COPING WITH CROSSWINDS AT THE RAMP
Six tips for bringing your boat to the trailer through the wind.
Crosswinds and currents have plagued mariners since humans jumped into dugout canoes. At least early boaters didn’t have to deal with crosswinds at launch ramps, but today’s trailer boaters do.
When a stiff breeze or current streams perpendicular to the ramp, the difficulty factor notches up considerably, especially when trying to load a boat on a trailer. Here are six tips for coping with crosswinds and crosscurrents at the boat ramp. —Jim Hendricks
1. DON’T SINK THE TRAILER If the trailer is too deep, the boat will simply drift over it with the wind or current. Position the trailer so the hull will contact the bunks or rollers and remain in place once you drive the boat over it. This rule applies even when there is no crosswind or current.
2. STOW THE BIMINI Bimini tops act like sails to push the boat sideways in a crosswind. Take it and other unnecessary canvas down to reduce the vessel’s windage before you load the boat on the trailer.
3. LEAD YOUR TARGET Begin your approach on the
upwind or upstream side of the trailer to compensate for these lateral influences. Adjust your throttle to intercept the back of the trailer before the wind or current pushes you away from it.
4. ANGLE THE TRAILER With very strong winds and currents, it sometimes helps to angle the trailer downstream or downwind. With this method, you’ll approach into the wind or current. Use enough throttle to make headway and maneuver the hull onto the bunks or rollers.
5. WALK IT UP If there are finger docks at the ramp, tie up the boat on the downwind side, then back the trailer down as close as possible to the dock. Belay lines to the stern and bow cleats and walk the boat onto the trailer, then winch it up snug. It helps to have two people for this, especially with stronger winds.
6. AVOID THE
CROWD When the winds howl, negotiating the basin around a launch ramp can turn into a game of bumper boats. Such conditions pose challenges even for veteran trailer boaters, let alone newcomers. If possible, let
the crowds disperse a bit before loading your boat in dicey conditions. This will minimize the number of hard targets, give you a bit more room to maneuver, and reduce the chances of another boater sliding into your vessel.