"bb" wrote in message
...
What are other folks experiences in launching their boats? Do you
stop just as the boat reaches the water and then disconnect the safety
chain? I can't say I've notice anyone else doing this, but maybe I'm
missing someing.


I have seen this happen before, which is why I have always waited until I
had the trailer in the water before disconnecting the bow hook.
Specifically, I will back the trailer into the water until the tongue is
right at the water's edge, where I can reach it without getting my feet wet.
On some ramps this is far enough to get the boat off with a gentle push. On
other ramps I will back up another foot or two and tap the brake to slide
the boat off.

I would say that you were lucky that the boat only partially came off the
trailer. I have seen it in the past where the boat came all the way off,
and then had to be dragged down the ramp to the water. That is REALLY hard
on the bottom. Plus it ****es everyone off who is waiting to use the ramp.

Why did it happen this time and never before?

Well, perhaps being winter the bunks never dried out from the last time
you used the boat. Dry bunks will hold the boat okay, but the boat will
slide much easier on wet bunks. If it has been cold and damp since the last
time you launched the carpet pads could have still been wet.

Rod