My safety chain is on the same hook as my wench. I have bunks so I wouldn't hesitate pulling up and off the ramp. But if they were icy, I would stop at waters edge and secure it with wench and even all my straps. If I thought there was a chance of it not holding, I wouldn't care If I held up the pope 5 minutes. I just don't care if someone sees me as a "sota".
One thing I recommend is locking the release arm on it. I lost mine (stolen?) and was using a 1/2 inch wrench to release it from home, since it's only 1 mile to launch. Last fall, with icy bunks, she almost slid off at waters edge. back strap saved my azzzz!! Finally got serious on searching for a replacement on the internet and forked up $40 for what I could have made for nothing with some scrap metal. From now on I'll release it in the water only. I'll rig up a rope so my partner doesn't have to run up and pull lever, he can pull it from drivers seat.
I plan on getting one for my boat but I'm also doing a vinyl wrap....anybody know if it would tear up the vinyl ?
My safety chain is on the same hook as my wench. I have bunks so I wouldn't hesitate pulling up and off the ramp. But if they were icy, I would stop at waters edge and secure it with wench and even all my straps. If I thought there was a chance of it not holding, I wouldn't care If I held up the pope 5 minutes. I just don't care if someone sees me as a "sota".
One thing I recommend is locking the release arm on it. I lost mine (stolen?) and was using a 1/2 inch wrench to release it from home, since it's only 1 mile to launch. Last fall, with icy bunks, she almost slid off at waters edge. back strap saved my azzzz!! Finally got serious on searching for a replacement on the internet and forked up $40 for what I could have made for nothing with some scrap metal. From now on I'll release it in the water only. I'll rig up a rope so my partner doesn't have to run up and pull lever, he can pull it from drivers seat.
Short,
If you are driving the boat all the time and having the wife do the back in/ pull it out of the water, get a damn Drotto and she will reward you three fold. It will make her life way easier and that means yours also.
Fish On!
my question to you all -- safety chain
imo i need it going up the long ramp. Instructions state: We 100% recommend securing your safety chain and strap at the dry waters edge
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i have a roller -- as that trailer is being backed i am nubbin foward a quick little boost of throttle i am up over the edge hooking up my main and the safety. I wont be a sota and stop at the waters edge. The next stop is once i am up and away from the access (well out of others way).
Visions of Akaline lake some years back when i seen a fiberglass boat hit the cement ramp midway when it wasnt secured properly when the guy went to pull it up the ramp.
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is it 100 % fail proof?
short - insurance...
As great as Drotto's are (had one for years - loved it) they are mechanical and anything mechanical is not 100% fail proof. There's only a metal tab holding the two sides of the "pincer" together and a couple springs. Take the extra few seconds and hook up the strap/safety chains before pulling out of the water. If you think taking a few seconds is an inconvenience to other boaters imagine the inconvenience of your boat laying on the ramp.