Conference vicki::boats

re .0
<                        -< A Circus on the Boat Ramp! >-

<    	It just seems to be the majority that gets on the ramp without
<    the boat actually ready to go into the water. Shouldn't this be
<    the other way around?
    
<    How about a sign:
<    
<    	[No launching unless your boat is ready to fall off the trailer]
    
    Rick,
	Have a heart.  It's just the beginning of the season.  They're all
excited about getting the boat in the water in a hurry and it's the old adage 

		"the hurrier I go the behinder I get"

	After making fools of themselves the first couple times, they'll get
their act together.  Not everyone has been skiing since March like you have
Rick:^):^)

	The sign wouldn't help, THEY WOULDN'T READ IT.  Another solution would
be to have a SPEED LINE (like at the supermarket) where only those who can
whip the trailer into the water straight on one try and who also have someone
in the boat to drive it off the trailer can use that ramp.  All the novices
would have to wait for each other. 

	As I write this I wonder????  When I was a kid we went to a lot of
horse shows.  At some of these shows we participated in some FUN events called
gymkana (SP) where we did crazy things like the TRAILER RACE where you had to
drive the horse trailer into the ring, unload your horse, put on the saddle etc.
race around a barrel at the other end of the ring and back to the trailer, take
off the saddle etc, put the horse back in the trailer and speed out of the
ring. The one who did it in the shortest time won.  Now couldn't we do something
like this with boats?????  We could have prizes for who drove their car into
the lake the farthest, who had to swim farthest to retrieve their boat, whose
trailer floated best (forgot the tie downs), who bailed fastest (forgot the
plug), who did the most damage to the tow vehicle when they ran the boat onto
the trailer too fast.....   We could have lots of fun.....

		  Yeah that's the ticket...

				Al

    
    Its tough on those ramps but dont you ever think back to when you
    first started boating? I'll bet you never got nervious and forgot
    something, or couldnt back the trailer in while twenty people stood
    around watching you with flames coming out of there eyes. I remember
    when I started there was always a turkey or two screaming at you
    or bitching about the time but I also remember the greater number
    of people who held a line or pushed me off when needed. I used to
    like the ones who would stop over and give advice on making the
    next launch easier. It was nerve racking sometimes but it all fell
    into place as I learned. Ramps are scarce and parking at them is
    poor and we are all in a hurry to get in the water but I think the
    experienced boaters should show a little patience with the new people.
    It makes it tough when all us boaters who have been around for awhile
    make the newcomers feel like they dont have a chance to learn.
    There are alot of decent people out there on the water and at the
    ramps and not all of them are experienced yet. Patience is a virtue
    and you need it on the boat ramps.

    
    
    Re: .1 & .2
    
    	It's nice to see these helpful attitudes displayed in this file!
    I should lighten up, afterall we(boaters) always help out the other
    guy. If a boat out on the lake even appears to be stranded then
    we are immediately there offering help.
        
    	I think I've been spoiled... Only launching on busy ramps when
    they are not busy and leaving my boat in the water most of the summer.

    	Rick
    
    	Gobble...Gooble!

    I'm not so sure its just the new commers! There seems to be a breed
    of "experienced" trailer jock out there that either takes delight
    in putting on a show, or is just too stupid and will never learn.
    Every year I fish the E.S.L.O. derby on Ontario and its simply a
    zoo at the ramp. I got smart the last two years and rented a slip
    for the four days and launched a day early. By 5:30 am (April) every
    morning there are at LEAST 50 boats in line to launch at four ramps
    on the Niagara River. Some of them don't make it till 7:00. Some
    of them never make it. And thats just getting IN the water. 
    
    6:00 PM is even a bigger nightmare. That river has an 8 mph current.
    I think the average is about 4 trys to get a boat on the trailer
    straight. Of course, by then frustration is at its peak and all
    realm of reasoning and common sense are gone. I spent two hours
    one day (5:00-7:00 PM) just watching the circus. I have never been
    more entertained or laughed so hard in my life. I'd suggest it as
    therapy to anyone. I think the funniest, although most painfull,
    was the guy who finally got the boat straight enough to start his
    electric winch only to find he had not removed the emergency crank
    and have it catch him square in the groin knocking him into the
    river. He sat doubled over for a half hour while his buddies finished
    loading up. Sorry folks, but you had to be there! (I'm sitting here
    giggling still)
    
    Oh well, at least there is some humor in all this.
    
    Don

    Patience on the ramp is certainly needed. That's why I rented a
    slip. One thing I wanted to add in response to the "do-good" attitude
    is when 3 to 8 boats are in line for exiting the ramp, and there
    are plenty of people in the boat--yet nobody gets out to get the
    trailer ready to retrieve while they wait in the lake for the ramp.
    Then, as that party gains the ramp, they have to walk (and I mean
    walk) to their vehicle, get the trailer to the ramp, then mess up
    retrieving the boat. Get the idea? Then you get the @$$ who does
    just the opposite: launch the boat and leave it in the launching
    area while they park the tow-vehicle and trailer.
    The most admirable thing to see is a fisherman launching and
    immediately clearing the area with trolling motor running while
    getting the main engine fired up. Now that's consideration!
    
    Mike

    I just wanted to add my two cents because a couple of weeks ago
    I came into popes landing at danvers after a long day of fishing to
    find a line of 12 vehicles ahead of me to get in/out of the
    water. I saw many people who really ticked me off. Like those
    that were starting their boat for the first time this year and of
    course it would not fire up etc...I saw people put boats in that
    literal had holes in them...I can't believe the disregard that some
    people have for the ocean especially this time of year when the
    water temps are in the 40's.
    
    A sugestion for windy days at a ramp that works for me. My boat is 21ft and
    large enough to make it interesting getting it out of the water.
    I tie a bow line onto my bow cleat and as I approach my trailer
    I heave the line to someone standing on the tounge of the trailer.
    They can then line the bow of the boat up and I drive right up.
    No winching no fuss. Thats another thing that ticks me off is
    watching some one winch a boat up 20ft. Once its lined up drive
    it up the rollers and thats it. Boy I feel much better. Seriously,
    with a little planning there is no need to spend more that 5 minutes
    on the ramp.
    
    Bruce                                                 

    Well Rick you do seem to have stirred up some interest...  When I made
mention of the TRAILER RACES in .1, I was only half kidding.  What a great
excuse to get together somewhere.  We could have singles events, doubles and
unlimited team events where we launched and retrieved boats, skiers,
man-overboard drills etc.. We could disqualify anyone who violated the no-wake
rule so that the SKI-NAUTIQUE would not have unfair advantage in a dead run to
the end of the lake. 

	WHADAYA say?????  Whose got a ramp that we can use?????



						Al

    I AM THE REPLY IN 19.2 AND IT'S BEEN FUN READING ALL THE REPLIES.
    I HAVE TO AGREE THAT IT DOES GET YOU BUTT WHEN PEOPLE HAVE A DISREGARD
    FOR SAFETY. THERE ARE SOME PRETTY DUMB THINGS GOING ON IN AND OUT
    OF THE WATER. ONE THING THOUGH I'V MET SO MANY CONSIDERATE PEOPLE
    OUT THERE THAT IT MAKES IT ALL WORTHWHILE. THERE ARE ALSO SOME SUPER
    PEOPLE IN THIS NOTES AREA AS WELL, I'V LEARNED ALOT AND MANY PEOPLE
    REPLY WHEN YOUR IN A BIND. GOOD THOUGHT ON THE RAMP COMPETITION,
    NOW THAT WOULD BE INTERESTING. THANKS FOR THE LAUGHS IN THIS ONE.

    	I remember all that stuff. That's a big part of why I moved to 
    Maine. 
    Paul

    
    
    	Actually, if your boat is already in/out the antics can be
    pretty amusing. A couple weeks ago at Sunapee Harbor this guy
    was trying to load his boat and couldn't get lined up right
    with the trailer. First he backed into the Mt. Sunapee (docked
    beside the ramp) then he got his boat entangled in the lines that
    secured the Mt Sunapee to the dock.... Quite a sight!
    
    	re: a couple ago..  About the situation where n people are in
    the boat, but the same guy goes for the truck/trailer and drives
    the boat on. ... I find that I have to do this sometimes... When
    no one in the boat can back up a trailer, you're kind of stuck since
    driving the boat onto the trailer also requires a little experience.
    
    	Make that more-than-a-little experience, I'm still learning
    how to do it without pushing the uprights on the front of the trailer
    thru the tailgate of the truck.... I know someone will immediately
    say "Sink the trailer deeper!" but the reason I keep it so shallow
    during recovery is that way the boat ends up on the trailer sitting
    in the right position.
    
    Rick
    
    BTW: I ordered the winch and winch stand for my trailer to make
    recovery easier. Them there drive-on Nautique trailers don't come
    with 'em.....
    

    Have any of you gone out boating only to find when you come back
    in some Yahoo has parked ther car'(s) in the launch ramp!!!
    Rick you proberly know of the merrimack rive ramp in lowell where
    this
    happens all the time.
    
    It seems that the earilier in the year it is the more often it happens.
    Well I sold the trailer boat and don't have to contend with it except
    when with friends in there boats..
    
    I have a pretty good method for launch that worked well for me.
    
    First get every thing ready in the boat. Check it out twice before
    backing to the ramp. Tie a 30ft painter to the Bow and the other
    end to the trailer winch mount. By the way; This is a single handed
    launch. It's even easier with two.
    
    As you back halfway down the ramp. (just about where the transom
    starts to go to the water) unhook the winch cable.
    
    Continue to back the boat into the water BRISKLY! This allows the
    momentem to slide the boat off into the water.
    
    Next pull forward slowley to geck the boats offshore progress.
    
    Get out of your car and pull your boat up to the shore or dock.
    Tie it off and go park your car. You have jut launched in less than
    Two minutes.
                                                       Walt
    

        Can't help but add the strangest one I've ever seen:
        
        I was waiting in line at the local lake to retrieve my boat
        when I noticed that one of the trucks seemed to be kind
        of deep in the water.  I still don't know why it happened,
        but he just kept rolling further and further into the water.
        When the water level reached his open door window, he threw
        out his dog and shoes, and then climbed out and swam to
        shore, just in time to watch his complete rig disappear under 
        the water.
        
        The other fun thing to watch is people diving for their
        car keys, which they dropped off the dock.  And of course
        they keep their boat in the middle of the retrieving area
        while they do it.

        I finally got tired of it and decided to moor my boat at
        the lake this year.  I found that I wasn't using my boat
        as much because I didn't want to face the ramp mob.  I
        agree that there are those that are learning, and those
        that will always be idiots.

        /wayne

	YES, many times have I been caught behind numerous boaters on the
ramp unprepared.  I have found some common characterstics:

	1) MOST of them are 1st timers.  they did not try loading/unloading
	   their rig durring the off-season and dont know the winch from
	   the prop.  Everyone has a bad day once and a while and noone
	   minds that, but the main problem is the "week-end" boater that
	   assumes loading a boat is like loading the trash and going to
	   the dump. (in most cases thats whats left of the boat!!)

	2) POWER LOADING.  I know some of the rigs that don't have rollers
	   and winches must load this way.  This is very risky and causes
	   beginner boaters to a-s-s-u-m-e that this is the "correct" way to
	   load a boat.  Us that are experienced in the art of loading/unloading
	   MUST set the correct example before JOE "weekender" BOATER ends up
	   with a low cost car-boat.  That really adds to the wait and then
	   you dont know who to call, the Coast Guard or a tow truck!!

	3) When someone DOES come unprepared, and ends up with the car in
	   the water and the boat on the ramp with the kids UNDER it - I
	   usually politely lend a hand (after having a good laugh).  This
	   is usually the only way I have a shot of getting in/out of the
	   water before the weekend is over.  (Imagine what NOAH went thru..)


	So all you fair-weather boaters listen up.  While you are waiting observe
how the "seasoned" boaters do it.  It is no different than work, you learn by
watching, asking, THEN doing.  IF you get into a BAD situation, STOP and LOOK.
Usually someone will volinteer to help (pray he isnt as green as you).  Most
boaters are *very* willing to help a "fellow" boater in need.  And lastly
PRACTICE-PRACTICE-PRACTICE.  There are many ramps available in APRIL, MAY,
SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER.  You get better thru experience, not by watching the
TUBE all spring & fall.  Thats the way I learned how to backup, compensate
for high wind/currents, determined the "order" in which to do what.  As a
result it takes me 5 minutes from arrival to launch and 5 minutes to retrieve
and clear the ramp area.  That should be everyone's goal (other than RODNEY
for you CADDY SHACK fans)!!!


						The Baer

    Lots of good ideas in here. I use the painter/dock line trick for
    launching by myself, but what about getting it back on the trailer?
    Any good ideas there?
    I have a 19' Chaparral I/O that weighs 2400 lbs and a Calkins roller
    trailer. The boat is heavy enough to require some heavy cranking.
    Driving it on scares me to hell (especially when I'm alone). Besides,
    cranking seems to be the only way to gurantee the thing will go
    on straight the first time. Deep water retreivals are a problem
    unless I keep the trailer reasonably dry. Thinking about it, my
    best solution seems to always come out "Power Winch!".
    Anyone have experience and/or recomendations on a decent one??
    
    Don

    
    	Well, I guess a  "Readying Area"  might help.  I often pull
    into the parking area and switch over to front hitch, from there
    I'll go straight to the line if there is one and hand over the driving
    task to the wife {she'll do that with the front hitch, in fact she
    actually LIKES IT !}.  Sometimes I get funny looks from people who
    never saw a front hitch before, they know something's different
    but they can't quite see what's wrong with this picture, I think
    that's why they don't let me in the line very easily :-^).  Anyway,
    while she does the shuffle forward 40ft every coupla minutes I muck
    around with getting the plug in and the strap off and the stuff
    from the car into the boat etc.  We cause a minor wrinkle at the
    ramp itself coz everyone else is doing their back-up routine but
    we're already going backwards while going forwards, similarly we
    pull it straight out and get out of the way when we leave.  I usually
    go down the ramp on the trailer tongue, use hand signals to help
    her stop at the right point, loop the cable around the axle and
    wave her off.  We actually go back to the parking area to put the
    strap on :-^), if I remember I'll turn the car around and use the
    rear hitch before heading for the interstate too :-^), I'm SUCH
    a well behaved boater !

    	Reg
    

    re .11	People who PARK THEIR CARS ON THE RAMP ! ?
    
    	Really ?
    
    	Hmmmm, maybe a strong enough boat and a heavy line and we could
    do a trial launching of their car ?   It would have to go out far
    enough that "IF" it sank it wouldn't be a prop hazard for returning
    boats though.
    
    	R
    

    Reg,   re .16
    
    Where do you get a front hitch? Are there any commercial units?
    (Have and Aerostar van)
    
    Don

    
    	I got mine at Vans Unlimited in Marlborough, Mass.  It's on
    the road that runs by the registry de la MVs, quite near to RMV
    in fact, I never remember the name of the street, but its Rte #85
    at that point.  It cost ~$20 and is just a thick L shaped steel plate
    that is pre-drilled to bolt onto the front bumper using the licence
    plate bolt holes {neat, huh ?}.  If ever Mass brings back front
    plates I think it'll just bolt right on.
    
    	Reg
    
    

re -.2

	You can order a similar "up front" hitch from BASS PRO SHOPS.  It's in
their 1987 Master Catalog on page 399  Item #554-618  @ $15.97 + $3.25 shipping
and handling.  Call 1-800-227-7776.  I've order lots of stuff from BPS with no
problems.  The order usually arrives within a week UPS.  This hitch is rated at
2000lbs GVW and 200 lbs tongue weight and comes without the ball. It bolts to
the license plate mounting holes.

	I'm not too concerned about the rating because unlike the rear hitch,
I'm not running it down the road at 55+ mph, or making corners at 55+ mph, or
trying to stop from 55+ mph.  You use the unit in parking lots and tight places
like ramps at very low speeds and very controlled circumstances.

				Al

    Thanks Al,
    I have seen the plate mount front hitches and was concerned about
    capacity. My rig goes 3000 lbs combined and I was concerned about
    ripping off the front bumper trying to get the rig up a steep ramp.
    Oh well, more adventure!
    
    Thanks
    Don

re .21

<    ...capacity. My rig goes 3000 lbs combined and I was concerned about
<    ripping off the front bumper trying to get the rig up a steep ramp.
    
Don,
	I would think, unless you have front wheel drive, you would want
to do the retrieval with the weight on the rear wheels, therefore using the
regular rear hitch.  I can certainly understand your reluctance to damage
your vehicle under that kind of load and the possibilty of having to pull
the boat up over the ramp dropoff.

	How about some of you who do this front hitch manuvering regularly
giving some tips, experiences, etc to watch out for (you know the gottcha's).


				Al

    Well, I finally became "One of Them"!!
    Memorial day was great here in UNY so off we went to Canandaigua
    Lake (one of the Finger Lakes) about 20 mi from home. Launch was
    a snap. Got everything set while in line. Removed quick release
    transom tie downs, I/O in proper position, lines ready, boat loaded,
    etc,etc. Backed into ramp, removed winch line and chain, gave the
    trailer a jerk and off she came slick as a whistle. I was impressed
    with myself!!!! (even got stares and open mouths from others on
    the ramp). Great so far.
    
    Coming out---slid the trailer into perfect position first time!!
    As I'm cranking the boat on, my daughter's friend decides to help
    by pulling on the starboard quarter dock line GRRRRRRRRR. The boat
    goes slightly sideways. Try again. Get the boat winched to a foot
    from the vee blocks on the winch and---SNAP !!! The winch rope breaks
    and off goes the boat again!! Funny, but thats the same winch rope
    I was going to replace this spring!! Ok, simply cut off some line
    and tie an anchor bend to the bow eye. No sweat (or plent of sweat
    by now). Again, as I'm busy cranking, I get "help" from that same
    dumb "friend" and I don't catch it until the boat is just about
    fully on!! GRRRRRRRRRR
    Not going to change now!! Off I go to finish securing everything
    out of the way. Grab the first transom tie down strap, lock it in
    place and---SNAP. It comes apart in my hands. Oh well, back to the
    lines I used before I bought these new wonderful tie downs. Put
    an extra line from the bow cleats to the trailer and off I go.
    Made it home without loosing the boat. There she sits in the driveway,
    on the trailer with a  ten degree list to starboard, a busted winch
    line and a ticked off owner.
    guess I should have "trained" my help and changed that winch line
    when I first thought about it.
    
    Don

RE: Don's day in 19.23


	Don, what a day!  This is what I mean by "WE ALL HAVE ONE OF THOSE".
	Granted, the winch was probably preventable, but I sat here reading
	and said to myself "That reminds me of the time....".  An as for the
	"friend", well, if you ever need to TEST an anchor...  (just kidding)!

	Well good luck getting the boat straight on the trailer.  IF your 
	outdrive comes up far enough and you have rollers on the trailer
	you *COULD* launch/retrieve it on the grass.  I have done that for
	a number of friends while fixing/adjusting their trailers.

	Better luck next outing...

							The Baer

P.S. You might want to consult the "stars" next time.  I here Nancy's (Regan)
     star-gazer is out of a job!!

    One time I was launching my boat, and I had to pick up the bow to
    get it off the trailor (the boat is light enough to do this)....
    You just kind of lift it and it slides into the water.  I'd rather
    do that than take the hook off, back up fast, throw on the brakes
    and let the momentum force it to slide off, but anyways.
    
    This guy is watching me and says "I don't believe what I'm seeing,
    where's your husband"?
    
    So I said "I don't have one, where's yours"?.....
    (hee hee)                                               
    
    Jeanne
    
    
    Oh yeah, I always ready the boat for launching before it goes down
    the ramp....why are people so slow????  Is this Florida?? :)
    

    re .22	Well, 4WD gives me drive wheels at each end, but I would
    imagine that most FWDs are better off with a front hitch than most
    RWDs with a rear hitch, since they have the engine and transmission
    weight right over the front wheels.  Empty RWD pick up trucks can
    be a real problem, especially if they lack positraction/limited
    slip.
    
    re	the ramp drop off.  I don't think I've encountered one in very
    shallow water yet, i.e. by the time the trailer wheels are that far
    in the boat has floated off, or if I've dropped it over I pull it
    back up before winching the boat onto it.  Have I missed a problem
    here ?
    
    	Reg
    
    

    
    Picture the scene when we pull up in the motorhome with boat attached.
    I direct the wife with walkie talkie.  You can't see the boat in
    the mirrors of the motorhome.
    
    I found a boat launch next to a dam with small current.  Really
    teachs one how to launch and retrive FAST least you go over the
    dam in the process.  No novices here.
    ed
    

    In central Maine we have an additional hazard at the ramp-swimmers!
    Most of the lakes don't have public swimming areas so people bring
    their families to the public boat ramps for an afternoon swim. 
    Some of them look on the boaters as intruding on their space.  After
    all it is public and they were there first.  The kids are diving
    from the docks, parents have their lawn chairs set up on the ramp,
    and of course the car is parked on the approach to the ramp. Fun!
    
    Is this a problem anyplace else?

    re -.29
    
        This is also a problem @ Whalom lake, except here we have to
    contend with the people on the jet skis aswell and everyone that
    is tagging along with them. They can make loading and unloading
    a boat a real pain in the ****. The ones I have observed should
    have there heads examined for there total lack of common sense and
    safe operation.

    THINGS ARE LOOKING UP AGAIN. REPLACED THE BUSTED WINCH LINE WITH
    A NEW 3500# ONE. FIXED THE TRANSOME TIE DOWN STRAP (WORKS GREAT).
    AND REPLACED THOSE OLD RUBBER "V" BLOCKS ON THE WINCH STAND WITH
    SOME NICE NEW SOFT PLASTIC ONES.
    
    WENT TO THE LAUNCH RAMP LAST NIGHT JUST TO BE SURE I COULD RECOVER
    FROM MY MEMORIAL DAY FIASCO. LAUNCHED THE BOAT AND PULLED IT RIGHT
    BACK ON---STRAIGHT!!!!!
    
    DON

    Just had to add this one that I saw on saturday.
    
    I went done to popes landing in danvers around 1500 and of course
    it was dead low tide. There is a guy trying to get his 19 cuddy
    cabin out of the water and his tow vehicle was a new chevy astro
    van. Well he loads the boats up and trys to get up out of the
    hole and no way was he going anywhere. So people start coming to
    his aid and to make a long story short he has 6 guys piled in 
    the back of the van over the rear axel and two more pushing and
    that trailer was still not going up the ramp. So off the boat
    comes from the trailer up the ramp he drives and the last I heard
    some one with a 4x4 was going to put the trailer on his truck
    and get the boat out of the water.                  
    
    Over course this all happened with half a dozen boats waiting
    for the ramp.
    
    Bruce

    re .32	I *HAVE* 40 ft of 3/8 chain, coulda drugg his boat 
    AND his toy van out together (if there was anything but plastic to
    sink a hook into at the front end :-^)
    
    	R
    

    
    	Well, it had to happen   ---   and it had to happen to me.
    
    	At Quinsiggy this sunday, aarrrrrghhhh !
    
    	I had beached the boat on the sand at the south side of the
    ramp, left the juvenile non driving crew with it and went to get the
    trailer.  Pulled up next to a guy with ~20ft something'r'other on a
    tandem axle trailer behind his Jeep Wagoneer, he was lined up for the
    North side, I was lined up for south side (well, lanes if you wish,
    though they're not marked).  I beeped to him and made polite gestures,
    we seemed to be communicating quite well with hand signals, this
    looked like it would work out quite well, so I started to back up.
    He quickly lit a ciggy and started to back up, only faster than
    me and crossed the ramp behind me (arrrgghh, whadda S_head).  Oh
    well, maybe it just folded on him, or maybe thats just the best
    he can do, no big deal, its harder with a bigger boat, I understand.
    So I pulled up and took the north side, got nicely in and went to
    get my boat, but they (3 of 'em) just got their boat off, he's leaving
    with the trailer and their boat wants to get onto my trailer
    (sideways).  Arrrggghhh, I'll get outta here, so I took the South
    lane again, but by the time I was in again the two with the lines
    but no boat keys had their boat clear of the ramp but blocking me
    from getting my boat to the ramp.  OK, I'm patient,
    "Can you take it out, please ?"   "He's parking the trailer."
    "We'll be out of here soon."   "Oh, take all day, might as WELL."
    OK, so I went out and around them, just as the key holder got back.
    "It's round the wrong way, we can't take it out like this (no shit ?)
    the back has to be out."  (the "back", eh ?)  "Watch out for this
    guy" (me).  By the time I had gone out to get around them they were,
    you guessed, almost on my trailer again, but they couldn't seem
    to start the damned thing.  Within a couple of inches of running
    me off of my own trailer they got it fired up and into reverse.
    Small mercies, they were close enough that they might easily have
    slammed it in forward in their panic to move someway somehow.

    	Reg
    
    PS, was that one of you ? :-^)
    

I witnessed a troubling event for an owner of a older lap-strake wooden boat on
9/2/90. He, and several helpers, had gotten the boat on the trailer and had
started hauling it out of water at Ryder's Cove in Chatham. At the time I was 
paddling the dingy directly toward the ramp watching. All of a sudden the boat
rolled backwards and the stern and lower section of the outboard slammed down on
the ramp. The bow was still on the trailer sticking up in the air. Of course to
add to guy's problems were the other 5 people waiting to use the ramp. They 
tried a quick lift to get the boat back on the trailer, but decided it might be
easier if they let the water out first. This took some time, also the water was
able to escape out through a new crack between the bottom of the transom and the
hull where it hit the pavement. I felt bad, also that it may have been one of
the helper's fault, like he didn't connect it properly or something. But no, the
winch line had broken. I wonder if it would have had they drained all the water
first. I guess that it would have simply broken the next time out in that case.
After the water was out they got the boat on the trailer and assessed the 
significant damage. Life's a bitch sometimes.

john