Opinions on launch and retrieve at AH Marina

[Canyonfish]

Went in on a new center consol skiff with my brother. Combined weight of boat, motor, trailer and fuel (full tank) + cooler & other stuff approximately 2,200 to 2,400 lbs. We are keeping it at AH Marina on a trailer. Our main towing and launching vehicle will be my brother 4wd Tundra ..... but when I launch without my brother .. I will be using a 2006 Toyota Sienna with FWD with towing package rated for 3500 lbs.

We have launched and retrieved over the years at AH and ramp is gradual and wide .. but can be slipperyt at low tide.

Looking for opinions on using this vehicle at this ramp ........

[tropics]

Originally Posted by Canyonfish

Went in on a new center consol skiff with my brother. Combined weight of boat, motor, trailer and fuel (full tank) + cooler & other stuff approximately 2,200 to 2,400 lbs. We are keeping it at AH Marina on a trailer. Our main towing and launching vehicle will be my brother 4wd Tundra ..... but when I launch without my brother .. I will be using a 2006 Toyota Sienna with FWD with towing package rated for 3500 lbs.

We have launched and retrieved over the years at AH and ramp is gradual and wide .. but can be slipperyt at low tide.

Looking for opinions on using this vehicle at this ramp ........

Low tide could be a problem it is slicker then u know. Launching at low maybe okay, loading may not.

Welcome to NJFishing

[joeya78]

autoanything has thule tire chains. they are for ice but might be ok for pulling the boat. they are fairly cheap 80 bucks or so.

[Canyonfish]

Thanks for the replies ..... guess I will err on the side of caution and start with retrieval at higher tide stage first. If I try at lower stage it will be with my brothers truck as a backup standing by. Also will rig up wheel chocks that will be under back wheels during retrieval to avoid disaster .. can always abort right....... then have truck pull the boat out.

Tire chains .. interesting thought ..... I will have to think about that one .... any idea how easy it is to get those thule chains on and off ?

[eagleyankfan]

Originally Posted by joeya78

autoanything has thule tire chains. they are for ice but might be ok for pulling the boat. they are fairly cheap 80 bucks or so.

You sure about that? Have you seen people use chains when pulling boats out?

[hammer4reel]

I have seen more vehicles go in the drink there LAUNCHING boats than pulling boats out.
seems when the boat starts to float there isnt as much downward tension on the tongue and it allows the vehicle to slide .
Use alot of caution when on the ramp there at ANY time during low tide.

I had a friend fall walking to hitch on a boat, he looked like he was pulled into the drink by a sea monster, and was under the boat in an instant.

AH ramp at low tide, when covered is slicker than goose shit

ALSO , dont count on chocks keeping you from sliding back ( still always chock the wheels) , I saw 2 fords go in that were chocked on both tires with no one near them, as the guys had taken the boat off themselves and where tying the boats dockside.
when they broke free the chocks slid right down the ramps with the trucks

.

[Duffman]

#1 - DONT back in too far, the trailer has rollers for a reason.

#2 - Angle your truck to either side (picture a jack knifed tractor trailer) gives ya less of a chance of sliding in.

#3 - give the gawkers on the park benches the finger for me.