"Don White" wrote in message
...

"CalifBill" wrote in message
m...

"John H" wrote in message
news
On Sat, 28 Feb 2009 14:57:32 GMT, Blazer wrote:

On Sat, 28 Feb 2009 09:40:17 -0500, Gene
wrote:

On Sat, 28 Feb 2009 09:03:14 -0500, John H
wrote:

On Fri, 27 Feb 2009 22:55:20 -0800, "Mike" wrote:


"Vic Smith" wrote in message
news:es2hq4h31778524t9uqd19nd6e1t5i8lbk@4ax .com...
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

Vic,

Unfortunately, some can't offer advice without taking an unwarranted
shot at
another, and not answer the question. You have a legitimate question
that
deserves a
legitimate answer.

You are correct. Go to the ramp, and watch how the experienced guys
(and
gals) are doing it. You'll learn alot. If you offer a hand (which is
always
appreciated), ask questions.

The best advice I can give is to make sure you
back down far enough to wet all of the bunks, then pull back out to
the
proper depth. It's a LOT easier to move a boat on wet bunks rather
than dry.
I actually power my boat all the way up to the stop. You can do this
w/out
revving the engine at the last second. You just need to get a feel
for the
headway speed you need to do it. Many ramps frown of folks revving
their
boats up to the trailer stops. It can make a mess of the bottom of
the ramp,
and kick up all sorts of stuff. So, wet the bunks, and coast up as
far as
you can.

Leave the boat in forward, connect the winch strap, and winch her the
rest
of the way up.
Keeping the boat in forward, even at idle, will help immensely. Jump
back to
the helm,
put her in neutral, and cut the engine(s).

I hope this helps.

--Mike



I have to disagree with having the engine running at all when
retrieving or launching the boat. Our local county ramp has had signs
up for a few years now showing the damage caused by the scouring
action of the propellor when the engine is in gear and pushing water.
Finally, the county has started imposing fines when folks are caught
doing it. I agree wholeheartedly with the idea.

The practice washes the sand/dirt away from the concrete end of the
ramp and even from under the ramp. Without support the ramp begins to
break off, or at the least provide a dropoff to catch trailer tires.

Wetting the bunks helps. But, that can be done with a coffee can in
about four seconds.

That's weird. However, our ramps tend to be rather flat.

Everybody around here bought a drive-on trailer and uses it as
such....

Winching is good exercise. That's why God made 'em. They should be
used.

I agree. Nothing 'weird' about using the winch.
--
Calling an Illegal Alien an "Undocumented Worker" is like calling a
Crack Dealer an "Unlicensed Pharmacist"

John H

Takes too long and if the strap breaks, what then. But we build the
ramps longer here because of big tide changes or large lake level
changes. 2-300 ft level change in some lakes.

What? You sippin Kalifornia wine again?
How could a lake... or even the ocean ..raise& lower 200-300 feet?
We have the highest tides in the world here at about 53 feet.
http://www.bayoffundy.com/highesttides.aspx

(When full, Lake Oroville is 900 feet above sea
level. Currently, it is 753 feet above sea
level.)http://www.reuters.com/article/press...008+BW20080429

"Don White" wrote in message
...

"CalifBill" wrote in message
m...

"John H" wrote in message
news
On Sat, 28 Feb 2009 14:57:32 GMT, Blazer wrote:

On Sat, 28 Feb 2009 09:40:17 -0500, Gene
wrote:

On Sat, 28 Feb 2009 09:03:14 -0500, John H
wrote:

On Fri, 27 Feb 2009 22:55:20 -0800, "Mike" wrote:


"Vic Smith" wrote in message
news:es2hq4h31778524t9uqd19nd6e1t5i8lbk@4ax .com...
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

Vic,

Unfortunately, some can't offer advice without taking an unwarranted
shot at
another, and not answer the question. You have a legitimate question
that
deserves a
legitimate answer.

You are correct. Go to the ramp, and watch how the experienced guys
(and
gals) are doing it. You'll learn alot. If you offer a hand (which is
always
appreciated), ask questions.

The best advice I can give is to make sure you
back down far enough to wet all of the bunks, then pull back out to
the
proper depth. It's a LOT easier to move a boat on wet bunks rather
than dry.
I actually power my boat all the way up to the stop. You can do this
w/out
revving the engine at the last second. You just need to get a feel
for the
headway speed you need to do it. Many ramps frown of folks revving
their
boats up to the trailer stops. It can make a mess of the bottom of
the ramp,
and kick up all sorts of stuff. So, wet the bunks, and coast up as
far as
you can.

Leave the boat in forward, connect the winch strap, and winch her the
rest
of the way up.
Keeping the boat in forward, even at idle, will help immensely. Jump
back to
the helm,
put her in neutral, and cut the engine(s).

I hope this helps.

--Mike



I have to disagree with having the engine running at all when
retrieving or launching the boat. Our local county ramp has had signs
up for a few years now showing the damage caused by the scouring
action of the propellor when the engine is in gear and pushing water.
Finally, the county has started imposing fines when folks are caught
doing it. I agree wholeheartedly with the idea.

The practice washes the sand/dirt away from the concrete end of the
ramp and even from under the ramp. Without support the ramp begins to
break off, or at the least provide a dropoff to catch trailer tires.

Wetting the bunks helps. But, that can be done with a coffee can in
about four seconds.

That's weird. However, our ramps tend to be rather flat.

Everybody around here bought a drive-on trailer and uses it as
such....

Winching is good exercise. That's why God made 'em. They should be
used.

I agree. Nothing 'weird' about using the winch.
--
Calling an Illegal Alien an "Undocumented Worker" is like calling a
Crack Dealer an "Unlicensed Pharmacist"

John H

Takes too long and if the strap breaks, what then. But we build the
ramps longer here because of big tide changes or large lake level
changes. 2-300 ft level change in some lakes.

What? You sippin Kalifornia wine again?
How could a lake... or even the ocean ..raise& lower 200-300 feet?
We have the highest tides in the world here at about 53 feet.
http://www.bayoffundy.com/highesttides.aspx


Don, do some friggin' research before you spew your stupidity. I'm so
excited that your tides are the highest in the world... something to be
extremely proud of. That has no bearing on lakes formed by dams... you
drinkin' your son's beer again?

--Mike

wrote in message
...
On Sat, 28 Feb 2009 20:40:55 -0600, thunder
wrote:

On Sat, 28 Feb 2009 16:32:25 -0500, gfretwell wrote:


Your tide is a daily thing. The drop in western lakes is probably going
to just be forever. When they built the dams the rivers were flowing
wild and the valleys filled to 300-400 feet behind the dam. Now the west
is using water a lot faster than the river can put it back so the lakes
are drying up.

Add to that, a drought. Just this past week, Schwarzenegger declared a
drought emergency.

As the old margarine commercial used to say,
"it's not nice to fool mother nature".
You guys tricked the desert into thinking it was prime river bottom
land and now nature is striking back.

We have enough water. But agriculture is big political lobby powers and get
subsidized water that grows subsidized crops. About $9.50 an acre foot for
water. Homes pay about $250 and acre foot. And the farmers are reselling
the $9.50 water for $200 to Los Angeles water. And Ag uses 80% of the water
in the state, to supply about 2.4% of GDP and employment.

CalifBill wrote:
wrote in message
...
On Sat, 28 Feb 2009 20:40:55 -0600, thunder
wrote:

On Sat, 28 Feb 2009 16:32:25 -0500, gfretwell wrote:


Your tide is a daily thing. The drop in western lakes is probably going
to just be forever. When they built the dams the rivers were flowing
wild and the valleys filled to 300-400 feet behind the dam. Now the west
is using water a lot faster than the river can put it back so the lakes
are drying up.
Add to that, a drought. Just this past week, Schwarzenegger declared a
drought emergency.
As the old margarine commercial used to say,
"it's not nice to fool mother nature".
You guys tricked the desert into thinking it was prime river bottom
land and now nature is striking back.

We have enough water. But agriculture is big political lobby powers and get
subsidized water that grows subsidized crops. About $9.50 an acre foot for
water. Homes pay about $250 and acre foot. And the farmers are reselling
the $9.50 water for $200 to Los Angeles water. And Ag uses 80% of the water
in the state, to supply about 2.4% of GDP and employment.


In the US, I believe farms produce 100% of all of the food we eat. What
is your is you over feed lawn producing except run off that is polluting
th environment?

On Feb 28, 3:47*pm, "Don White" wrote:
"CalifBill" wrote in message

m...







"John H" wrote in message
news
On Sat, 28 Feb 2009 14:57:32 GMT, Blazer wrote:

On Sat, 28 Feb 2009 09:40:17 -0500, Gene
wrote:

On Sat, 28 Feb 2009 09:03:14 -0500, John H
wrote:

On Fri, 27 Feb 2009 22:55:20 -0800, "Mike" wrote:

"Vic Smith" wrote in message
news:es2hq4h31778524t9uqd19nd6e1t5i8lbk@4ax. com...
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

Vic,

Unfortunately, some can't offer advice without taking an unwarranted
shot at
another, and not answer the question. You have a legitimate question
that
deserves a
legitimate answer.

You are correct. Go to the ramp, and watch how the experienced guys
(and
gals) are doing it. You'll learn alot. If you offer a hand (which is
always
appreciated), ask questions.

The best advice I can give is to make sure you
back down far enough to wet all of the bunks, then pull back out to
the
proper depth. It's a LOT easier to move a boat on wet bunks rather
than dry.
I actually power my boat all the way up to the stop. You can do this
w/out
revving the engine at the last second. You just need to get a feel for
the
headway speed you need to do it. Many ramps frown of folks revving
their
boats up to the trailer stops. It can make a mess of the bottom of the
ramp,
and kick up all sorts of stuff. So, wet the bunks, and coast up as far
as
you can.

Leave the boat in forward, connect the winch strap, and winch her the
rest
of the way up.
Keeping the boat in forward, even at idle, will help immensely. Jump
back to
the helm,
put her in neutral, and cut the engine(s).

I hope this helps.

--Mike

I have to disagree with having the engine running at all when
retrieving or launching the boat. Our local county ramp has had signs
up for a few years now showing the damage caused by the scouring
action of the propellor when the engine is in gear and pushing water..
Finally, the county has started imposing fines when folks are caught
doing it. I agree wholeheartedly with the idea.

The practice washes the sand/dirt away from the concrete end of the
ramp and even from under the ramp. Without support the ramp begins to
break off, or at the least provide a dropoff to catch trailer tires.

Wetting the bunks helps. But, that can be done with a coffee can in
about four seconds.

That's weird. However, our ramps tend to be rather flat.

Everybody around here bought a drive-on trailer and uses it as
such....

Winching is good exercise. That's why God made 'em. They should be
used.

I agree. Nothing 'weird' about using the winch.
--
Calling an Illegal Alien an "Undocumented Worker" is like calling a
Crack Dealer an "Unlicensed Pharmacist"

John H

Takes too long and if the strap breaks, what then. *But we build the ramps
longer here because of big tide changes or large lake level changes.
2-300 ft level change in some lakes.

What? *You sippin Kalifornia wine again?
How could a lake... or even the ocean ..raise& lower 200-300 feet?
We have the highest tides in the world here at about 53 feet.http://www.bayoffundy.com/highesttides.aspx- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Holy cow! The first time I check here and I see this. It must be the
dumbest post I've ever seen. Absolute stupidity.
glyci

On Sat, 28 Feb 2009 09:28:47 -0500, Wayne.B
wrote:


1. Prepare to get wet and do some wading.

2. Leave your cell phone in the truck or boat. They don't like
wading (don't ask how I know).

3. Make sure the drain plug is in, a *very* common mistake.

4. Back in far enough that the boat floats on and off easily.

5. Get lots of practice in advance with backing up the trailer, both
straight line and turning both ways. It needs to become an instinct.

6. Have your dock lines ready in advance so you can tie up quickly
and go park the truck/trailer after launching.

7. Make sure your boat batteries are charged.

8. Have everything in the boat that you are going to need that day.

9. Make sure you know how you are going to get on and off the boat in
all circumstances.

10. Remember tip #3.

11. Check your brake lights and turn signals on both the trailer and
truck before hitting the road. Know how to fix them when they don't
work.

12. Remember tip #3.

Good list.
I'll probably renumber things a bit, the big changes being
1. Make sure the drain plug is in, a *very* common mistake.
2. Make sure the drain plug is in, a *very* common mistake.
3. Make sure the drain plug is in, a *very* common mistake.
12. Remember tips 1,2,3.

Might miss it otherwise.

--Vic

On Sun, 01 Mar 2009 10:12:13 -0500, Keith Nuttle
wrote:

CalifBill wrote:
wrote in message
...
On Sat, 28 Feb 2009 20:40:55 -0600, thunder
wrote:

On Sat, 28 Feb 2009 16:32:25 -0500, gfretwell wrote:


Your tide is a daily thing. The drop in western lakes is probably going
to just be forever. When they built the dams the rivers were flowing
wild and the valleys filled to 300-400 feet behind the dam. Now the west
is using water a lot faster than the river can put it back so the lakes
are drying up.
Add to that, a drought. Just this past week, Schwarzenegger declared a
drought emergency.
As the old margarine commercial used to say,
"it's not nice to fool mother nature".
You guys tricked the desert into thinking it was prime river bottom
land and now nature is striking back.

We have enough water. But agriculture is big political lobby powers and get
subsidized water that grows subsidized crops. About $9.50 an acre foot for
water. Homes pay about $250 and acre foot. And the farmers are reselling
the $9.50 water for $200 to Los Angeles water. And Ag uses 80% of the water
in the state, to supply about 2.4% of GDP and employment.


In the US, I believe farms produce 100% of all of the food we eat. What
is your is you over feed lawn producing except run off that is polluting
th environment?

Don't think it's 100% any more.
Agree about the lawns.
Here around the Great Lakes water is cheap, but I never water the lawn
anyway. Just the flowers.

--Vic

On Sun, 01 Mar 2009 10:37:14 -0600, Vic Smith
wrote:

Good list.
I'll probably renumber things a bit, the big changes being
1. Make sure the drain plug is in, a *very* common mistake.
2. Make sure the drain plug is in, a *very* common mistake.
3. Make sure the drain plug is in, a *very* common mistake.
12. Remember tips 1,2,3.

The Turbocraft has no drain plug, and we never missed it, in fifty
years. One time we forgot to put the drain plugs back in the engine
block. With the propulsion pump behind it the water came out fast.

Casady

On Sat, 28 Feb 2009 09:28:47 -0500, Wayne.B
wrote:

3. Make sure the drain plug is in, a *very* common mistake.

What reason is there for a drain plug to be larger than 1/4 inch?
It only has to drain 40 inches a year.

Casady

On Fri, 27 Feb 2009 22:55:20 -0800, "Mike" wrote:



Leave the boat in forward, connect the winch strap, and winch her the rest
of the way up.
Keeping the boat in forward, even at idle, will help immensely. Jump back to
the helm,
put her in neutral, and cut the engine(s).

I hope this helps.

Everything helps!
I note some discussion about methods.
Have to figure that out myself.
I'm never shy about getting educated, so I expect to spend some time
watching others and practicing before I get my feet wet.
Luckily, I'm pretty good at backing trailers.

--Vic