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

On Mon, 2 Mar 2009 20:04:24 -0700, "SteveB"
wrote:

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

My old trailer was set up with vertical guides. That's what I see
most often.

Waiting for the motor to run out of gas at the ramp is an unnecessary
delay. You can do that at home with the flushing muffs on.

"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 2 Mar 2009 20:04:24 -0700, "SteveB"
wrote:

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

My old trailer was set up with vertical guides. That's what I see
most often.

Waiting for the motor to run out of gas at the ramp is an unnecessary
delay. You can do that at home with the flushing muffs on.

That is a matter of how crowded it is. Sometimes, if it is crowded, I'll
let it run out of gas at idle, then push it out and bring it to the trailer.
But, I deal with smaller boats, and I know this may not be practical with
QE2 types.

Steve

SteveB wrote:
"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 2 Mar 2009 20:04:24 -0700, "SteveB"
wrote:

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

My old trailer was set up with vertical guides. That's what I see
most often.

Waiting for the motor to run out of gas at the ramp is an unnecessary
delay. You can do that at home with the flushing muffs on.

That is a matter of how crowded it is. Sometimes, if it is crowded, I'll
let it run out of gas at idle, then push it out and bring it to the trailer.
But, I deal with smaller boats, and I know this may not be practical with
QE2 types.

Steve




I'm still wondering why you feel it necessary to run the motor out of
gasoline. The last time I did that, it was in the 1950's, with a 3 hp
Evinrude I used to take off the boat after use. I had two cycle Mercs in
the 1990's, and I never ran them until they died from lack of gasoline.

"HK" wrote in message
m...
SteveB wrote:
"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 2 Mar 2009 20:04:24 -0700, "SteveB"
wrote:

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

My old trailer was set up with vertical guides. That's what I see
most often.

Waiting for the motor to run out of gas at the ramp is an unnecessary
delay. You can do that at home with the flushing muffs on.

That is a matter of how crowded it is. Sometimes, if it is crowded, I'll
let it run out of gas at idle, then push it out and bring it to the
trailer. But, I deal with smaller boats, and I know this may not be
practical with QE2 types.

Steve


I'm still wondering why you feel it necessary to run the motor out of
gasoline. The last time I did that, it was in the 1950's, with a 3 hp
Evinrude I used to take off the boat after use. I had two cycle Mercs in
the 1990's, and I never ran them until they died from lack of gasoline.

My old 1955 British Seagull recommended running dry before storage, but my
2003 Johnson 25 says not to.
Can't remember about the 1986 Evinrude 6 hp...but I think I did run it dry.
(I always do what's recommended in the manual)

"Don White" wrote in message
...

"HK" wrote in message
m...
SteveB wrote:
"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 2 Mar 2009 20:04:24 -0700, "SteveB"
wrote:

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

My old trailer was set up with vertical guides. That's what I see
most often.

Waiting for the motor to run out of gas at the ramp is an unnecessary
delay. You can do that at home with the flushing muffs on.

That is a matter of how crowded it is. Sometimes, if it is crowded,
I'll let it run out of gas at idle, then push it out and bring it to the
trailer. But, I deal with smaller boats, and I know this may not be
practical with QE2 types.

Steve


I'm still wondering why you feel it necessary to run the motor out of
gasoline. The last time I did that, it was in the 1950's, with a 3 hp
Evinrude I used to take off the boat after use. I had two cycle Mercs in
the 1990's, and I never ran them until they died from lack of gasoline.

My old 1955 British Seagull recommended running dry before storage, but my
2003 Johnson 25 says not to.
Can't remember about the 1986 Evinrude 6 hp...but I think I did run it
dry. (I always do what's recommended in the manual)

I do not have the manual for this yet, but will do as directed. I did that
on my other boats, and nothing happened. Some things we do just because dad
did it.

Steve

SteveB wrote:
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




This is a photo of my 21' Parker on her trailer, with vertical guides:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...s/IMG_0440.jpg

I keep the guides snug but not tight in their brackets.

They do help line up the boat, but I always check side to side to make
sure the centerline of the boat is pretty closely centered on the trailer.

"SteveB" wrote in message
news
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


I have a 23' bowrider, and use vertical posts (covered w/ pvc pipe) on the
rear of the trailer. When I'm running it on, if I'm not perfectly centered,
they put the boat where it needs to be, until it rides up the bunks. I have
no need for the bunks you describe under the gunnels, since the keel of the
boat centers itself on the trailer once I'm 1/2 way on. If my momentum is
right, It rides right up to the stop.

--Mike

"SteveB" wrote in message
news
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


My trailer has side boards. Works well especially if loading in a cross
current. Boating rivers. I run my boat up to the bow roller, reach over
the front and hook up the safety chain. Get out of the boat, either to a
dock or over the bow to the trailer tongue and pull the boat up to the ramp.
Hit the brakes hard to cause the boat to slide forward, snug against the bow
roller and then attached the strap and snug it down. Adjust the chain so it
is tight, and pull over to an open area to pull the plug, and put on the
trailering cover. Remove any stuff I need in the truck, etc.

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
news

"SteveB" wrote in message
news
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


My trailer has side boards. Works well especially if loading in a cross
current. Boating rivers. I run my boat up to the bow roller, reach over
the front and hook up the safety chain. Get out of the boat, either to a
dock or over the bow to the trailer tongue and pull the boat up to the
ramp. Hit the brakes hard to cause the boat to slide forward, snug against
the bow roller and then attached the strap and snug it down. Adjust the
chain so it is tight, and pull over to an open area to pull the plug, and
put on the trailering cover. Remove any stuff I need in the truck, etc.

Lots of people prefer to do that on the ramp. Unstrap. Put the poles in.
Put the plugs in. Prime the pump bulb. Put in ice chests. Slap the kids.
etc, etc, etc. Unload and tie down the same way. Usually about twenty
minutes for the faster ones.

Steve