Thanks for the dimensional information. Studying your pics some more its no wonder you needed a ladder. The way your winch post is compared to mine I dont think anyone is making that leap up there.

The only reason I can get over mine so easily is I can hop from the tongue to the spare tire to the top of the winchpost and up.... Thinking of adding a tread or two off the winchpost to make it a little more sure footed.

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/c...1/DSCF5329.jpg

The steps are sweet looking for sure.. very professional job. Well done. :clap:



Not sure if this should be posted on this thread, but I have to comment/ask. I've never gone over the front rail when launching or retreiving. In truth, I don't even understand... why you would do such a thing?

I have a 3/8" nylon line about 50 foot long with a snap hook on the end that I secure to one of the bow cleats. When I come into the ramp I tie up at the dock, go get my truck and back it into position on the ramp, then I just pull my boat from the dock to the trailer, hook the winch cable to it and pull the lanyard to have the winch pull the boat onto the trailer while I guide it from the backside. When launching, I just reverse the steps. Back trailer into position on ramp, release clutch on winch to allow boat to go into water and pull winch cable out for retreiving later, (I keep promising myself that I'm going to weld an eye onto the back of the trailer to hook the winch cable to, but normally I just wrap it around the last crossmember). unhook boat from the cable and pull it to the dock. Never had a problem, takes very little time and makes the trailering part of the trip an easy chore.

I suppose that if I had a second driver in the truck it would make it even faster, but people in hell want ice water, (meaning that you can't always get what you want). Since I do a lot of fishing by myself, I've found that this is the safest and quickest way for me to launch and retreive.

That's definitely the way I do it except when I go out of the Atlantic Highlands which is probably at least half my outings.....When you are in the middle of that 6 boat wide ramp there aint no other way to get in the boat .

True....I forgot about that place RW. Haven't launched from the Highlands in years.. Great ramp, nice slope etc... but it's just too damn crowded for my blood.

If I'm trailering all the way down the parkway to 117 I like Leonardo a lot better.. 2 boat wide, very steep, short ramp, but easy as pie to launch from because of the angle.
I average seeing at least 2 vehicles being pulled up the ramp per year because they are 2 wheel drive and their wheels are just spinning....4WD is a must for that ramp. Low tide is the worst because the bottom of the ramp is slimy concrete.. not much traction even for a 4WD. But I'll still take that ramp over Highlands.

I still like the Secaucus free launch ramp and the run down the river to the hook. For me it's the easiest and I don't mind the extra fuel I burn.
I figure that I actually save money by launching free, not paying tolls and not sitting in traffic for several hours on my way back home.

Couple of reasons not using a rope as you suggest. The places I launch have lots of rocks and want to stay out of them. Do not want to get in the water for any reason.
Also I want to start motor before disconnecting from trailer so the back and forth to the tongue can be easier to do.
Last of all want to avoid gymnastics.

I launch my Jon boat in the fashion as you described using a rope etc.
It hits rocks etc but is light and can be pushed off with a paddle.

Gotcha.. It's funny, up here in the artic circle we mostly have launch ramps, so I never think about launching my boat without one. Your solution makes a lot of sense. Thanks for teaching an old dog a new trick. :beer:

No problem...oh I forgot
 

Guess I'll add that I'm also retired and a 100% DAV.
So I do have problems with some task.
My son can hop up there. when he goes with me. But I needed a way for me. :sun:

I never fish alone any more so its great driving on and off!!

But I will never forget the day I slipped off the bow and bent the bow rail trying to hold on!! :cen:

Steps look sweet. I think about building some for about 10-15 seconds everytime I launch the V and have to do the ol' winch post climbing routine.

Awesome idea! I could even use those on my 18. May do that!