Selecting a boat ramp

[dennis]

Are there any standard questions one asks to determine if a ramp is usable to take a tug out by trailer?

 

[Lone Star Ranger]

Just make sure there's water!!! 😱 :lol: 😉

 

[abcandjrc]

I much prefer ramps with an pier alongside the ramp, preferably with pilings or cleats and, with concrete, well fendered. That always lets you get the boat under control more easily when it is off the trailer and also makes for easier boarding of your crew. It will make retrieval easier, too.

Check for staging areas so you can make most of your preparations, including loading things from the tow vehicle into the boat, installing canvas, etc., without tying up the ramp.

On paved ramps, you may want to know how wide the ramp is and how far the underwater portion extends. Dropping the trailer wheels off the end or the edge is a real nuisance sometimes. If tidal, the length when the tide is low is the controling measurement, of course.

Other than that, maybe what kind of security, lighting, picnic facilities, bathroom/shower facilities, etc.

One thing that you can do from home to eliminate some is to use one of the satellite view sites on the web to take a look from above. You can generally see ramps, parking facilities, etc. pretty well.

 

[dennis]

Good ideas, thank you. How much underwater portion do you look for? I guess slope also factors into that equation. I haven't had my slide rule out lately 🙂 . Maybe that should be a new app.

 

[Favunclerich]

On an average slope ramp, I back in until my rear truck tires are at the waterline. I've measured the distance from my truck's rear tires to the rear tire on the trailer. If I'm not sure if the concrete portion of a ramp is long enough, I get out my tape measure and boat hook. I measure from the water's edge to the spot where my rear trailer tire will be, then probe with the boat hook to make sure that there is a stable bottom. Not all ramps are created equal! If the ramp does have a drop off, I've put a piece of tape on the dock to mark the spot and my assistant watches to assure that I don't go past it.

 

[JamesTXSD]

The really big question: you have an assistant?? 😀 Most problems at ramps have to do with not backing in far enough, too little slope, too short for the paved underwater portion, no finger dock. If you can back in far enough to float the stern of the boat, you are probably good.

While our boat draws less than an R-25, we have regularly launched trailerable sailboats. If there isn't anyone around to ask, or no info on the internet about the ramp, look at the trailers parked in the lot: if the bunks support any kind of a v-hull, you are probably good. See how the tallest bunk on those trailers corresponds to the height on yours.

We do not "power load" - that tears up the bottom on unpaved ramps. Back the trailer in far enough to float the boat on/off.

If the ramp is in salt water, I also look for a place to be able to flush the trailer/brakes immediately after launching or retrieving.

We have put our boat into some pretty primitive ramps with no issue.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

 

[abcandjrc]

In addition to what JamesTXSD just said, a long pier allows you to keep the boat well clear of the trailer as you pull the trailer out from under it. I found out the hard way that if the boat is not moved back far enough the rear member of the trailer can "kiss" the bow on the way out. That neatly removed the transverse running light in the center of my trailer one day.

We generally launch by backing until the boat is "just" afloat. Then my crew walks it back a couple feet. On retrieval, I have found that on our R21 it is most easily retrieved if the roller most forward on the trailer is about 1/2" under the water. That way when the bow contacts it, and I start cranking on the winch, the bow is locked in place laterally and the crew only needs to control the stern as I pull forward to settle the boat on the bunks.

 

[RProffer]

Something else to consider is high and low tides. At low tide, you will have a shorter distance to the end of the ramp.

Try to stay away from ramps that have slime on them. Launching and recovery is difficult with slime, and walking on slime is dangerous. Using a truck with 4 wheel drive is a must with a slimy ramp.

In my experience, you will have few if any problems if you use a public ramp that is well used. The ramps that are not used usually have problems. Here in Maryland, the state has been rebuilding all their boat ramps, and the ones I have used are pretty good. You can find a listing of Maryland state maintained ramps at this link http://www.dnr.state.md.us/boating/boatramps.asp

 

[GulfSailor]

Here's the video showing the launch and retrieval of an R29 which is always good to watch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wB75gG3ugUU&feature=related