One last thing that hasn't been mentioned yet. If you have any children in the tow vehicle, remove them prior to backing down the ramp. This is very true if they are too small to get themselves out of the vehicle in a timely manner. Tow vehicles do, on occasion, roll back into the water and sink. You really don't want your child to be strapped in a car seat if this happens.
I know this seems like common sense, but I see kids left in the tow vehicle all of the time and it upsets me to think of what will happen if something goes wrong.[/QUOTE
I leave my two year old boy in his car seat in the tow vehicle with the E brake set when i'm launching and retrieving. My wife is either in the drivers seat waiting to pull the trailer after launching or right outside the vehicle. Say what you will but in my opinion that is the safest place for him. Kids don't need to be walking around ramps, docks or on boats unattended. If the vehicle somehow did end up in the water believe me NOTHING would keep me from getting him out of there.
One last thing that hasn't been mentioned yet. If you have any children in the tow vehicle, remove them prior to backing down the ramp. This is very true if they are too small to get themselves out of the vehicle in a timely manner. Tow vehicles do, on occasion, roll back into the water and sink. You really don't want your child to be strapped in a car seat if this happens.
I know this seems like common sense, but I see kids left in the tow vehicle all of the time and it upsets me to think of what will happen if something goes wrong.[/QUOTE
I leave my two year old boy in his car seat in the tow vehicle with the E brake set when i'm launching and retrieving. My wife is either in the drivers seat waiting to pull the trailer after launching or right outside the vehicle. Say what you will but in my opinion that is the safest place for him. Kids don't need to be walking around ramps, docks or on boats unattended. If the vehicle somehow did end up in the water believe me NOTHING would keep me from getting him out of there.
In the vehicle with someone else in the driver's seat is one thing,alone is whole different ball of wax. Here in Pa. the rangers won't even let anyone but the driver in the vehicle. I asked them to watch the kid while I was busy. Suddenly they got very busy with their binoculars and left me alone. The kid rode down in the boat.
In the vehicle with someone else in the driver's seat is one thing,alone is whole different ball of wax. Here in Pa. the rangers won't even let anyone but the driver in the vehicle. I asked them to watch the kid while I was busy. Suddenly they got very busy with their binoculars and left me alone. The kid rode down in the boat.
Where do you boat? I'm in the Poconos too.
Well Guys just want to said THANK YOU to all members who help me with your tips, launching "Backing down the ramp" was Successful, like a PRO!.
Sweet looking boat and it looks like ya got it down!!! Congrats!!!
just remember said:The second time I launched my Chaparral I had just bought with cash, a couple of younger guys offered to help which was great. They had an old Regal in really rough shape. One then offered to help my wife hold it next to the dock so as not to need to get the bumpers out. My wife soon realized as she held her end and the stranger held his end that the idea of our expensive, pristine Chaparral and his ancient Regal maybe shouldn't be handled the same. She had to actually instruct him that the boat and the dock should not touch as damage could occur. Luckily she got to his side of the boat before the gel and wood banged together. Point is help is not always a good thing. I have since come to realize there is a 10:1 nice boat:beat up boat ratio as a 19 foot boat or starter boat here in MN is as big as is practical meaning the lake sizes don't allow for bigger boats. So a 30 year veteran and a first year boater likely have the same size boat.