Major launch blunders

[scooper77515]

Re: Major launch blunders

Guess it is common.. Seem like it happens often.. Even got word it happened at my local boat ramp.. Big 1 ton Ford.. Guess the rich are stupid too..

That was likely the one I saw last August. Never did figure out what happened. But brand new F250 went in nose first. All the way.

My wife is white. Like red hair, WHITE skin, freckles, etc. We were done boating that day, and headed in. The boat ramp could easily launch 6 boats side by side, maybe 8, they had the entire ramp closed off and full of fire trucks, cop cars, the tow truck, etc. We had to go back out and sit in the water for 2 more hours in the sun. Burned the wife bad, and that was the LAST trip out before we put on the bimini top.

Even after they got the truck out, took the pictures, wrote up the reports, etc, there was still a LONG line of trailers ahead of us.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Major launch blunders

while I don't like to dump on those who protect and serve, I honestly believe there are some LEO's who purposely take their time and inconvenience others just because they can. It's just a childish power thing. You can feel the attitude when they do it. Like blocking the whole ramp while they evaluate "the scene of the crime."
Some of it may come from their resenting the fact that they are working and no one else in a boat is.

OTOH I once had a cop return to my car and say, "I wrote your ticket as fast as I could because I know you are running late." How kind.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Major launch blunders

He's 15 years old. He doesn't think an education is all that important (it shows in every post.) I may have been his strongest advocate until he told sasto "I'm going to laugh at you Florida guys when hurricaine season comes." Kinda washed my hands.:facepalm:

What do you expect from a kid whose state keeps firing all its teachers?

 

[Mel Taylor]

Re: Major launch blunders

Should add a chain to hook to your bow eye so the whole world isn't depending on the winch and the strap.

Good point. Actually we had one but weren't in the habit of hooking it until we were out of the water and ready for the highway. Since that little episode the safety chain gets connected as soon as the boat is on the trailer. Classic case of live and learn - the hard way.

 

[scooper77515]

Re: Major launch blunders

I hate to be "snooty" but launching a boat is pretty easy. Get a routine, and stick to it, and you will never sink your boat or your tow vehicle.

I find it amazing some of the odd things people do when launching a boat, that can easily lead to catastrophe.

Even after a 6-pack, if you have the routine ingrained in your mind, you won't mess up.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Major launch blunders

Even after a 6-pack, if you have the routine ingrained in your mind, you won't mess up.

Or at least you won't notice it if you mess up.

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: Major launch blunders

I hate to be "snooty" but launching a boat is pretty easy. Get a routine, and stick to it, and you will never sink your boat or your tow vehicle.

I find it amazing some of the odd things people do when launching a boat, that can easily lead to catastrophe.

Even after a 6-pack, if you have the routine ingrained in your mind, you won't mess up.

AMEN.. I got my way I go about getting her launched and loaded.. If there is a big crowd watching.. So what... Most are just line chunkers wishing they had a boat..

6 pack?? Cake.... It's that 12 pack that gets interesting..

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Major launch blunders

I agree get a routine and stick with it, keeping the wife focused will help you keep your routine, only times I have had issues was when my wife messed up my routine and I promptly straightened out my routine and thanked my wife for correcting me.....................

 

[arks]

Re: Major launch blunders

....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!!

I totally agree!
This is the view from my boatslip. One of my favorite pastimes is watching the never-ending antics....

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Major launch blunders

I totally agree!
This is the view from my boatslip. One of my favorite pastimes is watching the never-ending antics....

If I had that slip I would have a hard time leaving it on busy ramp days with some of the morons here, I think the saying is "you can't fix stupid"!

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: Major launch blunders

You think these guys would have it figured out by now...

 

[199675hpforce]

Re: Major launch blunders

Yeah I dislike fullsize trucks, give me sports car truck that's easy to park. Tundra is still fullsize but I could deal with it, titan yeah would be fine. Frontier and tacoma kick arse far far far far better than Ford rangers or chev s10s. I also love jeeps my wrangler used to pull boat duty launching in winter in mud priceless braking with boat on back little scary. My sisters Jeep Liberty diesel rip ford junk in half

 

[infideltarget]

Re: Major launch blunders

Yeah I dislike fullsize trucks, give me sports car truck that's easy to park. Tundra is still fullsize but I could deal with it, titan yeah would be fine. Frontier and tacoma kick arse far far far far better than Ford rangers or chev s10s. I also love jeeps my wrangler used to pull boat duty launching in winter in mud priceless braking with boat on back little scary. My sisters Jeep Liberty diesel rip ford junk in half

Oh really? First, if you can't park a full size truck, you need to go back to driving school. Pulling anything much bigger than a jon boat with a Jeep Wrangler or CJ is taking your life in your hands. I have owned both, and have much experience in this. Lastly, as far as your sister's Liberty goes, I would love to hook up my Expedition to it, and see who pulls whom where. I somehow seem to very strongly doubt her playtoy would "rip (my) ford junk in half". When the tug o' war is done, and you are sweeping up her shattered trans and diffs into a dust pan, your opinion would alter.

 

[scooper77515]

Re: Major launch blunders

That Bill Dance video was GREAT!

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Major launch blunders

Seen it,,, done it...

I watched a guy almost power load his 20'er into the bed of his truck. He was trying to scoot it forward on the trailer, gave it too much power and when it broke loose it shot up WAY over the bow mount.

I was launching solo at midnight and had looped the bow line onto the winch handle. Well,,,, the line slipped off the winch handle and when I bumper my jon boat off the trailer it went floating away. Oh yeah, it was the middle of winter with no one around... Luckily, there was a dock down river from the launch ramp, but the boat was floating towards the gang plank going to the dock, instead of floating towards the dock. Quickly I scrounged some rope from the truck, something heavy I could tie to the rope and fling in the boat, then scaled around the dock's locked gate. My first toss missed (oh here we go) but I got it on the second try. Easy ---- easy ---- pulling the boat over so the weight didn't slip out of the boat, I was able to pull it over. Once I got in the boat I thought to myself, sure glad no one was around to see that fiasco :facepalm:

From then on, the boat does not get unhooked from the trailer until I'm driving or pulling it off the trailer.

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: Major launch blunders

Seen it,,, done it...

I watched a guy almost power load his 20'er into the bed of his truck. He was trying to scoot it forward on the trailer, gave it too much power and when it broke loose it shot up WAY over the bow mount.

I was launching solo at midnight and had looped the bow line onto the winch handle. Well,,,, the line slipped off the winch handle and when I bumper my jon boat off the trailer it went floating away. Oh yeah, it was the middle of winter with no one around... Luckily, there was a dock down river from the launch ramp, but the boat was floating towards the gang plank going to the dock, instead of floating towards the dock. Quickly I scrounged some rope from the truck, something heavy I could tie to the rope and fling in the boat, then scaled around the dock's locked gate. My first toss missed (oh here we go) but I got it on the second try. Easy ---- easy ---- pulling the boat over so the weight didn't slip out of the boat, I was able to pull it over. Once I got in the boat I thought to myself, sure glad no one was around to see that fiasco :facepalm:

From then on, the boat does not get unhooked from the trailer until I'm driving or pulling it off the trailer.

WOW you was lucky.... Bet your heart was pounding...

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Major launch blunders

Fisherdan--did you know that if you are going duck hunting alone in the winter, and your boat comes loose, you can use a shove pole to pole vault to your boat? Maybe that's one you want your friends to see--only if it works. You only get one try.

I will not respond if anyone asks how I know. I just do, is all I'm saying.

 

[wasilvers]

Re: Major launch blunders

Not quite getting the Toyo vs Jeep thing? I drive a 96 Landcruiser and love the beast. Any car that is solid metal, living in WI its life and hasn't had the doors rust off (Jeeps) is awesome. It takes 8 quarts of oil just to register on the dipstick. Full time 4WD with low range, 35 inch tires, 4" lift, 38 gallon fuel tank, full float rear axle, solid front and rear axles, 6000+ pounds of weight to make sure the tires never squeal a bit, and add to that towing capacity? What's not to like?

On the other hand, on low ramps before the cruiser, I had to get my wives van in the water to the rear bumper was under just to launch. I was always afraid that thing was going in one day.

 

[DJ]

Re: Major launch blunders

Who needs video's. A couple hopurs at my local ramp-Saguaro Lake, AZ is plenty of entertainment.

The drunks fistfighting gets a bit unerving though.

 

[Billiy]

Re: Major launch blunders

Back in summer of 2003 i got a call from AAA dispatch on the 2 way asking if was in the class A. This is the wrecker used to tow 18 wheelers . i was then sent to a boat launch when i got there i seen just the roof and head lights of a 1 ton duelie Chev 2wd. and another wrecker. The normal every day f350 set up. the other driver told me he couldn't even get the truck move and there was still a boat on the truck. so i got hooked up and started to pull in out. I seen as it was coming out the water the drive shaft was sliding on the ground u joint broke. as i got the truck and boat up the ramp found it was a 28 foot cabin cruiser the guy had just bought that week was his first launch. he had got set on the ramp put the truck in park and got out to take off the straps then the ujoint popped:facepalm: and the whole works went splash. thankfully no one was killed or even hurt. I would guess that guy will never drive anything with a clunking ujoint again.