NCLakeGuy
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My wife and I just spent a few days on Lake James here in NC. First and foremost what a beautiful lake! Clear water, scenic shore, and mountains in the background, few homes. But the reason for the post.
Our launch ramp at Lake James was very gradual and excellent for launching our Q23 and retrieving it. Put the trailer back enough, drive on and the boat easily flushed to the front pads at about the level the rub rail should impact when boat is fully sitting on the trailer. The ramps we use here in Charlotte (rarely use as the boat stays in the water most of the time) are quite steep. With our 23' Cobalt V-hull I got a system down to retrieve the boat when the bow would hit low on the front post below the roller. With the pontoon and the ramp angle we can float the boat to the front post cushions and the rub rail hits about 8 inches below the boats final resting position. Snugging it there and pulling up the boat it settles down on the bunks, the slight rotation of the boat moves the rub rail off the cushion about 2-3 inches and rub rail is now at its resting height but off the cushions. At that point pontoons are secure on the bunks and no pulling it forward. On the trailer I secure the front with additional tie downs which pulls the boat forward slowing as we hit small bumps in the road and I have to resecure the tie downs.
Just curious if anyone has the same challenge with steep ramps and their approach. I will try to continuously winch while my wife pulls out next time and see it the boat will come up more securely into position but with the length of my bunks there may be too much resistance as boat settles.
Safe boating!!
Our launch ramp at Lake James was very gradual and excellent for launching our Q23 and retrieving it. Put the trailer back enough, drive on and the boat easily flushed to the front pads at about the level the rub rail should impact when boat is fully sitting on the trailer. The ramps we use here in Charlotte (rarely use as the boat stays in the water most of the time) are quite steep. With our 23' Cobalt V-hull I got a system down to retrieve the boat when the bow would hit low on the front post below the roller. With the pontoon and the ramp angle we can float the boat to the front post cushions and the rub rail hits about 8 inches below the boats final resting position. Snugging it there and pulling up the boat it settles down on the bunks, the slight rotation of the boat moves the rub rail off the cushion about 2-3 inches and rub rail is now at its resting height but off the cushions. At that point pontoons are secure on the bunks and no pulling it forward. On the trailer I secure the front with additional tie downs which pulls the boat forward slowing as we hit small bumps in the road and I have to resecure the tie downs.
Just curious if anyone has the same challenge with steep ramps and their approach. I will try to continuously winch while my wife pulls out next time and see it the boat will come up more securely into position but with the length of my bunks there may be too much resistance as boat settles.
Safe boating!!