INJURY at the Boat Ramp, Some thoughts and observations.....

[89mercruiser]

Re: INJURY at the Boat Ramp, Some thoughts and observations.....

That was the place !

Wow that's funny that happened their. I've launched there when it's been low and i know the ramp gets steep at the one part and thats probably what you experienced. I've seen a lot of trailers almost hit or that do hit.

 

[89mercruiser]

Re: INJURY at the Boat Ramp, Some thoughts and observations.....

Water is low? The sidewalks in Stillwater are finally just barely out of the water. We always launch at Hastings in the Mississippi and then head onto the St. Croix from there.

I haven't been to stillwater in a few weeks but last time i was there the sidewalks were gone. So far under the pillars that are there weren't visible.

I know how the bluffs launch is, it's got a sharp angle a little ways into the water. I've gone down it a few times backing in and it's kinda scary when the trailer drops that much.

 

[Lakes84]

Re: INJURY at the Boat Ramp, Some thoughts and observations.....

I live 5 minutes from the St. Croix....it is low! I mostly boat at Lake of the Woods on the Minnesota/Canada border. The resort I have a seasonal at has a very steep boat ramp. Sometimes the "locals" will sit and watch people land their boats. A lot of times they laugh at some of the things they see people do. I find this behavior reprehensible. It's often very difficult for folks to land boats at a place they are unfamiliar with. Landing a boat all to often is seen as a "macho" thing that you better not mess up at! It's often unnerving to land your boat at an unfamiliar place with a load of people watching and more often than not waiting for you to hurry up. So practice and planning are your best tools for this scenario

The answer to this is to #1 be prepared and make sure of the steps you need to land your BEFORE you get to the landing...in other words have a plan in your mind. I always run through the steps and use what I call "operation risk management" I calculate the risk for anything and everything I do at the boat ramp. If the risk is to high I won't do it. The KEY is to always THINK about what you're doing and the possible consequences of said action. This approach won't stop all accidents, but it will for sure lessen them.

See you on the lake

 

[imraan47]

Re: INJURY at the Boat Ramp, Some thoughts and observations.....

why do people launch this way. someone gave me a tip and since that time i do it this way.
remove the winch hook from the bow clip before backing the boat into the water. i mean unless you have rollers you can do this and the boat wont fall of. there is enough of friction on the bunks as they aren't wet so the boat wont fall of. just back in slow and then keep your rope ready in your hand as you back up or if you have someone else then let them have the rope. simple solution.

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: INJURY at the Boat Ramp, Some thoughts and observations.....

why do people launch this way. someone gave me a tip and since that time i do it this way.
remove the winch hook from the bow clip before backing the boat into the water. i mean unless you have rollers you can do this and the boat wont fall of. there is enough of friction on the bunks as they aren't wet so the boat wont fall of. just back in slow and then keep your rope ready in your hand as you back up or if you have someone else then let them have the rope. simple solution.

I have seen people do that with some boats on minimal grade ramps with bunk trailers. I personally dont- wont unhook the safety chain or winch until the boat is in the water. [ I dont point a gun at something unless I wanna shoot it either] I dont want to be the star of a u-tube video standing there looking at my boat laying on the concrete ramp.. LOL I have a roller trailer, and my boat wants to unload as soon as it gets near the water!! But your method works for some.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: INJURY at the Boat Ramp, Some thoughts and observations.....

I dunno if I would Unhook the boat from the trailer before the boat was running and tested out the gears.

But you can loosen the strap enough for the boat to float enough to test your gear out. If your gear does not work then you can pull it back on the trailer and diagnose the problem off the ramp.

Cleating off to some lag bolted dock and ripping them off because of some " resistance " is IMO Ignorant boating.

Winching up a boat 2' up on a trailer without water is again .. ignorant.. you have to be he-man and his pal to do this in most cases.

Its not the launch that will hurt.. its the proper way disregarded to haul a boat out of the water that will hurt ya. It should be smooth as silk hooking up a boat to trailer to haul out if done right.

As far as Bow eyes ripping out of the bow .. well they were about to fail in the first place.

First cause of boat or bodily damage is NOT KNOWING YOUR BOAT. .. Every time you set or sail you have to know every inch of your vessel.

Cant help Stupidity around boaters in general .. you can help yourselves against it though.

YD.

 

[QC]

Re: INJURY at the Boat Ramp, Some thoughts and observations.....

That post ^^^^^ is only valid if all ramps are the same. Perfect pitch and perfect length . . . reread OPs post. There is one ramp where I boat that has tested all of my tricks that I have to retrieve, and I have had to give up. The last time I had people in the truck bed, people jumping on the tailgate. In gear, out of gear, all weight removed, further back on the trailer, further up on the trailer. Could not get her out. I had a cross member hanging on the ramp and there was no way around it. I can guarantee you I know how to launch and retrieve, and that day I was an unsafe, flipping fool in many eyes. Not all days, ramps, boats, trailers, winches, stops, rollers or operators are created equal . . .

 

[oldjeep]

Re: INJURY at the Boat Ramp, Some thoughts and observations.....

I dunno if I would Unhook the boat from the trailer before the boat was running and tested out the gears.

But you can loosen the strap enough for the boat to float enough to test your gear out. If your gear does not work then you can pull it back on the trailer and diagnose the problem off the ramp.
YD.

You won't like what happens if you try that on a river ramp, unless you have side guides on the trailer.