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#431875 - 08/26/08 03:46 PM Launch Ramp Construction in your State
Brian S Offline
Admiral

Registered: 03/27/05
Posts: 558
Loc: Canton, Michigan
The power loading issue that came up in Seabuddys thread Your trailer-no touch, self load made me wonder what the difference in launch ramps from state to state would be. Not wanting to side track that thread any more than I already did I'm creating this to learn a little.

Quote:
Quote:
At almost every "Michigan" Ramp, operators of the ramp facility have large signs in place advising that power loading is prohibited. This restriction is in place because of concerns for the long term preservation of the ramp. Because the "Michigan" Ramp tends to enter water with a gentle bottom slope, if boats were to power load the prop wash would displace the sand and gravel and build it into a mound a few feet behind the end of the ramp. Eventually a rather significant shoal will be created by repeated power loading. The shoal then becomes a hazard for boats near the ramp area, where the sudden reduction in depth can mean a dinged propeller to the fellow without local knowledge of this artificial reef. Power loading can also tend to create a deep pit right at the end of the ramp. This is a problem for ramp users (if their trailer wheels back beyond the end of the paved ramp and into this pit) and for maintainers of the ramp (as the end of the ramp slab begins to be undermined and may not be sufficiently supported). For these reasons, a "Michigan" Ramp generally prohibits power loading and warns of fines, etc.


As stated previously "most" DNR operated ramps have signs posted that prohibit powerloading due to the design of these ramps. In general, the majority of ramps that I've been to have concrete that extends into the water around 20-30 feet at most, depending on the body of water. Because we do not have major water table changes ( + or - 1 ft )at the ramps this is how it's done around Michigan. I pay $24 for a yearly sticker that gives me acces to sites through-out Michigan. Money from this is used to maintain and build additional sites. If everyone would help keep them in good condition, more money could be spent on new sites.

What construction methods do they use in your area?
Is powerloading the "norm"?
What type of ramp construction do you have?
Pictures would always be welcomed.

Curious minds would like to know............
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#431877 - 08/26/08 03:52 PM Re: Launch Ramp Construction in your State [Re: Brian S]
deepv Offline
Safety Officer
Admiral

Registered: 03/17/04
Posts: 6624
Loc: SoCal
Grooved concrete ramps around here. Powerloading for me consists of coasting the boat on the submerged trailer w/o driving it on and then whinching it up the last foot or so. If you drive it on, you'll tear up your prop and drive on the concrete ramp.

Each lake has its own fee schedule. You can get an annual pass for the California State Recreation Area lakes, but you'd need to go out on the lakes covered by the pass something like 20 times a year to break even.
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#431916 - 08/26/08 09:35 PM Re: Launch Ramp Construction in your State [Re: deepv]
lorenbennett Offline
Admiral

Registered: 04/01/07
Posts: 542
Loc: Golden Valley, AZ
pretty much the same here in AZ as cal except we seem to have allot of trouble keeping enough water in our lakes to keep the ramps covered with water. mad but the ones that are there are grooved concrete and you can power load if you want but why take a chance on dinging b3 ss props is something I would not doget it close and winch the last few feet. thumb
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#431919 - 08/26/08 10:27 PM Re: Launch Ramp Construction in your State [Re: lorenbennett]
Silverbullet Offline
Admiral

Registered: 06/15/04
Posts: 4604
Loc: Reno, NV
Most of the ones I go to in Cali and Nevada are concrete ramps. Walk the boat on and winch the rest of the way up. Bought an annual pass for $30 good at several lakes in the area. 10 times and it pays for itself. Not having to remember money is priceless.
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#431922 - 08/26/08 10:34 PM Re: Launch Ramp Construction in your State [Re: Silverbullet]
Parrott_head Offline
Admiral of Vice
Admiral

Registered: 01/26/03
Posts: 4205
Drive the boat up, hook up winch line, winch and light throttle into place.
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