launching the boat mishap this weekend

[Ramblin Wreck]

Not to change the story, but here's another boat ramp mishap at a local lake here in Georgia.

http://patch.com/georgia/woodstock/truck-rolls-boat-ramp-allatoona-lake

 

[Noko]

Not to change the story, but here's another boat ramp mishap at a local lake here in Georgia.

http://patch.com/georgia/woodstock/truck-rolls-boat-ramp-allatoona-lake

I see Chevy has a new amphib truck.

 

[Gym]

I feel your wife's pain @Just1more as my boat is particularly susceptible to this as I have UBB'S on my trailer so my boat tends to slide off on it's own. Prior to changing my winch, the old one would look like a propeller spinning as the boat slid off the trailer. My new winch allows me to disengage the handle so I don't get beat to death. My best to your wife for a speedy recovery and a great boating season.

 

[davel501]

I did the same thing pushing my old boat off the trailer. Slack went out of the winch strap and the handle came around and got me dead center of the chest. The thud was quite loud as everyone around was quite concerned. Took my breath away and left an upside down 'L' on my chest for a few weeks. That really hurts. Best not to talk about it unless she brings it up.

 

[Gym]

I did the same thing pushing my old boat off the trailer. Slack went out of the winch strap and the handle came around and got me dead center of the chest. The thud was quite loud as everyone around was quite concerned. Took my breath away and left an upside down 'L' on my chest for a few weeks. That really hurts. Best not to talk about it unless she brings it up.

Could have been worse @davel501, it could have been a right side up 'L' on your forehead.

 

[davel501]

Could have been worse @davel501, it could have been a right side up 'L' on your forehead.

I try not to think about that. I suspect it would have killed me if it had gotten my forehead.

 

[ncnmra]

Very sorry to hear about this. I agree; there are a lot of things to consider while boating, and there are few fail-safes. I hate busy ramps because I feel rushed, and its exactly when something like this can happen. I'm a courteous person and don't like being a ramp hog, but I've learned to take a deep breath, and take my time with everything; try to prep everything before I'm on the ramp.

I got a Fulton winch, but was disappointed that it didn't have a "reverse" gear. I was hoping it would have a mode where you could "slowly" winch it out to prevent these run-away fly wheel scenarios. I'm surprised there aren't winches out there that do that.

Hope she feels better soon!

 

[RightStuff]

I think most will agree that if you are taking your time to do it right and not being an a-hole it is not an issue. What frustrates me is when people aren't prepared before getting to the ramp/launch, or are not considering other people are using the ramp too.

Be prepared, stay in your lane, out of the way of others, don't waste other's time, and just be respectful and we'll all get on/off the lake as quickly as possible.

It's amature hour out there right now since it is the beginning of the season (or first season) for most, as evident by some actions at the ramp yesterday...

 

[biglar155]

Ouch. That hurts.

I had this happen to me right after putting on my new Fulton winch. I'm relatively sure that the thick rubber padding on the handle saved me from a broken forearm.

Hope she is able to recover quickly.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Most of those winches need better more visible labeling as to what "gear" it's in.

Glad she wasn't seriously injured.

 

[Julian]

Most of those winches need better more visible labeling as to what "gear" it's in.

Glad she wasn't seriously injured.

Would be good if someone invented a "deadman's switch" that was part of the handle.....you squeeze it to disengage the lock, and if it spins out of your hand the lock re-engages! Patent this idea and make some money!

 

[Glen]

I've always disconnected the trailer hook, once in the water. When telling a friend that I went head first over the side, on the ramp, trying to do it from on the boat, he asked why I didn't disconnect the hook before I got to the water?
With the long bunks the boat rides on, it is not likely to roll off trailer when backing down a normal ramp.
I've done it twice now and we've never spent less time on the ramp.
I start engines when the stern hits the water and put it in reverse as soon as the bow bobs. I'm gone; my wife drives the trailer away-
This common, or crazy?

 

[jasoraso]

I've always disconnected the trailer hook, once in the water. When telling a friend that I went head first over the side, on the ramp, trying to do it from on the boat, he asked why I didn't disconnect the hook before I got to the water?
With the long bunks the boat rides on, it is not likely to roll off trailer when backing down a normal ramp.
I've done it twice now and we've never spent less time on the ramp.
I start engines when the stern hits the water and put it in reverse as soon as the bow bobs. I'm gone; my wife drives the trailer away-
This common, or crazy?

This system works on normal ramps with normal carpeted bunks. You're right, it isn't "likely".
Howevery, if you get a on steep ramp, or have wet bunks (lower friction), or change to UPB bunks (which have lower friction), then this approach of disconnecting prior to backing down the ramp, can lead to complications - especially if you have to do a panic stop while backing down - i.e. a little kid or dog runs behind the trailer.

I personally have disconnected the strap prior backing down some ramps - low angle - and when I have dry bunks (with high friction). In that case, I'll leave the safety hook installed. But I try to be mindful that this practice may not be the "best practice".

 

[Zarrella]

@Just1more
I hope she is feeling better. Thanks for the reminder....I will be sharing this with my wife too!

 

[DBamaC]

I've always disconnected the trailer hook, once in the water. When telling a friend that I went head first over the side, on the ramp, trying to do it from on the boat, he asked why I didn't disconnect the hook before I got to the water?
With the long bunks the boat rides on, it is not likely to roll off trailer when backing down a normal ramp.
I've done it twice now and we've never spent less time on the ramp.
I start engines when the stern hits the water and put it in reverse as soon as the bow bobs. I'm gone; my wife drives the trailer away-
This common, or crazy?

I do this too on low-slope ramps I'm familiar with. Much quicker way of launching, but I agree with the others that you better know now much slope you're dealing with.

 

[davel501]

The guy that taught the trailer portion of my ABC boating course said never buy a trailer with rollers, those things are crap. I figured we were going to have discussion about the reduced surface area and higher pressures in smaller spots even though that has been debunked several times. He then proceeded to tell how we was working at a local marina and pulled a boat for a test drive, unhooked the winch strap and started backing it down the ramp. The boat ended up on the concrete short of the water, not sure if his job there went with it. I might have said some things after that and to this day he may not like me very much, but that has always been one of the basic safety rules that I have had drilled into me - never unhook the boat unless you are comfortable with it coming off the trailer right now.

 

[Matt Phillips]

Ouch...that does hurt. I got whacked by an electric winch on the left-pinky knuckle as a kid. In that case, I was operating the winch and reached over to grab the cable that was getting too close. By the time I realized it the bloomin thing had whacked me 2x on the same knuckle. I still have that battle wound.

Sorry about your wife...that has to hurt.

 

[subysti]

That sucks. I always push the boat off, wife won't go near the winch. We back down the ramp, I release the boat and push it into the water. Wife and kids then tie it off to dock and start the engines while I park the truck.

 

[Glen]

Launched yesterday for first time since this thread and because it was not a steep ramp, released everything at the top. But it got me thinking (thank you!) and think I've found a happy and safe answer.

When on a ramp that I have concerns about, I will disconnect the winch connect at the top of ramp, but leave the safety chain attached. Because the safety chain does not have a spring loaded clip, I can simply tie a small line to it and tie the line to the front rail of the boat. Now once the stern hits the water, and I start the engines, I can simply walk to the bow and release the safety chain, without leaning out and down to do so (or someone else doing it from the water).
Connected for safety, on the ramp. Easy to release, once in the water.
Sounds good (in the lab). Lets see if it survives reality....