SLIPPERY LAUNCHING RAMP

[captnmunro]

Does anyone know of footware that helps to get a grip on a slippery concrete launching ramp?

 

[berniefiedler]

If you're working with algae covered concrete, your best bet might be traction devices designed to slip over shoes for walking on ice. I believe Trax is one brand name. essentially they are wire coils that slip over your footwear to cut through and dig in to a slippery surface.

 

[knotflying]

Felt bottom shoes or boots are good. Try a sporting goods store or a fly fishing place. I have used them when fishing and walking on slimy rocks.

 

[daviduphoff]

Shoes?

I thought you were supposed to leave them in the truck and go barefoot.....

I guess I was misinformed as a child.

 

[RProffer]

Many years ago while launching my boat bare foot, I stepped on a broken glass bottle that was buried in the sand. I got a deep nasty cut across the bottom of my foot and it was very painful. I have worn shoes ever since when launching a boat.

I wear tennis shoes or rubber soled sandals on boat ramps. If the ramp is slimy, I drag my shoes on the ramp to get good traction. In the winter I wear rubber hip waders. My feet are very sensitive to cold water. Make sure your truck in in 4 wheel drive on a slimy ramp.

Felt soled shoes are outlawed in New Zealand and several states in the United States (Alaska, Maryland and Vermont, and possibly others). It seems the felt soled shoes help spread the invasive Didymo or “Rock Snot” alga. You can read more about it here http://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/news/story.asp?story_id=120 and herehttp://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/pdfs/felt_sole_faq.pdf.

 

[kskogerson]

Try the vibram 5 toes, you can hike, run, walk on glass, etc., etc. These things are great, like no shoes at all and they dry out quickly. I have launched at several marinas at low tide with moss on the ramp and seem to get good traction.

 

[captnmunro]

WOW, I can't thank you all enough. I was barefoot on about 1/2 inch algae and about went down for the count to attach the winch strap to the boat. I do have non-skid on one side of the trailer beam but going to put it on the other beam.