Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

[Franki]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

I just modified my trailer so that its much easier to put the boat back on by myself.. (I always have more trouble getting it on more then off.) normally off just means back it in. unhitch the winch and push it off, usually very easy.. then hang onto the rope tied to the bow cleat.<br /><br />we have a small beach type area next to all our ramps so its easy to beach the boat while putting the trailer away..<br /><br />unfortunatly, we have evil PWC drivers around and they make putting the boat back on the trailer much harder, (they come close by whenever anyone tries to trailer their boat.. and they go fast.)<br /><br />anyway, I replaced my two backmost rollers with a newer type.. bought the wheels, made the rollers out of them.. I also made some brackets for the trailer on either side at the back, they are adjustable and guide the boat on very nicely, regardless of tide or PWC w@nkers.<br />I also put another keel roller at the back, wider and deeper (the V) then the others, and I made it slightly lower then the others, so its only used for on/off loading.. and now my trailer really is "drive on" worked flawlessly.. and I have a totally unique trailer now...<br /><br />I have photos if anyone is interested, I can post them here...<br /><br />regards<br /><br />Frank

 

[outonbizniz]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

Please do post some pics Frank! By the way, I finally got out on the water yesterday. Not on my boat (it's still in pieces), but on a kind souls craft. He even let me help trailer it. I feel alot better about the local ramp and the process in general. Thank you to all who have posted on this long-lived topic.

 

[Franki]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

congrates on getting out on the water,, I'm jealose... and a bad speller.... my boat is mostly in pieces right now.. rebuilding the whole thing in line with my belief that I should own stuff that no-one else can buy.<br /><br />anyway.. I have some photos to show you..<br />the first one is a closeup of one of the side brackets I made for the boat.. you can see the bolt in the middle that allows for precise adjustment.<br /><br />

<br /><br />The second photo shows the new center roller under the hull (which shows alot of damage from the old rollers and from idiots on PWC's flying past when I was putting it on and having the boat wash over the side) you can see how its not touching the hull when its right up on the trailer.., .. (incidently the boat is a 17 foot half cabin.) my girlfriend painted it (the trailer), thats why there are runs all over it.. I told her to put it on thick, but I didn't mean that think. <br /><br />

<br /><br />In this next photo, you can see the two new homemade rear rollers, the wheels can roll in about 40 degreess in any direction regardless of what angle the main roller is in.. which makes them very handy as they will always rotate and never drag. (my OB is currently off the boat while I fix up the transom.)<br />

<br /><br />The last photo is a wider view of the whole transom.., and my kicker motor. you can see most of the new trailer improvements from this one.<br />you can also see how the entire cabin and dash has been stripped and is in the process of being redesigned and rebuilt.<br /><br />Total cost of all of this (just the trailer) was about $150 (about $74 USD) including the paint, steel, rollers, nolathane and other bits and pieces. <br /><br />works a treat....<br /><br />sorry for the long post, but I relish the chance to show my creative side <br /><br />regards<br /><br />Frank

 

[Franki]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

opps,,,<br /><br />forgot the last photo...<br /><br />(incidenly, these photos were taken about 10 minutes ago,, I have a digital camera.)<br /><br />

<br /><br />regards<br /><br />Frank

 

[outonbizniz]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

Ahhh, I see it must be dark there what with you being on the other side of the globe! That's a slick setup (although, you're taking all the sport out of it!) I may just follow your lead. I am rebuilding my transom right now as well. I'm using Seacast. It's great stuff! I really like the idea of never having to replace it again (of course if I did it right with wood I probably wouldn't have to either). Mine is a 67 glastron gt-143 super-sport. If I knew how to post pics on this board I'd post some.

 

[Franki]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

Hi Todd..<br /><br />yes, its 2 in the morning here... <br /><br />I am usually workin right about now..(do all my programming at night, but I finished working on the boat early today, so I started work early and finished for the day 2 hours ago,, and here I am..<br /><br />Its excellent that you are using seacast.. I was wondering if I could get some feedback from someone that has used it.. I want to, but I can't find a local distributer, and it would be mega expensive to ship that stuff to perth from the US,,(I'm guessing about 100 bucks shipping)<br /><br />As for taking the sport out of the trailer issue, I am not usually in a sporting mood after the boat has washed off the trailer cos of a dolt on a PWC.. so this will hopefully stop me hitting one with an oar or a brick next time they try it, so its really to keep me out of jail <br /><br />let me know how you go with the Seacast..<br /><br />if you want my to put some pictures up for you, email them to me at frankieh@vianet.net.au and I'll post them for you..<br /><br />(if you want to try it yourself, you need to upload the pictures to a web server somewhere, (your ISP )internet service provider)probably has assigned you one that you have never used.)<br />anyway, you upload your images to the server, then you click on the image button in the post message window, and enter in the url to the image.. thats all there is to it.<br />I have my own web server.. so I have no problems putting images up.<br /><br />regards<br /><br />Frank

 

[outonbizniz]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

Thanks Frank!<br /><br />After asking how I actually looked and saw that I could add images if I had them on a server. I have 2 webservers but no fast access connection currently due to my new house's location in the woods. I do have some space from my ISP. I think I've used every ounce of it. I scan some in (daughter broke the digital) and email to you.

 

[Franki]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

No probs,, <br /><br />I have a scanner to, but since I got the camera, my girlfriend is the only one that uses it..<br /><br />I'd love to see some photos of the seacast work..<br /><br />I think the hardest part would be getting the old wood out,, don't want to try the chainsaw, but that depends on how hard it turns out to be..<br /><br />I really like the idea of seacast, and don't think wood has any place on a Fiberglass boats hull or supports.. <br /><br />I have a small transom.. so it probably wouldn't take alot of seacast to fill it..<br /><br />but I want to hear from people that have tried it before I lash out.<br /><br />Also, I dont' think I have a completely rotten transom.. it is wet in some areas down the bottom, its alittle soft in some areas, (only alittle bit though) and if I could dry it out, then it'll probably be ok for a while..<br /><br />anyway, be great to see the photos of your boat.. <br /><br />regards<br /><br />Frank