I know the exact answer depends on ramp angle, height
of waterline above grade and tow vehicle height,
but I was wondering in general, just how big a boat can be
launched without dangerously submerging the tow vehicle.

What's your experience?

Tony V

Well here's the thing ... any size, since at some point, the boat will
(hopefully) float thereby leaving only the trailer weight to deal with. I
have launched where my jeep has been pulled down the ramp brakes locked
tires squeeling all the way. Fortunately, command-trac 4L gets the boat back
up the ramp at the end of the day. It's the retrieval that could be a
problem ... not the launch ... my opinion.

"Tony V" wrote in message
news:iPs3b.285421$o%2.132062@sccrnsc02...
I know the exact answer depends on ramp angle, height
of waterline above grade and tow vehicle height,
but I was wondering in general, just how big a boat can be
launched without dangerously submerging the tow vehicle.

What's your experience?

Tony V

Lemme clarify anysize ... anysize you can tow to the ramp :-)

"bowgus" wrote in message
le.rogers.com...
Well here's the thing ... any size, since at some point, the boat will
(hopefully) float thereby leaving only the trailer weight to deal with. I
have launched where my jeep has been pulled down the ramp brakes locked
tires squeeling all the way. Fortunately, command-trac 4L gets the boat
back
up the ramp at the end of the day. It's the retrieval that could be a
problem ... not the launch ... my opinion.

"Tony V" wrote in message
news:iPs3b.285421$o%2.132062@sccrnsc02...
I know the exact answer depends on ramp angle, height
of waterline above grade and tow vehicle height,
but I was wondering in general, just how big a boat can be
launched without dangerously submerging the tow vehicle.

What's your experience?

Tony V

I have launched a 29' sail boat (3500#) via a ramp. I used a Ford Bronco
with 4W drive. The trailer had a tongue extender (part of the trailer) and
I used a 3' hitch extender. Had to get the trailer deep because with the
keel up the boat drew 3.5' or so.


"Tony V" wrote in message
news:iPs3b.285421$o%2.132062@sccrnsc02...
I know the exact answer depends on ramp angle, height
of waterline above grade and tow vehicle height,
but I was wondering in general, just how big a boat can be
launched without dangerously submerging the tow vehicle.

What's your experience?

Tony V

At my harbor here in Chicago a guy launches his 38 Sonic with triples, and
the ramp is steeper then last year because of extremely low water levels. He
said that the boat alone weighs 11500 lb.. w/o the trailer. He tows the
whole thing with a dual pick-up and doesn't have any problems. Guys launch
38 "Top Guns" as well

Jim

"bowgus" wrote in message
le.rogers.com...
Well here's the thing ... any size, since at some point, the boat will
(hopefully) float thereby leaving only the trailer weight to deal with. I
have launched where my jeep has been pulled down the ramp brakes locked
tires squeeling all the way. Fortunately, command-trac 4L gets the boat
back
up the ramp at the end of the day. It's the retrieval that could be a
problem ... not the launch ... my opinion.


Sounds familiar!!
I tow with a '93 Chevy Caprice. On one ramp we use, we backing in, the boat
drags the car down to the water, brakes locked. First time it scared the
**** out of me, figured I was gonna get wet for sure! So as the boat hits
the water the car stops. To get out I have to back up until the water is
about 1/2 way up the car's rear tires, then give 'er hell. It is the only
why I can get enough momentum to get up the ramp. Float the boat and take
off! The Chevy has limited slip differential and both tires are smoking all
the way up!
Greg

"Tony V" wrote in message
news:iPs3b.285421$o%2.132062@sccrnsc02...
I know the exact answer depends on ramp angle, height
of waterline above grade and tow vehicle height,
but I was wondering in general, just how big a boat can be
launched without dangerously submerging the tow vehicle.

What's your experience?

Tony V

It depends on the steepness of the ramp. I'm sure there's some technical
physics equation that could be produced, but I used to have a 19 foot
bowrider that I launched with a standard V6 pickup that smoked the clutch
everytime. Now I have a 23 footer, about 3800 lbs. with a large block V8
4x4 that has never had a problem at all in 2 wheel drive on a concrete ramp
(the sandy beach required 4x4, but with no problems and the water was all
the way up to the driver's door). It's all in what you use to get the job
done.

j.

Rick & Linda Bernard wrote:
I have launched a 29' sail boat (3500#) via a ramp. I used a Ford Bronco
with 4W drive. The trailer had a tongue extender (part of the trailer) and
I used a 3' hitch extender. Had to get the trailer deep because with the
keel up the boat drew 3.5' or so.


"Tony V" wrote in message
news:iPs3b.285421$o%2.132062@sccrnsc02...
I know the exact answer depends on ramp angle, height
of waterline above grade and tow vehicle height,
but I was wondering in general, just how big a boat can be
launched without dangerously submerging the tow vehicle.

What's your experience?

Tony V








I regularly see 35' triple outboard type boats being launched from one
of three different ramps in my area, at Sandy Point, Breezy Point and at
Solomons, MD. These are not deep draft boats, though. I've seen 34-40'
deep keel lobster boats launched from ramps. Depends on the particulars.





--
* * *
email sent to will *never* get to me.

"Tony V" wrote in message news:iPs3b.285421$o%2.132062@sccrnsc02...
I know the exact answer depends on ramp angle, height
of waterline above grade and tow vehicle height,
but I was wondering in general, just how big a boat can be
launched without dangerously submerging the tow vehicle.

What's your experience?

Tony V

I watched as a local manufacturer of house boats launched a 90' one,
brand new, from a small one lane army corp of engineer's boat ramp on
Lake Lanier. The water was down about 8 feet, and ramps were getting
pretty dangerous. I thought, I've GOT to watch this. I launched my
boat, then waited, watching.
The semi got lined up with the ramp, got JUST to the water's edge,
unstrapped the houseboat, then backed up about 8 feet, hit the brakes,
and the thing slide off so nicely I was amazed! Nice and slow, barely
a splash!

"Greg O" wrote in message
Sounds familiar!!
I tow with a '93 Chevy Caprice. On one ramp we use, we backing in, the boat
drags the car down to the water, brakes locked. First time it scared the
**** out of me,

I'll bet it did!

figured I was gonna get wet for sure! So as the boat hits
the water the car stops. To get out I have to back up until the water is
about 1/2 way up the car's rear tires, then give 'er hell. It is the only
why I can get enough momentum to get up the ramp. Float the boat and take
off! The Chevy has limited slip differential and both tires are smoking all
the way up!
Greg

I'd like to see that!