Launch Ramps are a common fixture in marinas and lakes. They are vital to trailered boaters for access to the water. Ramps can be a huge frustration to those that have difficultly backing a trailer and even more so to the next guy waiting in line.
Operation of launch ramps depends on education of users and encouraging adequate preparation prior to nearing the ramp.
There are any number of incidents every year at the ramp that could have been avoided with proper preparation. Rushing at the launch seems to increase as a function of the number of boats in line. Users get in a hurry. The drain plugs don't get put in, the boat rolls off the trailer or a hitch comes loose and the whole works goes down the ramp. The instant one of these events occurs you lose use of the launch ramp for hours.
Practice backing up your boat and trailer until you are proficient. A busy public boat launch ramp is NOT the place to learn how to back a boat trailer! Avoid conducting routine maintenance at your launch ramp. There is a higher chance of water pollution and the next boater in line may not appreciate you for it
Launch Procedures
Ramps can be a huge frustration to those who have difficultly backing a trailer and even more so to the next guy in line. Smooth operation of launch ramps depends on the ability of users and adequate preparation prior to nearing the ramp. Rushing at the launch by boaters intensifies as the number of boats in line increases. Users get in a hurry. The drain plugs don't get put in, the boat rolls off the trailer or a hitch comes loose causing the whole works to go down the ramp and into the drink.
Last summer we had an older Chevrolet Blazer with a loaded boat trailer self launch at our ramp. It turned out that the owner got into a rush and inadvertently shifted his transfer case into neutral. This incident required the services of a diver and tow truck to recover the truck and trailer. The boat being carried on the trailer broke free and wasn't damaged during the excitement. It was one of the busiest days of the year and hundreds of people stood by to watch the show. To add insult to injury, there were a record number of returning Pink Salmon in Port Valdez and many of them were piled up around the launch ramp.
The following are some helpful suggestions for using a boat launch ramp:
- Prepare your boat for launching away from the ramp as a courtesy to others and to prevent rushing during the launch.
- Ensure that there has been no damage to the boat caused by the trip to the harbor.
- Raise the lower unit or outboard so that it will not hit bottom during launching.
- Remove trailer tie-downs and make sure that the winch is properly attached to the bow eye and locked in position.
- Put the drain plug in securely.
- Connect the fuel tank, check fluid levels and safety equipment.
- Disconnect the trailer light plug to prevent shorting of electrical system or burning out a bulb.
- Attach a line to the bow and the stern of the boat so that the boat cannot drift away after launching and it can be easily maneuvered at the courtesy float.
- Visually inspect the launch ramp for hazards such as a steep drop off, slippery areas and sharp objects.
- When everything has been double checked, proceed slowly to the ramp remembering that your boat is just resting on the trailer and attached only at the bow.
- The ideal situation is to have one person in the boat and one observer at the water's edge to help guide the driver of the tow vehicle.
- Drive to the ramp and observe the directional signage.
- Back the boat and trailer down the appropriate ramp.
- Keep the rear wheels of the tow vehicle out of the water. This will generally keep the exhaust pipes out of the water. If the exhaust pipes become immersed in the water, the engine may stall.
- Set the parking brake and insure the transmission is in park.
- Lower the motor and prepare to start the engine (after running blowers and checking for fuel leaks).
- Start the boat motor and make sure that water is passing through the engine cooling system.
- Release the winch and disconnect the winch line from the bow when the boat operator is ready.
- At this point, the boat should launch with a light shove or by backing off the trailer under power.
- Return the towing vehicle and trailer to the parking lot as soon as the boat is launched so the next person in line may proceed.
- Finish any final loading of your boat at the transient mooring float, away from the launch ramp so that others may continue to use it.
- The steps for removing your boat from the water are basically the reverse of those taken to launch it.
- Keep in mind that the following conditions may have changed since you launched your boat:
- Change in wind direction and/or speed.
- Change in current and/or tide.
- Increase in boating traffic.
- Visibility.
- Unload the boat away from the launch ramp.
- Maneuver the boat carefully to the submerged trailer, and raise the lower unit of the engine.
- Winch the boat onto the trailer and secure it.
- Drive the trailer with the boat aboard carefully out of the ramp to the washdown area for cleanup, reloading, and an equipment safety check.
- Remove the drain plug to allow water to drain from the boat.
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