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Hi all! I have what may seem to be a pretty simple question to most of you. We just purchased our first boat - a 2000 23' Hydra-Sports Seahorse 230WA with a 225 Johnson outboard and tandem axle trailer. How does one know that a given ramp is deep enough to launch on? I have visited three ramps in my area (Orange Park, Florida) and none of them have any signs posted showing depth of the ramp area. Only "End of Ramp" signs. One private ramp (located in a gated community) I visited, I was told that it would be deep enough by one person, then someone standing next to him told me it would not be deep enough. I am so confused!
Assuming it is a bunk trailer, back up until either you reach the end of the ramp or a depth the boat will float off whichever comes first. You may have to "help" the boat off if it is not quite deep enough.
Rule of Thumb< Back in until your fenders are just about under water. From there the boat should float or just ease back and you should be fine. When loading, back in until the water is about 3/4 up to the fenders. Drive on, may have to ease back just a few inches until the boat slids up. My wife loads our 23' this way. I back and she drives on. Good Mate
Go for a ride to the ramps close to you .Stop on the way and grab some lunch to go or a coffee to go and sit at the ramp and observe for a while .This might take several trips but is most important. Watch the tides and take note of the optimum tide for a launch . After having observed launches and recovery of enough boats that you feel ready to try your own pick the tide and least used day (midweek) to launch.
Arrive an hour or so more before high tide and wait till the ramp is clear ,make sure you have a line on the boat held by some one ashore (near the ramp but out of harms way) back the trailer down and float the boat off or as by now you might have observed the shake it off so as to not immerse the tow rig . then your helper will walk the line attached to your boat down the dock and secure the boat while you stow your tow rig. With practice this can be a one man operation .
Watching greenhorns at the ramp is lots of fun in these parts ,so it pays to observe someone else panicking before you attempt to launch ,stay calm and think out your launch as you wait for your turn at the ramp ,Take your time ,and remember that with time you'll do this as second nature.
Recovery is good to practice also , secure the boat to the dock and don't forget a tag line to hold on to. get your tow rig and prepare to back down when its your turn . stay calm ! put the trailer in the water enough to get the boat 1/2 on or so .place the rig in park and use e-brake. get out and get the tag line to boat and guide on trailer . wind on or power on trailer whatever is the common way to retrieve down there . after a while you will be proficient enough to chuckle at your greenhorn days too ! good luck and don't for get the pictures for a giggle later ,video is best
__________________
2005 20' Pacific Skiff
1980 15 ' Hobie Power Skiff
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1958 National Tractor
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I often visit "suspect" ramps without the boat attached but carry along a six-foot marked wooden pole to sound the ramp at different distances from the edge of the water. (No tides here, but we do have seasonal levels do to runoff that can make a difference of 10 feet or so). Steeper ramps are better. The pole is marked to the height of the front fender on my Shortlandr SLT46BT.
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Congratulations on your first boat!! And welcome to the forum.
I think those of us with trailerable boats are lucky. We have high manuverability at a cost which is much less than would be the case moving the boat on it's own bottom and most importantly, they aren't sitting in the soup 24/7.
Having said that, be aware that boat ramps in general can be the source of much anxiety. My wife has said it is the part of boating she likes the least. Some times folks come in after a day on the water with testosterone flowing (much like the beer they have been drinking all day). Things can get dicey sometimes. But there are ways to avoid much of this. And if you are smart about it the benifits of trailer boating far outweigh the drawbacks.
So, here are some things you might do if you can not get a definitive answer about the ramps you want to use from someone you trust.
Spend some time at the ramps when they are busy. Have a look at the boats and trailers that ARE using the ramps. How do they compare with your rig in terms of size and length of trailer?
Take a look around each ramp. Is there good parking, enough room to manuver, bathroom facilities, maybe a source of fresh water for a rinse of the salt upon return? Is the finger pier along side of the ramp long enough to accomodate your boat after its launched and while the tow vehicle is being parked. Are there adequate cleats there to tie off (often times these are missing)? Is there a place to tie up temporairly for loading any last minute things without holding up the ramp? This would be a different spot than the finger pier along side the ramp. Is the water depth from the ramp to the channel deep enough for YOUR boat?
Is the ramp protected in any way from wakes of passing boats as its used. Is there a current running close to the ramp. How would a strong wind affect launching and retreiving? Is there significant fetch or is the ramp somewhat protected? Wind can be a bit of an issue on retreiving the boat. Does it appear your vehicle and trailer will be secure while your away?
Always observe the tide if launching where it is an influence.
When you find a ramp you like for these reasons, take your boat there on a day it isn't busy. Maybe a weekday. Have someone with you. Line your boat up as if you were going to launch it. Back down slowly, when you get to the water, back in VERY slowly with someone watching. If you fear backing off the end of the ramp (DO NOT DO THIS) have your swim suit on and walk in there and check it out. Since your trailer is tandem, you can actually back the back set of wheels off the ramp. But dont let the first set go off. Take a long stick or fish pole with you. (Who knows maybe you will catch a fish while back there . I realize this sounds like a PIA but you will have EMPIRICAL evidence that will support using this ramp from then on, with little or no concern for any of these matters.
I know some will probably add consideration should be given to the slope of the ramp. Personally I do not think this is a big issue. They are all different and from my experience they all will work. What is important is that you learn how far to back your trailer into the water. Again everones rig is a little different. Experiment with this and you will learn where the sweet spot is. Once you know this it will not change, oh maybe a tiny bit, but not really.
The surface condition of the ramp is probably more important than the angle. Your vehicle must be able to gain traction, of course, to pull your boat out.
Turned into kind of a long reply, but I hope you will be abel to use some of this info. Most importantly, if your committed to this, you can become very proficient at it. Just practice, practice, practice. It makes all the difference.
check the ramp prior to launching and see what boats similiar to yours are being launched & how far back they go with the trailer --make mental notes during tide changes - it'll help out the first few times you launch
Great advice here, As Nuke said kick back and enjoy the scene. There's an older couple here thathave elevated "ramp watching" to an art form(tailgaters).
I would suggest going to a large "empty" parking lot and practicing all your maneuvers "before" attempting your 1st launch. The confidence will pay-off bigtime if (no, when)you find yourself in a high-stress situation. Take along some carboard boxes to simulate docks and such.
__________________ Any Port in a Storm!....currently seeking shelter.
Where we live tide is the biggest factor. At low water most of the ramps are torn up from power loading, and if you aren't carfull it is easy to back your whells off the end. I like to find a ramp that allows the boat to be pushed off by hand without putting the rear wheels of the car in the water. Sometimes at low tide I have to get the tires wet. When you do find where the boat just starts to float make a mental note of how far the fenders are in the water for reference next time. The steeper the ramp the easier until you get to the point of poor traction to get out.
Active Captain, a web site with boating information for the entire US--has ramps as a category. Many of them have been annotated as to condition and depth. Generally with the 23 foot boat, almost any ramp will suffice. Agree about watching other boaters before and sounding the ramp.
All great advice. My 2 cents - watch your ars walking on the ramp. The algae is very slick and you can easily find your feet higher than your forehead if you don't watch out. Don't be embarrassed or ashamed to ask for advice or assistance. Most boaters are extremely willing to lend a hand to a newby. I fish alone most of the time and it is always refreshing when I'm launching to hear the words "Can I handle the line?"
Why does everyone need a dock line to launch/retrieve their boat? I have never used one, I just drive on to the trailer connect the winch strap and winch it the rest of the few feet. I boat exclusively in salt water where the tide is always moving and I just come in against the tide and manuever the boat on the trailer. Also I have a 22ft boat and do not have any issues launching by myself, just takes a little longer to dock the boat and then run back and park the truck. I think people make too big of a deal on launching and retrieving, just practice a few times during a non-busy time and you will be just fine.
gsniffen - 3/22/2008 2:58 PM All great advice. My 2 cents - watch your ars walking on the ramp. The algae is very slick and you can easily find your feet higher than your forehead if you don't watch out. Don't be embarrassed or ashamed to ask for advice or assistance. Most boaters are extremely willing to lend a hand to a newby. I fish alone most of the time and it is always refreshing when I'm launching to hear the words "Can I handle the line?"
[img]../images/emoticons/laugh.gif[/img]Good one I tried to be Mr. Nice Guyfor a couple of rookies at the "bitter end" of last season. Had my sea boots on and went in to line up their boat anddrove home w/ a wet, coldars.
__________________ Any Port in a Storm!....currently seeking shelter.
newbote - 3/22/2008 3:07 PM Why does everyone need a dock line to launch/retrieve their boat?
Retrieve, I don't. Drive on, leave it in gear and hook up the winch.
Launching is another story. Roller trailer and a fairly steep ramp, I use the bow line to control the launch w/ a hitch on the winch post.When she's ready to go I release the safety chain and ease the winch strap. While the hook's still within reach, take up on the bow line and unhook. Shake of the hitch and lower w/ the bow line, walk to the pier and cleat off. All setups vary, this works for me.[img]../images/emoticons/thumbsup.gif[/img]
__________________ Any Port in a Storm!....currently seeking shelter.
Zoria,
I live in Orange Park, maybe I can help. I usually fish offshore but ocassionally boat in the river. Not sure which ramps you went to but this is what I know. The Fleming Island/Eagle Harbor ramp at Doctor's Lake can be tricky at low tide for your size boat. I don't use it because my boat is 28 ft and I would have trouble putting it back on the trailer. Going south on hwy 17 towards Green Cove, just past black creek, that ramp is pretty good. I've used it with no problems. Usually I go to the ramp on Fishing Pen Creek off Seaboard and Timuquana Rd. It puts you out in the Ortega River/Mcgirts. No problem there either for your boat. Always be aware of your tides though, some of these really low tides we've been having lately can cause problems.
Shel
This may sound kind of nerdy but make a check list of the minor things to do before launching. You are probably going to be nervous and will forget something by getting in a hurry to physically float the boat.
Put the drain plug in, have all your stuff in the boat, have the battery switch on, release the motor support, have fenders ready, dock lines secured to cleats, etc etc...
Since its a new boat to you try and start the engine on muffs at the house before you drive to the ramp, unless its new every motor seems to have some quirk to starting and its a lot better to work it out at the house instead of at the ramp with 5 people waiting for you to get out of the way...
No matter what you do someone has done it before --- good and bad!
Go for a ride to the ramps close to you .Stop on the way and grab some lunch to go or a coffee to go and sit at the ramp and observe for a while .This might take several trips but is most important. Watch the tides and take note of the optimum tide for a launch . After having observed launches and recovery of enough boats that you feel ready to try your own pick the tide and least used day (midweek) to launch.
Arrive an hour or so more before high tide and wait till the ramp is clear ,make sure you have a line on the boat held by some one ashore (near the ramp but out of harms way) back the trailer down and float the boat off or as by now you might have observed the shake it off so as to not immerse the tow rig . then your helper will walk the line attached to your boat down the dock and secure the boat while you stow your tow rig. With practice this can be a one man operation .
Watching greenhorns at the ramp is lots of fun in these parts ,so it pays to observe someone else panicking before you attempt to launch ,stay calm and think out your launch as you wait for your turn at the ramp ,Take your time ,and remember that with time you'll do this as second nature.
Recovery is good to practice also , secure the boat to the dock and don't forget a tag line to hold on to. get your tow rig and prepare to back down when its your turn . stay calm ! put the trailer in the water enough to get the boat 1/2 on or so .place the rig in park and use e-brake. get out and get the tag line to boat and guide on trailer . wind on or power on trailer whatever is the common way to retrieve down there . after a while you will be proficient enough to chuckle at your greenhorn days too ! good luck and don't for get the pictures for a giggle later ,video is best
Now that is good advice
__________________ Ignorance is bliss, but stupid HURTS
USCG 1600 ton Master Oceans, Master of Towing, Master of Aux. Sail. Master of Baiting
Thank you all for the great advice. It helped a lot! We went out on Saturday to "ramp watch" at various areas. We settled on Knight's Marina off of US17 and Black Creek. Public ramp with restrooms, fuel, three spacious ramps and boats larger than ours being launched. After observing all day on Saturday, we decided to launch on Sunday afternoon. I'd like to thank all of those who were very patient with us and helped us out by directing down the ramp, holding lines, and offering their friendly and useful advice. You folks helped make our first ever launch/retrieval a great one!
An extra special to the guy who tied up a ramp from everyone by having his wife park the truck/trailer then proceed to get the cooler, dog, snacks, child, etc. from the truck, walk to the ramp, let your kid run back and forth a couple of times behind our loaded trailer as we were trying to back in, and then have your wife walk directly behind us as we headed down the ramp. Even as newbies, we had some idea of proper etiquette by getting things ready beforehand.
An extra special to the guy who tied up a ramp from everyone by having his wife park the truck/trailer then proceed to get the cooler, dog, snacks, child, etc. from the truck, walk to the ramp, let your kid run back and forth a couple of times behind our loaded trailer as we were trying to back in, and then have your wife walk directly behind us as we headed down the ramp. Even as newbies, we had some idea of proper etiquette by getting things ready beforehand.
[img]../images/emoticons/laugh.gif[/img]And now you've learned "that" valuable lesson too![img]../images/emoticons/biggrin.gif[/img] Get used to it there's plenty more where they came from. Glad it went well on "your" end.
__________________ Any Port in a Storm!....currently seeking shelter.
seaboard and timaquana,17 and black creek,the one at the public park on 13 at troutcreek,and the one on san juan ave. are the deepest.fleming island is not bad but it is only about 4 ft at low tide.i'm used to never having over 5 feet so there all good for me.
Boat Ramps - Which one to use? 
. I realize this sounds like a PIA but you will have EMPIRICAL evidence that will support using this ramp from then on, with little or no concern for any of these matters.
to the guy who tied up a ramp from everyone by having his wife park the truck/trailer then proceed to get the cooler, dog, snacks, child, etc. from the truck, walk to the ramp, let your kid run back and forth a couple of times behind our loaded trailer as we were trying to back in, and then have your wife walk directly behind us as we headed down the ramp. Even as newbies, we had some idea of proper etiquette by getting things ready beforehand.
