launching boat

[thedodger]

Hi all me again my nightmare is the first time i go to launch my 14ft caddy can u give me any and all advice i have nightmares seeingt my car being winched out of the river

 

[DJ]

Re: launching boat

1. Take your time, think things through, but don't be a ramp hog. Best to do this first time when there is little activity, perhaps a weekday.<br /><br />2. Set your parking brake!!!

 

[Astro18]

Re: launching boat

1. Take a friend<br />2. Go during the week if possible, at around noon or early afternoon. There may be less of a crowd....no pressure to hurry so you can take your time.

 

[qball68]

Re: launching boat

If you're worried about your car going into the water - block your rear wheels. I've seen plenty of people do it.

 

[bubbaboater]

Re: launching boat

If you know some one who has been boating for a while see if they would go with you to show you how to do things. If not take your time and make sure you always have a rope in your hands or tied to the dock. Never let the boat go with out having a rope fastened to something.

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: launching boat

Agree with all of above. Would also suggest that, unless you have a lot of experience, you take the rig to a vacant parking area and practice backing and turning it. They don't all react the same to steering. Good luck.

 

[jomac]

Re: launching boat

Don't forget the drain plug!!!!!!!!! Good luck, take your time & have fun

 

[Boatist]

Re: launching boat

The Doger<br />On the ramp do not rely on a block under the wheel to hold your truck. I pulled out a truck that tried this. Make sure your emergency brake works and is adjusted. When at the bottom of the ramp set your brake to stop your car while in reverse if automatic. Then put car in park. This will not only make sure brake is working but also make eaiser to get out of park when ready to pull out. Put in drive and apply some power before relese parking brake. I apply power until I feel weight come off the brake and the car nudges foward then I relese the brake. On manual shift set brake put in low and shut engine off.<br /><br />One day we were in the tie down area about 100 feet up hill form the water and this guy come running up the ramp saying you have to help me get my car out. I look down the ramp and figure he is a nut as just a lady holding a boat at the dock. So I figure he is a nut . Then he explains his car under the water. We back down the ramp and I tie one of my heavy lines to back of my trailer while he dive under and tie to his truck. He then says wait until I get in truck and I again think he is a nut, but he found the door opened it and stood on the floor with hand on the wheel and head barely out of water. I pull my boat and trailer his truck and boat and trailer and tons of water up the steep ramp in low 4 wheel drive. We pulled him all the way to parking area and water still running out of truck.<br /><br />Anyway what he did was put a 4 by 4 block under front tire of the truck because he knew his parking brake not very strong. It was a manual shift but he left it in neutral with the engine running because a cold day and he wanter to warm the truck up to pull boat up the steep ramp. All worked fine until he started cranking the boat on to the trailer then the truck rolled over the 4 by 4 and into the water. Cold Saltwater of-course. Do not rely on a block or park to hold truck from rolling down the ramp. Do not put in park before stop with parking brake as very hard to get out of park.<br /><br />When we get him to the parking area I figure have big trouble as very cold day and water temp in high 50 degree range. He seemed to be fine cold but ok. About that time 3 drunks come out of bar that shares parking area. Turn out one of guys knows him. This time went down and got the 4 by 4 again and block trailer but in a semi flat area. Unkook truck and push it to another spot hook the boat to the other guy truck all pile in and head off. The Lady was laughing so hard she could not see. I am thinking what a stupid loss as truck went under with the motor running. Was a Old 50 pickup truck.

 

[sergioy]

Re: launching boat

I just tried the ramp thing for the first time about a month ago. And yes it did take close to 20 minutes the first time to get the boat to the water. I did it on a cold Monday afternoon. With only two other trailers in the parking lot and the boats nowhere to be seen. And boy was I glad for this. If I had to do it all over again I would get comfortable backing the trailer up in a parking lot first (wish I had).<br />Also, it is better to pull forward to straighten your truck and boat, then to try and compensate in reverse. And like the others have already said, take it really slooowwww. If you are there while other people are, inevitibly someone will stare at you. Don't pay attention to them and stay focused. 'Cuz the longer you take the more people stare.<br /><br />Good Luck!!

 

[fowl intent]

Re: launching boat

I would suggest making a checklist before you try to launch the first time. Talk to some experienced boaters (better yet have one accompany you the first time). Go through this check list (modified as necessary) in your mind every time you launch. For example:<br /> Preliminary considerations (these should be done before you pull onto ramp area):<br /> 1. Is boat fueled/oil added or available?<br /> 2. Is all gear/electronics/safety equipment, whatever, on board?<br /> 3. Is battery properly charged?<br /> At that point you are ready to consider launching:<br /> 4. Transom plug in?<br /> 5. Bow line attached?<br /> 6. Is boat disconnected from trailer?<br /> 7. Is motor tilted up (if necessary)?<br /> 8. Make sure emergency brake works properly and is engaged before you leave your tow vehicle.<br /> 9. ...<br /> 10. ...<br /> etc....<br />You get the picture. Develop your own checklist, and go through it everytime, and you should avoid MOST problems.

 

[Troy_from _Oz]

Re: launching boat

I would suggest always using both a bow line AND a stern line too. <br /><br />I have one long rope that I attach one end to each. If there is much of a wind up you can find that the stern of your boat is pushed around to block the rest of the ramp. I have heard of stories where boats have been blown into other boats piercing hulls etc because of this.<br /><br />Most of all I would suggest taking someone who has done it before. Most boaties wouldnt mind helping you out for the first couple of times - especially with the promise of a beer or two, and maybe even a fishin trip!<br /><br />Best of luck<br /><br />Troy

 

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

Re: launching boat

best thing to do as far as actually maneuvering the trailer ... put your hand on the BOTTOM of the steering wheel ... and whatever way you want to move the trailer, move your hand that way<br /><br />works like a charm<br /><br />and ..<br /><br />whatever you do ...<br /><br />dont forget that damnned plug!!!

 

[akriverrat]

Re: launching boat

make a day of it on a busy weekend and go to the ramp with a chair and refreshments and learn from others. can be high entertainment and very educational. might even take the camcorder and get an americas funniest home videos submission...

 

[waterdowg]

Re: launching boat

If you know the marina that you are going to use. Go there and watch other put there boat in. See what they are doing. I seen may differnt ways of putting in a boat, some great and others just a nightmare. It will help to see what others do and what works and what doesn't. They to learn from others mistakes. Good luck.