dont unhook trailer before backing down ramp

[scooper77515]

Re: dont unhook trailer before backing down ramp

I did a stupid this last weekend...Haven't used the boat in several months because our lake is dried up. Went to another lake 90 minutes away, and in the change of routine, I pulled the boat out of the water with the engine only half way up. Drug the skeg for a couple inches before it cleared the low spot, and I could get out and cuss myself out for not raising it all the way.

Luckily, that was the only thing I did wrong, and no damage done. It was already damaged from previous owner doing the same, so I cannot see any new damage.

Routines are important to stick to, so you get all of your steps completed before you make your move(s).

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: dont unhook trailer before backing down ramp

I did a stupid this last weekend...Haven't used the boat in several months because our lake is dried up. Went to another lake 90 minutes away, and in the change of routine, I pulled the boat out of the water with the engine only half way up. Drug the skeg for a couple inches before it cleared the low spot, and I could get out and cuss myself out for not raising it all the way.

Luckily, that was the only thing I did wrong, and no damage done. It was already damaged from previous owner doing the same, so I cannot see any new damage.

Routines are important to stick to, so you get all of your steps completed before you make your move(s).

Yep--if I don't follow the same routine I am apt to miss something important. Heck if I leave for work 5 mins early I forget my wallet, phone, lunch, you name it:redface:

 

[jim765]

Re: dont unhook trailer before backing down ramp

thats a well trained lady,mine let go of the rope lol

 

[pikefisherman]

Re: dont unhook trailer before backing down ramp

I watched a Sheriff back up get out, unhook, had a rope just the right length, back up pull forward and had the boat ready in 30 seconds!

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: dont unhook trailer before backing down ramp

this post has me laughing so hard I can barely breath. I'm with Oops, never unhook until the boat is floating no mater where your launching. Always be in control of the boat. This is the exact reason that I sit a the boat launch with a beverage or two to watch the "domestic at the dock" as the local officials call it.


moisture content changes the bunk coefficient of friction just like spray lubricants, so when the boat will slide off is unpredictable.

 

[Stachi]

Re: dont unhook trailer before backing down ramp

I had trouble launching my previous boat due to a very shallow ramp. I extended the tongue of my trailer by 18" and that solved the problem. I no longer needed to get the back of my truck submerged to launch or retrieve my boat.

Like I said in one of my other posts, we sprayed the bunks because to get the boat to float off the trailer at this particular ramp we had to have the rear bumper of our Suburban 3/4 ton completely submerged. There is absolutely NO way I was doing that every time I launched. Anyone that does is a complete fool. We had launched the only way we could up til that point, and that was to completely unhook the trailer and jerk the truck several times to get it to break loose. It was the only way to do it without getting water in my rear hatch every time I launched.

 

[dsiekman]

Re: dont unhook trailer before backing down ramp

It takes me like 5 seconds to unhook the winch strap and safety cable after the boat is in the water, and I never unhook either before the boat is in the water.

Just be careful doing this. A few years ago I snapped two teeth, cracked six, and split both lips open. The bow hung up on the roller, I jumped up on the trailer to push -fiberglass makes ugly noises when under stress - and the boat slid down the bunks. I had forgotten, unfortunately, to unhook the winch cable. The handle spun back and hit me right in the mouth. Not a good day. My wife bought me an electric winch the following Christmas.