I am a newcomer. Was reading the thread on ramp etiquette, but haven't
watched long enough to comment. Just know I've had all sorts of experiences
there and witnessed two fist fights over it.

I am a retired welder. I still have equipment. The first thing I have done
when I bought a boat in the past was to add high guide rails right under the
gunnel (gunwhale for you purists), good carpet wrapped support boards, and
move the lights high enough so they didn't get wet when launching. When
retrieving the boat, if made it infinitely easier. Of course, I have never
had a large boat, like a cruiser, but just runabouts and flat fishing boats
like Bass Tracker. That probably wouldn't work as good on a large boat, tho
I have seen V shaped guides with rollers that were more on the vertical.

Had a cable with snap about two foot long mounted to the front post. I'd
pull it up, pit it in neutral, run up and snap the cable, pull the gas line,
and let it run out of gas. By then, I'd be in the cab, and pulling out.
The cable kept the boat from sliding, even on steep ramps. The guides
helped it settle in the right spot, as it could go nowhere else. Then away
from the ramp, I'd hook the winch eye on it, haul it fully on, pull that
taut, and put the tie downs on, and secure gear.

The boat I just bought has high guides, so I'll only have to check on
soundness of things, and it looks good to go.

Do many of you use high horizontal or vertical guides to help keep your boat
from floating?

Steve