Major launch blunders

[Joshua Nichols]

Has anyone seen someone sink their truck at the boat ramp? I was cruising youtube and there are a ton of videos of the after effect, but none on how it happened... Are they going in too deep?
I am just curious.. Been sticking a boat in the water since I could drive a car legally.. Have never has a serious problem, but there must be a issue that causes it.. Or can it be marked up to stupidity?

Bust out with the opinions and experiences.....

 

[jopes]

Re: Major launch blunders

those videos sure are entertaining though!

 

[1980Galaxy]

Re: Major launch blunders

you bet it can be marked up with stupidity. grab a seat and a beer at the local boat launch and you will be amazed at what you will see. half of the fun of boating is watching the people at the launch forget to put drain plugs in, try to back a trailer up, miss the trailer with the boat, etc

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Major launch blunders

I think it has more to do with either stupidity or just not paying attention more often then anything else, launching your boat can be somewhat stressful so I can see forgetting to put the tow vehicle in Park and setting the parking brake. I have also seen the same truck (Older chevy stepside 2wd) launch the same 26' cuddy cabin and burn his tires off the entire way up the ramp at least a half dozen times last year alone, I mean what would it hurt to throw 500lbs of sand in the bed of the truck for goodness sakes! I have never had a serious issue either but I would say that most are just nerves, your on stage when its your turn to launch, I know I was nervous the first few times with my first boat, after a couple launches it was pretty easy!

I completely agree with 1980galaxy, if me and the wife are just looking to have a nice relaxing day on the water we spend at least 1 or 2 hours watching the ramp from the water, you just can't pay for that kind of comedy!! 3 fights too that I remember, not wife husband fights were talking fist fights, 1 incredible cat fight too!!

 

[not enuf toys]

Re: Major launch blunders

my buddy on more than one occasion has gotten his FJ stuck when trying to pull his jet skiis out of the ocean. he hasnt learned yet to stop launching on the beach...

 

[infideltarget]

Re: Major launch blunders

Too light a vehicle / too steep a ramp / too big a boat / 2 wheel drive

Ever notice how a good many of those videos are of owners that own a certain name brand of boat (_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ )... just sayin.

 

[Gun Dog]

Re: Major launch blunders

I've been so excited to get the boat in I forgot to put the truck in park. Caught it just in time! You only do that once.

 

[infideltarget]

Re: Major launch blunders

my buddy on more than one occasion has gotten his FJ stuck when trying to pull his jet skiis out of the ocean. he hasnt learned yet to stop launching on the beach...

...or to quit driving a Toy and buy a Jeep.

 

[mikel1291979]

Re: Major launch blunders

...or to quit driving a Toy and buy a Jeep.

I have a 75 jeep wagoneer with the 360, turbo 400 and full-time 4wd. It would out pull my Ford F250 super duty.

 

[infideltarget]

Re: Major launch blunders

I have a 75 jeep wagoneer with the 360, turbo 400 and full-time 4wd. It would out pull my Ford F250 super duty.

My point.

 

[not enuf toys]

Re: Major launch blunders

...or to quit driving a Toy and buy a Jeep.

i have told him that several times!!

i currently have an 89 yj with a nice little lift, and on my fourth grand cherokee (love jeeps 4.7l)...he could have gotten a nice rubbicon for his money!

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Major launch blunders

I watched a guy float his Chevy Beretta once trying to pull out a jetski. We came up as another guy who's small pick up was dragged down so the floorboards were under water. That was a pretty steep ramp, guessing that had something to do with it. We almost lost the ole 3/4 ton Dodge Van when a brake line blew up while backing down a ramp, so I can vouch for the fact that unexpected things happen.

 

[infideltarget]

Re: Major launch blunders

i have told him that several times!!

i currently have an 89 yj with a nice little lift, and on my fourth grand cherokee (love jeeps 4.7l)...he could have gotten a nice rubbicon for his money!

1 '93 Grand with the 5.2
1 '88 Cherokee 4.0 HO
1 '88 Wrangler YJ 4.2 (won it...brand new in '88, along with the Four Winns 160 Freedom)
1 '81 CJ5 Renegade 2.5
1 '95 Wrangler YJ 4.0 HO and a LOT of mods... Miss this one.

 

[infideltarget]

Re: Major launch blunders

Used to pull the Sea Doos with a '79 Mazda RX-7. Never had a problem.

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: Major launch blunders

I forgot to trim up the outdrive once. Did a little rubbing on the ramp. I powerloaded.. I don't do that anymore.. I can get it on so easy there is no need... I put the plug in before we leave the house... Lock in the four wheel at the ramp..

 

[EMC 1810SS]

Re: Major launch blunders

I have pulled over enthusiastic boaters trucks and trailers out of the drink a time or two. The most comical/worst thing I have seen; A guy with a pretty new bass boat with a big old 250 on a jack plate sitting on the back was backing down the ramp and for some reason, he tapped the brakes and it slid right off the trailer. It didnt come all the way off, just sat tetering in the bow and the broken lower unit. The guy panicked, backed another 4 or 5 feet then stopped again and the whole boat hit the concrete. Of course this was a busy weekend and it took over 10 of us hand lift it onto the trailer, and 45 min or so to get him off the ramp, and even worse, the lower unit leaked gear lube half way down the ramp so only the 4 wds and the smallest boats could get up the ramp. Park Ranger ended up posted with his dodge and a tow strap yanking people up the ramp the rest of the day. It was still slick in the evening when I went to pull my boat out.

Lesson: You can loosen the bow strap, but NEVER EVER EVER EVER unhook it untill the boat is actually floating on its own.

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: Major launch blunders

What was I thinking.. Look you don't need a trailer

 

[infideltarget]

Re: Major launch blunders

What was I thinking.. Look you don't need a trailer

http://youtu.be/-Wt8rNe8O-M

I cant see Youtube right now. Is that the one with the guy that rides the PWC into the van?

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: Major launch blunders

I cant see Youtube right now. Is that the one with the guy that rides the PWC into the van?

No its weirder than that.... IDK what they was trying to do.. They forgot to remove the winch cable I think.. It made me giggle

 

[EMC 1810SS]

Re: Major launch blunders