"Don White" wrote in message
...

"Vic Smith" wrote in message
...
I was reading some comments about it elsewhere and got to thinking.
When/if I get to the point of launching my own boat, I'll have to
spend some time watching ramp activity before I do it myself.
Used to launch/retrieve with my buddies years ago, but I forgot
everything except how hard it was to crank the boat onto the bunks.
I think the owner was leery of backing in far enough to float it.
Oddly, I don't remember any problems pushing it off when launching.
Maybe we were stronger setting out fishing than we were when we got
back, or maybe it's just how gravity works.
I don't remember any problems at all.
But from my reading it seems the ramp is a good comedy show sometimes,
and a good drama when the hotheads get involved.
Anybody care to share some "outstanding" experiences?

--Vic

I back down until the truck rear tires touch water. I'm especially
careful when in salt water due to potential corrosion.
My open aluminum boat will be partially floating at this point so it's
easy to push off & control. I pull the boat next to the trailer and lift
the bow up enough to slip a couple of fenders under it. I then lay the
anchor forward on the ramp to avoid the boat floating away while I park
the truck/trailer.
With my bigger and much heavier sailboat... solo launch/retrieval was more
troublesome because the boat sat too high to float off/on.


And you screw up the ramp for others while you park the truck. Pull it off
to the side of the ramp area or tie it off to the dock out of the way.