Gale Force Winds, Temperature Dropping, High Drama At The Boat Ramp!

Looks warm, NOT!

This Veterans Day is sure a cold one here in the Mid Atlantic. And sadly the end of any hope to extend Summer any longer. So we had to do the Boat Ramp thing. Let me set the scene. I knew today was going to be even more colder and windy. So Friday morning was my small window to pull out. When I woke up the wind was already blowing, and the temp was in the mid 40’s and dropping.  I had the boat ready by 9AM and shaking inside.

Looks calm. NOT!

The boat ramp I use is effected by wind, current and with no guides on the trailer, how would it all go?

As I motored out towards the ramp, all bundled up, you could feel the wind blowing and the crisp cold smacking me in the face.

Jimmy had run the trailer over to the ramp and already backed in. We had one shot!

We had to plan for the wind and current to blow us to the trailer. YIKES

And yes, we captured the moment on video! Now. Remember there is no reverse steering. just the prop torque,  and amazing paragon transmission. Which allows you to ease into gear. All my two years of practice was going to be called into action at this very moment!

YIKES!

So sad!

18 replies
  1. Rick
    Rick says:

    Well done! Time for winter projects now. Wish my transmission had a little more sticking ability in neutral. Forward and reverse no problem but neutral is ALWAYS iffy. Get to the dock and just turn it off! A couple of times left the engine on and as I’m getting the ropes I find the prop is still engaged.

  2. Greg Lewandowski
    Greg Lewandowski says:

    Nice Job Matt, but I think you need some guide posts on that trailer. Cheap insurance against boat damage if you get in trouble. 22 degrees here in Michigan this morning but at least it’s not snowing!

  3. Bjorn B
    Bjorn B says:

    Well done! Find it funny that next YouTube video lined up after yours is “Brutal shipping crash complications” 🙂

  4. John Rothert
    John Rothert says:

    expertly done! Where is that ramp? Fleeton? Bad deal all those bulkhead etc.
    I do so much solo boating that I always get wet. Yep, never driven a boat onto a trailer in my life….just wade in and pull by hand…water temp be damned…..old school…old fool….but hey, that’s boating!
    28 degrees here this morning….tested my boatsafe engine compartment heater yesterday…worked fine….so will be GOING winter BOATING!
    John in Va.

  5. Matt
    Matt says:

    Ha, the wind was a t least 20 -30 mph, if I used the guides it would have scratched the varnish like it always does. Took them off, and Gail is not my friend! neither is gale.

  6. Dave Nau
    Dave Nau says:

    Good job!

    It’s 24 degrees in Cleveland this morning with traces of snow on the ground. Leaves are finally turning and falling now that it’s cold. Have not even raked them up once yet this season, but will now.

  7. Bob in Mazeppa
    Bob in Mazeppa says:

    Nice video! Did you use the Nikon? Kristi and I are going to try powering on the trailer midweek at the marina when nobody is around next spring. We have been floating on and I’m growing weary of that balancing act on the trailer frame. Yesterday is was 6 above in the early morning and a strong wind blowing across the frozen prairie.

    • Matt
      Matt says:

      No, iphone. Jimmy was filming it. I have found for stuff like this the iphone works best and makes it easier to post on instagram.

  8. Matt
    Matt says:

    HAHAHHAA! They create more problems than they solve. The ones I took off were 6 feet and my ramp is strange and boat tall. So its a mess. Plus its fun in an odd way. I have spent two years trying to get into my boathouse without rouching the guide posts. Learning the tweeks of the transmission and how she behaves. If you notice I used the transmission to do most of the work. But the truth is, I fail 90% of the time, which is why I was sweating, yet hyper focused, which may be why it worked. That last burst of throttle is a nail biter and requiers confidance and an understanding of your boat.

  9. Wilson
    Wilson says:

    63 degrees or so here this morning..Top down now for the Veteran’s Day parade and it will be in the low 70’s by mid afternoon…Now that your boat is all loaded on a trailer, might as well head South for the winter where you can use her until Spring.

  10. Old Salt
    Old Salt says:

    Nice Job, A few more sailing lessons Matt and you would have waited a little longer before making the first right hand turn towards the ramp and then you would have nailed it!

  11. Kevin F
    Kevin F says:

    I don’t have guild posts either. My issue is not getting the boat “on perfect”, it is keeping it there since the stern is floating still even after I power up to the front stop. So as I start to pull the trailer out of the water it can move an inch or six to the side and then need to be re-floated. It makes single handling it nearly impossible. I have a custom made trailer by Loadmaster, so every thing is as it should be.

    I am ready for some guilds so I can drive it on by myself, attach it, and away I go (I hope)

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