Ramp Basics?

[BarryBob]

Can you all give your "step-by-step" guide to launching and "putting back on the trailer" my 19' bowrider on a standard paved ramp?<br /><br />First-time boater here. I've had and driven some small boats with trailers and just bought a 19' Glastron bowrider which I will trailer to Lake Champlain here in Vermont. I understand trailer pulling basics - it's the getting the boat off and on the trailer I need advice on so as to not make a fool of myself at the ramp.<br /><br />I want to avoid first-time embarassment when I put this boat in the water for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd time.<br /><br />What's your advice?<br /><br />Thanks!<br /><br />Barry Bob

 

[FlyBoyMark]

Re: Ramp Basics?

When you approach the ramp....STOP.....give enough space so that the people in front of you can back in and pull out. Get OUT of your vehicle and prepare the boat, remove ALL straps and have bow line ready and make sure plug is in, tilt motor up enough to clear ramp and most important of all...DON"T go to the ramp and launch your boat if you have not started the motor since last season unless its one of those days when no one is around. Have as much of this stuff prepaired BEFORE you leave home as you can. A practice run some day when the ramp is not crowded such as a week day would be great. REMEMBER where the water level is on the trailer for best launch and retrieve. Tie your boat up OUT of the way so others can launch. Do not be an idiot and make a wake at the ramp to swamp or sink other boaters or bash thier boats against the dock or trailer(this means IDLE speed!). On return, tie your boat up OUT of the way so others can launch till you get your vehicle. Once hooked at the bow eye, tilt motor up some what and get your boat and rig OUT of the way for others. And most important: DO NOT BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP AND OFFER HELP!!!!!!!!!!<br /><br />And don't forget the prop!

 

[Bottom Feeder]

Re: Ramp Basics?

Depending on how steep your ramp is, what type of bunks your trailer has (carpet or roller), and your confidence level...<br /><br />I would have to reconsider whether you want to remove ALL straps before backing down the ramp. I've seen a boat sitting on the ramp after someone hit the brakes too hard backing down. (Steep ramp and roller bunks)<br /><br />Just a thought...

 

[FlyBoyMark]

Re: Ramp Basics?

I wouldn't call the bow winch line a "strap", but that is the only line I would leave attached till backed down into the water...

 

[skiffer]

Re: Ramp Basics?

If there's a cross wind blowing you might want to keep an upwind side strap loosely tide to prevent the boat from drifting sideways on the trailer.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Ramp Basics?

The best thing you can do is go down to the ramp and just watch people. You will see the studs come in and launch their boats within minutes, having already done their prep work prior to backing down. They will have been smart enough to start their boat and make sure it is running properly before pulling the truck/trailer up. This way they can pull the boat back out quickly if it barfs at the ramp. In fact, they will have made sure it runs back at the house as well. You can never be too prepared. They will have the wife/kids/fishin' bro stay down with the boat instead of screwin' around at the truck so when they park the truck, they can just run down and cruise away. <br /><br />You will also see the dunder heads. The ones who have little backing skills and take five stabs just to get the boat down to the water. Then they spend the next fifteen minutes loading coolers, fishin, gear, whatever. They park the rig, and then spend the next twenty minutes trying to get the boat to start while the wife/kids/fishin' bro stand there with a general look of confusion, eyes glassed over with lack of knowledge. They go, unhook their truck, pull down to the water and try to jump start the boat, nothing. THEN, they go, hook up the trailer, and fight their way past all the people who have been sitting there for 45 minutes waiting. Finally, they extracate their dead useless boat from the water and leave, humbled by the glares of fury from all who have waited.<br /><br />When I got my first boat, I spent an hour at the ramp watching all the pros and the duds, and learned everything I needed to know. I can have my boat launched and gone withing minutes. Its easy, it just takes common sense. Good Luck....

 

[blifsey]

Re: Ramp Basics?

Here's a few thoughts...some have already been mentioned.<br />1. Make sure you can back trailer before getting to ramp. Go practise in a parking lot if needed.<br />2. Make sure motor will crank BEFORE leaving home. Get a set of water muffs to do this.<br />3. Do prep work away from ramp (moving coolers from car/truck to boat, etc.<br />4. If you have small kids, have them put PFDs on before you launch. Have read several cases of a child falling off dock and drowning because adults were to pre-occupied with boat.<br />5. If this fits your situation, work with spouse so that each of you have a job. For us, wife backs down ramp with me on boat ready to launch. She also backs empty trailer down ramp and I drive boat onto trailer, hook bow winch and she pulls us out.<br />6. Just like prepping, do any post retrieval stuff away from ramp so you don't block others.<br />7. Please don't let your kids (if you have them)swim/wade/catch minnows/etc at the ramp. It is for launching/retrieving, not recreation.<br />8. If you've got an I/O, be sure to open motor cover and sniff for gas fumes. Also, be sure to run vent blower for at least 4 mins before cranking.<br />9. If you can, go on a weekday when ramp is less busy and first few launches will be much less stressful.<br />10. Remember that no 2 launches/retrievals are exactly the same. You will have problems but don't let them get to you. If you boat with your spouse, never, ever yell at each other. Remember that you are supposed to be having fun.<br />11. As flyboymark stated, idle only until away from ramp. Of the dozen or so different ramps I've been to, all (except maybe 1) were in No Wake Zones anyway.

 

[skiffer]

Re: Ramp Basics?

When retrieving the boat I find it useful to first unreel some rope from the winch and lay it down the center of the trailer. Then when I drive the boat onto the trailer, I can go up to the bow, reach down for the rope and hook it on to the bow ring.

 

[Strike 1]

Re: Ramp Basics?

When backing up a trailor I put my hand on the bottom of the wheel (6 o'clock). Whichever way I turn the wheel that is the way the back of the trailor will go.

 

[MFG197]

Re: Ramp Basics?

DON'T FORGET THE DRAIN PLUG!

 

[Boatist]

Re: Ramp Basics?

Barry Bob<br />I will add a few ideas. Put the plug in and make sure you have a spare. If you have a buddy who has done a lot of boating take him with you on the first trip. Alway leave the winch line attached until get over the water but all other lines come off. Make sure you know how to raise and lower your motor. Also how to prime/choke you motor for starting. If launching next to a dock have both bow line and stern lines for your helper to control the boat as it comes off the trailer. If you have fender put them out on side with dock but do it in the prep area not on the ramp.<br /><br />When your car get to the water edge make sure your helper has control of bow and stern line, unhook the winch and back in slowly. Watch your boat and note when the back starts to float, note how deep the trailer is in the water as this is about how deep you want to back in when you retreive. Back on in until boat floats off and is clear of trailer then pull out slow. Go park your trailer but as pulling into space remember trailer will turn shorter so watch in mirrow to make sure not going to hit trailer next to yours and try and get it in the center of the space. <br /><br />When retreiving biggest problem I see people do in they back the trailer in too deep so the boat will not center on the trailer. Then they pull the boat out and relize it is way off to one side so back in and try to push boat to the right spot. Many repeat this many times before they get it straight. The way to avoid this problem is to not back in so deep. This way when load boat it will center on trailer, use the winch to crank it all the way up or motor to push it up. Make sure winch and saftey chain latched, motor raised and pull boat up the ramp well clear of the ramp area to clean and tie down this way other can retreive their boats. If you use dock to launch and retrive then good Idea to get a boat hook as some days in wind and current you will need it.<br /><br />If retreiving on unimproved ramps when back the trailer in try to find a spot where trailer is flat as makes much eaiser to certer your boat.<br /><br />Last thing is have lots of fun but remember drunk boating laws same as drunk driving laws in many states.

 

[blifsey]

Re: Ramp Basics?

Reminded myslef of 2 more...<br />1) If tow vehicle is automatic tranny, be sure to apply parking brake if you have to get out of vehicle. Wheel blocks are also good idea. If you do apply parking brakes, disengage by first pressing brake pedal, second putting tranny out of park and 3rd releasing parking brakes. This is too prevent accidental rolling further down ramp and to allow you to shift easier out of park.<br />2) Roll drivers window down on tow vehicle. If worse should happen and it gets pulled into water, driver can easily escape. Or, if you get out of vehicle, you won't accidently lock yourself out of it.

 

[Raghauler]

Re: Ramp Basics?

$0.02 I'll add:<br /><br />Unplug trailer wiring harness before backing into water... submersible lights may not be water tight and cause a blown fuse;<br /><br />It's a good idea to sit for a half hour or more before submersing you trailer wheel bearings in water... hot bearings cooled with water will draw water into them.<br /><br />Don't make a big deal out of it. It will come naturally with practice. Good luck.

 

[L Christopher]

Re: Ramp Basics?

BarryBob:<br /><br />There is alot of good advise above. You may want to write down a few of the more important ones laminate the list and tape it to your dashboard. visit a ramp during the week and do some practice launch and retrivals. Keep in mind that everybody that is pulling a trailer was a "Dunderhead" at some point and the cocky guys are the ones that embarase themselves the worst. Remember most of us are there to have a good time so take a deep breath launch and reteive at your pace because rushing will only lead to a major screwwup. Have Fun

 

[BarryBob]

Re: Ramp Basics?

This advice is exactly what I needed! Thanks to all who took the time to respond. What's a "bilge plug"? Kidding...