Happy Monday to ya all -

I have a quick question for ya all. Last evening my wife and kids decided to hit some crappies on a lake we hadn't fished yet this year. It has two ramps...and is usually really nice, but not this year. When backing in, I dropped the boat in using the left lane. The side of the trailer nearest the center of the ramp was almost 10 inches lower in the water than the outside edge. No biggy...we have a roller trailer and the boat slides right off.

When we ended our evening (just some C&R), I decided to try the other side...although not as bad, the side of the trailer nearest the center of the ramp was still lower than the outside. We got the boat on the trailer without too much problem, but it wasn't as quick as other ramps and although on the trailer...not centered all that well.

Can you guys toss out ideas on how best approach a ramp that has a huge blow hole in the middle. The only thing I can think of is to go shallower w/ the trailer so that the section in the hole is at the ideal depth.

Thanks for the advice.

I have used a lot of ramps in Florida that are in poor condition and blow out holes are often a part of the problem. I put a winch on my trailer that has dual ratio gearing. I can place the crank handle in either of two positions so that I can use the ratio I want. I believe that winch can haul anything up onto my trailer that does not break the winch strap.

At a busy ramp I just do the best I can to get the rear of my bunks at least to the water line while keeping the trailer as level as is possible. At a dual ramp that is not busy I will use the middle of the ramp if they are just one large piece of concrete with two lanes. One ramp in particular worked well enough if you knew that you could angle your trailer off the end of the ramp at about a 30 degree angle.

The biggest problem with a blow out hole is that if the ramp is concrete and there is a big drop off at the end of the concrete you might drop your trailer wheels off the concrete and then you might have a real problem on your hands.

Jack

Take the center or make the trailer crooked in the lane. Turn the trailer towards the deeper hole. That side will stay higher while the other does in deeper.

I too if at all possible(ramp not busy), take the center of the two ramps.

The advice already given is good. Just for everyones information "Power Loading" is becoming "Not Allowed" at more and more launches every year.

I Power Load at idle only and then winch up the rest of the way. I see alot of boats being power loaded at max throtle and blowing big sink holes in launches all the time. It is very frustrating to not have the trailer level when loading. Like others have said, be careful that the trailer axel does not drop off behind a concrete slab, it could cause lots of trailer damage.

I have power loaded, and understand why it is attractive....but after last night I am taking a vow to try and winch whenever possible.

New (to me) lake, nice double ramp. Water level was pretty low. Launched on the left side. Backed out. Went fishing. Came in, left was in use, so came straight in at the right. Ground to a halt 20 ft out on the sandbar 1 ft below the surface. The cause? Blowback from the power loaders! Nice deep hole from the hump to the ramp.

Lucky it was all sand. But now my prop and skeg are shinier than I wanted them to be. I'll try not to contribute to the problem in the future when I am coming in.......