Boat Ramp Follies, Dirty Boat, Boat Accident!!

wish2fish

Active Member
Dec 19, 2006
4,278
Locust Creek, Ohio River mm 433
Boat Info
2003 220BR
Engines
5.0 MPI
Was pulling my boat yesterday. I drove my boat and my friend was doing the truck/trailer. When I got to the ramp I had to wait for the boat in front of me. A man was on the boat with 2 kids and a woman pulled up with the truck/trailer. The woman got out and came down to the boat. She held the boat while the man got out and went to back the trailer in while the woman held the boat on the dock. The man got out of the truck, went back to the boat and drove the boat onto the trailer, swung over the bow, connected the strap to the boat, got in the truck and pulled the boat out of the water.

Unfortunately, this man did not pull out of the way. He stayed in the ramp area making it much harder for my friend to back the trailer in. My friend got it done and we quickly got loaded and pulled out. As we pulled past the boat in font of me you couldn't help but notice that the boat had been in the water for a water for a while and the rear waterline was much higher on the fiberglass than it should have been. I assume that it had been taking on water from the rains.

We drove over to my mechanics (right next door to the ramp) to drop off for yearly maintenance and winterization. Over at the the boat yard we disconnected, put the tie down straps, took off a bunch of equipment to make access to the motor easier, covered the boat and left.

As we were driving back to my place, we approached a very dirty boat from behind. When we realized it was the boat from the ramp, I commented to my buddy that I wouldn't be surprised if one of the tires fell off or wheels locked up. As we approached we found out that the trailer hitch came off the ball and the tongue of the trailer went underneath the boat. It was wedged in there pretty good and he couldn't get them apart. He was calling for road service so we went upon our way.

Fortunately nobody was hurt. I think this points to some of inexperienced boaters out there. I don't know what what I could have done to prevent the problem. I don't want to butt in unless I know something is dangerous.
 
Here is a picture of the boat.

9743859b1d1bcfb244ea24c7a334c7c4.jpg
 
As we approached we found out that the trailer hitch came off the ball and the tongue of the trailer went underneath the boat. It was wedged in there pretty good and he couldn't get them apart.

Would like to see photo of that!

"You can't fix stupid"

MM
 
I feel bad for the guy. My wife didn't like doing it but she could get the truck and trailer and back it down the ramp.

Now with my boat lift I only have to launch once and retrieve once a year. Generally do it with another boater trading off helping each other.
 

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