In the starting gate

[Dr.Ed]

I have it on good authority that the ice has cleared from the ramps at Catawba State Park but the docks are still sitting on dry land but that should not stop a crew of two or more from launching at this time. One sits in the boat while it is backed into the water deep enough to lower the unit and start the motor. Then that person backs the boat free of the trailer and proceeds to the fishing pier while another guy parks the truck and trailer and proceeds to the pier where his ride awaits. Upon their return with a cooler of 8 walleye, someone jumps on the pier and brings the trailer to the ramp. If the trailer is positioned properly, the captain can steer the boat right onto the trailer which can then be pulled up just enough to hook the bow and no one gets their feet wet. Mission accomplished.

[Redeyedrooster]

Sounds great! My version of the proceedure goes more like this...

I put the boat in the water... My dog or kid falls in the water near the ramp.
We go fishing anyway. We catch fish. DNR just looks the other way while shaking his head at my dog who jumped off the boat again.

This is why I just dock my boat as soon as the marina will let me...

[MBLMIKE]

Went down to far on the ramp and the rear axle of trailer droped over the end of ramps concrete slab , had to jump in and dive under trailer with a rope then two of us pulled trailer up with the rope while having one of the onlookers drive the truck forward any way got the trailer free I dried off put back on my clothes went fishing October water is cold
( a 300 lbs man who has just taken off all his clothes in October at a boat ramp draws quite a crowd )

[Dr.Ed]

Before I attempt to launch my boat I need some clarity. Were you at Catawba State Park and if so when? There are 4 ramps and I try to use the one to the east, that's the one to the left as you are facing the ramps. I never had problems all last spring but that was last spring and this is this spring and things do have a way of changing and not always for the better. I'm anxious to hear from any of you after you have ventured out from Catawba. I will report as soon as I get back from my first trip. Hopefully it will be this weekend. Right now I'm going to check my boat coverage with State Farm.

[MBLMIKE]

No I was not we were at a ramp here in Columbus Sciota River

[ReelTime]

Went down to far on the ramp and the rear axle of trailer droped over the end of ramps concrete slab , had to jump in and dive under trailer with a rope then two of us pulled trailer up with the rope while having one of the onlookers drive the truck forward any way got the trailer free I dried off put back on my clothes went fishing October water is cold
( a 300 lbs man who has just taken off all his clothes in October at a boat ramp draws quite a crowd )

OMG I did the same thing last August at the Vermilion ramp. Dove down grabbed the back of the trailer and dead lifted the trailer while my wife drove the truck forward until the wheels got back on the ramp. Went fishing and filled the cooler.