So how was everyones weekend?

That is the Oyster landing northern boat ramp on Lake Austin. I have seen this happen before. Last time I saw this, it was with a CJ Jeep. Basically happens like this:

1. Driver backs tow rig and trailer down ramp deep enough to launch boat on steep ramp. Back wheels end up in water.
2. Driver puts truck in park to get out and assist. Without giving it another thought, he takes his foot off the brake and immediately exits the truck.
3. Back tires loose grip on algae covered slippery ramp and truck starts to slid down ramp.
4. Driver desperately tries to get back in truck and apply brake to lock front wheels, but is too late. Truck and boat now launched.

The boat trailer is at an angle as it jackknife while the truck was sliding down the ramp. While the CJ was sliding down the ramp, the driver actually tried to grab the front bumper and hold on. The CJ went completely under so that all was visible was the antenae.

It looks like the driver/owner is puking on the ramp. Even though it happened to an Aggie, my sympathies. I'm a UT grad.

Looks like the stern of the boat is still tied to the trailer...probably the reason the driver exited the truck. Most seasoned Oyster Landing boat owners know not to get out of the tow vehicle while launchign and to keep your foot on the brake at all times.

In the past, I have exited the tow vehicle when in 4 wheel drive, but left in gear with parking brake on...basically keeps holding traction on at least one front wheel.

I was worried about the picture being authentic. Still made me smile that the boat was still in good shape. Too bad tho I would have liked to hear a juicy story from the driver.

Good catch Dank! David F. probably knows the driver and he actually was a tu grad to....
Gig'em!

Yeah, I can't figure out the trailer thing either. I don't see a strap on the stern and yet from the height of the guides, it looks like the trailer is only a few feet deep.

haha yeah it's either the owner puking on shore, or originaly i was thinking it was more then likely a bystander laughing uncontrollably!

Scott,

Very resourceful. If a swiss army knife and a roll of duct tape had been involved it could have passed as an episode of Macgyver.

I like 75 Tique's idea. Leave the truck there and enjoy the day on the boat. When your truck gets smashed by a boat cruising by, collect the insurance $$$ (hopefully from the other boater and not your own) :)

About a year ago I had a guy pull his boat down on the ramp (took him about 20 minutes), pull his boat out into the water and take off...leaving the minivan and trailer on the ramp! My wife almost kicked his arse. A friend of mine said I should have just released the parking brake and put it in Neutral

I told him the lake needed to be deeper, I wouldn't want to ding my prop on the top of his minivan on the way out!

BKH,    You mean "Sink Like A Rock"    

nates78ski,    Yea, bystander getting a huge chuckle.

Similar story,   Years ago, there were days when I would spend all day launching customer boats, one right after the other.   Our launch trailer had these big rubber belts on the bunks, so we never had to tie a boat down to launch or pull out.
At the time there was this "new" product by Dolfinite called "Speed-Cote" to apply to the bottom.
We thought we would give it a try on a brand new 20' Regal inboard.
Turns out, that was a really "Good" product.
Regal, did not quite make it to the water. Slid right off the trailer, onto the concrete ramp, 2 feet from the water with me sitting in the drivers seat of the boat.

Does anyone have an old can of "Speed-Cote" laying around? I want some for the 'ol Nautique. And Yes, I do use a chain on the bow eye.

Scottb,

Did you see the Trailer incident at Morris on the 4th, exactly like you said. They tied up 2 luanch ramps for a couple hours. Trailer dropped off the end of the ramp. They called in a ramp truck and still had a heck of a time. Your boat idea is pretty clever. You back down there a couple feet too far and you fall off the edge of the world. I did it once but was lucky enough to get out on my own.

My money also says A&M was in the original pic. Like all of you, I think the ramp reveals who the idiots are.

My friend (who fishes) saw one fisherman get so mad at another one time, he was yelling "Let's take it to the ramp!" at the guy. That's our new saying whenever we're mad at another boater.

The Dude.... you're going to lose your money if you think that A&M sticker was photoshopped off.

A&M, TU, WACKO State, it's all the same...   

there are more pix on the guys site:
www.speakeasy.org/~daveclark/lake

cheerz

well PatSki you just proved that it was not a A&M Sticker on the truck with that link. Picture was from 2003 and I believe there is alot of other states that are just as Wacko or more IMO.

My question is: Why didn't the knucklehead just cut the boat loose?? In this pic, it looks like it's filling up with water, while it could just float right off the trailer, if just released from the tounge of the trailer????

Moj'