Ramp etiquette

[Not_Scott S.]

Do you guys undo your transom straps before backing down the ramp? I know this is proper etiquette, but most of my ramps are very steep and I don't feel comfortable with just one link holding the boat on the trailer. I take them off just before dropping in the water (of course everything else is loaded and ready). Am I alone on this?

 

[Rich Stern]

Scott, I just leave the bow strap on. The boat's not goint anywhere as long as the winch and strap are in good condition.

 

[JEFF WHITE]

scott,i unhook everything but the winch strap.then back down to the water,then unhook it and hook my launching rope on the bow hook and to the trailer.my boat,for how heavy it is doesnt move at all.i tried to move it back once on a whim,left a little slack in the strap and jammed on the brakes going back down the ramp,didnt move.for the weight on the back of the boat,they dont move any.my neighbor has no transom straps on his starcraft islander,and we tow that with a roller trailer to lake ontario,and that doesnt move any.

 

[David Sailer]

I just leave the bow strap on when on a steep ramp. Have never had any trouble.

 

[TrepMan]

Like the rest ONLY the winch strap UNLESS i've got a partner/wife with me. If that's the case then I take the winch strap off too (except on REALY steep ramps). Then my driver just dumps me in the water! That way I just drive right off, never had the boat move an inch before the water.

 

[Charlie Nethaway]

I leave the winch strap on and let it out ten turns, that way I can float the boat, then pull out just enough to step on the trailer unhook the winch strap and off I go.

Then I jam my TIN boat onto the ramp, jump out and get that dam truck off the ramp LOL .

 

[Michael Snow]

I have a Nitro 911 CDC, the heaviest bass boat that Nitro makes. Here's what I do...



1. Line boat up in such a way as to block all 4 lanes of the ramp.

2. Have one last beer for the "road", toss empty beer can on ramp.

3. Decide what kind of fishing I want to do, strip all line off the reels. Toss old line into water (it's "structure"). Respool. Remember, I'm still blocking all 4 lanes of the ramp.

4. Load boat with the last 6 pack of beer from the case I left home with.

5. Unhook one transom strap, back boat into water, climb in boat and rev it up to try to back it off trailer.

6. Cuss up a storm, pull boat back out of water. Pull off other transom strap.

7. Back into water, rev it up to back off trailer. Cuss some more, pull back out of water.

8. DUH! Remove transom saver. Back into water, rev it up, cuss some more, unhook bow strap.

9. Leave boat on ramp. Why risk having to wait my turn to reload the boat?

10. Go fishing, drink last 6 pack. What's that noise? Is someone peeing off my boat? Oh crap, 10 miles from the ramp, and it's the bilge pump.. .I forgot the plug.

11. Crank up submerged motor and give it all she's got trying to get up on plane.

12. Ooops, "natural aspiration" doesn't mean "drinks water"? There went the powerhead. Duh! Jump out of boat to put plug in.

13. Remember that case of beer I drank? Well, I forgot that I can't swim. Oops, lifejacket? That's in the truck.



14. Don't forget about me next time you see that truck blocking two lanes of the ramp and wondering what idiot left it there .





Yep, I've got too much time on my hands.

 

[Scott Hammer TOXIC]

LOL Mike, I think you were on the ramp last week when I put in. You sure the 911 is heavier than a 929DC?



TOXIC

 

[stan jones]

either you have been cloned or you really get around. LOL stan

 

[Staci Matheis]

Scott -



One of us has to modify our posting name..... I know I'm getting old..... But I keep seeing posts that I don't remember writing!



me!

(also "Scott")

 

[Texas Transplant]

If the ramps are not wet, you shouldn't have any problem. I've launched with some very steep ramps last year when the lakes were down 15-18 feet, with no problem. Even launched a fiends boat with no bow strap on all the way down a very steep ramp. Just take it easy and watch for 'bumps' in the ramp.





Tex

 

[Larry Harp]

Scott M. You need a copyright.

Harpo

 

[Staci Matheis]

Uh, Harpo..... There's also a "Scott M." signed up!



BTW, I always unhook everything except the winch strap before I back onto the ramp.