How big a boat can be launched at a boat ramp?

I personally launched my 24' boat all the time w/ no problems w/ a 1/2 ton
2wd pickup. I did go slow backing down any ramp that was a little steep.
I know one person who launches his 26' boat but they have a 3/4 ton 2wd w/
diesel. But he always used a gentle ramp.
Have seen 27' boats on trailers but never seen them actually pulled out or
put in.

Bottom line, if the ramp is fairly steep, stopping will become a problem
until the boat hits the water. Might consider electric brakes if the ramps
you use are steep or the boat/trailer weight over 8000 lbs. That way, when
you apply brakes, the trailer brakes will activate also.

--
Tony
my boats and autos - <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://t.thomas.home.mchsi.com" target="_blank">http://t.thomas.home.mchsi.com</a>


"Tony V" <tonyjvan DeleteThis @comcast.net> wrote in message
news:iPs3b.285421$o%2.132062@sccrnsc02...
 > I know the exact answer depends on ramp angle, height
 > of waterline above grade and tow vehicle height,
 > but I was wondering in general, just how big a boat can be
 > launched without dangerously submerging the tow vehicle.
 >
 > What's your experience?
 >
 > Tony V
 >
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: How big a boat can be launched at a boat ramp? 

Well here's the thing ... any size, since at some point, the boat will
(hopefully) float thereby leaving only the trailer weight to deal with. I
have launched where my jeep has been pulled down the ramp brakes locked
tires squeeling all the way. Fortunately, command-trac 4L gets the boat back
up the ramp at the end of the day. It's the retrieval that could be a
problem ... not the launch ... my opinion.

"Tony V" <tonyjvan.TakeThisOut@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:iPs3b.285421$o%2.132062@sccrnsc02...
 > I know the exact answer depends on ramp angle, height
 > of waterline above grade and tow vehicle height,
 > but I was wondering in general, just how big a boat can be
 > launched without dangerously submerging the tow vehicle.
 >
 > What's your experience?
 >
 > Tony V
 >
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: How big a boat can be launched at a boat ramp? 

"bowgus" <Bowgus RemoveThis @rogers.com> wrote in message
news:Zxv3b.21224$kH3.12891@news02.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com...
 > Well here's the thing ... any size, since at some point, the boat will
 > (hopefully) float thereby leaving only the trailer weight to deal with. I
 > have launched where my jeep has been pulled down the ramp brakes locked
 > tires squeeling all the way. Fortunately, command-trac 4L gets the boat
back
 > up the ramp at the end of the day. It's the retrieval that could be a
 > problem ... not the launch ... my opinion.
 >

Sounds familiar!!
I tow with a '93 Chevy Caprice. On one ramp we use, we backing in, the boat
drags the car down to the water, brakes locked. First time it scared the
shit out of me, figured I was gonna get wet for sure! So as the boat hits
the water the car stops. To get out I have to back up until the water is
about 1/2 way up the car's rear tires, then give 'er hell. It is the only
why I can get enough momentum to get up the ramp. Float the boat and take
off! The Chevy has limited slip differential and both tires are smoking all
the way up!
Greg<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: How big a boat can be launched at a boat ramp? 

Lemme clarify anysize ... anysize you can tow to the ramp

"bowgus" <Bowgus DeleteThis @rogers.com> wrote in message
news:Zxv3b.21224$kH3.12891@news02.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com...
 > Well here's the thing ... any size, since at some point, the boat will
 > (hopefully) float thereby leaving only the trailer weight to deal with. I
 > have launched where my jeep has been pulled down the ramp brakes locked
 > tires squeeling all the way. Fortunately, command-trac 4L gets the boat
back
 > up the ramp at the end of the day. It's the retrieval that could be a
 > problem ... not the launch ... my opinion.
 >
 > "Tony V" <tonyjvan DeleteThis @comcast.net> wrote in message
 > news:iPs3b.285421$o%2.132062@sccrnsc02...
  > > I know the exact answer depends on ramp angle, height
  > > of waterline above grade and tow vehicle height,
  > > but I was wondering in general, just how big a boat can be
  > > launched without dangerously submerging the tow vehicle.
  > >
  > > What's your experience?
  > >
  > > Tony V
  > >
  > >
  > >
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: How big a boat can be launched at a boat ramp? 

On Thu, 28 Aug 2003 22:47:36 GMT, "bowgus" <Bowgus.DeleteThis@rogers.com> wrote:

 >Lemme clarify anysize ... anysize you can tow to the ramp
 >
 >"bowgus" <Bowgus.DeleteThis@rogers.com> wrote in message
 >news:Zxv3b.21224$kH3.12891@news02.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com...
  >> Well here's the thing ... any size, since at some point, the boat will
  >> (hopefully) float thereby leaving only the trailer weight to deal with. I
  >> have launched where my jeep has been pulled down the ramp brakes locked
  >> tires squeeling all the way. Fortunately, command-trac 4L gets the boat
 >back
  >> up the ramp at the end of the day. It's the retrieval that could be a
  >> problem ... not the launch ... my opinion.
  >>
  >> "Tony V" <tonyjvan.DeleteThis@comcast.net> wrote in message
  >> news:iPs3b.285421$o%2.132062@sccrnsc02...
   >> > I know the exact answer depends on ramp angle, height
   >> > of waterline above grade and tow vehicle height,
   >> > but I was wondering in general, just how big a boat can be
   >> > launched without dangerously submerging the tow vehicle.
   >> >
   >> > What's your experience?
   >> >
   >> > Tony V
   >> >
   >> >
   >> >
  >>
  >>
 >

Bowgus has the answer. Most trailer boats are limited in length by
what can legally be towed on the highway. I suppose that you could
make a boat with an 8 foot beam and 100 foot LWL, but I'm not sure of
the seaworthiness

I've seen some 30+ footers launched (gofasts), but it was usually a
lot more trouble to do than I thought it was worth. Towing equipment
can get clumsy and expensive and the available ramp might limit your
ability.

Somebody here will probably have a beam/length formula that would give
you a practical limit.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: How big a boat can be launched at a boat ramp? 

At my harbor here in Chicago a guy launches his 38 Sonic with triples, and
the ramp is steeper then last year because of extremely low water levels. He
said that the boat alone weighs 11500 lb.. w/o the trailer. He tows the
whole thing with a dual pick-up and doesn't have any problems. Guys launch
38 "Top Guns" as well

Jim
 >> Stay informed about: How big a boat can be launched at a boat ramp? 

Depends on yovr towing eqvipment.

We've got a nicely sloped ramp on Lake Union, here in Seattle, where long havl
drivers lavnch 50-60 footers on occassion.
 >> Stay informed about: How big a boat can be launched at a boat ramp? 

"Tony V" <tonyjvan DeleteThis @comcast.net> wrote in message
news:iPs3b.285421$o%2.132062@sccrnsc02...
 > I know the exact answer depends on ramp angle, height
 > of waterline above grade and tow vehicle height,
 > but I was wondering in general, just how big a boat can be
 > launched without dangerously submerging the tow vehicle.
 >
 > What's your experience?
 >
 > Tony V

It depends on the steepness of the ramp. I'm sure there's some technical
physics equation that could be produced, but I used to have a 19 foot
bowrider that I launched with a standard V6 pickup that smoked the clutch
everytime. Now I have a 23 footer, about 3800 lbs. with a large block V8
4x4 that has never had a problem at all in 2 wheel drive on a concrete ramp
(the sandy beach required 4x4, but with no problems and the water was all
the way up to the driver's door). It's all in what you use to get the job
done.

j.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: How big a boat can be launched at a boat ramp? 

"Tony V" <tonyjvan.RemoveThis@comcast.net> wrote in message news:<iPs3b.285421$o%2.132062@sccrnsc02>...
 > I know the exact answer depends on ramp angle, height
 > of waterline above grade and tow vehicle height,
 > but I was wondering in general, just how big a boat can be
 > launched without dangerously submerging the tow vehicle.
 >
 > What's your experience?
 >
 > Tony V

I watched as a local manufacturer of house boats launched a 90' one,
brand new, from a small one lane army corp of engineer's boat ramp on
Lake Lanier. The water was down about 8 feet, and ramps were getting
pretty dangerous. I thought, I've GOT to watch this. I launched my
boat, then waited, watching.
The semi got lined up with the ramp, got JUST to the water's edge,
unstrapped the houseboat, then backed up about 8 feet, hit the brakes,
and the thing slide off so nicely I was amazed! Nice and slow, barely
a splash!<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: How big a boat can be launched at a boat ramp? 

"Greg O" <goo1959.TakeThisOut@spamcableone.net> wrote in message
 > Sounds familiar!!
 > I tow with a '93 Chevy Caprice. On one ramp we use, we backing in, the boat
 > drags the car down to the water, brakes locked. First time it scared the
 > shit out of me,

I'll bet it did!

figured I was gonna get wet for sure! So as the boat hits
 > the water the car stops. To get out I have to back up until the water is
 > about 1/2 way up the car's rear tires, then give 'er hell. It is the only
 > why I can get enough momentum to get up the ramp. Float the boat and take
 > off! The Chevy has limited slip differential and both tires are smoking all
 > the way up!
 > Greg

I'd like to see that!<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: How big a boat can be launched at a boat ramp? 

Rick & Linda Bernard wrote:
 > I have launched a 29' sail boat (3500#) via a ramp. I used a Ford Bronco
 > with 4W drive. The trailer had a tongue extender (part of the trailer) and
 > I used a 3' hitch extender. Had to get the trailer deep because with the
 > keel up the boat drew 3.5' or so.
 >
 >
 > "Tony V" <tonyjvan RemoveThis @comcast.net> wrote in message
 > news:iPs3b.285421$o%2.132062@sccrnsc02...
  >> I know the exact answer depends on ramp angle, height
  >> of waterline above grade and tow vehicle height,
  >> but I was wondering in general, just how big a boat can be
  >> launched without dangerously submerging the tow vehicle.
  >>
  >> What's your experience?
  >>
  >> Tony V
  >>
  >>
  >>
 >
 >



I regularly see 35' triple outboard type boats being launched from one
of three different ramps in my area, at Sandy Point, Breezy Point and at
Solomons, MD. These are not deep draft boats, though. I've seen 34-40'
deep keel lobster boats launched from ramps. Depends on the particulars.





--
* * *
email sent to etaoin_shrdlu RemoveThis @hotmail.com will *never* get to me.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: How big a boat can be launched at a boat ramp? 

"Greg O" wrote
 > I tow with a '93 Chevy Caprice.

I use a '94 Taurus wagon. (although not in the exciting way you describe)
Anyone else tow with a car?<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: How big a boat can be launched at a boat ramp? 

I use a Pontiac TranSport mini-van. It has also been dragged a bit on a wet
ramp, though it always stops once the boat floats off the trailer. Were I
ever to forget the bow strap on and give the boat hell in reverse - I bet I
"could" pull the mini-van off shore. Can't think of any reason I'd want to
though

-W

"Joe Blizzard" <replies.DeleteThis@newsgroup.only> wrote in message
news:czmdncRz6IZPz9KiXTWJjA@wvfibernet.net...
 > "Greg O" wrote
  > > I tow with a '93 Chevy Caprice.
 >
 > I use a '94 Taurus wagon. (although not in the exciting way you describe)
 > Anyone else tow with a car?
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: How big a boat can be launched at a boat ramp?