good thing this morning.

How many of you do use chocks at the Boat Ramp? I've never saw anyone use them. But it's not a bad idea I guess.

 

[Wide Open]

Re: How Not to Launch a boat

I use chocks if I am launching by myself. Otherwise I have someone in the truck with the foot brake applied so I know I have all four wheels controlled.

 

[Dave K.]

Re: How Not to Launch a boat

after reading this stuff - l am!

 

[srothfuss]

Re: How Not to Launch a boat

after reading this stuff - l am!

Indeed... I have added "chocks" to my list of things to buy before I go sailing again this season [still waiting on winters grip to loosen].

Even if it looks goofy, I would rather be safe than sorry. Because sailing solo is one thing, but explaining to the wife how you submerged the tow vehicle is something I am too scared to try.

 

[Big Boat Bay Buster]

Re: How Not to Launch a boat

Don't assume ramp mishaps are all due to stupidity. Accidents happen, I should know. Granted, most are due to human error, but hey, S**T happenes! I have a few years experience at ramps and guess I became complacent. I was retrieving a 17' boat with a 99 F-150 and the parking pawl let go. I figured the boat was fairly light and the truck was ford tuff (LOL) so I didn't set the emergency brake. The rear wheels went off the ramp and the bed became submerged. I know I damaged he driveshaft trying to drive up the ramp in 4WD. One guy pulled me out with a winch on his truck and the next guy towed my boat home because the truck stalled after I pulled the trailer out. The guys that helped refused money, they said they knew what I was going through because it has happened to them! Great Guys! They only asked that I help other boaters when they need it. I called Allstate to help with repairs and they quickly totaled the truck. They said any flood damage,even if minor will be totaled, they don't want to deal with re-occuring problems.
Lessons learned, ALLWAYS set the parking/emergency brake!
I will be useing wheel chocks from now on.
Also, I hear that haveing your wheels turned may help prevent the vehicle from going straight back into the water.
Chris

 

[cbavier]

Re: How Not to Launch a boat

Lessons learned, ALLWAYS set the parking/emergency brake!
I will be useing wheel chocks from now on.
Also, I hear that having your wheels turned may help prevent the vehicle from going straight back into the water.
Chris[/QUOTE]

Turning the wheels against the dock would work excellent. Truck couldn't roll back any more then a couple feet max. Still a chock is a good idea.

 

[drewpster]

Re: How Not to Launch a boat

Just to make it clear. I meant no offense by my previous post about the sliding pontoon mishap. I giggle at the thought of it now because I am so happy it has not happened to me.
If you have ever waited in line to launch at a public ramp you have seen simple mistakes as well as complete stupidity. (both of which I am completely capable of doing myself)
I felt terrible for the owner of the pontoon as well as the sunken truck.
Its the more experienced boaters like myself, completely confident in our abilities, that make the stupid mistakes.
A hard lesson learned is never forgotten. I have had allot of lessons.

 

[SeaKaye12]

Re: How Not to Launch a boat

Wide Open,

I was just gonna say that a Hilux is an older Toyota truck...but here's more information than you could ever want..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Hilux

Chuck