The ramp from hell.....is it just me?

[OMCboater]

The local lake had the ramp redone a couple of years ago and every time I launch there (which isn't often), I have problems recovering. Seems to me the ramp is too steep.
If I back the trailer in far enough for the bow to get over top of the bow roller, the rest of the boat is still floating and won't be centered. If I only go in far enough that the bunks hold the boat in place, the bow is too far from the bow roller (up by the winch) and is actually lower than the roller, and so I can't winch it up in that position or I will pull the bow in under the roller which would not be good. But once I pull the boat out I have to winch the boat the rest of the way up the trailer and I don't like putting that much strain on my bow hook.

So is it just me or did they mess up and make this ramp too steep?

Also, yesterday I was waiting for someone at the ramp, I was out in my boat and a couple larger 16-18 footers) outboards launched and when they did the water came in over the stern before they started floating. Doesn't seem right to me.

 

[mphy98]

Re: The ramp from hell.....is it just me?

Sound like DNR engineering to me.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: The ramp from hell.....is it just me?

You can winch a boat all they way; the bow eye should be able to take it.

But sounds like your winch stand and bow stop are not aligned properly for the boat; there shouldn't be any over/under issues at any depth.

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: The ramp from hell.....is it just me?

Winch it up, you can get a stainless bow protector for the eye area so that it winches up nice without scarring the bow. I got one for about $20 right here. Get the trailer in just deep enough that the boat centers and armstrong her onto the trailer. I use the same lemon pledge on the bunks that I use to wax the boat with on the bunks. It makes a huge difference when winching it on. I pledge up the bunks after launching...and by the time I come back to load it's dried up....and the boat slides right on.

I know what you mean though, we have a steep ramp here that I go to very occasionally, and when winching it up (NOT wenching!!! sorry..long story) the bow roller on the trailer almost comes up to the rub rail on the boat, a good 45 degree ramp if there is one. It'll level out though as you tighten it down...the stainless bow protectors work wonders, and a soft rubber bow roller/stop is needed. Those stupid hard plastic ones are hard on the fiberglass. The rubber ones need regular replacement, but are much cheaper then fiberglass repair!



Ian

 

[fabrimacator21]

Re: The ramp from hell.....is it just me?

Could be a number of things... first off put all the weight in the back of the boat. That'll help alot. Second it sounds like you just need to back the trailer in farther.

I've been in that situation a few times and I can usually "bounce" the eye up over the bow stop.

 

[OMCboater]

Re: The ramp from hell.....is it just me?

If I back the trailer far enough for the bow roller to be under the bow of the boat, then none of the boat will be on the trailer, other than where the bow touches the bow roller. That's how steep this ramp is. If I do that, by the time I get in the truck to pull out, the boat has drifted sideways. I am definitely putting those vertical bars at the back of my trailer to keep the boat in place above the trailer. That should help quite a bit

 

[fabrimacator21]

Re: The ramp from hell.....is it just me?

If I back the trailer far enough for the bow roller to be under the bow of the boat, then none of the boat will be on the trailer, other than where the bow touches the bow roller. That's how steep this ramp is. If I do that, by the time I get in the truck to pull out, the boat has drifted sideways. I am definitely putting those vertical bars at the back of my trailer to keep the boat in place above the trailer. That should help quite a bit

Yup... those help quite a bit. I love mine. Thing loads itself. In the meantime just back it in far enough to get the eye up over the roller and pull out slowly.... might have to check it a couple times on the way out.

 

[rjlipscomb]

Re: The ramp from hell.....is it just me?

When loading your boat. Usually the easiest way is to back your trailer up until the rear of the bunks are in the water. Your boat should center itself and the bow should come over the bow stop/roller. You should be able to winch it all the way up. If need be, try waxing (?) your bunks to reduce the friction. You do not need to back it any further into the water.

 

[fabrimacator21]

Re: The ramp from hell.....is it just me?

That seems pretty extreme to me. Thats alot of winching. Much easier on the bow eye to submerge the whole trailer and hook the eye. I rarely winch my boat more then 6 inches and it's barely even touching the bunks... again those guides do wonders. All I have to do is back in to where I can barely see the top of the guids and it loads perfect every time.

You might have to drill a few holes to put em on the trailer but their WELL worth it!

 

[rjlipscomb]

Re: The ramp from hell.....is it just me?

Yeah, I agree. I back mine in further and drive the boat up to the bow stop.
However, OMCboater's problem is he needs to reduce the length of trailer in the water on that particular ramp. The right amount of balance is somewhere between what you and I do and my post above. He needs to find that length that will center his boat and keep the bow above the stop. Currently, it sounds, he is in the water to far thinking he should float onto the trailer and winch a little.

 

[H8tank]

Re: The ramp from hell.....is it just me?

Eye OVER the bow stop?

 

[rjlipscomb]

Re: The ramp from hell.....is it just me?

The bow eye comes under the bow roller, not over or above.

In my post above and OMCboater's problem on the ramp is his bow "nose" or rub-rail is coming under his roller and not above.

 

[salty87]

Re: The ramp from hell.....is it just me?

guide posts

can't blame it on the ramp....bigger boats need deeper water.

how fast were the 16-18 footers hitting the water when they dropped in? probably too fast...