"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?

Willow Beach Landing, Colorado River, 14 miles below Hoover Dam. The ramp
is steep. An elderly couple (well, only about fiftyish, but I was about 18
at the time, so they looked ancient) were launching a runabout. They untied
it all. He held the bowline, and she backed the trailer. "Whoa", sez he.
She stomps the brake, and the boat slides pretty as you please right off the
rollers and on to the asphalt ramp, stern about ten feet from the water. He
still has hold of the bow line, luckily.

Another true story in the Las Vegas Review Journal at Boulder Beach: A boat
pulls into the gas dock, lady driving. The attendants tie it up. She says
the boat is acting strangely, and could they check it out. Seems the
trailer is still firmly attatched to the boat. True story.

Steve