Stupid Boat Ramp Stories

[Magicfloat]

I'm sure most of you have heard the old story about the brand new 22' Bayliner that would not plane off,and when the marina checked it out,they discovered it was still strappped to the trailer:sifone: I always thought this was just a blond joke until yesterday on the Neal Borst talk show he told it as a true story. So I went to Snopes,they said that according to a Bayliner engineer,it actually happened. What's the deal,really happened,or urban legend? PS,I must be bored,come on Spring:):)

[C_Spray]

I didn't do it, and I never owned a Bayliner. From what I've seen a launch ramps and local lakes, I'd be inclined to believe it, though...

I did leave the drain plug out of my first boat. Once, and only once....

[BBB725]

I backed a boat in the water with tie down straps still on, couldn't figure out why the back end sat so low in the water.

[Tony]

Not sure about the Bayliner story but one of my relatives is a LEO who used to patrol a local lake and she has seen boats underway with trailers strapped to them before.

[Davidmnc]

When is comes to stupid people at the boat ramp..........I dought nothing!!!


But I too have left the plug out a time...............or two! But I was distracted!! 139751397513975

[Magicfloat]

Launched a new pontoon boat a few years ago,kept trying to back away from the dock,the more I turned away from the dock,the harder it kept hitting the dock. Finally realized the builder had the hydraulic steering hoses backwards.Sure was fun driving 5 miles to my boathouse for the tools to fix it. Maybe this thread should be called "Stupid Ramp Stories":biggrinjester:

[PARADOX]

I did leave the drain plug out of my first boat. Once, and only once....[/QUOTE]


Every good boater does it once. I did. Now I got spare drains plugs everywhere. I got a plastic one on the key chain as a reminder.

The good once. :rofl:
Some...? more often.


Dock stories would be a good thread.. I got some classics.

[Magicfloat]

In 1987 I had a Jeep Grand Waggoneer,worst car I ever owned. Had constant electrical problems,many times at nite the headlites would go out,but the worst was the wipers would hardly ever work when it rained. One day I backed an 18'Donzi down the ramp,put Jeep in park,got out to unhook the boat. As I stepped out it somehow came out of park and slowly rolled into the water.Fortunately the boat floated free. I watched as the Jeep began the sink,and just before it went under,the wipers came on :)

[OldSchool]

I didn't do it, and I never owned a Bayliner. From what I've seen a launch ramps and local lakes, I'd be inclined to believe it, though...

I did leave the drain plug out of my first boat. Once, and only once....

Me too!!


I backed a boat in the water with tie down straps still on, couldn't figure out why the back end sat so low in the water.

Me too!!:sifone: I kept thing WTF, let me just back it down again and slam on the brakes. Didn't work!:leaving:

[clayinaustin]

If you claim to have never forgotten to install the drain plug, then you are a liar! We have ALL done it at least once! :p

[Tony]

If you claim to have never forgotten to install the drain plug, then you are a liar! We have ALL done it at least once! :p

Actually, in total honesty I never have forgotten with any of the boats that Ive owned.

BUT! When I was a kid I do recall getting halfway across the lake in Dads fishing boat when my ankles started to get wet. Perhaps thats why I have never forgotten.

[cigdaze]

After all I've seen, I have no problem at all believing any of these stories.
Pics would be great, though! :D

[pkspx]

http://www.snopes.com/humor/jokes/isabella.asp

[fund razor]

I have never forgotten a drain plug. I have attempted to leave the dock with one stern line still tied once. Nothing you can do in that situation but announce:

"Ok... looks like she is shifting fine now... let's cast off that last line and head out." :D

[PARADOX]

Best dock story. We do need a dock story thread.
Little background.
My cousin. 1.5 - 2 Years younger. We both are very competative.
Same highschool for a while. Wayne, had no athletic ability, yet I was the soccer star. in the early 70's. I buy a 10 speed bike, he does. I buy a 16' speed boat he does. I buy a hot rod Nova SS, he buys a Chevelle, and on and on. 1978. He has a 16 ski/speed boat, Baja with 100 Johnson. I got a 16'- Hustler with 115 Evinrude. Going skiing, chicks etc. on the Rock river.
I drop the boat and wait for him. He's driving a year old Merc. Couger XR7. dumps his boat in the water, boat floats away, He runs to get it, Car stil in reverse or neutral. I'm idleing and put-puting 50' away, waiting to get going.
Laughing so hard, almost fell out of my boat. His boat slowely backs out to the middle of the river so I go get it and looking at the nice Couger XR7 backing into the river, disappearing. All you can see from the practically new car is the tip of the antenna. He's on the dock wth his jaw on his tows.
I crack up everytime I think of him. :rofl::rofl::rofl:
I often wondered how on earth he explaind it to the insurnce Co.

[Knot 4 Me]

If you claim to have never forgotten to install the drain plug, then you are a liar! We have ALL done it at least once! :pI've never left a drain plug out as I rarely take them out unless I am washing out my bilge and I reinstall them immediately. I have tried to launch with the transom straps still attached. And then there was the time my wife was putting the boat on the trailer and goosed it with the wheel cranked to starboard and folded the bow roller stanchion over like a pretzel. I just waved at her and yelled, "that's close enough", attached the strap which was now low and to the left, and drove up the ramp like that's how we do it every time! :blush5: :sifone:

I've also pulled up to the dock by myself, tossed the bow line off, tossed the stern line off, got out of the boat, and then wondered why it was still moving backwards. Neutral...yeah, neutral would be good about now!!!

[DollaBill]

In 1987 I had a Jeep Grand Waggoneer,worst car I ever owned. Had constant electrical problems,many times at nite the headlites would go out,but the worst was the wipers would hardly ever work when it rained. One day I backed an 18'Donzi down the ramp,put Jeep in park,got out to unhook the boat. As I stepped out it somehow came out of park and slowly rolled into the water.Fortunately the boat floated free. I watched as the Jeep began the sink,and just before it went under,the wipers came on :)

Yeah, slipping out of park happens here in Jersey alot too ;)

[jet]

true true true my naighbor picks up an old try hull and fixes her up new seats ,new carpet ect .........I'm at the ramp with my own boat allready in the water when he shows up for the first voyage but he can't get loose of the trailer,he backs in and out two or three time but it wiil not move.we tryed to rock it on the trailer and nothing ........(this took place in 1984my secound boat and his first) all the straps are off and still stuck ........noing my neighbor is no wiz kid I ask how long of screws did you us to hold the seats down....he gesture's about three and half inch's..............yep wood bunks tri hull screwed right to the trailer

[old377guy]

In 1987 I had a Jeep Grand Waggoneer,worst car I ever owned. Had constant electrical problems,many times at nite the headlites would go out,but the worst was the wipers would hardly ever work when it rained. One day I backed an 18'Donzi down the ramp,put Jeep in park,got out to unhook the boat. As I stepped out it somehow came out of park and slowly rolled into the water.Fortunately the boat floated free. I watched as the Jeep began the sink,and just before it went under,the wipers came on :)

probably happy to see it go, yes? :biggrinjester:

[PARADOX]

true true true my naighbor picks up an old try hull and fixes her up new seats ,new carpet ect .........I'm at the ramp with my own boat allready in the water when he shows up for the first voyage but he can't get loose of the trailer,he backs in and out two or three time but it wiil not move.we tryed to rock it on the trailer and nothing ........(this took place in 1984my secound boat and his first) all the straps are off and still stuck ........noing my neighbor is no wiz kid I ask how long of screws did you us to hold the seats down....he gesture's about three and half inch's..............yep wood bunks tri hull screwed right to the trailer

Classic. One way to make sure the boat is "firmly tied" to the trailer.

[Magicfloat]

Actually,it was a great tow vehicle,the dealer just was never able to get the electrical gremlims fixed.Driving home at nite with no lites was not fun. A boat dealer friend of mine bought it from insurance company as salvage,went all thru it himself,he kept it 10 years,said it was the best car he ever owned.Go figure.:)

[FULL FORCE]

I have never forgotten a drain plug. I have attempted to leave the dock with one stern line still tied once. Nothing you can do in that situation but announce:

"Ok... looks like she is shifting fine now... let's cast off that last line and head out." :D

I have the same story! I thought the wife got the stern line and she did not....alot of guys at the casino thought it was funny! as did I !!

[Perlmudder]

we were launching our boat one weekend and a family friend was launching his boston whaler on a roller trailer. he took off all the straps, and well you can guess the rest!! i must say whalers are one hell of a tough boat!

[Magicfloat]

Can the mods change the title of this thread to "Stupid Ramp Stories"? This might be the makings of a cool thread with a better title. Like many of you,I have a few from 43 years as a boat dealer.:sifone:

[Scarab KV]

all the straps are off and still stuck ........noing my neighbor is no wiz kid I ask how long of screws did you us to hold the seats down....he gesture's about three and half inch's..............yep wood bunks tri hull screwed right to the trailer

Nice...didn't see that one com'n:rofl::rofl:

[fund razor]

true true true my naighbor picks up an old try hull and fixes her up new seats ,new carpet ect .........I'm at the ramp with my own boat allready in the water when he shows up for the first voyage but he can't get loose of the trailer,he backs in and out two or three time but it wiil not move.we tryed to rock it on the trailer and nothing ........(this took place in 1984my secound boat and his first) all the straps are off and still stuck ........noing my neighbor is no wiz kid I ask how long of screws did you us to hold the seats down....he gesture's about three and half inch's..............yep wood bunks tri hull screwed right to the trailer

This is exactly why I replace trailer bunks with the boat off. ;) :D

[DollaBill]

When I owned my marina I had a guy call me in a panic from his cell phone saying he left the plug out and his new boat was sinking. It was a small boat 24'ish. I told him to get it on plane and run all the water out then pull up the marina and I would have the forklift in the water for him.

So he comes in about 20 min later and we get the boat right out. I get a new plug and throw it in. He can't stop thanking me and the guys and his wife is doing the same. So he asks "what do I owe you?". I say "split up a hundred bucks among my guys on the dock and we're even. He FLIPS out. Calls me a thief and this is highway robbery, etc. I looked at my guy on the forklift and didnt even say one word. One of my other guys goes to get a wrench and starts taking the plug out and the forklift starts. The guy says WAIT. He takes out the hundred and hands it to me. I crumple it up and throw it on the dock. At this point the guy is ****ting himself and now I'm laughing.

Finally I just put the guys boat back in with the plug and tell him to get the phuk outta here but I'll never forget the look on his face or that he'll forget a plug again

[DONZI]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvAHYR5DnZE&feature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUeT3q0nG8M&feature=related

[jet]

AND HE IS PRO,,,...........not lol

[Scarab KV]

I left my plug out one time...got over to the boat landing, sat in line for 20 minutes watching the entertainment until our turn. Halfway down the ramp I realized I hadn't put it back in....pulled back out and left. We only live 5 blocks away, so 10 minutes later I get to sit in line again.... good thing they weren't charg'n for the entertainment.

My biggest dock blunder was with my 30' Chaparral Villain. Bought it in the Nov 89, took one test run and winterized it.... now the long wait for Spring.
Spring arrives, the boat comes out of storage and off to the local landing we go. Back then there were only two other go fast boats on our waters.... two Scarab IIIs and my Villain made three. Thru hull exhaust at the time was almost as rare. Needless to say, anytime a boat with that Cigarette/Drug Runner look (thank you Miami Vice) pulled into a dock, a crowd would gather.... instant celeb. That day was no different except instead of being part of the crowd of onlookers, my friend Mark and I were the center of attention and about to have a humbling experience.
The landing has 8 ramps and all were in use.... busy day.
We pull into line and start prep'n the boat.... a crowd starts to gather.
A ramp opens and I back in.... the crowd gets larger.
All eyes are on us and I'm think'n.... I may just be the man.
After a little production of check'n things over I fire number one.... the crowd is pleased.
After a very obvious check of the gauges, I fire number two.... the crowd is in awe and
I'm Don Frick'n Johnson.
After another important check of the gauges I raise the electric engine hatch to make a visual check. Like a flight crew on a fighter jet, I check everything so the crowd has plenty of time to check out those big Black monsters.
Now it's time to give the crowd the show they've been wait'n for.
I slide the shifters into reverse, ease the throttles and....nothing. :huh:
Hmm...drives must not have engaged right. (first boat with sticks)
I shift back to neutral, shift into reverse again, ease the throttles.... nothing...WTF
I try one more time and still nothing.... the crowd looks concerned.
Out of desperation and pride on the line I give the throttles a nudge and the boat creeps ever so slightly...forward.

Oh...by the way, did I mention that I had taken the props off for winter storage and put them back on prior to heading for the landing?

Yup, that's what I did all right.

Are ya start'n to see a pattern here?

I shift to forward, ease the throttles a bit and sure enough we start to back off the bunks.... the crowd looks pleased again.
I give Mark a "How do we bullsh!t our way out of this one" look and with my best poker face (which sucks at best) I announce to Mark over the rumble of those big Black bastids that are drawing all this stupid attention, I don't like how sloppy the shifters are work'n and want to put it back on the trailer to tweek'm..... the crowd is disappointed.
Back on the trailer, we head for a discrete corner of the lot to swap the props.:leaving:

You guessed it…. the crowd followed. :(

[PARADOX]

:) You could have just put them in reverse, get off the trailer. put put around a bit and just use reverse for forward. Just like I did recently to check handling the props turning in VS. turning out. I don't think they had bravos at the time with your boat, but I doubt it would hurt for a few minutes.
But.. :rofl: due to my ole' age, I got arrows on the transom.

[Scarab KV]

Yah it had Bravos. The thought crossed my mind, but the way my luck was go'n....

BTW....how's the recovery com'n?

[PARADOX]

Wow.. Didn't know bravos were out in those days already.
Siiiish, that makes me older then dirt. :ack2:
And thanks. Shoulder doing better and beter now days. It was a biotch for a while, but the rehab helps a lot. Nother month and hopefully back in full throttle mode. :26:

[Scarab KV]

Good to hear.
I popped into the Ho thread to talk to Jim and sounds like he might beable to start do'n some work soon.

[Perlmudder]

I'm Don Frick'n Johnson.
(

hahaha! :26:

[cpmarine]

Bravo's came out in 89 I think. I delivered a new boat one day with a very nervous customer and his parents. Backed it off the trailer, turned left and went right. The rigger mistakenly reversed the hydraulic lines for the steering and never checked it out.

[jayboat]

true true true my naighbor picks up an old try hull and fixes her up new seats ,new carpet ect .........I'm at the ramp with my own boat allready in the water when he shows up for the first voyage but he can't get loose of the trailer,he backs in and out two or three time but it wiil not move.we tryed to rock it on the trailer and nothing ........(this took place in 1984my secound boat and his first) all the straps are off and still stuck ........noing my neighbor is no wiz kid I ask how long of screws did you us to hold the seats down....he gesture's about three and half inch's..............yep wood bunks tri hull screwed right to the trailer

we have a winner.

[Scarab KV]

Bravo's came out in 89 I think. I delivered a new boat one day with a very nervous customer and his parents. Backed it off the trailer, turned left and went right. The rigger mistakenly reversed the hydraulic lines for the steering and never checked it out.

My Villain was an 88 with Bravos

[Magicfloat]

In the early 70's we sold 15' bassboats called Eldo Craft. Sold one to an elderly gentleman. He brought it back about 6 months later for a carb problem that required us to take it down to the river to test. Fixed the problem but discovered that the cable steering was backwards,turn wheel right,boat goes left,turn wheel left,boat goes right.We corrected that. When the old man picked the boat up I told him about the steering and asked him if he noticed it. He said it was hard to get used to at first,but all of his previous boats had outboards with tiller handle steering and to turn right you pushed the handle left and to turn left you pushed the tiller handle right,so he just assumed a steering wheel boat was also backwards,and he had gotten used to it. I am not making this up.:sifone:

[Davidmnc]

In the early 70's we sold 15' bassboats called Eldo Craft. Sold one to an elderly gentleman. He brought it back about 6 months later for a carb problem that required us to take it down to the river to test. Fixed the problem but discovered that the cable steering was backwards,turn wheel right,boat goes left,turn wheel left,boat goes right.We corrected that. When the old man picked the boat up I told him about the steering and asked him if he noticed it. He said it was hard to get used to at first,but all of his previous boats had outboards with tiller handle steering and to turn right you pushed the handle left and to turn left you pushed the tiller handle right,so he just assumed a steering wheel boat was also backwards,and he had gotten used to it. I am not making this up.:sifone:

Nice! 14103

[PARADOX]

Good to hear.
I popped into the Ho thread to talk to Jim and sounds like he might beable to start do'n some work soon.

Jim needs to get back to something else besides getting to his 5000 post mark. :03:

[Scarab KV]

Jim needs to get back to something else besides getting to his 5000 post mark. :03:

:rofl: I think he's addicted, but he's chomp'n at the bit to get back in the game.

[Davidmnc]

Jim want's to go back to work pretty bad. But he is addicted!

[PARADOX]

Jim want's to go back to work pretty bad. But he is addicted!

:biggrinjester:

Look who's talking. Already over 5000

Davidmnc
Contributor
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Washington, NC
Posts: 5,130

[dwtinc]

:biggrinjester:

Look who's talking. Already over 5000

Davidmnc
Contributor
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Washington, NC
Posts: 5,130

Yeah chump David

[txriverrat2001]

First twin my cousin and I had was a 27 Sea Ray w/ twin 4 bangers - roller trailer - big electric winch on front. turned it loose on the ramp and she slid like the dikkens when we rolled down the ramp... just a small scrape on the keel - but funny as hell if you were sitin in the Capt's seat - which I was.

- Riverside Inn, Sunday evening in the summer, a couple of guys I know had been runnin around in a pontoon and 18ft bowrider having a few cocktails throughout the day w all their friends. The ramp is two wide so both go to load at the same time - between the bs that was flyin from their lips and the bs from the crowd on the patio above f'n with 'em - they tried to put the wrong boat on the wrong trailer. Pontoon nearly landed in the back of the guys truck ... pretty damn funny cause we knew what belonged where.

Uno mas - a friend of mine who turns wrenches as well (name withheld) rigged a 27 Fountain Center console years ago w Counter Rotating Mercs. All new hydraulic steering to boot. I drop by one afternoon before hitting the river and this person and a low life I know are sitting in a couple of lawn chairs having a cold one waiting on the owner to show up for the maiden voyage after the re-rig. Me bein the a$$ I am asked if they ran it or anything yet - "Nope!" "No need to!" "Been doin this 20 yrs!" blah blah blah

So we go to Riverside and have a seat on the patio overlooking the above mentioned two boat wide ramp and wait for them as I was going to be a nice guy and follow them "just in case" something was to happen.....

Needless to say she was a ***** to get off the trailer - steering hooked up backwards and the shifters weren't set for Counter Rotating - so one was in Forward and one in Reverse and turning to wrong way the whole time......

So much for no test run ........dumba$$

[Tony]

Against my better judgement I took a buddy of mine to a local lake on a stupid busy Sunday aftternoon in July. I launched and on the way to park happened to notice a 30ish ft. bridged cruiser waiting in the launch line. Upon walking back to the ramp I see a bunch of people crowded around the ramp and some very tilted antennas high up in the air. Roller bunk trailer + all straps removed = one boat sitting on concrete 15 feet from the waters edge. We later heard that the owner used the deer catcher on the front of his truck to shove the boat down into the water so he could winch it back onto the trailer.

[Davidmnc]

One of the first times I took my then girl friend now wife out on a date we had lunch in Wrightsville Beach NC. After lunch I told her I was going to take her to the funniest place on earth. SO we went to the Wrightsville Beach public boat ramp! They even have spectator parking right next to the ramps so you can see it all up close and never leave the air conditions comfort of your car. She looked at me like I was NUTS! I told her to give it 15 minutes!!

Sure enough about 5 minutes later here comes Mr. Brain Surgeon!! He has his 16ft bow rider loaded down with camping gear and two large dogs. He had his wife/girl friend holding the bow rope and all the straps removed!! Well you know what happened next…….yep……he dropped it on the ramp. But that’s not the best of it! Mr. Brain Surgeon assesses the situation and decided the best thing to do is push the boat down the ramp into the water!! Oh yea, the ramp is cross cut in two different direction fro traction, so it’s VERY course!!! So he gets a couple people to help him push the boat the 10 or so feet down the ramp to the water. I did not participate! They get it in the water. The line of scraped off fiberglass clearly shows where the boat had been sitting, and the path it had taken to be pushed to the water! What does Mr. Brain Surgeon do next……..Why what else would he do? He gets in the boat with is family and heads to Masonboro Island for a long week end of camping. Never mind putting it back on the trailer and at least inspecting the bottom! I hope he had a good bilge pump or at least a large bucket!!!

My wife is now an avid boat ramp watching fan!!!

[BBB725]

My biggest dock blunder was with my 30' Chaparral Villain. Bought it in the Nov 89, took one test run and winterized it.... now the long wait for Spring.
Spring arrives, the boat comes out of storage and off to the local landing we go. Back then there were only two other go fast boats on our waters.... two Scarab IIIs and my Villain made three. Thru hull exhaust at the time was almost as rare. :(

Where were you boating in 99?

[Chris]

Impatience at the ramp is a killer. Unpreparedness is another one. Hustling to be courteous ranks up there as well.

I've left the drain plug out myself- and the truck was already parked. Had to run back, find the spare in the glovebox, then go diving to get it in.

But my favorite ramp story was taking the Jetskis on vacation. We were at Hilton Head- the only public ramp is 2 1/2 lanes wide anf these clowns managed to get their F150 and their 23' CC fishing boat blocking all of it. Then they decided to get the cover off, get the coolers from the other truck and load them, etc. I finally get pissed and decide to show off my proficiency at backing the trailer in. I was doing just fine- until the left side of the trailer disappeared. The ramp wasn't full-width all the way down. I jumped out and floated the skis off and took a look- I was pretty hot by then. I figured I could just ease out. It was working until the spring's U-bolts caught the ramp and tore the axle out. Ended up having to go buy a complete new trailer.

[redhotsommer]

Two summers ago I backed my trailer COMPLETELY off the ramp without knowing it...I later found out that only one of the three lanes on the ramp was long enough for my boat....later. Well, the boat floated free without a problem, of course, but when I jumped back in the truck and pulled the trailer out, that front axle whacked the concrete pretty good. I just remember hearing a loud bang and felt the truck jerk, but I didn't really think anything of it, and just parked the rig and ran back to the boat. When I went back later in the day to grab the trailer, it looked like somebody had rear-ended it...all the lights were blown out and hanging by the wires, and the front axle was kinked about 2 inches further back on the left side than the right...brace tore, but didn't break, or I'd have lost the whole thing. Oops.

[Davidmnc]

Impatience at the ramp is a killer. Unpreparedness is another one. Hustling to be courteous ranks up there as well.

I've left the drain plug out myself- and the truck was already parked. Had to run back, find the spare in the glovebox, then go diving to get it in.

But my favorite ramp story was taking the Jetskis on vacation. We were at Hilton Head- the only public ramp is 2 1/2 lanes wide anf these clowns managed to get their F150 and their 23' CC fishing boat blocking all of it. Then they decided to get the cover off, get the coolers from the other truck and load them, etc. I finally get pissed and decide to show off my proficiency at backing the trailer in. I was doing just fine- until the left side of the trailer disappeared. The ramp wasn't full-width all the way down. I jumped out and floated the skis off and took a look- I was pretty hot by then. I figured I could just ease out. It was working until the spring's U-bolts caught the ramp and tore the axle out. Ended up having to go buy a complete new trailer.



I can’t believe I am telling YOU this……..patients is a virtue my friend!!!:seeya:

[LaughingCat]

Was helping my father load his 'battleship' on the trailer for the regular monthly servicing. He asked if I wanted to drive the boat or the Navigator to the ramp. Judging by the water temp, I opted to stay dry in the boat.

I pull up to the ramp, which is fairly steep. the tide was low so he was backed down pretty far. As I am approaching, he walks down to the winch to pay out some cable. Now, you have to remember, my father is almost 300#, was a great athlete in HS and college, but hasn't run since I was 6 (30 years ago). Within a blink, his legs are in the air and he's flat on his back, sliding towards the water. I absolutely bust a gut.

As I ease onto the trailer, he kept bragging, "did you see how I kept my head from hitting the pavement?"

"Daddy, your ass is wet. I'm driving the car."

[BBB725]

For some reason my brother always opens his truck door to back his boat in the water. So one day he shows up at work and the end of the front fender and the begining of the drivers door was and crunched bad. When I ask what happen he said the door caught on a post by the launch ramp and opened the door over 90 degrees. Never opened his door after that:biggrinjester:

[catmando]

In 1987 I had a Jeep Grand Waggoneer,worst car I ever owned. Had constant electrical problems,many times at nite the headlites would go out,but the worst was the wipers would hardly ever work when it rained. One day I backed an 18'Donzi down the ramp,put Jeep in park,got out to unhook the boat. As I stepped out it somehow came out of park and slowly rolled into the water.Fortunately the boat floated free. I watched as the Jeep began the sink,and just before it went under,the wipers came on :)Hahahaaa. :D

[catmando]

I left my plug out one time...got over to the boat landing, sat in line for 20 minutes watching the entertainment until our turn. Halfway down the ramp I realized I hadn't put it back in....pulled back out and left. We only live 5 blocks away, so 10 minutes later I get to sit in line again.... good thing they weren't charg'n for the entertainment.

My biggest dock blunder was with my 30' Chaparral Villain. Bought it in the Nov 89, took one test run and winterized it.... now the long wait for Spring.
Spring arrives, the boat comes out of storage and off to the local landing we go. Back then there were only two other go fast boats on our waters.... two Scarab IIIs and my Villain made three. Thru hull exhaust at the time was almost as rare. Needless to say, anytime a boat with that Cigarette/Drug Runner look (thank you Miami Vice) pulled into a dock, a crowd would gather.... instant celeb. That day was no different except instead of being part of the crowd of onlookers, my friend Mark and I were the center of attention and about to have a humbling experience.
The landing has 8 ramps and all were in use.... busy day.
We pull into line and start prep'n the boat.... a crowd starts to gather.
A ramp opens and I back in.... the crowd gets larger.
All eyes are on us and I'm think'n.... I may just be the man.
After a little production of check'n things over I fire number one.... the crowd is pleased.
After a very obvious check of the gauges, I fire number two.... the crowd is in awe and
I'm Don Frick'n Johnson.
After another important check of the gauges I raise the electric engine hatch to make a visual check. Like a flight crew on a fighter jet, I check everything so the crowd has plenty of time to check out those big Black monsters.
Now it's time to give the crowd the show they've been wait'n for.
I slide the shifters into reverse, ease the throttles and....nothing. :huh:
Hmm...drives must not have engaged right. (first boat with sticks)
I shift back to neutral, shift into reverse again, ease the throttles.... nothing...WTF
I try one more time and still nothing.... the crowd looks concerned.
Out of desperation and pride on the line I give the throttles a nudge and the boat creeps ever so slightly...forward.

Oh...by the way, did I mention that I had taken the props off for winter storage and put them back on prior to heading for the landing?

Yup, that's what I did all right.

Are ya start'n to see a pattern here?

I shift to forward, ease the throttles a bit and sure enough we start to back off the bunks.... the crowd looks pleased again.
I give Mark a "How do we bullsh!t our way out of this one" look and with my best poker face (which sucks at best) I announce to Mark over the rumble of those big Black bastids that are drawing all this stupid attention, I don't like how sloppy the shifters are work'n and want to put it back on the trailer to tweek'm..... the crowd is disappointed.
Back on the trailer, we head for a discrete corner of the lot to swap the props.:leaving:

You guessed it…. the crowd followed. :(Too funny. :D :D

[dwtinc]

Good site

[Rush]

My next door neighbor.:rofl:

[Tony]

One thing I absolutly can not fuking stand is the idiots who spend half an hour waiting in line to launch only to pull onto the ramp then get out and remove all canvas and tie downs/ install drainplug. Then proceed to load 3 screaming kids, a cooler, 2 backpacks, a tube, towline, dog, sunscreen, fishing rods and towels ONE PIECE AT A TIME. Into the goddamned boat before backing into the water. Only to find out they have a dead battery.

If tazing theese people was legal the world would be a better place.

[Scarab KV]

One thing I absolutly can not fuking stand is the idiots who spend half an hour waiting in line to launch only to pull onto the ramp then get out and remove all canvas and tie downs/ install drainplug. Then proceed to load 3 screaming kids, a cooler, 2 backpacks, a tube, towline, dog, sunscreen, fishing rods and towels ONE PIECE AT A TIME. Into the goddamned boat before backing into the water. Only to find out they have a dead battery.

If tazing theese people was legal the world would be a better place.

Well put :rofl::rofl::rofl:

[Tony]

Ive been tempted to carry a cattle prod with me on weekends.

[Scarab KV]

Be sure to load it with Lipo's....much better zap :D

[Knot 4 Me]

One thing I absolutly can not fuking stand is the idiots who spend half an hour waiting in line to launch only to pull onto the ramp then get out and remove all canvas and tie downs/ install drainplug. Then proceed to load 3 screaming kids, a cooler, 2 backpacks, a tube, towline, dog, sunscreen, fishing rods and towels ONE PIECE AT A TIME. Into the goddamned boat before backing into the water. Only to find out they have a dead battery.

If tazing theese people was legal the world would be a better place.Amen. I always make sure when I back down the ramp I am cocked, locked, and ready to rock.

[dwtinc]

And if there is just about room for another make sure there isn't room

[Tony]

I have no problems with hogging 2 lanes to insure that my rig stays safe from the other idiots. Even when I'm by myself, Im in and out before most of the other retards have their tiedowns loose.

[RumRunner]

I've never left a drain plug out on my own boats, but when I was a kid working at a High and Dry there were many times that we'd rush to throw a boat back on the fork truck to double check if there was a plug in her cause no one remembered putting one int.

Best two stories where the 38' Scarab with Kama surface drives that had it's bow stuffed into the bottom of the canal because the fork truck driver was going to fast and it could stop so a the front wheels hit the dock, and the rear wheels went air born that boat was dropped as fast as it could go:blush5:

The other was about some guys that either stole or repo'd a boat (Depending on who you ask) raced across the bay and went to put her on the trailer. Did a burn out with the Dually to pull it out of the water, and she slid off the trailer to wind up sitting on the ramp...

[dwtinc]

I am glad I don't have good stories on myself

[BBB725]

One thing I absolutly can not fuking stand is the idiots who spend half an hour waiting in line to launch only to pull onto the ramp then get out and remove all canvas and tie downs/ install drainplug. Then proceed to load 3 screaming kids, a cooler, 2 backpacks, a tube, towline, dog, sunscreen, fishing rods and towels ONE PIECE AT A TIME. Into the goddamned boat before backing into the water. Only to find out they have a dead battery.

If tazing theese people was legal the world would be a better place.

You mean it's not legal? Oh oh I might be in trouble:biggrinjester:

[the bear]

Several years ago, was on a small lake here in MO camping with some friends, after a few beers we decide at midnight to go check trotlines, we get in my friends aluminum fishing boat, with him, his pregnant wife and another friend, we are across the lake when I bring to everyoned attention the water level is over our ankles, I asked the owner if he put the plug in and he said right before we left the camp site. we cut the fish finding trip short and speed back to the trailer, when we pulled the boat out of the lake, come to find out he did put the plug in, (it was the push in rubber one that folds over to hold it, not threaded), but he put it in the hole the bilge pump pumps out of.

[Scarab KV]

I am glad I don't have good stories on myself

You just haven't lived yet :D

[Scarab KV]

You mean it's not legal? Oh oh I might be in trouble:biggrinjester:

Cattle prods are legal though. :sifone:

[Davidmnc]

Several years ago, was on a small lake here in MO camping with some friends, after a few beers we decide at midnight to go check trotlines, we get in my friends aluminum fishing boat, with him, his pregnant wife and another friend, we are across the lake when I bring to everyoned attention the water level is over our ankles, I asked the owner if he put the plug in and he said right before we left the camp site. we cut the fish finding trip short and speed back to the trailer, when we pulled the boat out of the lake, come to find out he did put the plug in, (it was the push in rubber one that folds over to hold it, not threaded), but he put it in the hole the bilge pump pumps out of.

Why do these kind of story's always have "after a few beers" :huh:

[Scarab KV]

Why do these kind of story's always have "after a few beers" :huh:

Just add alcohol :sifone:

[OldSchool]

Can the mods change the title of this thread to "Stupid Ramp Stories"? This might be the makings of a cool thread with a better title. Like many of you,I have a few from 43 years as a boat dealer.:sifone:

Done :):)

[the bear]

Why do these kind of story's always have "after a few beers" :huh:

Just call it the Red Neck in all of us coming out:03:

[PARADOX]

OK.. Good title.

Now that a few shared ramp stories.. Here's one more. Mine this time.
AS an experienced boater/trailer user. (don't comment on that)...
back in 1985 or so. New 21' boat. taking it to the ramp first time. Not familiar with ther ramp, getting the boat in .. no problems. Tied it up, ready to get the tandem trailer out. Chevy K-5 4WD. A tank in it's days.
No go. car, trailer not budging. Parking brackes? nop it's off. In drive.. yup ..ok in 4 WD,, nothing, Engines moawns and growns but nothing coming out of the lake. After a few minutes and several attempts to crawl under the car see what's going on. I backed in a bit. No problem. Great. Forward we go 1 foot and stop.
The damn ramp had a 2' drop, the water washed away the end of the ramp and I had to go over a 2' concrete footing, with the trailer tire firmly stuck againts it. It's like pulling the trailer through a block wall. Not gonna happen.
The wheels are behind the footing, can't get them to role over.
OK what do I do. Being a great engineer, tied ropes around the trailer, lifted the trailer up with some help and once the tires got above the fotting of ther amp, out we went. AFTER about an hour of f''' king around. Great lesson. Now I always check where the ramp ends. Bacame a habbit.
I helped others in the same way. After a few minutes and one can't get out. I know the problem. Get the ropes, lift, out they. go. I'm the local ramp expert now. :26:

[dwtinc]

New name on the thread

[waterboy222]

first weekend I brought my boat back from MI, we go over to the Party Cove to tie up. My buddies are scrambling around trying to tie the ropes to the bumpers (I forgot to do it when i bought them).. as im pulling in between two boats to tie off, my buddy runs by and snags the kill switches with a bottle opener hangin off his boardshorts and kills both motors as we are drifting pretty quick towards a brand new 40' fountain.. BAM.. he was in the cabin with the kill switches tangled around his shorts and no one on the front to catch us..

The guy i hit said "soooooo, this is the new boat huh?"

[Marinaguy]

ok here's a dealer story. They use the Marina to do their demos. One day the dealer's employee (in his own truck) is pulling the boat back out from the demo, and he has left the drive down. So as he is pulling the boat up the ramp, dragging the drive on the concrete, my guys are yelling at him that the drive is down. He gets out of the truck, climbs into the boat and lifts the drive, as the drive comes off the concrete, the truck and trailer roll right back down the ramp into the water. The boat floats holding the trailer by the winch strap, and the truck finally stops rolling about 30' into the water. We had to get a diver to dive to the truck to hook up the wrecker's winch cable, as the truck is pulled from the water fish actually came out of the trucks interior. We have stills and video of the rescue. I will try and find them. BTW the dealer fired the employee, AND refused to fix his truck!:rolleyes:

[Perlmudder]

ok here's a dealer story. They use the Marina to do their demos. One day the dealer's employee (in his own truck) is pulling the boat back out from the demo, and he has left the drive down. So as he is pulling the boat up the ramp, dragging the drive on the concrete, my guys are yelling at him that the drive is down. He gets out of the truck, climbs into the boat and lifts the drive, as the drive comes off the concrete, the truck and trailer roll right back down the ramp into the water. The boat floats holding the trailer by the winch strap, and the truck finally stops rolling about 30' into the water. We had to get a diver to dive to the truck to hook up the wrecker's winch cable, as the truck is pulled from the water fish actually came out of the trucks interior. We have stills and video of the rescue. I will try and find them. BTW the dealer fired the employee, AND refused to fix his truck!:rolleyes:

ive forgot to put the drive up when pulling out one time. made a bad noise, but the damage was fixable by a metal file.

[Seafordguy]

About 3 or 4 years ago we were eating breakfast at a ramp side restaraunt watching 2 guys try their best to get a fairly nice 28'ish twin engine fishing boat off their F250's trailer. By the time we got to the end of the meal these assclowns still hadn't gotten the thing launched so I offered to lend a hand being the philanthropist that I am.

They pulled it back up the ramp so we could ensure there weren't any tie down straps left on and it was at this point I noticed that nice fresh bottom paint they had applied. Well evidently the fumes had impaired their judgement because these scholars had lowered the boat back down onto the carpeted bunks while the paint was still wet - and you guessed it the boat and the trailer was stuck together like a tubesock in a teenage boys' dresser.

I'll skip all of the iterations of removal methods we tried and get down to what finally worked. They backed the truck down as far as we could get it. I tied two long lines stretching from the rear of the boat about 50 feet down the dock on both sides. I told one of the guys to hop up in the boat, put it in reverse, and floor it, and at the same time the guy in the truck put the truck in gear and floored it. After the ropes pulled tight and after some encouragement from the crowd, some tire spinning, and an almost audible tearing sound the boat came loose pulling nearly all of the bunk carpet off as it did so. They seemed greatful for the help, unconcerned about the boat, and we all went our seperate ways....

Unbelievable to be there.

[insanity]

...and after some encouragement from the crowd...

LOL! I can only imagine what the peanut gallery had to say!

[Buoy]

Me too!!



Me too!!:sifone: I kept thing WTF, let me just back it down again and slam on the brakes. Didn't work!:leaving:

I've been guilty of this one.
But, I've never forgotten the plug (knock on my head - er, wood)....


OK.. Good title.

Now that a few shared ramp stories.. Here's one more. Mine this time.
AS an experienced boater/trailer user. (don't comment on that)...
back in 1985 or so. New 21' boat. taking it to the ramp first time. Not familiar with ther ramp, getting the boat in .. no problems. Tied it up, ready to get the tandem trailer out. Chevy K-5 4WD. A tank in it's days.
No go. car, trailer not budging. Parking brackes? nop it's off. In drive.. yup ..ok in 4 WD,, nothing, Engines moawns and growns but nothing coming out of the lake. After a few minutes and several attempts to crawl under the car see what's going on. I backed in a bit. No problem. Great. Forward we go 1 foot and stop.
The damn ramp had a 2' drop, the water washed away the end of the ramp and I had to go over a 2' concrete footing, with the trailer tire firmly stuck againts it. It's like pulling the trailer through a block wall. Not gonna happen.
The wheels are behind the footing, can't get them to role over.
OK what do I do. Being a great engineer, tied ropes around the trailer, lifted the trailer up with some help and once the tires got above the fotting of ther amp, out we went. AFTER about an hour of f''' king around. Great lesson. Now I always check where the ramp ends. Bacame a habbit.
I helped others in the same way. After a few minutes and one can't get out. I know the problem. Get the ropes, lift, out they. go. I'm the local ramp expert now. :26:

Peter,
Couldn't you tie the rope to the bow eye from the trailer, reverse boat to lift trailer while slowly pulling forward with the truck?? Kind of tug-o-war to raise the trailer instead of muscling it?? Us skinny guys have to think about chit like this:biggrinjester:

[Buoy]

Had a buddy with a 24' Cobia walk-around clamp-on that he kept at Meinke's on Erie.
It was mid November, and anyone from west end of Erie knows what happens to water levels in mid November.
I had moved to Pittsburgh a few months earlier.
His truck was in the shop, and the boat HAD to come out this weekend, so I hauled out with my dually from the 'burgh.
Water was low, and I backed the trailer in to the end of the ramp, not even close enough to load the boat - but the boat had to come out.
So he gets a running start, and aims for the trailer.
I thought he was gonna wind up in the bed of my truck, but it stopped at the bow stop. Tilted on the trailer about 30 degrees to starboard.
Well, we can't haul it 25 miles to his house like this.
Wound up scavenging around the lot for available supplies.
Luckily I had a floor jack in the bed of the truck.
Jacked the boat up, and used railroad ties to lever the trailer across the lot until we could set the boat down on it properly.
I was surprised we actually pulled it off.

[MacGyver]

I have never forgotten a drain plug. I have attempted to leave the dock with one stern line still tied once. Nothing you can do in that situation but announce:

"Ok... looks like she is shifting fine now... let's cast off that last line and head out." :D


Smooooooth, very smooth :)

[MacGyver]

This should be Gino's favorite thread :sifone:

[PARADOX]

Peter,
Couldn't you tie the rope to the bow eye from the trailer, reverse boat to lift trailer while slowly pulling forward with the truck?? Kind of tug-o-war to raise the trailer instead of muscling it?? Us skinny guys have to think about chit like this:biggrinjester:[/QUOTE]
I wasn't skinny back then. :rofl: Besides, I had a couple of "ramp grounts" around to do most of the lifting.

[gerritm]

:biggrinjester:2 stupid ramp stories among many. New 22' all red Crownline ski boat. Second or third time launching it. Very cool looking small boat with 350mag motor and thru hull exhaust, tinted winscreen. Lots of people on dock of small northern lake. We were all prepared, straps off, kids loaded, ready to roll. Back down, drop it in like a pro. I am cool. Park the truck run down to the dock, go to start it and nothing. Mentally go thru the checklist, wiggle the battery cables, etc. Still nothing. Dead Battery? Run up, get the truck, pull it nose down as far as it will go blocking the ramps to make the cables reach, hook up the cables, still nothing, while I am bent over in the engine compartment, my wife comes over with a red cable and asks "what's this thing do?" The kids had pulled out the kill switch tether. 1st boat I had with one.

1st time I changed the props on my Fountain and found out the spin in not out like my other boats. Thank goodness I was easing it away from the dock. Took a couple of tries back and forth on the sticks to realize it.

I have only left the plugs out once.

[Seafordguy]

:biggrinjester:2 stupid ramp stories among many. New 22' all red Crownline ski boat. Second or third time launching it. Very cool looking small boat with 350mag motor and thru hull exhaust, tinted winscreen. Lots of people on dock of small northern lake. We were all prepared, straps off, kids loaded, ready to roll. Back down, drop it in like a pro. I am cool. Park the truck run down to the dock, go to start it and nothing. Mentally go thru the checklist, wiggle the battery cables, etc. Still nothing. Dead Battery? Run up, get the truck, pull it nose down as far as it will go blocking the ramps to make the cables reach, hook up the cables, still nothing, while I am bent over in the engine compartment, my wife comes over with a red cable and asks "what's this thing do?" The kids had pulled out the kill switch tether. 1st boat I had with one.

1st time I changed the props on my Fountain and found out the spin in not out like my other boats. Thank goodness I was easing it away from the dock. Took a couple of tries back and forth on the sticks to realize it.

I have only left the plugs out once.

Don't feel bad - Last summer I took it down to the ramp for the first launch of the season. The boat just plain wouldn't start. Went up and got two new batteries, still wouldn't start. Decided I'd drive over to a buddy's house to get some fuel to poor down the carbs. On the way I look back and one of the rims had sheered the lug nuts off because being the idiot I am, I had put a little bit of oil on the lugs and they had worked their way off in short order. Managed to get the spare put on and decided to abort the project and head home. Backed the trailer up and sheered 2 tires off the rims because they were under inflated. Was SOME how able to knock on the door of a house we stopped in front of and use their air compressor and get the tires to rebead through a careful process of jacking up the axle until they mostly held air. Took the boat home and spent about an hour in the bilge trying to figure out what the hell the problem was - it was at that point that I remembered I had removed the life jackets so they wouldn't age poorly during the winter, and that they had the kill switches attached. I felt like a retard.

Now I ALWAYS check air pressure in the tires before my 5 mile trip to the ramp.....

[TCEd]

My stupid ramp story
Wife is in truck about to back boat/trailer down ramp for the first time.
I tell her sternly " I'll either say "stop or go". "Go" meaning back down further.
I position on the side dock with a line attached to the boat.
So she begins backing down the ramp and is just about where the boat will float off the trailer and I say "Whoa !"
Which to her sounds like "go"

I won't get into what happened or the discussion that followed. The crow pie was good.

ed

[Davidmnc]

Wife is in truck about to back boat/trailer down ramp for the first time.

Wives that back boat trailers down the ramp ROCK! 14318

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

I worked a ramp over the summer in high school.
We would lunch about 60 a day on weekends 100+ on holidays.. I cannot remember all the silly things I saw. Boats on the ramp. Cars backed until the bumper was in the water, girls falling in the water with t-shirts on. The panic of realizing they forgot the plug. On and On ....

[Knot 4 Me]

Well evidently the fumes had impaired their judgement because these scholars had lowered the boat back down onto the carpeted bunks while the paint was still wet - and you guessed it the boat and the trailer was stuck together like a tubesock in a teenage boys' dresser.

Too funny...

[Marinaguy]

ok, not exactly a ramp launch story but I think y'all find it funny enough. My first boat was a 91 24' chris craft bowrider. i took delivery of it in Feb in Atlanta, so I had a lot of quiet times at the Dry Stack Marina I kept it at. I would "practice" and be back by the last minute of service so it wouldn't be in over night. I am back one day a little early and pulling up (bow first) to the dock. Get up close, put the drive in neutral and go to the bow to grab the dock. I lean out over the water to grab the dock and I am trying to pull the boat to the dock, and it almost feels like it is trying to pull away. You probably guessed by now the boat wasn't in neutral but reverse, and now I am holding the dock with one hand and the boat is pulling away and I am too far out of the boat to get in and I end up in the water, with the boat pulling away from the slip, and no one around. I am not on the dock, or the boat. By the Grace of God, the wheel was turned enough that the boat was making a big turn in reverse, slowly, and it came back around, I grabbed the swim ladder, and pulled myself back into the boat. No Harm, No Foul, No Witnesses..........:rolleyes:

[Davidmnc]

ok, not exactly a ramp launch story but I think y'all find it funny enough. My first boat was a 91 24' chris craft bowrider. i took delivery of it in Feb in Atlanta, so I had a lot of quiet times at the Dry Stack Marina I kept it at. I would "practice" and be back by the last minute of service so it wouldn't be in over night. I am back one day a little early and pulling up (bow first) to the dock. Get up close, put the drive in neutral and go to the bow to grab the dock. I lean out over the water to grab the dock and I am trying to pull the boat to the dock, and it almost feels like it is trying to pull away. You probably guessed by now the boat wasn't in neutral but reverse, and now I am holding the dock with one hand and the boat is pulling away and I am too far out of the boat to get in and I end up in the water, with the boat pulling away from the slip, and no one around. I am not on the dock, or the boat. By the Grace of God, the wheel was turned enough that the boat was making a big turn in reverse, slowly, and it came back around, I grabbed the swim ladder, and pulled myself back into the boat. No Harm, No Foul, No Witnesses..........:rolleyes:


But now we all know!!!!!!!! 1436814368

[dwtinc]

ok, not exactly a ramp launch story but I think y'all find it funny enough. My first boat was a 91 24' chris craft bowrider. i took delivery of it in Feb in Atlanta, so I had a lot of quiet times at the Dry Stack Marina I kept it at. I would "practice" and be back by the last minute of service so it wouldn't be in over night. I am back one day a little early and pulling up (bow first) to the dock. Get up close, put the drive in neutral and go to the bow to grab the dock. I lean out over the water to grab the dock and I am trying to pull the boat to the dock, and it almost feels like it is trying to pull away. You probably guessed by now the boat wasn't in neutral but reverse, and now I am holding the dock with one hand and the boat is pulling away and I am too far out of the boat to get in and I end up in the water, with the boat pulling away from the slip, and no one around. I am not on the dock, or the boat. By the Grace of God, the wheel was turned enough that the boat was making a big turn in reverse, slowly, and it came back around, I grabbed the swim ladder, and pulled myself back into the boat. No Harm, No Foul, No Witnesses..........:rolleyes:


Climbed on with the prop turning. Braver then me. I would of watched it hit something first

[Marinaguy]

True story, I figured if I stayed to the outside where the ladder was I would be clear of prop......and the speed was not very fast, just far enough to be in gear......reverse gear...

[Davidmnc]

Climbed on with the prop turning. Braver then me. I would of watched it hit something first

:iagree::iagree::iagree::iagree::iagree:

[dwtinc]

True story, I figured if I stayed to the outside where the ladder was I would be clear of prop......and the speed was not very fast, just far enough to be in gear......reverse gear...

I am glad it worked out safe

[LaughingCat]

OK.. Good title.

Now that a few shared ramp stories.. Here's one more. Mine this time.
AS an experienced boater/trailer user. (don't comment on that)...
back in 1985 or so. New 21' boat. taking it to the ramp first time. Not familiar with ther ramp, getting the boat in .. no problems. Tied it up, ready to get the tandem trailer out. Chevy K-5 4WD. A tank in it's days.
No go. car, trailer not budging. Parking brackes? nop it's off. In drive.. yup ..ok in 4 WD,, nothing, Engines moawns and growns but nothing coming out of the lake. After a few minutes and several attempts to crawl under the car see what's going on. I backed in a bit. No problem. Great. Forward we go 1 foot and stop.
The damn ramp had a 2' drop, the water washed away the end of the ramp and I had to go over a 2' concrete footing, with the trailer tire firmly stuck againts it. It's like pulling the trailer through a block wall. Not gonna happen.
The wheels are behind the footing, can't get them to role over.
OK what do I do. Being a great engineer, tied ropes around the trailer, lifted the trailer up with some help and once the tires got above the fotting of ther amp, out we went. AFTER about an hour of f''' king around. Great lesson. Now I always check where the ramp ends. Bacame a habbit.
I helped others in the same way. After a few minutes and one can't get out. I know the problem. Get the ropes, lift, out they. go. I'm the local ramp expert now. :26:


For some reason, my triple axle, which weights a ton on land, floats under my boat. It's aluminum with some huge bunks. The flowing tide will pull it to the side if I wait to long. Glad I rarely use it.

[off roading]

Back in the 90's i had the first dock next to the ramp at a local marine and would often go down with beer and popcorn and just watch the shows. one time these two guys back their 25' with twins in the water one jumps in the boat while the other parks the truck. the boat driver decides to turn the boat around so they get a straight shot out to the river. backs up the ramp so fast that both props ripped up to the hub.

[Heavyhauler]

Several years ago my son and I were going to launch his 20' Baha from a local ramp. The boat had a fair amount of water in the bilge from being parked out in the rain for several days with the plug in it. We were backed up on the ramp and my son's girlfriend was in the boat. The ramp which was almost flat (I thought) didn't seem to have enough incline to drain the bilge quickly with the plug out, so I decided to put the jack down a little to raise the bow of the boat to get the water flowing out of the bilge a little quicker. About the time I got the bow up pretty good, which also had the back of the truck up pretty good as well, the ball lock apparently hadn't locked and the trailer came off the ball and in the river goes the boat and the trailer and the tide is going out fast. I manage to throw a rope on the trailer and get it tied to the dock, although it still went out and down about 20'. The boat seperated itself from the trailer and was heading downstream at a good clip with his then girlfriend in the boat with no plug in the bilge and she didn't know anything about operating a boat or anything else for that matter, but she was sitting up there looking real pretty. My son jumped on another boat and went to her rescue, got the boat back to the dock where we inserted the plug back into the bilge to stop that. While all this is going on, people are coming to the ramp and launching their boats over top the trailer that is submerged about 20' off the ramp. We manage to dive down to the trailer, following the rope that was tied to it and get a big rope around it, hook it to our truck and pull the trailer up out of the water, get hooked back up, and luckily live happily ever after. Anytime I tell my son he has done something stupid, he reminds me of that little trick that I pulled. I'll never live that one down.

[SEADOGZ]

If you want pics and video, live is the best way get a case of beer and go to the boat launch on gun lake michigan on a hot sunny saturday, you never know what you might see........

[Audiofn]

I was with another older member of OSO and had to get from Boston to NY with my boat for a run up the Hudson. We get to the ramp and it is backed up 20 or so boats deep. Every boat is taking for EVER to get out of the water. So we decide to head back to the marina and go to a ball game for his daughter. We get back after the game and it is getting dark now and there is STILL a huge line. I get in line and keep bumping the shifter and easing my way past everyone. They are all yelling at me there is a line there is a line. I keep telling them not to worry I will waite but that I am going to drop my anchore at the front and waite my turn. If I had waited for all the mental midgets to get their boats out it would have been midnight before I got on the road. I got Mark on the phone and told him to back down the ramp. Looked at everyone and said what do you want me to do and drove up on the trailer. People were freeking out yelling at me and I am PRAYING that I hit the trailer correctly on the first shot. Took us about a min to get the boat on the trailer and up the ramp. Two people came up to me later when I was preping for the 4 hour drive and said that they were pissed at me at first but then were amazed that a boat could come out of the water that fast. The next day was even worse I waited in line for ever and people on Jet Ski's kept cuting me off. I figured it was payback for the day before. One guy in a jet ski kept coming real close to the back of my boat so I trimmed up and slammed the throttles and flipped him over :D

[Audiofn]

Who has the picture of the new Skater on the ground at the ramp.

[fund razor]

Smooooooth, very smooth :)
The proper suntan can hide a lot of shame. :D

[fund razor]

Climbed on with the prop turning. Braver then me. I would of watched it hit something first Braver than me.
Braver then me means that you sent Skip in first. :D

[Lubejobs42]

One of my many!

[phragle]

some I just knew Gino had a story or 2 that would fit in here.....

[Buoy]

Back in the 90's i had the first dock next to the ramp at a local marine and would often go down with beer and popcorn and just watch the shows. one time these two guys back their 25' with twins in the water one jumps in the boat while the other parks the truck. the boat driver decides to turn the boat around so they get a straight shot out to the river. backs up the ramp so fast that both props ripped up to the hub.

Which Marina?

[DollaBill]

There was always a really strong current in front of my marina and watching people try to back in the slips to put the boats up for dry stack was always very entertaining. Even had one boat wind up ON TOP OF THE dock

[dwtinc]

I was riding with a friend of mine that isn't very sea worthy. He played hockey for the Maple Leafs but for some reason he just isn't a very good boat driver. He is the type that is either full sticks or off. We was pulling into the Horney Toad for some cocktails forward of course because thats how he parks and as you can guess he slows to square off with the dock and then all off a sudden it was full throttle and the nose goes up the dock. He pulls the sticks back and the boat slides back down and then he looks at us and say lets tie up like nothing happen. I was busy looking around and trying to see who was watching and trying top disappear. Last time I rode with him.

[Expensive Date]

We are going to try something different next week.We will vote on the POTW nominations that close Sunday night but there wil be no POTW contest next week.We will instead pick four posts from this thread and then have a vote.Same deal prizes for the winner and one random voter so post away.

[Expensive Date]

Mine is kinda boring but two years ago I was launching my boat with two of my kids (at the time they were 10) I did my usual check plug etc.backed down the ramp got it in the water unhooked the bow cleat backed up a little more then floated her off.I already had side lines on it so I told my kids to tie it up while I parked the truck.Well the did problem they left about 20 feet of slack the current was pushing away from the dock so it kinda floated away.No harm done we just pulled it in and left

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

This was at a race near Niagra falls. The current was serious. The trailer ride up from MD. broke a piece on the transom. Stoney couldn't get his life jacket on.

14465

Some how after a little work and a lot of drinking they won the race. I backed the trailer in and expected a high speed hit. As it worked out my buddy Art read my mind and hit the trailer nearly on plane. I had time to take the picture then a quick click on the bow eye and we were done. I couldn't have taken 10 seconds total.

14466

We resumed drinking and watched everyone else struggle at the ramp.
The good old days racing. Art and Stoney, The Original Joker Racing Team

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

When I was in high school I worked summers at a ramp on the South River. The southern side is now Know as Edgerock. Anyway every week end the line would form to launch. The owner and his buddies sat and drank beer all day at the ramp house as the staff cared for the customers. They would crack another Bud every 30 minutes as the swing bridge would open.

On this day in line amid the trailer boats in line was a couple with a canoe on the roof of there station wagon. By the time their turn arrived the drinking people were taking bets among themselves as to how long the canoe ride would last.. The had a boat load of shiiit load in it.. The only reason anybody had any patience was she was stack wearing only a white t shirt and cut off shorts. I soon understood as everyone else did if the canoe goes over it will be quite a show.

The ride lasted less than 5 seconds. They only managed to clear the ramp and over it went.. Shiiit floating everywhere. The dude swam for all the floating stuff and handed it to the woman standing in knee deep water on the ramp. Everybody was more than willing to help her. I was 15 what a site to behold. I wish I had a pic of that moment.. I guess you can all imagine.

[glassdave]

Back in the 90's i had the first dock next to the ramp at a local marine and would often go down with beer and popcorn and just watch the shows. one time these two guys back their 25' with twins in the water one jumps in the boat while the other parks the truck. the boat driver decides to turn the boat around so they get a straight shot out to the river. backs up the ramp so fast that both props ripped up to the hub.

i think i may have had the same slip over at Rossford. I had the one right next to the ramp over there. One night a crew came down at about midnight to launch and go across the river to The Light House (A bar across the way) Dude backs the boat in and leaves his bow eye still connected and as soon as it floats he throws it in forward and pulls out. problem is he was still hooked to the boat. Everything comes up the ramp and the boat spools out and comes to rest at about a 45 degree angle on the back of the trailer about twenty feet from the water. Dude gets out of truck . . . surveys damage . . . . backs (skids) the whole mess back down the ramp into the water gets in and heads to the bar. . . . . i stayed in my slip that night. I dont wanna be out there while he was out there to. . . . that wasn't you was it?. :leaving::D

[db71]

I have two both I showed up a little late for.

First one I show up at the ramp and the firetruck is putting out a fire on what used to be oh probably a 18' boat of some kind with a i/o boat basically burnt to the water line couple guys standing there I guess the boat would not start so one of the bright guys decided to get in and arc the starter over he had some burns but lived everyone else was ok.

Next one I show up and the tow truck is fishing out a 2 or 3 year old truck with a trailer attached. Couple old guys and a fishing boat really wasn't their fault supposedly the ramp was slick. I'm sure that is Gino's excuse also

What I learned was I needed to start getting to the lake just a little earlier.

[MacGyver]

ive forgot to put the drive up when pulling out one time. made a bad noise, but the damage was fixable by a metal file.

And a little black paint. been there, done that :rolleyes:

[phragle]

i think i may have had the same slip over at Rossford. I had the one right next to the ramp over there. One night a crew came down at about midnight to launch and go across the river to The Light House (A bar across the way) Dude backs the boat in and leaves his bow eye still connected and as soon as it floats he throws it in forward and pulls out. problem is he was still hooked to the boat. Everything comes up the ramp and the boat spools out and comes to rest at about a 45 degree angle on the back of the trailer about twenty feet from the water. Dude gets out of truck . . . surveys damage . . . . backs (skids) the whole mess back down the ramp into the water gets in and heads to the bar. . . . . i stayed in my slip that night. I dont wanna be out there while he was out there to. . . . that wasn't you was it?. :leaving::D


what where you worried about Dave?? 10 to 1 he went the wrong way around the little island and ran it aground and was stuck there for a long time.

[45Sonic]

Back in around 1990 or so, we decided to take one last day on the water before it got too cold. We launched at Gravelly Point near National Airport ( a good place to watch planes and launch ramp antics) anyways got the boat in the water proceeded out for the day not really paying attention to the fuel gauge. At about 1/4 tank we decide to find fuel. Most marinas don't sell fuel after Nov. 1 so we did not have any luck. I decided that we could pull the boat back out haul it to the closest gas station relaunch and continue on our day. We go back to the ramp ( run out at the ramp) put the boat on the trailer and proceed to head out. While we were getting the truck and trailer we happened to notice 5 men getting ready to launch for what appeared to be a fishing trip in a small 16ft cuddy cabin. We get our boat loaded, strapped down and leave. We drive 15 miles to a gas station, get fuel, some beer, some munchies, and head back to the ramp ( all told about and hours time has passed). We pull down the ramp and there they are the same 5 men attempting to still launch their boat. They forgot to unhook the transom straps and have backed their truck down passed the end of the ramp and bottomed the frame of their truck out. Not being four wheel drive they were stuck, mad as hell at each other and not watching the incoming tide. I asked if I could help was told no they had everything under control. We relaunch and headed back out for the rest of the day.

Don't know how or when they got thier truck out but we never did see them on the river that day.

[Buoy]

i think i may have had the same slip over at Rossford.

Yep, I was thinking Rossford also. There were always good antics going on at the ramp. Hell, there were even benches located right in front of, and facing the ramp to watch.


what where you worried about Dave?? 10 to 1 he went the wrong way around the little island and ran it aground and was stuck there for a long time.

I know that water too well, because I know exactly where you are talking about.

[phragle]

I can just hear Alyson Hannigan saying "and this one time, at boat ramp...."

http://www.poster.net/hannigan-alyson/hannigan-alyson-photo-alyson-hannigan-6200298.jpg

[Davidmnc]

I can just hear Alyson Hannigan saying "and this one time, at boat ramp...."

http://www.poster.net/hannigan-alyson/hannigan-alyson-photo-alyson-hannigan-6200298.jpg

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[fund razor]

I know that water too well, because I know exactly where you are talking about.
Same here. :D
In fact... I have stayed out of there for the most part. It's on my "watch" list, like.... the Grassy Island cut and well... the entire Ottawa River. :D

[Buoy]

Same here. :D
In fact... I have stayed out of there for the most part. It's on my "watch" list, like.... the Grassy Island cut and well... the entire Ottawa River. :D

Grassy Island cut I was always cool with - but it's been a few years and it may have changed.
you need to stay uncomfortably close to the island to the east, it feels weird and scary going through, but you could make it about 100-150 ft off the island - yes, that close.
Ottawa river - there is a submerged school bus that has prop marks from a 21p stainless cleaver that I turned into contemporary artwork.

[fund razor]

Oh crap... we just hijacked this puppy.

Sorry!

[t500hps]

Osbourne boat ramp.....this ramp takes 6 at a time (3 pairs of 2 with very nice piers). The space between finger piers is so wide I once back my 21 ft runabout trailer right down the center between 2 boats since they kept coming into the docks and not letting me put my trailer in the water to retrieve my boat that was sitting off to the side....
anyway, last summer I'm pulling up in the 382 to one of the finger piers (I no longer tie off to the side and go get the truck) and a old 25 ft cuddy cabin has just come in. As I'm tying my boat off an old guy behind the wheel of the cuddy gets the boat crooked between the finger piers....trying to correct it, he makes it worse. Getting nervous, he hits the gas harder and harder. The guys in his tow vehicle are yelling at him to sit still since he is now 90 degrees turned between finger piers, he nails the gas and runs the front of the boat up on the finger pier. Then slams it in reverse WOT and nails the other finger pier. So hard, he knocks the teak swim platform off the boat!!!!! (thankfully nobody was tied up beside him)....he finally shuts the boat off. They looked like the guys out of the movie "Deliverance". I'm convinced they were drunk as hell and all 3 of them were speechless!

A co-worker/ex-boater has packed a cooler and a lawn chair and spent a Saturday at this boat ramp twice in the last couple years......claims it's great (and cheap) entertainment.

[Buoy]

Oh crap... we just hijacked this puppy.

Sorry!

Sorry too.
at least we are true to our nature, and not giving anything less than you would expect.

[Magicfloat]

About 1970 or so I had what I thought was the fastest boat on the river,a 15' Checkmate/135 Merc. Now remember,this was a long time ago,and on the river,in-line 6 Mercs ruled.I ran low-mid 60's,enough to beat the guys that came to the launch every weekend. One Sunday,a new boat came to the launch.It was an Allison( feared by most of us),but had a V-4 Evinrude (a joke to most of us)He shut off his motor and coasted into the dock by the launch. He said his shift cable had just broken,he had no neutral or reverse,but would like to race. We started out.I planed off quickly as he climbed on the deck of the Allison as the motor overreved.By the time he got on plane,I was gone. But shortly I looked behind and here he comes,blew by me with at least 20 mph on me. He didn't stop,just kept going,I went back to the launch as my friends tried to figure out what happened.I found out years later what had happened.He had a very rare Evinrude factory race motor with a race lower unit like a SSM Merc,no gearshift,no shift cable.I see him at our Bham Boat Show every year,nearly 40 years later,and we still laugh about how he conned me.He still has the boat and race motor,hasn't run it in years,but I have a surprise for him this year.My 1968 Switzer/125 Merc/SSM lower, may be a match for his old Ally. Can you imagine,2 old guys,2 old boats,and a grudge match from 40 years ago? Stay tuned.

[inbetween]

About 1970 or so I had what I thought was the fastest boat on the river,a 15' Checkmate/135 Merc.

WOW, I grew up in those boats! My Dad had a 15' and a couple of 18's. My uncle had a 15' or 2. I was way younger back then, but remember those well. Always loved to go out in the boat. Those got run on Lake Erie on an almost daily basis during the season. Thanks for the memories.

OK, continue on with the ramp stories.

[Davidmnc]

About 1970 or so I had what I thought was the fastest boat on the river,a 15' Checkmate/135 Merc. Now remember,this was a long time ago,and on the river,in-line 6 Mercs ruled.I ran low-mid 60's,enough to beat the guys that came to the launch every weekend. One Sunday,a new boat came to the launch.It was an Allison( feared by most of us),but had a V-4 Evinrude (a joke to most of us)He shut off his motor and coasted into the dock by the launch. He said his shift cable had just broken,he had no neutral or reverse,but would like to race. We started out.I planed off quickly as he climbed on the deck of the Allison as the motor overreved.By the time he got on plane,I was gone. But shortly I looked behind and here he comes,blew by me with at least 20 mph on me. He didn't stop,just kept going,I went back to the launch as my friends tried to figure out what happened.I found out years later what had happened.He had a very rare Evinrude factory race motor with a race lower unit like a SSM Merc,no gearshift,no shift cable.I see him at our Bham Boat Show every year,nearly 40 years later,and we still laugh about how he conned me.He still has the boat and race motor,hasn't run it in years,but I have a surprise for him this year.My 1968 Switzer/135 Merc/SSM lower, may be a match for his old Ally. Can you imagine,2 old guys,2 old boats,and a grudge match from 40 years ago? Stay tuned.

That's good stuff. You gotta get some one to film it! :03:

[Perlmudder]

Ottawa river - there is a submerged school bus that has prop marks from a 21p stainless cleaver that I turned into contemporary artwork.

so how did a school bus get into the river?!

[fund razor]

so how did a school bus get into the river?!

It was probably the truck we all used to hit. Went through the ice. Mind you... this water varies in depth from 2" to 5' max, but it is mostly mud. Mud and the occasional surprise. Like a 55 gallon barrel or a truck tire. Or... the whole truck. When the wind starts blowing hard from the south west in the late fall all the water tips to the Buffalo side of the saucer and you can see the bottom like an extended low tide.

There is a ramp nearby (here's where it becomes a ramp story) and it looks like there is plenty of water, but there is a submerged pile of rocks between the ramp and the channel, running along side and basically protecting the channel. You can always tell the newbies who launch and take a straight heading directly for the rock pile. Their last thought before "did I just remove the drive from the boat" is usually "what are all those birds standing on?" It's usually at the very least, a skeg remover.

[pullmytrigger]

About 1970 or so I had what I thought was the fastest boat on the river,a 15' Checkmate/135 Merc. Now remember,this was a long time ago,and on the river,in-line 6 Mercs ruled.I ran low-mid 60's,enough to beat the guys that came to the launch every weekend. One Sunday,a new boat came to the launch.It was an Allison( feared by most of us),but had a V-4 Evinrude (a joke to most of us)He shut off his motor and coasted into the dock by the launch. He said his shift cable had just broken,he had no neutral or reverse,but would like to race. We started out.I planed off quickly as he climbed on the deck of the Allison as the motor overreved.By the time he got on plane,I was gone. But shortly I looked behind and here he comes,blew by me with at least 20 mph on me. He didn't stop,just kept going,I went back to the launch as my friends tried to figure out what happened.I found out years later what had happened.He had a very rare Evinrude factory race motor with a race lower unit like a SSM Merc,no gearshift,no shift cable.I see him at our Bham Boat Show every year,nearly 40 years later,and we still laugh about how he conned me.He still has the boat and race motor,hasn't run it in years,but I have a surprise for him this year.My 1968 Switzer/125 Merc/SSM lower, may be a match for his old Ally. Can you imagine,2 old guys,2 old boats,and a grudge match from 40 years ago? Stay tuned.

that is so COOL!.......post pics

T2x would be all over that one for sure.......

Dont be surprised if Tripple Didgits shows up though.....:ack2:

[Perlmudder]

There is a ramp nearby (here's where it becomes a ramp story) and it looks like there is plenty of water, but there is a submerged pile of rocks between the ramp and the channel, running along side and basically protecting the channel. You can always tell the newbies who launch and take a straight heading directly for the rock pile. Their last thought before "did I just remove the drive from the boat" is usually "what are all those birds standing on?" It's usually at the very least, a skeg remover.

thats sorta what our ramp is like. you gadda head real wide around the rock pier otherwise bye bye lower unit! you can always tell the newbs just like you said!

[Bobcat]

I once was halfway up the ramp with my 6 cyl inboard still running, I did not care , I had a boatload of strippers. some guy on the ramp was yelling at me before I noticed , and it was loud.:)

[Bobcat]

I always launched by myself, I had a routine and did not want any help as it would get me out of order, so I was taking some friends out for a lunch cruise ,they all had boats so they helped and we missed taking the bow hook off , so I am sitting there gunning the motor and moving the whole truck and trailer ,yelling bump it once, after about 2 minutes by buddy says hold it, we are still tied on, couple of really drunk fisherman say "first boat huh?" but then he stumbled off the dock and into the water, and my buddy says "first dock huh?" it was priceless:26:

[Ted]

A local boat fixer/hauler comes to our marina one night to pick up a customer's Formula 419. I don't think I ever saw this thing run all three engines at the same time. So he has his gal pal in the truck, and idles this beast to the ramp on one or two engines. Well, the trailer is up too far and the boat doesn't have enough to push up on it so he yells for the girl to back up some. She comes back a little, still no luck. He yells again, a little more, still no love. Now he really yells BACK IT UP. So all three axles fall off the end of the ramp, the boat is forced back into the pilings behind it, and the trailer rails are stuck hard on the end of the ramp. The truck wouldn't pull the empty trailer up, two trucks couldn't do it, nada. Finally they call a diver to put air bags under the back of the trailer and float it enough to clear the ramp.

[PARADOX]

Not really a dock story, but funny. (wasn't funny at the time)
I'm sure lot of you done your share of water skiing.
Back in the 70's, a bunch of us just ripped up the Rock. Many of us wre the Rvier Rat group and the Rock Riv. Ski Bronks. My buddy is driving my 16' Hustler. When you stop skiing or there is a wipe out, no prob, boat turns around and get yaaa.
No wipe out this time.. Doing a good clip on the EP Honeycomb Comp. I just making the turns and cuts and the high sprays, trying to get the spray above a bridge. (the good ole' silly days)
All of the sudden I pass my boat. The boat just stopped on a sand bar. Motor still runing, making a higher spray than I was. No more pull, I coast to a stop, and did not sink. Now I'm standing in 6" of water, ski on my shoulder walking to my boat, with a look that would melt the North Pole. I got a picture of this somewhere, me walking to the boat. (got to find it)
Priceles seen.

[BDiggity]

Only 3 stories, 2 my own fault.

Backing down boat (23' Baja) down ramp at night to move to slip. Plug in, bow strap off. Boat not coming off trailer, realized i didnt take transom straps off. Shut down engine & climb out. Instead of pulling truck out, i decide just to wade in & unhook. Shoes already off & wearing shorts & a t. i wade down, & start feeling my way around to find the hooks. Take one more step to get better leverage, foot hits some moss & i go completely under. Making best use of the situation, i work the strap off & come up. I didnt say a word & moved around to the other side.

Never left plug out, but did leave in once. Found the boat w/ about 6" water in the berth & about 12" in the bilge. Lot of rain & apparantly my cover wasnt water proof.

Last one, we were heading out of loto party cove memorial weekend. Anyone thats been there knows there is a no wake zone to get back to main channel. takes 20-30 mins it seems. we are idling our way out, its been a good day (boat actually ran all day). next thing i know starboard engine goes dead. i dont panic, put it in neutral, & restart. nothing. i get a little nervous. move shifter to make sure its in neutral, restart. nothing. i panic. wife asking whats wrong. i realize the tach is completely down so i know its a batt issue. port engine dies. im crappin my shorts. we begin to come to a stop, in front of tons of boats. wife keeps asking whats wrong. i tell her its like we lost all power, batts arent showing a charge. then it hits me. i open the berth door & see all switches down. i flick them up & see the dash come to life again. fire each engine up & go along our way. found out that the 4yr old had got up twice to keep shutting the door. each time she got up, she somehow hit the switches killing the power. plan on getting those replaced so that cant happen again.

[Scarab KV]

Can you imagine,2 old guys,2 old boats,and a grudge match from 40 years ago? Stay tuned.

:lurk5:

[LaughingCat]

Was water skiing behind my father's house on Treasure Island. There's a little boat ramp on Guld Blvd. Barely wide enough for an average ski boat. Don't dream of bringing a big rig or long trailer because there's nowhere to turn around.

So we're skiing and i notice a truck lower on the ramp then normal. Well, it had just rolled down and was still floating. The guy was swimming back to the ramp.

It took no time for the crowd to gather. Eventually, the tow truck starts winching the truct and trailer out of the water. Kid couldn't have been out of high school. Wouldn't you know it, to add insult to injury, his father shows up and make this biggest yelling scene. embarrasses a kid who could not be embarrassed any more. What a d!ck.

[Chart]

Worked at a marina/dealer one summer. We had a small diesel yard tractor with a "stem" on the draw bar, which you could put one of the three sizes of hitch balls on (1 7/8, 2, or 2 5/16). After the ball was on the stem, a pin went through to hold it all together, and the trailer hitch covered it all keeping the pin in place. Worked well at first, but soon became a pain to free the pin up to change the ball. The draw bar was actually across the 3 point hitch so we could hydraulically pick up trailers without messing with the jack. The draw bar was braced to the 3 point hitch arm to keep the ball always pointing up like normal.

I needed to get a demo boat out of the water, so I got the tractor (set up with the 1 7/8 ball) and hooked on to the 2" ball trailer (too much of a pain to change the ball, and what could happen?) and backed it all down the ramp, set the brake and shut it off. Walked down the dock to the boat and drove it to the trailer, all this by myself.

The trailer was not in far enough, the boat contacted the trailer behind the axle, teetertottering the front of the trailer up and forward, jarring the brace off the draw-bar so it (and the attached 1 7/8 ball) rolled forward right out of the trailer hitch, completely disconnecting the trailer from the tractor. The boat I'm driving has the trailer pinned to the ramp, and I'm working the throttle just enough to keep it from rolling down into the lake, but not too much to ram the tractor with the tongue. And I was stuck doing this for several minutes before a customer walked by, noticed the problem, and hooked the trailer back to the tractor.

Guess there is a good reason you don't put a 2" trailer on a 1 7/8" ball.

[shifter]

Launch of Sheik Maktoum's 47 ft cat pleasure personal boat built by victory team in Dubai out of an older raceboat. Crained in tested and went to crane out. The crane operator had 2 hrs experience. boomed out too far. picked the boat up shut the warning buzzers off and lifted the boat. see results.

They came in with a 20 wheel crane lifted the first crane out and then the boat like toys. The sheik was only concerned about the operator and he was ok but I heard he was sent back home quickly.

pic of the boat as a raceboat then pleasure.

pat W

[Davidmnc]

We have a Park Model camper set up permanent in a camp ground. In this campground there is a privet boat ramp!! On Sunday mornings several of the ladies in the camp ground take there Sea-Doo’s out together. A couple of years ago one guy started using his golf cart to put the Sea-Doo in and out at the ramp. This caught on and now we all do this. My golf cart is pretty customized and is lifted with big tires and wheels, so the breaking system is tapped to begin with. When I back mine down the ramp I keep it in forward to assist in breaking need be. And once you get the ski on the trailer you just have to hit the gas and go!

One day last summer my daughters boy friend was helping my wife put the ski on the trailer and he backed it down the ramp for her. I was standing on the dock doing what I do best……..drinking beer! He did not fallow the leave it in forward rule, and set the parking break with the cart in reverse. My wife loaded the ski on the trailer, jumped on the cart and pushed the gas to take off. Of course the cart was in reverse so it went backwards. She slammed on the breaks about time the back tires hit the water. I guess she was confused, so she hit the gas again. This time backing it down to the point where the 23” tires are all but submerged!!! So the motor had to be under water on an electric golf cart! She then realized she was in reverse, and switched gears and pulled the ski out. No harm no foul. Only problem is along with me there were at least 10 other people standing around watching this happen and applauding the effort. She cussed the boy friend pretty bad! It was pretty funny, and I always new some one would deep 6 a golf cart at that ramp…..I just never thought it would be mine!

[inbetween]

I always new some one would deep 6 a golf cart at that ramp…..I just never thought it would be mine!

bought the Club Car submariner model? :rofl::rofl:

[LaughingCat]

Launch of Sheik Maktoum's 47 ft cat pleasure personal boat built by victory team in Dubai out of an older raceboat. Crained in tested and went to crane out. The crane operator had 2 hrs experience. boomed out too far. picked the boat up shut the warning buzzers off and lifted the boat. see results.

They came in with a 20 wheel crane lifted the first crane out and then the boat like toys. The sheik was only concerned about the operator and he was ok but I heard he was sent back home quickly.

pic of the boat as a raceboat then pleasure.

pat W

forget teh crane, that conversaion is a damn shame. look at the anchor on the front. it hurts to look at.

[Donzidog]

In 1987 I had a Jeep Grand Waggoneer,worst car I ever owned. Had constant electrical problems,many times at nite the headlites would go out,but the worst was the wipers would hardly ever work when it rained. One day I backed an 18'Donzi down the ramp,put Jeep in park,got out to unhook the boat. As I stepped out it somehow came out of park and slowly rolled into the water.Fortunately the boat floated free. I watched as the Jeep began the sink,and just before it went under,the wipers came on :)

Robert ,
That was the first story that came to mind when I saw this thread ! Then there's the one of my Dad and the 26' SeaRay & the ElCamino .Also the new Glastron at the Duncan Bridge ramp half sunk because a certain sales pro / drinking pro used the sales pitch "she's water ready " .The new owner assumed that means drain plug and all ! My little brain is now overloaded with dumb sh!t from the last 40 yrs or so. I think I've seen everything mentioned so far happen at least once !

[Davidmnc]

bought the Club Car submariner model? :rofl::rofl:

No EZ-GO..............damn a no rust light weight frame! :sifone:

[LaughingCat]

did this thread die?