cracker39
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2014
- Messages
- 113
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-24 C (Sterndrive)
- Hull Identification Number
- RFBO2630E592
- Vessel Name
- CHESTER
My wife and I are both in our late 70’s but I’m anxious to continue boating for as long as possible. We have a ‘92 R21 that we keep on a roller-bunk trailer, and a 3500 GMC diesel pickup as a tow vehicle. Physically, my wife is incapable of doing much at the launch ramp and, although I still get around relatively well, like many old geezers I’m very aware of the risks of a serious accident, and what the long-term consequences could be. That said, I’m not interested in discussing hazards - but in workable tips about how to make the ramp activities safer.
Right now, I use two commercial truck wheel stops behind the front wheels of the truck, each secured to nylon ropes that will drag them along as I pull up the ramp after launching or retrieving the boat. Come Spring, I’ll have a 10’ long extendable tongue fabricated for the trailer that will all but keep the rear wheels of the truck out of the water, as well as ease the stress (on me as well as the boat) of cranking the boat up to the bow stop. That still leaves a 10’, or so, walk down the ramp into around 18” of water to attach or release the cable on the bow eye of the boat. With the roller bunks, and guide posts at the rear of the trailer, placement on the trailer is fairly certain. I’m thinking about welding an upright on the tongue extension, close to the truck, with a large diameter rope hooked thereto and running to the winch post on the trailer. That would provide a safety line to hold onto as I went down the ramp to the winch. Those are my current plans and, aside from wearing an old pair of golf shoes, or the like, with spikes, I haven’t come up with anything else.
If anyone can add additional ideas, I know that they would all be appreciated. Many of you are dealing with much larger and heavier boats, as I have in the past, but from what I’ve observed is that the concerns are similar, provided the vehicle and the trailer are properly matched. Feats of bravado, like attempting to launch or retrieve a 21’ cabin cruiser, with a Yugo, have no place in this discussion - although they’ve provided some great laughable moments for me as an observer!
Right now, I use two commercial truck wheel stops behind the front wheels of the truck, each secured to nylon ropes that will drag them along as I pull up the ramp after launching or retrieving the boat. Come Spring, I’ll have a 10’ long extendable tongue fabricated for the trailer that will all but keep the rear wheels of the truck out of the water, as well as ease the stress (on me as well as the boat) of cranking the boat up to the bow stop. That still leaves a 10’, or so, walk down the ramp into around 18” of water to attach or release the cable on the bow eye of the boat. With the roller bunks, and guide posts at the rear of the trailer, placement on the trailer is fairly certain. I’m thinking about welding an upright on the tongue extension, close to the truck, with a large diameter rope hooked thereto and running to the winch post on the trailer. That would provide a safety line to hold onto as I went down the ramp to the winch. Those are my current plans and, aside from wearing an old pair of golf shoes, or the like, with spikes, I haven’t come up with anything else.
If anyone can add additional ideas, I know that they would all be appreciated. Many of you are dealing with much larger and heavier boats, as I have in the past, but from what I’ve observed is that the concerns are similar, provided the vehicle and the trailer are properly matched. Feats of bravado, like attempting to launch or retrieve a 21’ cabin cruiser, with a Yugo, have no place in this discussion - although they’ve provided some great laughable moments for me as an observer!
