Disaster at the Ramp (felt that way anyway)

[raptor5618]

Re: Disaster at the Ramp (felt that way anyway)

I would suggest that you do some speculating yourself. After you watch all the disasters at the boat launch you will not feel so bad about your last trip to the launch. I think everyone who ever owned a boat that they launched themselves had some of the same problems you had. I forgot to put the plug in but did not notice until the tail was way down in the water. had to move quick to have the momentum suck some of it out but went right to the dock and frantically worked to get the plug in. Talk about afraid to drop it at that moment. My plug went in from outside.

I saw people forget to to unhook their bow line from he trailer and pull it back up the launch. Motors out of the water is not all that uncommon either. As far as the way it is running make sure you have good gas in the tank and some additive too. Sounds like you just got the boat so if I am right that gas could be pretty old and possibly untreated. Also check to see what grade it needs. A lot of boats need premium grade. If it doesn't stick with regular or you are just wasting money.

I find that if I take time getting the boat ready there are fewer things to think about when launching the boat. Oh and when putting it on the trailer I usually keep enough of the bunks out of the water so that I cannot make it to the front of the trailer without applying some power from the motor. when I get close like a few inches I use the winch to pull it snug. If you drifted bast the front of the trailer you may have had your trailer into the water too deep.

Oh check your prop to see if you bent it at all. That will cause a lot of problem if you try to run with a damage prop. Thanks for the story because it reminds me of all my screwups. I think a check list would be a good idea but I know I never would remember where I put the checklist. But after a few launches with a new boat I usually have the best method for that boat figures out. I do agree that it is usually easier not letting people who do not know how you launch or retrieve your boat to go get the cooler or grill.

 

[babbot]

Re: Disaster at the Ramp (felt that way anyway)

I can't agree more to the other guys especially with not letting anyone help or interupt you. I know if i get distracted I tend to forget or think I already did that... I usually tell people that come with me to get sun screen on I will handle the boat.
Course now that I write this I am going to screw up next time...

Also, if someone asks a question like are you going out or coming in it usually means they are impatient. In those cases let them go first. It also gives you more time to go over what needs to be done pre launch.

Boating is supposed to be relaxing so do everything to keep it that way and try not to get nervous or frustrated.

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

Re: Disaster at the Ramp (felt that way anyway)

I have a habit of sometimes keeping my drain plug in the door of my truck. I'm now seriously rethinking that. My motor takes a bit to crank anyway, but I uses to trim it up quite a bit to fire it on the boat ramp. In my mind I was in shallow water, so it was necessary. An old man watched me doing this one day, and pointed out to me that they fire up much better trimmed down. Fired up very next try weigh only a bump of the starter. I used to get embarrassed trying to crank it for 15 minutes.

 

[nokiddin]

Re: Disaster at the Ramp (felt that way anyway)

I have a habit of sometimes keeping my drain plug in the door of my truck. I'm now seriously rethinking that.

I would have been pretty hooped there!

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Disaster at the Ramp (felt that way anyway)

You don't need a checklist. Watch Samuel Jackson in the picture "The long Kiss Goodnight" with Geena Davis. He sings his things he needs to remember: Put the gun in my pocket da dum da dum--- strap the knife to my leg. Da dum da dum. ETC. I tried it and it works too!

 

[ricohman]

Re: Disaster at the Ramp (felt that way anyway)

We nearly saw some idots come to blows today at the local zoo, I mean ramp.
I will never understand how important those few minutes spent waiting are to some people. When you think how long you wait at airports this seems trivial in comparison.
And more boats are damaged at the ramp than anywhere ese. There is a reason why all those benches are always full of spectators.

 

[laserbrn]

Re: Disaster at the Ramp (felt that way anyway)

Were you you attempting to retrieve in heavy winds? Why the heck would you be going so fast that you ride right up the bow stop? I don't know the specifics of your boat or boat/trailer setup, but if you rode straight up the bow stop I suspect you have the trailer too far in the water. Either that or you are going WAY too fast loading the boat up on the trailer. Get guide posts for your trailer if it's often windy and you have trouble lining up, they can help tremendously.

I'm sorry your boat too a little damage, but it happens. The longer you have this first boat and the more damage it takes, the less you'll do to the next one .

 

[oregoncruiser]

Re: Disaster at the Ramp (felt that way anyway)

The longer you have this first boat and the more damage it takes, the less you'll do to the next one .

Amen Brother!!!! Just sold my boat with "training wheels". Soooo glad I got my experience with that one, it's what is saving my newer boat.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Disaster at the Ramp (felt that way anyway)

You don't need a checklist. Watch Samuel Jackson in the picture "The long Kiss Goodnight" with Geena Davis. He sings his things he needs to remember: Put the gun in my pocket da dum da dum--- strap the knife to my leg. Da dum da dum. ETC. I tried it and it works too!

wait...you carry a gun and a knife at the ramp??? Yikes! They're not on my laminated checklist I wear around my neck at all times.

 

[DBreskin]

Re: Disaster at the Ramp (felt that way anyway)

I have a habit of sometimes keeping my drain plug in the door of my truck. I'm now seriously rethinking that.

After my first (and I hope only) time forgetting to put in the plug I developed a solution that should be foolproof (except there's always a bigger fool coming along).

I drilled a small hole through the square end of my garboard plug and tied a small loop of cord to it. I attached a clip to my winch handle. When the plug isn't in the boat, it's attached to the winch handle. I can't use the winch to release the boat from the trailer without seeing if the plug is there.

I might back the trailer/boat into the water with the plug out, but at least the boat will still be on the trailer.

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: Disaster at the Ramp (felt that way anyway)

I don't know the specifics of your boat or boat/trailer setup, but if you rode straight up the bow stop I suspect you have the trailer too far in the water.

A good point! I see people at the ramp with their trailers so deep in the water their boat doesn't even sit on the bunks, it floats above them... And they wonder why they can't get the boat centered.

The winch is there for a reason.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Disaster at the Ramp (felt that way anyway)

While it doesn't help much with remembering it, our bilge plug is secured to the bottom of the lower unit with a loop of thin cable. The plug can't be dropped/lost, and just hangs there when not installed.

 

[nokiddin]

Re: Disaster at the Ramp (felt that way anyway)

Took the boat out again this weekend. I had found a split fuel line, so I fixed that and it seems to run much better now. Launch and retrieve also went much smoother, thankful for that!

 

[hostage]

Re: Disaster at the Ramp (felt that way anyway)

"Haste Makes Waste": The only time I left my plug in, is that my father and I were 2 hours late going fishing and we had one problem after the other. Finally we are out and my boat and I see water coming in.

I would wait and only say something if someone was oblivious and lollygagging. Though sometimes it is hard to hide the look of annoyance, best thing to do is put your back in their place when you were starting out, etc.

Regards,

Hostage

 

[laserbrn]

Re: Disaster at the Ramp (felt that way anyway)

I do get annoyed when I see guys/gals on a BUSY day doing all of their prep ON the launch ramp. That does get my under skin quite a bit, but if someone is simply taking their time to ensure that everything is done properly it doesn't bother me. But have your coolers loaded, and all your junk in the boat before you launch the damn thing. I HATE seeing a guy pull into the lake and drive straight to the ramp without prepping at all.

Unless you did it down the street, it just annoys me. I gotta wait for you to get your straps off, take off the safety chain, put the plug in, load your gear and coolers...blah blah blah. Seriously? Just do that in the area away from the ramp, back the boat in and be done with it. Sometimes I'll do one lap around the boat to ensure that I didn't miss anything before final dunk, but that's about it.

 

[Downforce6]

Re: Disaster at the Ramp (felt that way anyway)

Oh check your prop to see if you bent it at all. That will cause a lot of problem if you try to run with a damage prop. .

Bent? Mine isnt bent but has some knicks in the blades, I understand this is going to affect performance, but would this cause damage as well? I'm a newbie too.

I forgot to close my seacocks last time out. The guy I bought the boat from said always keep them open when trailered/stored, I've been told since this isnt really necessary, so now i'm not sure. I thought the boat was handling sluggishly, but it was only my second time out in it (third if u count test drive). Got to the cove and anchored down, opened up the ski compartment and it was half full of water. Opened up the engine compartment and saw the water leaking out of opened seacock, I just shut them and started the bilge, pumped it dry rather quickly. I had been watching the gauges and I had noted the motor at 140F, had never gotten over 125F before, but it was a hot day and like I said, 2nd time out. After hanging out at the cove for a bit, drove all the way to the dam and back to the dock, at least an hour if not hour and half ride, boat ran great. Dont think it ever got hot enough to do any damage but havent had it out since and have been a little worried about it.

Think from now on, Im doing the plug and seacocks at home, before I even set out to the lake.

I have only been on Mrk Twain lake here in MO so far, headed to the bigger Lake Ozark next week. Have a slip rented at the cabin, never drove a boat into a slip in my life, and this is a much busier lake, but I'll be there thru the week, not the weekend, still, I'm a little nervous about it. Just going to take it slow and easy and see how she goes. My boat is perfect for Mark Twain but is of minimal size for Lake Ozark.

Makes me feel a little better to know I'm not the only newbie out there!

 

[muskyfins]

Re: Disaster at the Ramp (felt that way anyway)

So why leave the plug out at all? (excepting rain water).

Not that I haven't made my share of dumb moves, but when I pull out with the boat, the first thing I do is remove the plug. I have the kind that screws in from the outside and has a little key ring on it. I slip the ring over my finger and proceed to attach transom straps, remove wife's crap from boat, cooler, plug in lights, etc. By then any water in the boat is drained and I can re-install the plug before going home. Even if i forget, the ring is still attached to me and I get out of the truck and go re-install it.

 

[SDSeville]

Re: Disaster at the Ramp (felt that way anyway)

Don't really use a list anymore, but do evrything in prep area including turning on the blower and getting ropes and bumpers for the dock while waiting for the wife to park the truck.

I do, however, have a note attched to my bow hook that says "PLUG" for launching and "TRIM UP" for retreiving. I have never forgotten the plug, but I have drug a few nice props a little ways up the ramp with the trim down.

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: Disaster at the Ramp (felt that way anyway)

So why leave the plug out at all? (excepting rain water).

In some areas, it is illegal to trailer a boat with the plug installed... The intent being to prevent people from never pulling the plug, pumping their bilge water into a different lake, and spreading invasive species.

But, mostly, it is just because of the rain water issue. I do the same as you, and reinstall the plug once water has drained (none has ever come out yet, anyway)... But I store my boat indoors.

 

[ma glastron]

Re: Disaster at the Ramp (felt that way anyway)

In stead of driving you boat on to the trailer you can put a line on it and center it then use the winch to pull your boat to the end. That's what I do.