AHMM -- Launch at Low Tide ??

[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!!!

[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. )

Originally Posted by 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!!!