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 What typeof boat ramp is best?		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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Shauneen
1st Mate

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USA
27 Posts
Initially Posted - 04/26/2011 :  18:36:04  Show Profile
We have always had our boat launched by the marina. This year for a variety of reasons we my not have a mooring and will need to trailer sail. Looking at the brightside this will allow us to visit place we have never been. It will also require us to become proficient at launching the boat from a trailer. I have scoured the posts on mast raising aides and will be building something this weekend.
What kind of ramp should we look for to launch the boat? Does it need to be a cement ramp? Should we look for steep /deep ramps or gradual ramps? We have a SK pulled by an F150. We have spent most of our time sailing aound Jamestown, RI and Watch Hill, RI. Does anyone have any recommendations for launching in Southern New England?
As always thanks for your insights.
Shauneen
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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts
Response Posted - 04/26/2011 :  20:19:51  Show Profile
Ramps cannot be evaluated by sight. A concrete ramp that extends far enough out to get the the boat floating in about 3 1/2 feet of water looks just like a ramp that ends in 2 feet and the tires fall off the ramp. Steeper will float the stern earlier making launch and recovery easier, but it will be harder to pull the load up the ramp during recovery. That said, I have yet to find a ramp that challenges my Grand Cherokee, so I would imagine your truck will make steepness a non-issue. Local information is the way to go, so hopefully you will get some locals here or talk to people launching.
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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts
Response Posted - 04/27/2011 :  03:39:33  Show Profile  Visit britinusa's Homepage
After blowing blue smoke from the tires of our Chevy Blazer in 2005 on the day we purchased JD and had to haul her out by ourselves, we decided to check out ramps. We visited several launch sites and watched as other boats launched and retrieved, especially the bigger boats as they were more likely to experience similar issues. It paid off, we found a launch site that is awesome (in Florida ) but having figured out how to best launch / retrieve from that ramp it allows us to compare other ramps and figure if we will have a problem. So far so good!

Paul
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pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts
Response Posted - 04/27/2011 :  05:33:39  Show Profile
Obviously if you do not have 4 wheel drive the algae on a ramp can make for a very bad day. If I were going to use ramps that I was unfamiliar with I would probably put a front receiver on the truck and also put a power winch on the truck... just to be ready. Many put launch wheels on their trailers that can take the tongue weight and roll freely on a ramp in case they have to go to a rope launch scenario.
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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts
Response Posted - 04/27/2011 :  08:42:59  Show Profile
Also, remember that the bow will be lower on the trailer with the stern floating, so a tight winch strap and bow eye will come under tremendous load as you haul out and the stern settles. Steep ramps exacerbate the problem, so keep it loose until you get to level ground; I pull the boat forward and then back off the winch. Power loaders in the fishing crowd whose's dainty hands can't turn a winch handle suck the bottom from the end and under the ramp and deposit it as a bar 10 - 20 feet off the ramp and leave a drop off at the end of the ramp.
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.