My boats always slip slidding away....

[133bhp]

I ran a second winch over the top to get a straight pulll but with even with a painted bottom I leave mine as it comes out and it works it way forward over a couple of miles anyway, with less stress on everything.

[Boblee]

The tube extension can be installed some place other than the ramp itself and one doesn't need to use a dolly wheel at the front of the trailer. Many of the ramps I use have a lot of impatient people waiting to launch and recover and the least time taken there the better.

What you mention is same as rope launching I mentioned with a shorter rope, which is not a problem. However, I do feel if you only need three of four feet, a short extension gives better control and you will spend less time at the ramp.
JMHO

You have hand brake on your trailer interesting. (or am I misunderstanding)

Never really been a problem launching off the trailer, if it doesn't float off just unhook and hold the painter, reverse and apply the brakes, shouldn't have to go more than 2" of water over the guards.
Mind you did it one day with the missus holding the painter and when I saw her disappearing into the water knew I better compose myself from laughing before I got back down to the ramp so took a bit of time parking, fortunately it was in a local lake with no biteys or it wouldn't have been so funny.

[topcat0399]

The tube extension can be installed some place other than the ramp itself and one doesn't need to use a dolly wheel at the front of the trailer. Many of the ramps I use have a lot of impatient people waiting to launch and recover and the least time taken there the better.

What you mention is same as rope launching I mentioned with a shorter rope, which is not a problem. However, I do feel if you only need three of four feet, a short extension gives better control and you will spend less time at the ramp.
JMHO

You have hand brake on your trailer interesting. (or am I misunderstanding)

Never really been a problem launching off the trailer, if it doesn't float off just unhook and hold the painter, reverse and apply the brakes, shouldn't have to go more than 2" of water over the guards.
Mind you did it one day with the missus holding the painter and when I saw her disappearing into the water knew I better compose myself from laughing before I got back down to the ramp so took a bit of time parking, fortunately it was in a local lake with no biteys or it wouldn't have been so funny.

The question is did the Admiral find it as funny as you and are now a solo sailor?

[Boblee]

Ah she wasn't too bad, she couldn't say much THEN as a couple of the grandkids were there and had calmed down later, our painter is a fairly long rope but she tried to hold the boat and the ramp was slippery, it just went off too quick.
Think she has had enough of the boat anyway as she panics in the slightest chop or heeling, likes where the boat can go and the magnificent scenery and fishing but unfortunately no matter how hard you try you can get caught with weather.

[topcat0399]

Ah she wasn't too bad, she couldn't say much THEN as a couple of the grandkids were there and had calmed down later, our painter is a fairly long rope but she tried to hold the boat and the ramp was slippery, it just went off too quick.
Think she has had enough of the boat anyway as she panics in the slightest chop or heeling, likes where the boat can go and the magnificent scenery and fishing but unfortunately no matter how hard you try you can get caught with weather.

There's nothing like a good boat ramp adventure to remember later matey! We have several.

Happy Sails.