Walking a SIB with wheels down a slippery ramp?

[ben1000]

Howdy...

Just purchased a 12.5' SIB, with a 60lb outboard and launching wheels...

My question is about walking it down and up a boat ramp. We're talking about 200lb total of boat and engine, plus a little gear inside... Does anyone have an idea how hard this will be to 'walk' it down and up a slippery boat ramp? I'm more worried about walking it down and having it 'get away' from me.

Thanks! Any experiences you've had would be appreciated...

Best,

Ben

 

[Pack Rat]

Re: Walking a SIB with wheels down a slippery ramp?

I think you actually have around 260 pounds of weight with the motor. I have 500 pounds (12.5' boat, 25hp motor, two dollies) I have to control. I've tried out 4 diff boat launches and had no problems.

Since the engine is only 60 pounds you could walk that down later and attach. I don't think you'll have a prob, esp if you leave the engine off.

Which brand/model wheels do you have?

 

[Peter_C]

Re: Walking a SIB with wheels down a slippery ramp?

My experience with slippery ramps is be very careful. Many people fall on them and injure themselves including broken bones. The less weight you are carrying the better. You can toss the boat aside no problem and let it run it's course, but you can't toss a motor in your hands very quickly.

 

[ben1000]

Re: Walking a SIB with wheels down a slippery ramp?

I have a Saturn SD365, which I think is around 125lb. 6hp Tohatsu is about 60lb. I have the 'boats to go' wheels, which are fairly light. Maybe it's over 200lb, but not by much, I think...

You guys all seem very 'buff' to be lugging around 60lb motors, but it's not something I want to carry any more than necessary. My goal is to go from SUV to the back of the boat with as little room separating them as possible, and then letting the wheels do the work on the ramp...

Hopefully, no slipping involved....

Best,

Ben

 

[Pack Rat]

Re: Walking a SIB with wheels down a slippery ramp?

30 years ago I would carry a 100 pound OB down to the waters edge and of course all that bad lifting has left back problems now. I have to use a sissor lift table with my 25hp 170 pound OB, and I had to design a cradle for it.

The big block of wood on the ground acts as a transom while I wheel it around and gives more stablity overall. Everything is bolted to the sissor lift and I wheel it in out of a 5'x8' trailer.

 

[likalar]

Re: Walking a SIB with wheels down a slippery ramp?

My brother-in-law keeps a pair of metal studded/cleated golf shoes in his truck for slimy, slippery ramps. He swears they keep him upright.
Larry

 

[jondavies]

Re: Walking a SIB with wheels down a slippery ramp?

My brother-in-law keeps a pair of metal studded/cleated golf shoes in his truck for slimy, slippery ramps. He swears they keep him upright.
Larry

Another option is felt-soled shoes. I got some of these in Hawaii for $20 and they're excellent for walking on slippery rocks:



Flyfishing stores also carry felt-soled wading boots but they tend to be more expensive.