Launch Ramps

[Skulley]

The last time I saw a "properly designed" ramp was at Cherokee Lake. Even at 25 feet below pool, the concrete kept going into the depths. We don't have many ramps like that in Michigan. Just ask a Wayne County Sheriff whether the ramp at Elizabeth Park is properly designed the next time you launch there. I don't think they are sympathetic to us unappreciated (unappreciative?) bass anglers. Building indestructible ramps is expensive, and so is rebuilding the ones we normally use.

There is only one ramp remaining at Kensington suitable for use after the drawdown, mostly due to power loading. The aging launches and the small parking spaces both need upgrades. I never power load. Maybe they will repair more launches if we are more considerate. Look down from most docks and you will see the signs of abuse, like at Kent, Portage, Cass, Orion, Woodland, etc. It is ridiculous, and bass anglers are notorious power loaders.

Above is a quote from an entry from ebond on my "Infatuation" entry which was a blog about Kent Lake and why such an infatuation with that lake.  But that is not what this post is about.  This post is about launch ramps and their conditions, contructions, etc.  ebond makes some excellent points about powerloading etc.  There is some new legislation coming up where there will be $10 from every license fee in Michigan instead of paying for park and launch passes.  I personally would like to see them improve launches to the point where they are practically indestructable.  In the southern tier states, the launch ramps are awesome.  There are not too many places down south that restrict powerloading.  Do you think the state should take the money from this new legislation and improve our launches???       What do you thick the state should do concerning launches???      In other words, as ebond puts it, should the state, money is there to make improvements, install "properly designed" launches???      Chime right in fellas.  I myself am still thinking about this issue.  A launch that is rather new, Crocker Street, should have been designed properly.  The attendants are always yelling at powerloaders.  Shouldn't they have designed this launch better???      I think they should have.  Afterall this launch isn't even 10 years old yet and the technology for launches is older than that.  Again, fellas chime right in with your ideas.


BD           

[LGMOUTH]

While I understand why we all powerload I dont think it is a necessity. I know its almost impossible to get your boats on correctly without a little work on the very steep ramps but on the majority of the ramps in Michigan I dont think there is a problem with backing in a little farther and winching them up. I personally dont think the DNR should spend extra money on longer or better built ramps just because of powerloading. If its a case of the ice lifting up the ramp and breaking it or something like that now thats a different story.

[djkimmel]

We build so few new boat ramps, I'd like to see the ones we do build, made to last longer without needing repairs so soon or often regardless of powerloading or other factors.

I don't powerload on ramps in Michigan. I do go a little above idle on some ramps so that is technically powerloading, but I don't hammer it on.  I only do that on ramps where I need to make sure the boat is seated well on the trailer.

I'm talking about 900 to 1,300 rpms, not the half to 3/4s throttle I see many power boats do to get on the trailer.

Other than a few ramps with the perfect angle and depth were I can ease it up all the way, I always crank the boat up the last 1 to 3 feet rather than hammer it on. I leave the motor in gear to help crank it up. I have a hot foot so it can only be at idle speed when I'm not sitting at the wheel.

Idle speed is legal at MDNR ramps in Michigan. The only non-MDNR ramp I know to be more strict is Elizabeth Park. Some sheriff deputies there say they'll ticket you even at idle speed. I haven't actually seen any regulation, but one of the deputies said they have their own local ordinance or something different from the state. I'll have to get a copy of it one of these days. That ramp is very difficult.

[Durand Dan]

I normally idle on to the trailer and leave about 12 t0 18" to winch after I pull out. This helps to center my boat on the bunks. Of course I don't have as  heavy a boat as a lot of you(18.5ft aluminum). Watching some people powerload can be ridiculous at times. As mentioned, backing in a little more usually solves that issue.

[Skulley]

I'm with DK.  I seldom go above 1300 rpm when loading and I try to get the trailer in as much as I can get away with so that the boat is seated properly on the trailer.  I can only do the best I can and I am also getting up there in age and it gets harder and harder to crank that winch.  I am turning 50 this year.  I am thinking of getting a two speed winch.  I have seen them in the Bass Pro and Cabela's catalog. 

BD         

[Lightningboy]

I think the need to powerload stems from ramp angle.  A shallow ramp angle allows the boat to slide up easily at little more than idle speed.  Make it steep, and there's too much difference in the angle of the boat hull compared to the trailer; you'll require force to get the boat up, whether provided by the prop or by you cranking.

But too shallow of a ramp angle puts the back of the truck in the lake, since the needed depth for launch/load will be farther from shore.  Too shallow and you'll eat a prop trying to load too.  That's Kent.

An option a lot of guys don't try is lubing the bunks.  Give them a good spray down with silicone while the boat is off.  Makes for little need to powerload.  But be carefull, that sucker will slide right off on the ramp.  I like mine sprayed, but am carefull not to unclip the bow till the back end is in the water.

Improvements to ramps?  Well, here goes:

1) Provide a prep lane with a sign marked "prep lane, remove tie downs here".  Same with tie down area.  Mark the docks with "load/unload only".  For casual boaters, its out of sight out of mind with boat ramp etiquet.  Ramp congestion could be relieved greatly with some education, some signage could go a long way.

2) Make sure it's well lit.  We don't need stadium lights, but a street lamp near the bottom goes a long way.  Same for one by the prep lane & tie down areas.

3) Keep the docks in good repair, with a few add ons.  A little padding on the posts would be heaven.  Put some reflectors on the land side of the posts to help you see the dock backing up after dark.

3) Extend the concrete below water level.  In a perfect world, you would have 30+ feet of concrete out there.  Yeah, concrete is expensive, I'm dreaming here.  Down south that concrete goes on forever, but that's because of fluctuating water levels.  But it certainly solves any power loading problems.

4) If there's four slots or more, designate two for unload and two for load.  Harley Ensign is a great ramp, not just because of the size, but also because of the traffic control.  Elizabeth park is really kind of tiny, but moves pretty quick too.

Hey, I know money is tight everywhere, especially money for stuff like ramp improvements.  But I think some little things, like good signage to help educate ramp users could go a long way.

[SethV]

The MI DNR or whomever specs out the ramps here, clearly don't know much about boating. 

Couple things that are unique to this yankee state:
1.  Docks right in the middle of the ramp.  Boat docks belong 50 yards away from the ramp.  You are supposed to tie up to docks, and use a ramp to load/unload.  No need for docks - all folks want to do is tie up to them.  Put the dock a good distance away from the ramp and it will speed up the flow.  I don't think I ever saw a dock down south right smack in the middle of the ramp like you do here.

2.  Ramps stop at the end of the trailer.  I never non-powerloaded till I moved here.  Still a pain and I am not quite comforable with it yet.

Seth