Power loading on to trailers - Pay the price!

[Captain Caveman]

Re: Power loading on to trailers - Pay the price!

power loading is illegal at most of the ramps I have seen thru out Wisconsin, Minnesota and the UP. it is illegal at a handful of ramps in Florida as well.

Even though I'm firmly anti-powerloading, I must correct the statement above for Minnesota at least. From the MN DNR website:

The DNR recognizes that some boaters are accustomed to power loading. However, it is preferable that boaters do not race their engines while on the boat ramp. Slightly more than idle speed should be all that is necessary to load and/or unload the boat. The best practice is for boaters to refrain from power loading and use the winch to load and unload their boat.

So it is not illegal (unless specified at specific ramps which I have rarely seen) but strongly discouraged. That's an important distinction when you're about to go scold someone for doing something that is perfectly legal yet not cool.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Power loading on to trailers - Pay the price!

Gotta love "country boy engineering".


Got a hold of the local DNR fella and splained the problem and that we were going to try and get my friends boat out and would probably have the ramp tied up for awhile. He said don't get in a hurry and he'd meet us in an hour at the lake.

We were sitting around waiting for him and he shows up riding shotgun in his brothers dump truck. They had a load of three inch rock, backed down the ramp to nearly the edge and filled it in. 15 minutes of us all working together and we had it pretty well smoothed out, backed the trailer in, loaded the boat and that was that.

Man, to be the governing body and have the right connections to solve a problem.

That is exactly what the local authorities SHOULD do in a situation like this. That is awesome.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Power loading on to trailers - Pay the price!

Bubba, I guess they don't know what the word idle means:


idle [ˈaɪdəl]
adj
1. unemployed or unoccupied; inactive
2. not operating or being used
3. (Economics, Accounting & Finance / Banking & Finance) (of money) not being used to earn interest or dividends
4. not wanting to work; lazy
5. (usually prenominal) frivolous or trivial idle pleasures
6. ineffective or powerless; fruitless; vain
7. without basis; unfounded
vb
1. (when tr, often foll by away) to waste or pass (time) fruitlessly or inactively he idled the hours away
2. (intr) to loiter or move aimlessly
3. (Engineering / Mechanical Engineering) (intr) (of a shaft, engine, etc.) to turn without doing useful work
4. (Engineering / Automotive Engineering) (intr) Also (Brit) tick over (of an engine) to run at low speed with the transmission disengaged
5. (tr) US and Canadian to cause to be inactive or unemployed


With those definitions, what is the point of even having the engine running. As long is the ignition is in the OFF position give it has much as gas as you want. Just make sure you get your winch strap attached and start cranking before you float off into never never land.

Sure we know what the word idle means, we also know what the word speed means too... and believe it or not we know what idle speed means too.

My idle speed is 2.8 mph, that's the speed my boat goes when it's in gear and idling... and that's what idle speed means in nautical terms.

. A large lake an hour away with COE ramps has 4 of the 5 ramps closed due to low water and that is the first time its ever happened according to the COE.

This should tell you something, they don't close boat ramps just to make peoples lives miserable. They do it for safety purposes and to keep people from running off the end of the ramp and messing their trailer and boat up. the ramp your buddy got stuck on should probably be closed too, and if many more people get stuck on it they will close it.

I'm sure it suck to have the low water and very limited boating oppertunities, but the suck factor will be doubled if you have to fix your boat and/or trailer because it got messed up because of the low water levels.

I know a lot of folks don't understand this because they've never had to deal with this situation, and some will have to learn the hard way... but they will learn.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Power loading on to trailers - Pay the price!

You need to go some of the Minnesota fishing forums. There is plenty of negativity but overall the opinion is split just like here, typically the guys with big boats justifying powerloading and others lambasting it.

It seems that the smaller launches that I've used (including Minnetonka) are the ones impacted the most. When you have those mud and sand bottoms, it doesn't take much to dig a hole. I've had to go lift my trailer out of a power hole. Luckily some guys at the dock didn't mind helping.

What you said, and the fact that its plastered all over the MN dnr website, in the boater ed manuals, and posted at many launch sites.


DNR crews have been busy rehabilitating damaged launch ramps statewide. Staff are repairing the holes and extending the ramps by adding additional concrete planks. When possible the mounds are leveled with excavation equipment. These launch ramp repairs are time consuming and expensive.

The DNR recognizes that some boaters are accustomed to power loading. However, it is preferable that boaters do not race their engines while on the boat ramp. Slightly more than idle speed should be all that is necessary to load and/or unload the boat. The best practice is for boaters to refrain from power loading and use the winch to load and unload their boat.


In addition to the soft bottom shallow ramps,
I find it is the older ramps that get damaged the most, most likely because the concrete just doesn't extend very far into the water. The average boat was a lot shorter 40-50 years ago.

 

[Lakes84]

Re: Power loading on to trailers - Pay the price!

You need to go some of the Minnesota fishing forums. There is plenty of negativity but overall the opinion is split just like here, typically the guys with big boats justifying powerloading and others lambasting it.

It seems that the smaller launches that I've used (including Minnetonka) are the ones impacted the most. When you have those mud and sand bottoms, it doesn't take much to dig a hole. I've had to go lift my trailer out of a power hole. Luckily some guys at the dock didn't mind helping.

Man aint that the truth! Then try to go tell the guys they wreck it for everyone else, they look at you like you're crazy. It seems the guys that have the big Rangers are the worst. At least where I'm at on Lake of the Woods that's the way it is. The resort I go out of doesn't like it either, but they don' say anything. Last year I had to get in the water and jack up my trailer rear end to pull it out of a hole. The resort did however put in a new longer ramp this year to help with the holes. Some people just don't care how their loading affects others. Suspect it won't change until the laws do. Minnesota IMHO is too liberal with this. Instead of spending hundreds of thousands of dollars fixing ramps that have been destroyed by power loaders, ticket those fools and make some of that money back. I bet it gets cleaned up in a hurry.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Power loading on to trailers - Pay the price!

Ok guys, stop calling a reservoir, a lake. Please. If it has a 100 yd ramp, and the level fluctuates by more than 6 feet, it is likely not a lake.


Ok, here is what I did, looks a little crude, but first time with a plasma cutter.

I have an 18' boat, on a trailer that could handle a 21'er. The boat is light, and to get enough tongue weight, the axle is pretty far back. Several ramps I use are older, short, and frequented by ill-informed power revvers.

I've been in "the hole", and have seen others fall off the edge.

Bent/broken spring hangers, bent fenders, flat tires.....

I built this skid plate, 5/16 steel, extends down from the frame, extends almost 3" below the center of the axle. So even with a flat tire, I should be able to use the skid plate to pull the wheel up onto the ramp. Still gives me 7" road clearance. The skid plate also runs back behind the tire a few inches, but doesn't look like it from this angle. I also had not pushed it all the way back in position yet.


Click and take a look.









Still looking for the right location to "test" it out, where I can get photos of it in action.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Power loading on to trailers - Pay the price!

Man aint that the truth! Then try to go tell the guys they wreck it for everyone else, they look at you like you're crazy. It seems the guys that have the big Rangers are the worst. At least where I'm at on Lake of the Woods that's the way it is. The resort I go out of doesn't like it either, but they don' say anything. Last year I had to get in the water and jack up my trailer rear end to pull it out of a hole. The resort did however put in a new longer ramp this year to help with the holes. Some people just don't care how their loading affects others. Suspect it won't change until the laws do. Minnesota IMHO is too liberal with this. Instead of spending hundreds of thousands of dollars fixing ramps that have been destroyed by power loaders, ticket those fools and make some of that money back. I bet it gets cleaned up in a hurry.

Or the guys with the big red Lunds ?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Power loading on to trailers - Pay the price!

"Still looking for the right location to "test" it out, where I can get photos of it in action. "

I've seen similar rigs. seems you could find a high curb to test it? I'd like to know if it works.

 

[BoatDrinksQ5]

Re: Power loading on to trailers - Pay the price!

Even though I'm firmly anti-powerloading, I must correct the statement above for Minnesota at least. From the MN DNR website:

So it is not illegal (unless specified at specific ramps which I have rarely seen) but strongly discouraged. That's an important distinction when you're about to go scold someone for doing something that is perfectly legal yet not cool.

Agree'd i have fished many lakes throughout MN and definitely have not seen a sign nor heard of it from DNR or pedestrians. Even as noted in their description - "slightly more then idle speed" is allowed/recommended. Granted they are all publicly ran ramps (very few if ever at a 'marina' and at isolated resort launches)

Never new it was that big an issue (never seen an issue in the past 5yrs at mostly all 'new' launches around here). I'll have to be even more mindful of it in the future. thx guys for the reminder!


ROSCOE - NICE IDEA ON THE PLATE!!!! That would be marketable as a bolt on option!

 

[southkogs]

Re: Power loading on to trailers - Pay the price!

Ok guys, stop calling a reservoir, a lake. Please. If it has a 100 yd ramp, and the level fluctuates by more than 6 feet, it is likely not a lake.

... well, technically ours are impoundments. But down here even the TVA calls them lakes. Force of habit, I guess.

I built this skid plate, 5/16 steel, extends down from the frame, extends almost 3" below the center of the axle. So even with a flat tire, I should be able to use the skid plate to pull the wheel up onto the ramp. Still gives me 7" road clearance. The skid plate also runs back behind the tire a few inches, but doesn't look like it from this angle. I also had not pushed it all the way back in position yet.

Ingenious solution Roscoe. Definitely post photos when you get to try it out. Very cool.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Power loading on to trailers - Pay the price!

Ok guys, stop calling a reservoir, a lake. Please. If it has a 100 yd ramp, and the level fluctuates by more than 6 feet, it is likely not a lake.


Ok, here is what I did, looks a little crude, but first time with a plasma cutter.

I have an 18' boat, on a trailer that could handle a 21'er. The boat is light, and to get enough tongue weight, the axle is pretty far back. Several ramps I use are older, short, and frequented by ill-informed power revvers.

I've been in "the hole", and have seen others fall off the edge.

Bent/broken spring hangers, bent fenders, flat tires.....

I built this skid plate, 5/16 steel, extends down from the frame, extends almost 3" below the center of the axle. So even with a flat tire, I should be able to use the skid plate to pull the wheel up onto the ramp. Still gives me 7" road clearance. The skid plate also runs back behind the tire a few inches, but doesn't look like it from this angle. I also had not pushed it all the way back in position yet.


Click and take a look.



View attachment 162796





Still looking for the right location to "test" it out, where I can get photos of it in action.

Looks like someone already patented an adjustable version - wonder if they ever sold them?
http://www.google.com/patents/US6641160

One more version
http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/topic/536401/gonew/1

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: Power loading on to trailers - Pay the price!

Then there is something wrong with the way your winch post is mounted.

Aren't you just brilliant! It's just a cheap freaking trailer built by a cheap freaking dealer in northern Minnesota, that cares nothing about the safety of their customers, or compliance with the law. These weasels sent me out the door with a 4,300 pound boat on a 900 pound trailer without brakes (required in Minnesota for all trailers over 3,000 pounds gross weight), and axles rated for 2,000 pounds each. I've replaced the axles, and added brakes, but the trailer frame itself is still pretty wimpy. My introduction to boat trailers has been a very irritating experience!

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Power loading on to trailers - Pay the price!

The winchers should take this argument to their fathers and grandfathers.

hey grub I've got a contest for ya. Bring your dive on trailer up here to my house and we'll go down to my ramp and I'll bring my boat with it's winch.

The contest, Launch boat, fish one hour, retrieve boat. I guaranty that I will be back home eating fish while your still trying to figure out how to get your boat back on the trailer. Just so you know from shoreline to 2' of water it's 35'. I have no problem winching my boat up!

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Power loading on to trailers - Pay the price!

(why do you have 20' of cable/strap if all you use is 3 feet?)

Good point. or why bother with a winch at all?

 

[roscoe]

Re: Power loading on to trailers - Pay the price!

Looks like someone already patented an adjustable version - wonder if they ever sold them?
http://www.google.com/patents/US6641160

One more version
http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/topic/536401/gonew/1

Hey, those look better than mine.

There was a guy selling something similar on the net, but it was very small, looked cheaply made, "universal" fit, and didn't extend down far enough to lift the wheel onto the ramp.


My problem with finding a "test site", is that every time I find one, it involves driving across someones front yard.

THere are some nice ones out in the Walmart lot. Gonna have to try to make it look like an accident.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Power loading on to trailers - Pay the price!

Hey, those look better than mine.

There was a guy selling something similar on the net, but it was very small, looked cheaply made, "universal" fit, and didn't extend down far enough to lift the wheel onto the ramp.


My problem with finding a "test site", is that every time I find one, it involves driving across someones front yard.

THere are some nice ones out in the Walmart lot. Gonna have to try to make it look like an accident.

Seems like a few cinder blocks in the driveway would work

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Power loading on to trailers - Pay the price!

Or the guys with the big red Lunds ?

How about us with the little Red Lunds?

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Power loading on to trailers - Pay the price!

hey grub I've got a contest for ya. Bring your dive on trailer up here to my house and we'll go down to my ramp and I'll bring my boat with it's winch.

The contest, Launch boat, fish one hour, retrieve boat. I guaranty that I will be back home eating fish while your still trying to figure out how to get your boat back on the trailer. Just so you know from shoreline to 2' of water it's 35'. I have no problem winching my boat up!

Meh, no problem... I'll just have to giv'er a little more gas is all.

One of the reasons power loading isn't a big problem around here is a lot of our ramps are built on creek channels that drop off fast so there's not any silt or much to blow a big hole in. The ramp I use the most drops off from 5' at the end of the ramp to 22' to the bottom of the creek channel.

 

[Ned L]

Re: Power loading on to trailers - Pay the price!

It may need to be pointed out to all those that aren't used to, or don't use the winch, that in order to use the winch to pull the boat up the trailer the winch MUST be at a point higher than the bow eye on the boat. If the winch is lower than the bow eye all you will do is pull the boat down onto the trailer. When I got my current boat and trailer the winch was too low, so I added an 'extra' cable roller that is actually above the winch, so the cable goes up from the winch, up and over the roller and to the boat. I can use the 'extra' roller to easilly winch the boat up the trailer, and then change the cable to go directly from the winch to the boat to snug the boat down to the trailer.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Power loading on to trailers - Pay the price!

Meh, no problem... I'll just have to giv'er a little more gas is all.

In 2' of water are your bunks even wet yet?

I'm of the opinion that if the ramp is built for it no harm no foul. Yet here in Wisconsin many of the ramps on these natural lakes are very short. Another popular one here are ramps that are made with concrete shaped like railroad ties. I grew up using gravel ramps and still do today which is why I have a tilt trailer with rollers. Just out of habit even when I'm at deeper concrete ramps I still load the same way. And yes it s-cks when you have to go into the water when there is skim ice.