NCCamper
Member
So well, as a matter of fact, if you use it on your trailer bunks, you should not release the winch strap until you are ready for your boat to slide effortlessly into the water! And even though you've had almost 100 launches without a single incident before, resist the temptation to unstrap your boat at the top of the ramp, and let friction alone hold the boat on the bunks while backing down. If not, you may end up learning a new definition of the phrase "my boat is on the hard", and learning it the hard way. Good grief!
Yep, learned it the hard way on Saturday. Admiral and I have launched our Sea Ray almost 100 times so far, without one incident, ever. No dead batteries. No backing the truck all the way into the water. No "forgot the plug" problems. Blower always on at least 5 minutes before starting the engine. Always, pre-prep at home, final prep in the prep area at the ramp (Copperhead Island for the Lake Wylie, NC boaters). Down the ramp, and launch in less than 5 minutes. Time after time. We have it down to a science. Saturday was Splash Day 2012. Same routine as always, all prepped, stop at the top of the ramp to remove the safety chain and winch strap, make sure blower is running, make sure the admiral is ready to lower the drive and start the engine and pull out. All is well. I get back into the truck, and start backing down the ramp, approaching the water. And as I am looking in the mirror, I see the strangest thing: about 6' before I usually stop the truck and let the boats momentum carry it out into the water, the boat slides slowly off the bunks, and ONTO THE RAMP! Lucky for us: 1) The slide off the trailer was very slow, 2) the stern landed in about 1' of water, and 3) the drive was still raised. I got out, inspected what I could, and decided the bast course of action was to proceed with the launch. So I managed to push the boat about 5' out until it floated away. Parked the truck, and went down to the dock where my wife pulled up and picked me up. I inspected everything I could, and it appears I was very lucky indeed. Other than some rash on the keel, and the starboard chine, the boat is undamaged. We went on out and enjoyed a few hours on the lake.
Anyway, I have now joined that special club that I have tried so hard to avoid. Be safe out there! And you can be sure that the winch strap is staying on our boat until I am ready for it to slip away! Lesson learned, and now I am just passing it along.
Oh by the way, the Liquid Rollers was applied last season...so it has staying power!
Sorry for the long post!
John
Yep, learned it the hard way on Saturday. Admiral and I have launched our Sea Ray almost 100 times so far, without one incident, ever. No dead batteries. No backing the truck all the way into the water. No "forgot the plug" problems. Blower always on at least 5 minutes before starting the engine. Always, pre-prep at home, final prep in the prep area at the ramp (Copperhead Island for the Lake Wylie, NC boaters). Down the ramp, and launch in less than 5 minutes. Time after time. We have it down to a science. Saturday was Splash Day 2012. Same routine as always, all prepped, stop at the top of the ramp to remove the safety chain and winch strap, make sure blower is running, make sure the admiral is ready to lower the drive and start the engine and pull out. All is well. I get back into the truck, and start backing down the ramp, approaching the water. And as I am looking in the mirror, I see the strangest thing: about 6' before I usually stop the truck and let the boats momentum carry it out into the water, the boat slides slowly off the bunks, and ONTO THE RAMP! Lucky for us: 1) The slide off the trailer was very slow, 2) the stern landed in about 1' of water, and 3) the drive was still raised. I got out, inspected what I could, and decided the bast course of action was to proceed with the launch. So I managed to push the boat about 5' out until it floated away. Parked the truck, and went down to the dock where my wife pulled up and picked me up. I inspected everything I could, and it appears I was very lucky indeed. Other than some rash on the keel, and the starboard chine, the boat is undamaged. We went on out and enjoyed a few hours on the lake.
Anyway, I have now joined that special club that I have tried so hard to avoid. Be safe out there! And you can be sure that the winch strap is staying on our boat until I am ready for it to slip away! Lesson learned, and now I am just passing it along.
Oh by the way, the Liquid Rollers was applied last season...so it has staying power!
Sorry for the long post!
John
