boat ramps: likes and dislikes

[legend]

I work with a design firm that among other things, plans parks and recreations areas in the U.P. of Michigan. When we design boat launching facilities, we try to incorporate features to improve the launch experience.

Having fished around quite a bit myself, I have visited some great facilities and others which seemed as though they were designed by someone who was not a boater. Of course, there are engineering standards, and state DNR agencies have their own standards. Typically, there are budget constraints as well.

What do you think are important considerations in boat ramp and facility design? What are things you like about boat ramps and what makes you swear? Thanks for your input, and of course, good fishin'.

[paul]

The main thing is to have 2 ramps and hopefully a floating dock, one thing that i like on some ramps is that they have a big stageing area that will let people unstrap and save time when it comes to entering and leaveing the water, it causes alot of headaches if you have to wait and watch people cause problems and possible run into your trailer or truck.

[Someday]

Instead of having the grooves on the ramp going horizontal or parrallel to the water , why not have them on an angle so the water runs back to the lake? Seems it would help in freezing temps.

[don]

the boat ramp at NothePoint Marina at Zion,
Illinois is a very good boat ramp as far as design
but they set to far out of the water for a average
size bot of 18 to 22 ft. is is quite a jump down to get into ypu boat

[REW]

Such a little thing, but somthing that makes a very nice ramp -- is a simple painted stripe to aid in backing.

MN DNR has been doing this for the last several years. Once you get used to using the stripes, it makes backing so much more conveninet. Then, after a couple of years - if the paint wears thin, you quickly realize how much you are using this nice backing aid.

I would also like to complement the MI DNR for their installation fo grinders and cleaning stations at many of the spots on Lake MI. They are extremely well designed stations, and do a very nice job in helping with the necessary task.

Take care

REW

[Friz]

Things I like in a boat ramp -

a good slope - not too steep but not so flat that I have to get my rear wheels wet to get the boat in or out. I like the portion out of the water to be more level and the portion in the water to be steeper. With the bigger boats today, deeper water is needed.

A good dock - my favorite ones are long, float and have bumpers.

lots of parking - nothing more frustarating than parking a mile from the ramp.

At leat two launch areas, while multiples can be busy also, nothing is more frustrating than one person who can not back his rig up, has to load everything into the boat on the ramp. This slows down everybody, and they don't even realize they are a pain. I almost forgot about the guy who is chicken to power load his boat in fear of straching paint off (me).

Clean restrooms.

Protection from the dominate winds.

Free! I might as well get greedy. I hate paying a fee, especially if it isn't a decent launch to begin with.

My favorite boat landing is the Springstead launch on the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage in Wisconsin - why - because it is my favorite place to fish!

Thanks for asking!

Fritz from Wisconsin

[Dan]

I hate graveled pot holed driveways going into the area, should be paved if at all possible. Like the previous post said a large staging area for pre launch and post launch out of the way of the ramps. I like docks with cleats so i can tie off by myself and park the truck.
Please preplan for busy over anticipated dates, such as 4th of july's tournaments etc.
Bolles Harbor is an excellent ramp site in Mich.
Dan

[Leo Kam]

MN has an outlet to Lake Michigan???

[WESTY]

Two deep ramps, plenty of parking, long dock with bumpers, fish cleaning area, clean restrooms and lighting.

[Kevin A.]

Part of learning what to do is to examine what not to do. Take a look at the new Lake Michigan launch at Bender Park in Oak Creek, Wi. GREAT facility in general, but try & launch and or retrieve a boat. The docks for each of 5 launches are 15-20 feet out from the area where the boat enters or leaves the trailer. The docks are reached by a very elevated ramp, from probably 8-9 feet above the water line down to the dock itself. There is no area where one can stand beside the boat as it is being launched or retrieved...sounds really odd & it is. The docks themselves are floating, which is nice, but trying to get the boat on the trailer (non-power-loading)is an exercise in a 'wing & a prayer'. Tough to imagine without seeing it, but for the millions that they obvious spent on this facility, I find it amazing that the basic function for the facility was so poorly thought out.

[FJH1]

If you are in the U.P. then you may be familiar with the ramp on Thousand Island lake of the Cisco Chain. This is a great launch in my opinion. Deep water, dock, good parking, out house.

I have been to several launches where the ramp does not go far enough into the water and the trailer tires end up dropping off the end - not good.

Best Regards,

FJH

[Kevin A]

oops...no fish cleaning facility either. When you can easily bring in 30+ pounds of salmon on any given day & a great smoking facility is a quarter mile form the launch, no cleaning facility is an error.

[EAGLE EYES]

I think everthing was covered pretty well. Except a garbage can(s) makes a big difference. I don't mind taking my own garbage along home with me, But some slobs think they don't need to take theirs along with them. When I see garbage laying I feel obligated to pick it up. A simple garbage can ends this.

[Hans]

Extend the apron far enough into the water so my trailer doesn't drop into the hole left by the dumb**** power loaders.

--
"There is nothing; absolutely nothing; half so much worth doing,
as simply messing about in boats." :-)

[Smoking J]

As a person who fishes alone a lot, it is nice when there is a dock with the ramp. (Wy has lots of ramps without docks!) Also its nice when there is a place to tie off your boat when you park your truck. Have been two a couple of ramps where they have moved the old dock about twenty feet from the ramp and a person can tie off at the old dock thus clearing the new dock for other boaters. Thanks for listening!!!!

[Gilligan]

I find myself quite often fishing alone or with someone not familiar with launching. One thing that makes the task tough by yourself is not having docks bumpered well and not enough tie off cleats. Another thing thats nice is having someplace to tie boat off and not block the dock if you are in for bathroom break or going for the trailer, etc. Getting my boat loaded quickly and square on the bunks is greatly aided by the concrete slab being level. Be to have serrations in the concrete to aid with traction.

[Odie]

Along with all the other comments.....I sometimes fish alone or with my wife. No way can she back up a trailer. Yikes, she can't even back up the truck using the mirrors. :) (She'll hit me for this) hehehe That means I have to unload the boat, tie it off, park the truck, get back to the boat. The docks need to have a 90 degree wing off to the side so people with no help can tie off away from the ramp. This aids the process so no one has to sit and wait while I'm scurrying around.

[Juls_WI]

Most of it has been covered here, but there is one thing I would like to add....

I like a launch that has enough room to turn the truck around, and get it in position, so that you can back straight in. I have a hard time when I can only see the trailer tires in one mirror. Especially if it is in the mirror that says.."objects are closer than they appear"! I get confused easily..hehehe

The best launch I have seen so far was at Lake Sakakawea in ND. I don't remember the name of the park it was at, but the NAWA Pro/Am was held there last year in August. Perfect facility. Lot's of room and parking...baitshop, bathrooms, and nice docks. Can't get any better than that one.

Juls

[minneman]

how about a LARGE sign at the entrance at all accesses stateing the importance of having your rig ready to go BEFORE aproaching the ramps. and another at the ramp saying there are people wating dont block the ramp!! to many weekend warriers have no idea they are holding up the whole prosses, except the ones who end up getting chewed out, mabey save them some embaresment.minneman

[Steve W.]

I'd like to see a sign that says "Turn off Headlights". It's awfully difficult to back down a launch in the dark when the person at the next ramp over is sitting there with their headlights on.

[I agree , but,]

Hans, I agree about dropping off the end of the ramp, but right now, a lot of the holes at the end of the ramp only matter due to the low water.
Time to go mess about in my boat :-)

[Airwave(OH)]

Ok guys and girls your going to smack yourselfs for not thinking of this one. How about a SEPERATE area for the JETSKI(waverunners)so they don't hold everyone up because they absolutely can't back those little two wheeled trailers and then almost all I've seen like to leave there Toy setting at the dock as long as we will allow...And another thing why do people crawl in the water to launch and load there boats??In our area a place to sit and enjoy the show might be nice.LOL :)

[Nofish]

LAST EDITED ON Mar-28-00 AT 01:48PM (CST)[p]Hey Legend,

Go take a look at the ramps on the big reservoirs such as Truman, Oahe, Lake of the Ozarks etc.

Make the ramp deep enough and extend the apron out into the lake, river, far enough to allow for all this low water, or high water.

With that, floating or adjustable ramps that move/can be moved to accomodate water levels.

As for the power loading issue, concrete plank ramps, bedded in gravel are not well suited for drive on trailers. Many of the newer fishing boats have drive on trailers. Most of the large pleasure boats have drive on, bunk trailers too. It seems it would be rather hard to crank a 27 foot Sea Ray onto a trailer.

If the apron was poured concrete and went far enough out into the water, this would not be a problem. I know cost is a factor and some ramps will be the plank style, I silicone my bunks and crank my boat on at these types for the obvious reason of not wanting to wash out the ramp.

Lastly, I agree with needing a place to tie your boat so you can go to the truck without blocking the ramp. And, well padded docks, clean toilet facilities and a decent sized preparation and take out area to allow unstrapping/strapping as to not block others at the ramp.

As an aside, guys, no matter what the toilet facilities are, our conduct does alot to keep these clean. I am sure we have all seen things that make an otherwise nice facility, un-usable.

My .02 ;-)

Good luck.....R

[cast'r]

nofish has it right! jetskis should be banned. after all we are talking about "boat ramps". if your only purpose is to go fast, go to a race track! enough griping. most of the mi. dnr ramps are very good. about the only thing that is sometimes lacking is an area to stage while parking or retrieving tow vehicle. i try to watch others launch to learn good technique.

[Nofish]

Hey Cast'r,

You mean Airwave has it right about ther Jet ski's, although I do agree a seperat small ramp for them may be in order.

One time I saw some jet ski types driving onto the beach near the ramp and launching off the beach to avoid the ramp fee.

The ramp attendant called the Police and the jet ski set ended up paying for the ramp fee, for driving on the beach, and for several equipment/or lack of, violations as the police called the water police as well. Kinda neat.

Good luck.....R

[JoeyO]

You might want to take a look at the launch area at Miller's Bay in Oshkosh.
We can launch 5 boats at a time,the docks are long enough to hold 2 boats on each side.
There is a seperate set if landings for sailboats
and PWC's.
Huge parking area, nice rest rooms
Just don't design so people can drive thru launch
area...One of these days I'm going to spear a car with my lower unit when I'm backing in

[Beaver]

A big sign on the way into the launch with boat launch etquette on it. Such as , No loading or unloading gear or strapping or unstrapping on the ramp. Do it some place else. If it`s dark, please turn off your head lights as not to blind the other guy backing in. Be prepared,if you`re not ready to launch, stay out of the way of those who are ready. Those are just a few. I`m sure you`ll get more input if you ask about boat launch etiquette.

[stp]

simple and cheap,
have loading ramps
and landing ramps
so when its busy people are waiting at the
right ramps. i've been to several with this setup
and it works great and causes no stress

[stp]

simple and cheap,
have loading ramps
and landing ramps
so when its busy people are waiting at the
right ramps. i've been to several with this setup
and it works great and causes no stress

[kh]

several good and practical ideas already mentioned, just glad a designer is asking.

[Tim/Iowa]

I agree with concrete ramps, lines painted, staging area but you all left out one thing, Bleachers, I seen some awfull funny experinences at the diferent ramps I've been to waiting to load or unload. Maybe the DNR could sell tickets to get some much needed revenue.

[legend]

Many thanks to all who shared their great ideas for making launch ramps better. Print them out and send them to your local park agency. See you on the water (probably not at the launch).

[FROGMAN]

Go to Marblehead, OH and look at the Mazurak access. Just add a fish cleaning station and you would have the perfect launching facility!