New Boat Launch Ramp

tpenfield

tpenfield

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Our local boat launch ramp is getting replaced. It seems like they are re-grading it to make it steeper by the looks of it. The stones are placed over the existing ramp. I'm not sure on the construction method so far; it appears that more than stones will be needed to re-grade . . . perhaps some side abutments, etc., but who know for sure. The town never published any plans or drawings, and we all got about 2 weeks notice of the closure.
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One nice thing I noticed is the new piling along the far side of the ramp. The current ramp has/had a very shallow grade and not reference points for backing down straight, making it one of the more challenging ramps in the area.

Here is my dinghy at the floating dock. The harbor master wanted the dinghies moved out of the way. It might have been better to start the work in October.
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My boat (and dinghy) are coming out next week, but I'll have to go up to the next harbor for a ramp.
 
R

racerone

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Have no fear.----The people who sit at the desks know exactly how this is to be done.----You will be pleased with the results.
 
garbageguy

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An interesting project - especially if it's the ramp you use. An un-noticed and no public comment/review period for this - and no drawings available...
that doesn't seem right. Working in a navigable waterway - usually ACOE gets involved.
Good photos, and I agree the materials and methods seen here raise questions. Areas (like boat ramps) that need a strong subgrade and drainage/freezing considered, so graded materials design, compaction in layers, and possibly a well-designed geotextile layer, are additional considerations here.

Yes, the desk-sitters must also have significant "seat-time" as well.
 
silverbul

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Bondo is a horrible thing, until you sand it down. Maybe wait for the finished product. JMO
 
FLATHEAD

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Garbage guy makes a good point about local officials and planning. A trip to the local township building will probably answer some questions. Many townships have meeting minutes available online, might want to try that as well.
 
Bob_VT

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Okay...... I can almost see what "should happen" - I participated in building a launching ramp at Ft Belvoir VA Gravel base will act as a bearing surface to slide larger pre-fabbed pieces and help get things installed.

However....

Just sit back and watch! Ted, that's your new retirement gig..... just watch and the occasional chin scratch for visual effect!
 
alldodge

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img_5166-jpg.389669

I like the looks of how it's starting. Going high so they can get more angle to drop in. Just hope they can keep it from filling back in over time
 
tpenfield

tpenfield

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I happened to think that Bondo is a wonderful person . . .

Regarding the ramp . . . progress made.
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It looks like they leveled out some of the stone pile and have started to place the new concrete pads for the ramp. I talked with some of the construction folks and they said it would be steeper and go deeper. 3' depth at mean-low-tide.

Right now the tide swings are really high and really low, so they get some additional exposure at low tide. Being a somewhat retired person, it is my obligation to go watch them later today at low tide. :LOL:
 
silverbul

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tpenfield said:
I happened to think that Bondo is a wonderful person . . .

Regarding the ramp . . . progress made.
View attachment 389883
It looks like they leveled out some of the stone pile and have started to place the new concrete pads for the ramp. I talked with some of the construction folks and they said it would be steeper and go deeper. 3' depth at mean-low-tide.

Right now the tide swings are really high and really low, so they get some additional exposure at low tide. Being a somewhat retired person, it is my obligation to go watch them later today at low tide. :LOL:
Click to expand...
Yes, i was referring to the body filler, not the person. lol
 
aspeck

aspeck

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tpenfield said:
... Being a somewhat retired person, it is my obligation to go watch them later today at low tide. :LOL:
Click to expand...
EVERY public job needs a group of sidewalk superintendents! We anoint you as the foreman of the group. As such you are expected to be there early and stay late, watching every nuance of the job and complaining about everything they do because the foreman of the sidewalk superintendents always knows best!
 
tpenfield

tpenfield

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Yes, there were many job super's today, as great progress was made on the ramp.
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It does not appear to be all that much steeper than before, but it is supposed to go a lot deeper. It is a good thing I lowered the bunks on my trailer, as I need all of the float-off I can get.

There is my 8-foot Pram dinghy with vintage 7.5 HP Mercury OB at the end of the dock. It will be coming out of the water tomorrow.
 
Lou C

Lou C

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Ours is getting replaced too, the concrete slabs etc has been sitting there for a while, no idea when they will start/finish, if it's on-going when I pull my boat in a few weeks I'll have to drive over to the town ramp which is much nicer, deep with docks right there. Here's the old one, it is pretty shallow and beat up. Having a new will will be NICE. The way it is, I have to put my rear tires right at the edge of the water to get the boat off the trailer. Notice the very long tongue I put on the trailer just to make it easier.
end of season '21.jpg68805747436__55A38C44-71C0-4B2B-A24D-BB15F0F2C15E.jpg
 
FLATHEAD

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Yeah, doesn’t look very steep at all. Most around here have much more pitch.
 
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