Single PWC trailer ramp launching, I slipped and fell at the boat ramp.

[tuffr3]

I know the ramp is real slippery but still I slipped and fell into 6" of water - ouch. Hurt my elbow, knee and ego. So I can not be the only one that has to get into the water to take the ski off the trailer. That whole operation of launching and loading is fraught with danger. Mostly slipping and falling on boat ramp.

What I do: To launch - back the trailer into the water. Then walk onto the slippery ramp with water up past my knees I step on the fender of the trailer and get onto the ski.

It makes getting onto the ski with my Teva's (which provides more traction than bare feet) kinda clumsy because there is no room for the Teva in the footwell. So I usually do it in bare feet.

S

[tiderider]

This is the Seadoo 4tec performance section of the forum?

[tuffr3]

Sorry if posted in the wrong area. I will look for an more appropriate forum category.

Thanks

[K447]

Single PWC trailer?

Your footwear does not fit into the footwell of your watercraft?

Launch ramps certainly can be slippery. And can make for a nasty landing, rough hard concrete underneath some slimy green organic layer.

What trailer and PWC model do you have?

Perhaps some trailer modifications or upgrades would make it easier to make the journey safely from water's edge to seated?

[raiderteen]

I put in lots of watercraft with different trailer/ski setups all the time. Generally I put the tail gate down on the truck and then either walk out on the tongue and then sidestep around the front of the ski or I just always have a hand/hands on something sturdy to catch myself if I lose my footing. The real fun is when its spring or late fall and I am in jeans trying to avoid walking in the cold water but needing to water test a ski.

[Highline9]

I know the ramp is real slippery but still I slipped and fell into 6" of water - ouch. Hurt my elbow, knee and ego. So I can not be the only one that has to get into the water to take the ski off the trailer. That whole operation of launching and loading is fraught with danger. Mostly slipping and falling on boat ramp.

What I do: To launch - back the trailer into the water. Then walk onto the slippery ramp with water up past my knees I step on the fender of the trailer and get onto the ski.

It makes getting onto the ski with my Teva's (which provides more traction than bare feet) kinda clumsy because there is no room for the Teva in the footwell. So I usually do it in bare feet.

S

Sorry you fell...I almost did last weekend at a new to me ramp...I'm right there with you, in the water to launch.

[TimeBandit]

"Ideally" launching & retrieving is a two-person evolution : one in the vehicle, and one on the ski already, being backed-in or extracted-out. Yet, If you are by yourself - it is what it is. I'm not convinced there is a solution here. I am mainly by myself as well, also having to venture quite often and unavoidably into ankle or knee deep at times. Water depth and the ramp angle itself is also very much a factor - as shallow or aggressive ramps can largely dictate very different situations. Higher tides can get you further away from the slippery ramp areas at times. Low-tide being the worse!

Agreed - I'm perplexed with the shoe comment too. If those are too bulky, consider "water socks" or other close-fitting footwear like scuba boots. Once in the ski, you can slip them off as to not mark-up the foot wells. Even then, these are no-match for algae coated ramps/pavement !!
Here's a bit of encouragement ... the more you negotiate these slippery conditions, your odds of not falling will proportionally improve ... hence like ice-skating, you'll simply fall less once the muscle-memory gets established.

[steve45]

I've fallen a couple of times on algae-covered concrete. It hurt each time! I've got anti-skid tape & HydroTurf strips on some of my trailers, but I still worry about falling off of them if I stand on the frame. Slipping and falling between a frame rail and the 'Ski could really mess you up and ruin your day.

A couple of weeks ago I had to swap trailers & 'Skis by myself. Two 'Skis didn't run, so I tied long ropes to them and just pushed them back off the trailer, then pulled them ashore and tied them up. After swapping trailers, I pushed the 'Skis out as far as I could in the water, then pulled the ropes in and got the winches hooked up to winch them onto the trailer. I had to try a couple of times to get them on the bunk rails straight, but I did it without falling.

Thanks for bringing this up, tuffr3! Launching alone can be dangerous. I'm going to launch one of my boats by myself next week, I'm sure that will be fun...

[tuffr3]

The shoe comment - I have flip flops that I wear. They are clumsy in the water and trying to keep the flip flop on my foot as I go from the trailer to the Seadoo is even clumsier.

I think I will try a whole different approach. I will tie a long rope to the Seadoo and try to pull it off the trailer and around the dock to tie it up. I am thinking that just might be possible. That way I stay out of the water. I think I will unlatch the sadoo 75% down the ramp and back it further down the ramp so it floats off the trailer easier. Then with the long rope it just might work.

Steve45 - agree it hurts to slip and fall at the ramp. Ouch ouch...

[Highline9]

Y'all don't wear water shoes? Doesn't mark my ski, and no glass/shells/whatever gets through the bottom...also helps with launch algae

[Chills]

I fell once wearing croc’s, never again. I bought a pair of water shoes from Canadian Tire for $20, bit better grip.
I launch all the time solo. When I back in, I try and stay as close to the dock as I can. When the ski is quarter way in (backend touching, but hitch is still over dry land) I stop, get out and tie the seadoo off to the the dock with the rope. Tie it off just behind the ski. (Where you think it will end up off the trailer). I tie from the rear grab handle or loop near the steering (on the sparks). Making sure there is a little bit of slack. With winch portion still on land I unhook the bow strap. Now the sea doo is still on the trailer with only the backend in the water but is attached to the dock. I hope back in the truck without ever touching the water and continue backing in the trailer. When you see it free floating a quick stomp on the brakes gives it enough momentum to slide off the trailer. Pull out and park. Then away I go.
However on return I enter the water using a long rope and pull it on the trailer.

[tuffr3]

I like the idea of water shoes. I will try them as they look like they will help with traction. All I know is bare feet do not work. Those water shoes do not look too bulky either. I have a West Marine close so I will check there 1st.

Thanks that is a good idea.

[steve45]

I wear scuba diving boots. Yea, they look kind of dorky, but I'm so old I really don't care. In fact, I just bought a new pair last week, haven't been wet yet.

[johnhoo08]

Long rope to boat piling or flip flops. I don't get shoes don't fit in foot wells. What are you wearing? Clown shoes? Seriously the foot wells are like 8-9 inches in width which is a lot larger than most males feet size with shoes.

[tuffr3]

It is just shoes make it more clumsy. Yes, I can do it with flip flops but it is much easier in bare feet. I am going to look as specialized water shoes with good algea traction. I am going today to West Marine.

Do they still make the feet wear with the toes? I wonder how they would be in the water at the boat ramp.