How not to launch a boat

Boat Launch Fail
The best part is at 9 minutes in when the suv is out and he opens the doors.
DT

Although I can’t watch the video on this old computer, this could prove to be helpful and possibly avoid some repairs.

Just a couple years ago two fellas were launching on the steep ramp at Everts. Trailer was in the water and the fella in the boat backed off the trailer.

The driver of the rig stepped out of the truck to unhook the boat, leaving the truck in park.

You guessed it.

The truck made a clunk and trailer and truck went into the river! There was good flow, around 30,000 fps if I recall.
Now on a lake the rig would have just sat in the water next to the dock, but since we are talking river, it started drifting down stream. The rear of the SUV sticking out of the water for 5 to 10 minutes.

The boater tied on a rope and it was then secured to a tree to keep it going further down stream…then the rig totally sank.

A wrecker, the sheriff and the DNR showed up to check out the incident.

When the truck was finally pulled from the river (about 100 yards down stream of the dock) the shift selector was in PARK.

What a ruined day of happy fishing!

…and the above is now why my parking brake is always set when I leave the drivers seat while launching my boat. I can learn from others misfortunes.

Reminds me of Jim at Everts last year recruiting one of my pals who has zero experience with boats to recover one of the resort boats. The only thing that could have made it any funnier was if the Benny Hill music suddenly started playing..

Mine as well let the whole vehicle get under water before pulling it out next time!

That was great

Many years ago I also seen it happen over in Prescott with a big white caddie and about a 26 ft big white boat. Thank God the older women and her husband got out ok!!. With the boat still hookup it just slided to the down steam side.

Kinda off the path but I remeber about 5 years ago when we were at everts there was a nice ranger trying to unload his boat. He unhooked the boat from the trailer and started to back down. The guy that was driving hit the brakes and the boat rolled off the trailer and on to the ramp. He was lucky that part of the boat sayed on the trailer. We rounded the troops and went and helped him lift it back on the trailer. It was not easy and I am sure there were a few lessons learned. He ended up scraping/chiping the back bottom part of the boat. I have never seen anything like it. Someone came out and took a picture of us trying to lift it up. I would love to see it if its still out there? It was over thanksgiving.

It’s only funny until it happens to you!
Been there and done that…

You should watch me try and trailer the nephews boat at Hidden Falls. I went 3-0 and said, I’m done before I put a hole in your hull or ruin your trailer.

Too funny! Forgot about that one!

Curt was the same guy that couldn’t get his motor turn over one spring. Mice built a nest IN THE CYLINDERS!

That wasn’t funny and it didn’t even happen to me!

Happened at the boat launch on a cold October AM going out to duck hunt. There I was holding on to the bumper of my Dodge truck trying to keep it from rolling all the way in and another hunter comes along…launches his duck boat and leaves without offering to help or get help! Thank goodness the next guy went to the nearest home and called the Sherriff’s Dept who sent a tow truck! Nice little humorous write-up in the Sunday paper…”Truck’s Morning Dip Dampens Duck Hunt”

Very Funny…I’m still laughing…

Thank Goodness No Pictures!

WTF