What could possibly go wrong?

[herm]

Given conditions this spring, I'm thinking of trying a lake I have not gone to since upgrading my boat several years ago. The reason I haven't been there is the launch. It is a short, relatively steep ramp made of concrete spurs spaced several inches apart. You dump into a narrow channel. I'm pretty sure I would have to back trailer all the way off the ramp into soft bottom. Of course, that might be OK for launching, but I fear I might not be able to pull the rig/trailer out when leaving. The boat is 17 feet w 80 hp and my truck is a Chevy Silverado. When I did fish the lake in a smaller boat (and smaller truck) I never saw boats bigger than 14-16 feet launch there. So, is it worth the risk? What could possibly go wrong? Seriously.... Thanks for your input!

[Rick G]

Is this one of our local lakes? I run a 17ft with a 90 and there is realy only a couple lakein in this area I have trouble with.

Getting a rig back out of a lake realy isn't too hard if you have a roller trailer, you can dry winch it onto the trailer if you had to. The thing I would wory about is backing off the end of the ramp and getting your axle caught.

[herm]

Rick, should have noted I have bunk trailer. (Rollers and I would have never hesitated.) as for location, yes. Re: axle...that is my BIGGEST worry.

[CaptainMusky]

I got my axle caught on the Mississippi at the County Park a couple years ago. It technically wasnt my axle, but a bracket that sticks below the axle for a roller of some sort that isnt required. Was fine without the boat on it, but man did I trench some holes with the boat on it. I was worried I wouldnt get out. I had to unload it again and reposition the trailer to get out. Be careful if you back your trailer in on the down river side of that ramp. ;-)

Launching the boat wont be your problem, but pulling it out just may be. I would say maybe not back so far in when you load your boat and try and run your boat up on the trailer as far as you can.

The water levels really arent that high right now, so maybe do a "pre-opener" inspection to see what you think.

[Surface Tension]

A preload inspection with waders and a long stick to poke around with.

Be watching close when your backing in. After the tire drops off you might be setting on the leaf springs, if you go further you'll get past the spring mounts and that will hang up on the pad. If the tires drop off the pad when you back in to take the boat out, pull forward and get the tires back on the pad before you load the boat.

[TruthWalleyes]

A stick to check to see if you'll actually drop off of the landing pad. If you do drop your tires off the landing slabs and the trailer is sitting on the slabs rather than the tires. DO NOT PULL OUT. You'll have to get wet and prop up your trailer so you don't remove your axel from your trailer.

I've dropped mine off of an access at the MN River. Pushed the boat off, proped up the trailer, pulled ahead a few inches so tires are on slabs. Remove whatever you used to prop up trailer, then load boat. Just had to dry winch the boat back on to the trailer when i was done fishing.

I think you'll find out if your going to have any problems when using a long stick and/or waders.

[herm]

As always, good advice here. Thanks!! Might have to work in a scouting/test trip this weekend.