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I'm the proud new owner of a well used 24fter and I can't hardly wait to try the reefs this spring. My first trip out in her will be in the western basin and I'm not reel familiar with the ramps there. I'm out of Lorain. First time launching and retrieving so I need to make it as painless as possible. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. You guys are really a great help on here.
Keep the trailer as close as you can to the dock...under a foot away. I launch and load our 27' and it's really pretty painless. Just walk the boat off and on. The worst thing is getting the bow hooked. I usually go up on the nose and then down to the trailer, but usually end up with wet feet lol. If you've launched a lot of boats, it won't be as difficult as you think. Good Luck!
Greg
pay attention to how far or deep in the water the trailer needs to be when reloading then you will know for the next time theres usally someone around dont be afraid to ask for help if needed
Last year was my first year with a lake boat of my own, so I completely understand your apprehension. I tried launching from a few places last year and found Mazurik to be the easiest. Wild Wings was probably one of the toughest due to its setup and the fairly narrow channel runout, plus it was windy both times going out of there.
I would highly suggest Mazurik for a few reasons. It dumps right out into the lake with no runout. I had no problems with wind, waves or manuvering the boat while coming back to the ramp due to the well positioned and ample size breakwater. They give you ample room to launch (plenty of room to get your trailer where it needs to be and jockey it around to get it there). There is lots of parking and even on the busiest days in the summer, I have only waited two boats deep to launch.
I haven't launched from Catawba State Park, but I would imagine that it is probably about the same setup as Mazurik when it comes to ease of launching. You may want to look into Catawba SP due to it accessing closer to the reefs off of Camp Perry (cone, etc...). That is my plan this spring. Perhaps someone else can jump in with thoughts about Catawba SP?
You will be just fine if you take your time and think through what you're doing. I bought a handleheld GPS online for $69 to mark the breakwater entrance when I set out. Then I was able to follow the arrow back until I learned how the water towers on land looked compared to where I was wanting to come in at. If you don't have a drift sock (aka: sea anchor) yet, I would suggest getting one. Make sure you have good anchor with plenty of rope.
Good Luck!
I launch my boat instead of having a dock and i agree with bcan man the only other thing i would throw in is if your boat is hard to load or you are aprehensive dont go at the busy time of day there are a lot of d-heads out there. I usaully try to help people if there having problems or the older crowd with ther boats and i have seen "dock rage" many times. The best dock i think for first timer if you woried is on catawba at state park on buck rd.there is only 1 ramp and no one uses it because it costs 7 dollars, but they have people there to help and nice bathrooms, and a place for coffee and breakfast if you like.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bigtracker
Ramps are easy. The single best piece of advise I could give you is STAY AWAY FROM CRIB REEF! Please don't ask how I know!
That is great help gentlemen. Are their any ramps to be leery of because of the shallow water? I know that has been a big concern recently. Feel free to lend me a hand out there if you see me struggling...I'll definitely return the favor if you come to the central basin.
The Can (#7 bouy) marking Crib Reef is a good ways kind of NE from the dangerous spot, which will raise H**L with your under water boat structure. And again please don't ask me how I know!!!!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Steuben1
You got that right! That (#7 bouy) is nowhere near the trouble spot. There is something VERY LARGE down there just southwest of Crib. I would ask my lower unit what it was, but it's gone! lolQuote:
Originally Posted by wakina
Catawba State Park is my ramp of choice from ice out till mid-June when I move to Cranberry Creek Marina and from there in mid July, it's Geneva State Park. 4 ramps and almost always someone offering to help. Wait to launch after 9 AM if there is a tournament. If possible be on the water at sunrise. There are over a million walleye within 7 miles of Catawba. All these ramps are protected from the wind. Establish which way the wind is blowing so it will push you against the dock and back in slowly, as close to the dock as possible, with bumpers deployed. I feel bow and stern lines are a must. Note your position and depth of the trailer when your boat starts to float. That's where you want to be when you run your boat up on the trailer upon your return with a cooler full of walleye. Over the years I have perfected running the boat on the trailer with just enough power and speed to get the job done and with practice you can too. I might suggest you find a ramp close to home on an inland lake that is not busy and pracitice. I'm sure you will get the hang of it in no time. FYI: Cranberry has only one ramp and it's steep. On the other hand, Geneva has 6 ramps and are the best. Catawba and Geneva have no launch fee.
One final thing that needs to be done or at least checked and that is put the drain plug in the boat or make sure it is already installed!!!!! It would shock you to know just how many people forget this one simple step!! Reason is that most people take it out to drain the water out and to keep it from accumulating water in case it rains while still on the trailer in storage or while transporting to the point of launch.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr.Ed
With this low water it may even damage the hull itself! I am sure it wouild be visable to locate it if there is a 10 mph NE wind. The wave would be crashing over the top of it and be visable to see.Quote:
Originally Posted by Steuben1
I prefer Fenwick which is a nice gradual ramp. My buddy did ding his prop on something last fall using east dock ramp.
Let me know if you need help and if I am at the condo I will meet you at the dock and lend a hand.
lake condo for rent
http://www.vacationrentals411.com/vacation/23785.html
John
I use Catawba and Mazurik frequently. I'm 23 now. I only started launching and loading maybe 5 years ago. . Before that, my dad did everything, and the only thing I did was hold the boat at the dock while he parked the truck and trailer and came hurrying back.
1. Have a second person with you. Makes it much easier.
2. Have a bow line and stern line on.
3. Do a safety check! This includes having the drain plug in. Be ware, often times the Ohio Watercraft Patrol or even the Coast Gaurd will be present at public ramps and ask if you'd like to do a safety check. I suggest you do it, if they have the stickers. That way, if/when you pass inspection you get a sticker on your boat for the year and they will leave you alone the rest of the year.
4. As a beginner, you want to go on the upwind side of the ramp, so that it'll hold the boat to the dock.
5. As you or whoever backs it in, have the other person walk alongside with the bowline in hand.
6. Back up slowly, and as others said, pretty close to the dock.
7. When the boat looks like its starting to float, firmly press the brakes so that the sudden stop of the truck and trailer is enough that the momentum of the boat slides it right off the trailer. Have the person with the bow line tie the boat up while you go park your rig. It helps if the person who's walking with the boat while you're driving (or vice versa) is good with the boat so that they can move out of the way while you park, so that others can use the ramp.
8. Hurry back. Pretty obvious but pick up the person who was parking the truck and trailer, without interfering with anyone who's launching or loading.
9. Go limit out
Oh, and one thing I forgot.. doesn't hurt to start the boat up and make sure its running before you drive away in the truck and trailer. Otherwise you're dead in the water, taking up a ramp space, while the truck and trailer has to come back to load back up.
Loading up
1. When there is a chance to drop someone off at the dock to grab the trailer, do so.
2. Back it in, same way, close to the dock. Don't back in too far.
3. Walk out in the water, or on the trailer, and pull the boat up on the trailer. Winch it to get it the rest of the way. DO NOT power load the boat onto the trailer - pretty sure that they still cover this in the boater's ed course.
4. Pull out slowly!
5. Pull the drain plug, secure the boat, and head home!
It isn't rocket science. More than anything, have patience. Patience with other boats who are either less physically able, or just don't have a damn clue what they're doing.
I say not to power load the boat onto the trailer, because at one public access ramp a couple years ago, there must have been a hole at the end of the ramp, and the trailer tires went off the end. It was like being hooked to a wall, the truck and trailer didn't want to come up the ramp. With too much effort, it came unstuck, but not before it slid the axle 6-8" back the boat trailer frame!!!
I drive the truck and trailer, my dad has the boat. I back it in while he walks alongside. I pump the brakes and the boat slides off, and he's in it with it running almost immediately. I park, and he comes and picks me up from the dock and we're off. After 5 years working together to do it, we've got it down and look like pros. The only time I get nervous is when there are lots of people watching me maneuver the trailer, which is silly because I've never had an issue.
This made me giggle. Sorry for your loss :( :pQuote:
Originally Posted by Steuben1
Most of all, thanks for the TIP! I may have done the same thing without knowing!
With the cost of repair to an issue like that, it could have potentially put me out for the rest of the season.
Just wondering if that spot southwest of Crib is a hazard to navigation why doesn't the Coast Guard mark it?
I'd say all good advice on this topic. My 2 cents is to take some time learn how to backup a trailer into the water.. I live by Cullen park and go down to see ppl "try" to back up and their all over the place back and forth 10 times just before they hit the dock with their boat trailer.. Just like anything you have to practice. I loaded my boat in 2 mins last fall. Guy behind me asked how'd you do that so quick??? Done it alot..When you boat is back on the trailer move off to the side to get it ready for transport.. Ppl get real mad when you sit their for 20 mins while they wait to go fishing! Trick.. keep 1 hand on the BOTTOM of the wheel, whatever way you want your trailer to go turn the wheel that way.. Good luck..
Lowe Life
That's a great question! There is a buoy out there by crib but it is NO WHERE near the danger spot.Quote:
Originally Posted by Justretired
As much as I hate to say it, with the water level low again this year, somebody is going to hit it. When I work on my boat this weekend I will pull up the exact coordinates of the spot where I was when it got me and post them here. It's a very expensive repair. Embarrassing too! But I am fairly new and it was a good lesson learned.
All very good suggestions. Another thing to remember is to load your gear in the boat and unhook your straps, put the plug in and all the other little things BEFORE pulling down to the ramp. I dont know how many times I have waited on people to load fishing poles, coolers etc while blocking the ramp. Catawba and Mazurik are both great ramps to go out of.
The bouy tender is to large to move into the area where it is a hazard to the recreational boater, it is probably 70 ft long or larger and requires to much water so they put the bouy in deeper water to mark the area! Middle Harbor reef (Short Reef) just out side of West Harbor is another one where the bouy is several hundred feet from the danger spot. I knocked almost all of the blades off of brand new 4 blade michigan wheel prop on that reef.Quote:
Originally Posted by Justretired
Fenwick has good ramps also a nice fish cleaning station. Costs $5 and the fish are in close out front. People will help ya too. Never seen dock rage there. Seen it elsewhere though.
I dont know what kind of trailer you have but i do recomend leaving it tied to the trailer till you get in the water i seen a guy at the ramps last spring backing the boat to the water with one of those trailers with the rollers on it, about 1/4 of the way down his boat launched off the trailer on to the ramp and into the water (ouch it hurt to watch couldnt believe what i just saw)needless to say that boat got loaded back up. All im saying is dont be afraid to ask for help and double check everything. It would suck to get all the way to the ramp and not be able to make it out.
I haven't used many ramps in the area but the ramp location compared to where you are going to fish is a prime consideration for me. I believe Fenwick and Turtle Creek marinas both use the same ramps. (Not Sure but google maps shows it that way) I go in through Turtle creek Marina and pay $5? for a ramp fee. Nice ramps little to no waiting usually, parking is close if a bit rugged if the ramp is busy. It is close to the reefs for the bite early in the year.
After the spawn and the fish move to deeper water or if you want to fish the can lines or the islands, Catawba State park is good but the truck parking area is a long walk from the ramps.
My favorite ramp later in the year is Mazurik but the lines can be long and some VERY amateur drivers which can be exhasperating . I have seen large Cigarette boats launch there so water depth and ramp length are not an issue. The parking area is close and porta potties are clean as an be expected.
Mazurik has a nice boat prep area before eh ramps to allow you to do your final checks, load coolers, put in your plug and untie the boat. I always leave the crank rope attached until the boat is in the water. Prevents premature release (not a good thing) but you can get your feet wet if you do it this way. If you don't have all rollers on your trailer, someone holding the bow line will do the trick.
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Good Luck
Tight Lines