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Post by Juan on Aug 16, 2021 10:09:25 GMT -6
Thanks Catcher. You're braver than I... I keep saying I'm going to try it one day but I haven't had the nerve to float the boat off the trailer and use the trolling motor to anchor it in place while I park the truck. I've always wondered what happens if the truck (and the remote) gets out of range of the trolling motor... will the trolling motor stay on anchor or will it stop working? Unlike the Sea Pro, I don't have the self deploy option on my skiff so I'm considering the Ramp n Clamp as a way to hold the boat while I enter and then release from the trailer. I'm not sure if I need the Sports model or the 503 SH and also not sure if I need to replace the bow eye. I'm going to take a couple of pictures and then contact them for their advice before ordering.
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985crabs
Captain
2000 V1900 Bay Series, Yamaha 150 Carb. 2
Posts: 1,309
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Post by 985crabs on Aug 16, 2021 11:50:46 GMT -6
I need some kind of release that will hold the boat against the bow roller until I'm in the boat and ready to release it. Will the ramp and clamp do that? Yes. Once I have motor running I reach over the bow and pull the release handle to set myself free. That's what I did. I took photos and emailed the guy. We got on the phone and he was very helpful. Go for it.
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Post by Juan on Aug 16, 2021 11:57:55 GMT -6
Plan to do just that...when this tropical storm passes. Thanks
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Post by Juan on Aug 17, 2021 13:55:12 GMT -6
Tropical storm Fred left a mess. We got 5" of rain, 50 mph gusts and limbs down everywhere but never lost power. I sent an email to Ramp N Clamp and got a reply stating: as long as your trailer has a roller and your boat has a stainless steel u-bolt bow eye and the two can come together when fully loaded on the trailer you can use our Sport model latch or Sport long handle. With these two models you do not need to add the extended bow eye to the boat.so I'm guessing this won't work since the bow eye is about 2" from the roller:
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Post by freezerfiller on Aug 17, 2021 18:29:04 GMT -6
It rained about 3" here and the dog had a few new fetching sticks. I'm thankful.
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985crabs
Captain
2000 V1900 Bay Series, Yamaha 150 Carb. 2
Posts: 1,309
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Post by 985crabs on Aug 17, 2021 20:24:24 GMT -6
I recall doing a little finagling with my bow roller stanchion to get it just right. You have to get boat off trailer for that so it’s a PITA and you need someone who’s not a dummy to help you.
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catchersrock
Ensign
Posts: 548
Location: Maiden NC
Sea Pro model and year: 2020 Sea Pro 228
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Post by catchersrock on Aug 18, 2021 5:47:07 GMT -6
Morning Juan
As far as your eye not currently hitting your roller, my boat was the same from the factory. I did two things:
1. I changed my strap to come off the bottom of my winch instead of the top. This angle worked better with the Clamp. 2. I had to adjust the winch support a little. The Clamp does not build out to the same dimensions that the original roller did. I had to move the stand a little closer to the boat and down just a little to get the eye to land in the clamp correctly.
I jacked the boat up just a little till it just cleared the roller with a floor jack and wood cribbing. Then installed the clamp and made the stand adjustments to get it to mate up properly. Works perfectly now.
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Post by Juan on Aug 18, 2021 12:08:34 GMT -6
Thanks again guys... I figure it will take some adjustment of the winch stand to get it to fit. The problem is I can't adjust it down because the safety chain is welded to the bottom of the winch stand and it's adjusted down as far as it will go. I think I can still make it work.. I might be able to cut the safety chain link off of the winch stand and relocate it so I can adjust the bow roller location another inch or so. How long is the release arm? Would the extended release arm make releasing the latch any easier from inside the boat? After looking again, I don't like the looks of the extended handle and I think the standard handle will do just fine... Ordering the Sports model.
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catchersrock
Ensign
Posts: 548
Location: Maiden NC
Sea Pro model and year: 2020 Sea Pro 228
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Post by catchersrock on Aug 18, 2021 12:41:07 GMT -6
Aw, nothing is permanent and everything is adjustable. Its just a question of how much cutting, grinding, drilling, and possibly welding you are willing to do. For me, I can launch and load my boat, by my self, without getting my feet wet, climbing on the trailer rails, over the bow, etc. That is most certainly worth it. Ive been wanting to find a place to go when the temperature dips below 30 up here. As soon as it does Ill be heading your way. Ill take care of it if you point me to some fish!
Seriously though, if this is mainly to aid in launching the boat, there are other options. I had a boat once that I would back close, unhook the boat, then I had a rope that would let the boat just slide down a few feet. I would back it in, let it float, then pull forward a little. I could then walk out the trailer and step in the bow. Might work for you.
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Post by Juan on Aug 18, 2021 12:50:45 GMT -6
Seriously though, if this is mainly to aid in launching the boat, there are other options. I had a boat once that I would back close, unhook the boat, then I had a rope that would let the boat just slide down a few feet. I would back it in, let it float, then pull forward a little. I could then walk out the trailer and step in the bow. Might work for you. I wish this boat launched like the Sea Pro does... I don't have any problem launching or loading the Sea pro by myself but this one slides back on the trailer when I flip the winch lever at launch then I have to walk the trailer to get into the boat. All I really need is something that will hold the boat up against the roller until I'm in the boat and ready to launch and then be able to hit a lever, latch or switch to release the boat. There may be other gadgets I'm not aware of but Ramp N Clamp came to mind. Hey, come on down... I'll put you on trout and redfish.. guaranteed.... but can't promise any puffers.
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Post by Juan on Aug 23, 2021 15:25:27 GMT -6
Now if it will just get cooler than 110 degree heat index, I'll put it on.
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Post by Juan on Aug 24, 2021 10:45:07 GMT -6
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catchersrock
Ensign
Posts: 548
Location: Maiden NC
Sea Pro model and year: 2020 Sea Pro 228
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Post by catchersrock on Aug 25, 2021 15:22:56 GMT -6
Working good? you happy with it?
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Post by Juan on Aug 25, 2021 16:24:06 GMT -6
Working good? you happy with it? Haven't tried it at the ramp yet but I think it will work fine... even if it doesn't it's better than the old bow roller.
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985crabs
Captain
2000 V1900 Bay Series, Yamaha 150 Carb. 2
Posts: 1,309
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Post by 985crabs on Aug 25, 2021 19:46:56 GMT -6
Interesting design update with the little wheel above the bumper. Can’t wait to hear about your first experience.
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Post by Juan on Aug 26, 2021 13:59:13 GMT -6
Took it over to the river this afternoon to try it out. It works flawlessly! It holds the boat in place until I pull the lever up, then it releases and the boat slides back and off the trailer.. Loading was a snap too.. (No pun intended) It snapped into place and held tight. I really like it! Again, thanks Catcher and Crabs for all the info. One word description: Awesome!
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985crabs
Captain
2000 V1900 Bay Series, Yamaha 150 Carb. 2
Posts: 1,309
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Post by 985crabs on Aug 29, 2021 12:00:09 GMT -6
Congrats on your success. A great find by Catcher. Hard not to love.
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catchersrock
Ensign
Posts: 548
Location: Maiden NC
Sea Pro model and year: 2020 Sea Pro 228
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Post by catchersrock on Aug 30, 2021 5:55:03 GMT -6
Remember to spray the internals with some sort of oil on occasion. I use WD-40.
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Post by Juan on Aug 30, 2021 9:32:58 GMT -6
Thanks, I gave it a good soaking with silicone spray after I tried it out.
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