Boat Ramp Follies

It was early spring and launch day. My buddy Bucko’s boat, stored for the winter on a brand-new roller trailer, was waiting for us. By contrast, my own 20-foot Grady-White is stored on a very old roller trailer. And as most ­boaters with older trailers know, rollers tend to flatten in some spots and don’t roll easily.

On launch day for Bucko’s boat, we were too excited to wait for our friend’s son, who would’ve been our best asset to complete this task safely with his youth, boating knowledge, and strength. We decided to do it ourselves.

An extremely low tide left the ramp long and slippery. When launching my boat at low tide, I usually disconnect it from the winch prior to getting near the water and the flattened rollers hold it in place. So, I boarded Bucko’s vessel preparing for a smooth launch. He disconnected the boat, and because of the new rollers, it immediately rolled off the trailer and … onto the concrete ramp – nowhere near the water!

Bucko, who by now was in a panic, recklessly lined up the trailer to the bow of the boat and pushed it – and me – the rest of the way down the ramp into the water! The crowd watching this – and especially me – was shocked and appalled as now there could be a hole in the bottom of the boat. Bucko stuck his hand out the truck window, yelled, “Good luck!” and drove off, leaving me there!

Amazingly, the motor started, I got the boat to the dock, and finally determined it was unscathed by the humiliating launch. The moral of the story? Wait for dependable help if you need it. We should have!