Frank Acampora
Supreme Mariner
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2007
- Messages
- 12,004
Well, It finally happened to me: After repairing an engine for a guy we took the boat to the launch ramp for water test/shakedown.
At the ramp he prepared the boat--18 foot CC with 75 Merc on a roller trailer. He looked at me, pointed to the safety chain and said " Think I should leave it on? Will I have trouble getting it off at the water?" I replied "Yeah. Leave it on. Better safe than sorry."
Well--can you see it coming?-- He started to back down the ramp while I was holding the rope. As the boat was just shy of the water I looked--the safety chain is hanging on the post and the boat starts to roll off the trailer. After the skeg hits the ground I check and the clutch on the electric winch is also released. Lucky this time: It was a relatively gentle hit and no damage occurred.
Oh, well: Couple of ramp watchers had their laugh of the day!
Needless to say: After the cruise, he hooked the safety before pulling up the ramp!
At the ramp he prepared the boat--18 foot CC with 75 Merc on a roller trailer. He looked at me, pointed to the safety chain and said " Think I should leave it on? Will I have trouble getting it off at the water?" I replied "Yeah. Leave it on. Better safe than sorry."
Well--can you see it coming?-- He started to back down the ramp while I was holding the rope. As the boat was just shy of the water I looked--the safety chain is hanging on the post and the boat starts to roll off the trailer. After the skeg hits the ground I check and the clutch on the electric winch is also released. Lucky this time: It was a relatively gentle hit and no damage occurred.
Oh, well: Couple of ramp watchers had their laugh of the day!
Needless to say: After the cruise, he hooked the safety before pulling up the ramp!