AHMM -- Launch at Low Tide ??

[TomKaye]

Thursday 5/17, a friend wants me to assist launching and slipping his 20' center console at AHMM. The tow vehicle is a 2000 something 6 cyl Jeep Grand Cherokee. He has towed this boat before to and from KMB without a problem.
Due to AM committments, we can't get there till 1130--1200, dead low tide.

Have heard all kinds of horror stories about that ramp at low. Haven't launched there in 20 years. We are bringing wheel chocks. ;) Any other insight, pointers, or warnings ?? How exactlly is that ramp at dead low ???
Thanks in advance for any info.

Tom K.

[Peterooster]

Very slippery at dead low, I have seen many pickups go under. Pete

[Billythekid]

one person stays in the truck the other in the boat, no problem.

[Matt116]

I launch there roughly 3 times a week. Low tide can be rough, however i find my problem with low tide isn't launching its pulling the boat out. Before launching take a walk down to the ramp and scout out where there is less green crap. You really shouldn't have any problems. Rollers or bunks? if its rollers you can just play it safe and crank her down and climb down the trailer. Best of luck! :)

[snprsnfr]

bring a bag of traction sand,watch your step, park on side of ramp and turn wheel to side, oh sometimes: a clothes pin for your nose:eek:

[kahlborn23]

i think the main thing with all the horror stories is that no one uses wheel chocks....I have been in that marina for three years now and have never had a problem...take ur time and use WHEEL CHOCKS!!!!!

[keep'mcool]

Last summer I nearly lost my truck at the ramp when I launched; in my case it wasn't that it was pulled in by the weight of boat (it was already floating) but rather that there is no traction to be found when that green stuff is wet. My wheel chocks (two of them) slid on that stuff along with the truck, I had to retrieve them from the water when the spectacle was over. My preference is to neither launch nor retrieve at low tide but since that isn't an option for you, here's my advice:

Find a dry spot, that shouldn't be an issue on a Thursday but if it has been busy and a dry spot isn't available, take a pass.

If you have 4 wheel drive, engage it.

Leave the truck running and the driver's door open in case you have to bail.

Chock all the tires, your front tires shouldn't be on the green stuff so the chocks will grab. That extra help may be what keep you out of the water(the sand suggestion sounds like a real good one).

Pull the plug if the truck slips at all. This is where I went wrong; the instant I put my truck in park it slipped about 2 inches and then stopped. I figured the chocks would keep me in place once I set them. WRONG!!!

Helplessly standing at the back of my truck as the waters of the Atlantic engulfed it was a sucky feeling. The only thing that kept me from losing it was getting in and driving it away, at that point the bed was already half filled with water.

Good luck!!!

p.s. the following week when I launched I was introduced to a guy whose jeep had been totally pulled in earlier that that day. His dog used the back window to get out and swim to safety.

[SaltyAngler]

As stated above and as I stated months ago, it can be like trying to walk on wet ice with ice cubes stuck to your feet. Please take every precaution...including spreading some sand about if it is slick. I've seen a dually lose traction there...not pretty.

Best of luck. Call it off if it's too slick.

[DMac]

For what they charge to launch they should go down every week and pressure wash the ramp off at low tide if not twice a week.

I just don't understand how ramps in NJ are in the shape they are in. AH ramp is probably one of the best and it is maginal at best. Go to the south where they get used for longer season any look at there ramps pristine and easy in and out and wonder why ours are the way they are.

[Mikey topaz]

Yo will be alright have one guy in the boat one in the truck wen u back boat down the ramp just back it till thr trailer wheels just go under.i see alot of people go too far back no need for it. put the truck in four wheel drive back it down the ramp put in park with ur foot on the brake use the wheel chocks to chock the wheels.step on the parking brake.then u should be able to get out and disconnect winch and saftey chain from the trailer.who ever operating the boat bump it in reverse and she come off no promblems.

[Capt. Debbie]

`The biggest problem is at low time with a moon tide the slimey bottom section makes friction go away. That goes for chocked and unchocked.


You can't get anything to bite into to create drag.

Best suggestion ( as stated above) is walk it out and see what you have and where.

#1 Two critical points to worry about. (1) Getting it on trailer and no traction to move it up hill off the ramp. (2) Momentum downhill pushing your tow vehicle after the trailer / boat into the water with it.

#2 SLOWLY back down. The hard stop of a 3000# truck / SUV creates momemntum. The large moving mass with gravity keepa it moving down the ramp. Worse yet ( even more momentum) is add another 2-3000 lb boat to the moving tow vehicle and the trailer. There you have potentially 5-6000 lb of moving mass with a downhill gravity assist on this extremely low friction surface. You slide and slide picking up speed unless you hit some traction.

One person suggested sand. Sure it'll work.

Remember what happens on ice? 4WD is meaningless when you brake or are on and all slippery surface.

Think it out and have a plan or just wait it out.

Remember the straddling days to a new and full moon make that low tide even lower. Exposing ramp sections under water 99% of the time.

Good luck! This has been a problem for years. The Ramp operators are all too happy to take your money, but wont do much else about this. It's common place. Been down there doing Sea Tow Summers since 1999 and I would guess a few vehciles are lost there each month

[1captainron]

I live here, my family business has been here for 40 years....if they don't give a crap about me, what chance do you stand?

Bet your Ass if I had this cash cow, the slime would be gone every week and that ramp would be pristine...check out how many New trucks have ended up in the drink the past couple years, maybe operator error, as we are all not perfect with perception (especially first time user's).

People actually come down everyday to watch the fiasco of getting in and getting out!!
Be smart, take your time and if the wheels spin....Complain!!!:D

[TomKaye]

Thanks everyone for your comments and advice.

Update------we got to the ramp at 1140 this morning. I think about
30-40 minutes before dead low as I recall.
Slick as goose $#%& or walking on ice cubes is absolutely right.
The key is slow ---slow-- slow, while backing and while walking.
Only insert it as much as necessary to float the boat.
( That's what she said ! ;) ;) )
Make sure to chock the tow vehicle.
There were two others launching at the time and we all used wheel chocks.
We were lucky to have 3 guys. One behind the wheel, one on the trailer tongue at winch, and one in the boat.
Chocks are a must regardless.

Our launch was uneventful. Hydraulic steering issues were another matter.
We got it carefully over to my buddy's slip. Repairs to be done ASAP.

Hopefully we can effect those repairs on the water, and won't be back
with the trailer until November. We'll time it better next time.

Tight lines everyone and thanks again.

Tom.

[Capt. Debbie]

Ron,

When you're the only game in town- why care.


It is the Municipal Ramp. AH owns it as far as I know.

They need a few law suits from people falling on it. They are well aware of the hazzard and do nothing about it.

Get some slip and fall ambulance chaser involved and they will power wash it 2 or 3 times daily. :))





I live here, my family business has been here for 40 years....if they don't give a crap about me, what chance do you stand?

Bet your Ass if I had this cash cow, the slime would be gone every week and that ramp would be pristine...check out how many New trucks have ended up in the drink the past couple years, maybe operator error, as we are all not perfect with perception (especially first time user's).

People actually come down everyday to watch the fiasco of getting in and getting out!!
Be smart, take your time and if the wheels spin....Complain!!!:D