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I've never towed a boat before, but it's starting to look like I'm moving to a place where I'll have to tow. I'd like to find out what to look for when I'm scouting new locations. When you look at a launch ramp, what are you supposed to be looking for? Obviously the steepness of the ramp is an issue, the range of the tide, etc. But what else should I be looking for? Where am I likely to have problems?
Thanks,
Syncerus
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Current or wind direction can make the challenge a whole lot tougher.
Having a dock alongside the ramp makes the experience a whole lot easier, especially if you're going alone.
Some sort of security for the parking area is always nice.
Availability of fuel and bait can be a big plus.
Having the docks in place is a big plus along with the tide range. Seeing that you have never towed a boat before one of the biggest things you can accomplish is learning how big the off track is on the trailer so your not going around a right hand turn running the trailer over the curbing or worst hitting the boat into a phone pole. What I mean by off track is the wheels on the trailer do not fallow the rear wheels of the vehicle that's towing it. Now that boating is over with you should also on good days hook up the trailer and go to a shopping mall parking lot in a secluded spot and learn how to back the trailer up by using the mirrors. I don't know how people trailer a boat and back the rig down the ramp looking over their shoulder not seeing anything behind themselves except for the boat. Probably why they at times take up both sides of the ramp doing the S thing. Which on busy days will cause a major back up at ramp. Also by practicing you will be a bit more relaxed when your towing the boat.
If you have never used the ramp, always check to see where the ramp ends (in the water). I have seen ramps that have a steep drop off at the end on the concrete which can cause problems at low tide.
Believe it or not the depth of the water and how far in you will have to back the trailer before your boat will release from the trailer. If the water is not deep enough you may have to wait for high tide before you can get the boat on or off. I have a bunk trailer and I have found if the ramp is not real level, it can be a real problem getting the boat on correctly. Sound simple enough but an un even ramp below the water line can be a real pain.
Consider wearing old shoes, so as not to slip if you need to get into the water. Some ramps can be very dangerous at times. Be very careful of the release handle on your winch. If your boat is under stress ( ready to move on you). Could be a lot of pressure with the boat pulling away from you at the time you release it. jim
Traction of the ramp is important. I have launched at sand and gravel only ramps, but they have poor traction. Sand or slime on the concrete ramp makes it harder--I like a well grooved concrete ramp, with no washout at the end of the ramp. Mark the end of the ramp so you don't drop the trailer wheels off the ramp--with a 3 axel trailer and good ramp I can usually drop one of the wheels off--if necessary--but not recommended.
There are a lot of ramps around here that are so-so. I don't have a problem, but bigger boats, especially inboards, get a lot more difficult to lanch/retrieve on a crappy ramp. Look around and take note of (INPO):
1. Prevailing wind - bow into the wind is best, IMO
2. High current areas - there is a ramp near me that is on a channel from one bay to another. A high current can rip through at times.
3. Concrete (or lack thereof) - if it doesn't go deep enough, you could drop a wheel off into sand at low tide when loading a large boat - not good. Also look for potholes underwater.
4. Angle - too shallow puts your truck in the water too far. Too steep can put your stern in too deep before it floats - depend on the boat - and can be a bear to pull out, too.
5. Competition - my favorite ramp is tucked away in a small subdivision - light weekender traffic, and big enough to pull a 38' Scarab out. Too bad it's over 30 miles to the Jetties.
6. I prefer free ramps, too!
Keep tools for tire changes as well as bearing changes in the tow vehicle as well as the spare tire bearing set hub if you want Put your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel when backing up and move your hand where you want the trailer to go Take a few minutes to check the plug unplug the lights (Ihave mine on a board that I remove) setup docklines This will let the bearings cool so they don't suck up too much seawater and breakdown on the way home
On your trailer tongue write down a list of must do before leaving I have to replace another ant because I tried to be in a hurry
put down all ant.
shutoff all pumps
shut off all elect.
check safety chains
check lights
tiedowns
This plus the above advice will get you into a routine that will make it uneventful
One last thing don't unhook till you get the wheels in the water or your boat could slide off the trailer onto the ramp happens all the time
All above are good ideas. A few additions, spend a Saturday checking out some ramps during the busy season. Keep in mind how far people are backing down the ramp, the people that are using the ramp, how packed the parking lot is, what kind of boat traffic is speeding by, size of the boats being launched, and ask others their opinion on which ramp to use. Most boaters will give it to you straight.. like... I broke an axel on that ramp, this one is way too shallow, be careful as this ramp drops off too soon, etc.
I'll add two things. Be sure the boat is always tied to the trailer with a strap; you don't want the boat to jump around on the trailer when towing if you hit a bump. I often see large boats not strapped to the trailer, figuring the weight of boat is enough; it's not! Secondly; never take the safety chain off until thetrailerstalkisat the water's edge. If you do, sooner or later the boat will slide off the trailer before you want it to.
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I would second the post on watching others at the ramp first. Take your time and formulate a check list. Most trailers have a "sweet spot" where the boat will come off/drive on easily .... on my bunk trailer it is with a little more than half of the bunk in the water - if you will learn your sweet spot loading is much easier. Be sure to follow etiquette by pulling off to the side to load the boat with coolers, life jackets, rods, etc. Take your place in the launch line only when 100% loaded and move the car and trailer quickly after launching.
One of the key issues not discussed here is before getting ready to launch your boat it is important to remember when it comes time for your turn at the ramp to be ready and prepared. Start your boat at home so you know it will start for sure at the ramp!
Use a system that’s the same every time so you do not forget
Boat plug
Inboard (blower on)
Which side for the fenders and dock lines according to wind condition?
Get all you food, drinks and gear on the boat in the parking lot before you launch
Set up and plug in all your electronics.
Rods, reels, fishing gear, gaff hooks and nets
Antenna up
Safety chain off but not your bow hook
Remove the tie downs
Unplug the trailer plug
Check the hubs to make sure they are not hot before launching boat
find an empty ramp and launch. (You have 5 to 10 minutes to clear for the next guy)
Flush Hubs
Park your truck and trailer
Go to the boat and shove away from the launch ramp for other
Have a safe day.
Before coming to the ramp when going home do not play around the dock others need to load there boats too so drop the person to get the truck and trailer and shove off until your truck and trailer is ready to back down and retrieve you
Go to the wash station
I'll add just one more little thing. When you hook up your satey chains to the tow vehicle you should cris cross them. Left to right and right to left. If for some reason the trailer should break loss from the tow vehicle iit will help keep the trailer behind the tow vehicle.
Inexperienced people at the ramp are a major frustration for everyone else. Although for you, there's just no way around that trial by fire. But to avoid that, I suggest the following:
Practice backing your rig. It might seem difficult or impossible at first, but trust me, it's quite possible and actually easy once you become comfortable with your vehicle/trailer combination.
Remember that many ramps are TWO LANES. Nothing pisses me off more than coming down to a ramp that clearly has room for two boat to launch simultaneously only to find that some schmuck is smack in the middle launching his boat.
Get everything ready in the staging area. Remove your straps, install the drain plug, load up your gear BEFORE lining up on the ramp. The same goes for hauling out. Get the boat on the trailer and the the bow strap on, but do EVERYTHING ELSE in the staging area. Usually people are waiting for you to get out fo the way and it's VERY inconsiderate to make them wait while you do things that could easily be done out of their way.
Every ramp has different systems for traffic flow. Take a minute to see what people do and what works and what doesn't. For example, my local ramp is just a two lane paved strip down a hill and into the water with a widened spot for turning around about 200' up the ramp from the beach. You're supposed to drive down, turn around and then back up just below the turn around to stage allowing people to drive around you to get to the actual ramp. Lots of morons like to stage in the turn around area, which means that everyone else has to wait for them. Or they will pull up parallel to another boat staging, thus blocking the only access to space at the ramp they just vacated. Remember, whatever system works for launching/hauling boats in the quickest fashion, is what people will be doing, and expecting you to do.
As for how to load your boat on the trailer, every combo is different. I suggest you get practice on a weekday when the ramp is not busy so you can get a feel for how you load your boat. It's rather frustrating at the end of a busy holiday weekend waiting for your turn to launch while someone is struggling to load their boat evenly when it's so clear as you watch that they are doing it all wrong.
Oh, and DON'T FORGET THE DRAIN PLUG. Everyone does that at least once. Even seasoned trailer boaters will do that from time to time. I know I have. It's probably the most common mistake at the ramp.
Oh yes, and always diconnect your trailer lights before it dunks in the water. The heat from the light when it hits teh water will shatter it if you don't. You may think your lights are waterproof, but I promise you, they are not.
Take an experienced boater with you the first couple of times. They'll get a free trip and you'll benefit from a personal tutor. Don't go on the weekend...too busy. Observe tides. Watch others at the ramp carefully, some do it right, some don't. Sometimes it's a good laugh.
What is there to know about launch ramps? 
