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akorcovelos wrote: Wed Apr 29, 2020 4:00 pm

Big Block Power wrote: Wed Apr 29, 2020 3:32 pm

akorcovelos wrote: Wed Apr 29, 2020 3:19 pm

Nothing pisses your wench off more than stealing her crank!

But for real, this is a thing? I've lived here my whole life and never heard of people stealing winch handles...

Yep every time at the Chicago loop cruise it happens. I don't know that launch I think it's calumet? But yes very common. But those boaters that go to that launch remove the handles all summer long.

I stopped acknowledging Chicago as part of Illinois a long time ago. Not surprised that's a problem on the south side, they'll steal the gold fillings from your teeth if they had the chance.

Big Block Power wrote: Wed Apr 29, 2020 4:50 pm

akorcovelos wrote: Wed Apr 29, 2020 4:00 pm

Big Block Power wrote: Wed Apr 29, 2020 3:32 pm

Yep every time at the Chicago loop cruise it happens. I don't know that launch I think it's calumet? But yes very common. But those boaters that go to that launch remove the handles all summer long.

I stopped acknowledging Chicago as part of Illinois a long time ago. Not surprised that's a problem on the south side, they'll steal the gold fillings from your teeth if they had the chance.

That was prob the same time we stopped acknowledging IL as a state

akorcovelos wrote: Wed Apr 29, 2020 3:19 pm

But for real, this is a thing? I've lived here my whole life and never heard of people stealing winch handles...

AsLan7 wrote: Wed Apr 29, 2020 5:45 pm

akorcovelos wrote: Wed Apr 29, 2020 3:19 pm

But for real, this is a thing? I've lived here my whole life and never heard of people stealing winch handles...

.
Yup. Had one stolen about 10 years ago. Now I keep a spare.

.

cmattj wrote: Wed Apr 29, 2020 6:56 am If so mark your wench with a marker so when she is retrieved later she will return to the exact spot.

Big Block Power wrote: Tue Apr 28, 2020 10:40 pm Put the drain plug in before you leave home and double-check it at the launch.
Also never approach a dock faster then you want to hit it. Never yell at your wife while docking or backing up. Lol

kas232ca wrote: Thu Apr 30, 2020 3:44 pm

Big Block Power wrote: Tue Apr 28, 2020 10:40 pm Put the drain plug in before you leave home and double-check it at the launch.
Also never approach a dock faster then you want to hit it. Never yell at your wife while docking or backing up. Lol

Not sure about other states, but Arizona and Utah it is illegal to tow with the drain plug in due to the mussel infestation. I have an orange drain plug wrench I put on the truck dashboard on the way to the ramp.

Additionally, at the Utah and California fruit inspection stops, the first thing they look at is to make sure the plug is removed.

Big Block Power wrote: Thu Apr 30, 2020 4:57 pm

kas232ca wrote: Thu Apr 30, 2020 3:44 pm

Big Block Power wrote: Tue Apr 28, 2020 10:40 pm Put the drain plug in before you leave home and double-check it at the launch.
Also never approach a dock faster then you want to hit it. Never yell at your wife while docking or backing up. Lol

Not sure about other states, but Arizona and Utah it is illegal to tow with the drain plug in due to the mussel infestation. I have an orange drain plug wrench I put on the truck dashboard on the way to the ramp.

Additionally, at the Utah and California fruit inspection stops, the first thing they look at is to make sure the plug is removed.

No plug rules here

TwoBurgers wrote: Sun May 24, 2020 1:42 pm I wrote this for a friend re jet skis a few years ago. Applies to boats and mentions boat ramp behavior. Best to avoid busy days when you are new or take an experienced friend. Good luck!
Chris

Launching
before backing into the water (and getting in the ready-to-put-in line), remove cover, remove rear tie down straps, put a little slack in the trailer winch strap, put starting lanyard on left handlebar grip, place the needed life vests on the seat, attach a line to the PWC (as required for control of PWC), install two rear drainage plugs, start engine and let run for up to 15 seconds, back the trailer into the water until the trailer wheel fenders are just under water (or until rear of PWC begins to float), put truck in park and use safety brake, unclip the strap hook from the tow ring, slide the PWC off the trailer bunks, move PWC to secure location (sand area or tie it up clear of other traffic to allow parking), don't forget to load your wallet, truck keys and mobile phone into the glove box before departing.

Pulling Out
put the PWC in a close but safe location near the ramp while you retrieve the truck and trailer, get your truck keys out of the PWC glove box, open the rear gate of the truck so you can easily see to back the trailer, back the trailer into the water up to where the fenders are just under water, lengthen the winch strap, retrieve the PWC from where you left it, pull the PWC straight on to the trailer bunks (assuring that you do not drag the hull over the metal parts of the trailer including the turn signals), connect the winch strap hook to the tow ring, assure the PWC is centered on the trailer, engage the winch crank directional lock, rotate the winch clockwise until the tow hook is snuggly touching the rubber pad. Get in the truck and slowly pull the trailer out of the water to an area where you can further prepare the PWC for travel. Start the PWC and rev the motor up to 4000 RPM (no more than 15 seconds) to blow remaining water out of the exhaust, loosen/open the rear drainage plugs, install the tie down straps(s) and secure tightly, I like to wipe down the PWC before putting the cover back on, remove the lanyard and place in the glove box, put the life vests in the truck, assure the trailer lights are working correctly, check the front and rear straps for tightness, correctly install the cover and hit the road knowing you and your PWC will arrive happily together.

Note about boat ramps. Boat ramps are places where people are usually in a rush to put in and start their day, or in a rush to pull out and get on the road so they can reach their destination as soon as possible. Much like cars, someone's beat up and barely running Bayliner can easily scratch your new six figure ski boat is one instant. The better to be safe than sorry rule applies if you care about your equipment. That being said, experienced boaters can get frustrated with those that are inexperienced, and those that are inexperienced usually struggle and hold everyone else up - at a minimum. Add in spouses, girlfriends, children, alcohol and that boats do not always perform as we would like, and the boat ramp is a perfect storm for frustration and sometimes aggression. Add a lightning storm blowing in to the mix and all bets are off, as people's sense of urgency overrides any good sense they may have once had. Every ramp has a protocol, and it is helpful to follow the tried and true process that the regulars use. If you don't know, just ask someone. A good rule is to offer help to someone that does not appear to know what they are doing, as we all had to learn at some point.

Chris Burger

akorcovelos wrote: Wed Apr 29, 2020 4:00 pm

Big Block Power wrote: Wed Apr 29, 2020 3:32 pm

akorcovelos wrote: Wed Apr 29, 2020 3:19 pm

Nothing pisses your wench off more than stealing her crank!

But for real, this is a thing? I've lived here my whole life and never heard of people stealing winch handles...

Yep every time at the Chicago loop cruise it happens. I don't know that launch I think it's calumet? But yes very common. But those boaters that go to that launch remove the handles all summer long.

I stopped acknowledging Chicago as part of Illinois a long time ago. Not surprised that's a problem on the south side, they'll steal the gold fillings from your teeth if they had the chance.