Hello, I just signed up today on this site and also subscribed to Pond Boss Magazine. This site looks like a great source of valuable info. Not sure this is the correct section to ask, but here goes. How does one find somebody to build a small boat ramp on my property on a 17 acre private lake in East Texas? I've done google searches and no luck. No boat motors over 10HP are allowed on the lake so the ramp could be a smaller variety. But I really want a real ramp because lots of guests will be launching Buster and pirogue type boats.
Welcome to the forum! If you have a chance, go to the new members area and tell us about yourself and the pond.
I'd try talking to some of the local concrete contractors. I've seen boat launches poured down to the water's edge, then pre-formed concrete slabs (like walls from a tip-up building) placed in the water and cabled tight to the slab to eliminate washing away the dirt at the end of the ramp. Remember to make very agressive horizontal grooves in the concrete for traction above and below the water line.
One of the coolest ramps I've seen built was by a guy in Murchison, Texas. He laid a big piece of plastic on the ground where the ramp was to be built...the thick plastic used for greenhouses. Then, he set the forms, added the steel and poured the ramp on dry dirt. Next, he got his bulldozer and pushed the concrete slab into the lake. Voila', a boat ramp. It slid right off the plastic, into the lake. Of course, he knew the slope and put it where it would slide properly, etc.
What part of east Texas? Maybe this guy could help you.
What part of east Texas? Maybe this guy could help you.
Bob I need a ramp built near Mineola/Quitman, Texas. Sounds like a cool idea, however this ramp will have to be aesthetically pleasing due to the neighborhood.
Well Bob I guess you are correct. I just got an e-mail back from a company & it looks like they build a private boat ramp somewhat the same way as you describe.
"The cost for a 10' x 25' x 6" thick 3000 PSI reinforced concrete ramp would be approximately $ 4,293.00. After the ramp is constructed on the shoreline and concrete has set up ( usually 7 days ) we would push the ramp into place using a Bull Dozer".
Are you looking for a ramp to back the trailer into the water, or just shove the boat in the water from the shore?
Bullhead I prefer a regular but small boat ramp that you can back a trailer down. At times I will have some guests that will bring their own small jon boats and buster boats. Plus aquatic vegetation and pond management types will sometimes need to back a trailer in. I didn't think it would be quite this much, but I knew it would be a few thousand.
Why can't you just use rip rap limestone? That's what they use at our public ramps in my area.
What is that Cecil?
Do you have a picture of a boat ramp made with this substance?
Sorry no picture but many of the smaller boat ramps around here are made by dumping in limestone at least 2 inches in diameter.
Ok thanks Cecil, I will look into that.
"The cost for a 10' x 25' x 6" thick 3000 PSI reinforced concrete ramp would be approximately $ 4,293.00. After the ramp is constructed on the shoreline and concrete has set up ( usually 7 days ) we would push the ramp into place using a Bull Dozer".
This is what we typically do for the small boat ramps you describe. Depending on the types of boats you may want to launch, you might consider some large rock >2" dumped to form a rough ramp.
Clayton thanks. Are you in this business? Do you have a web-site? I am leaning towards just "biting the bullet" and getting a real concrete ramp. It will be a small one though. Then I'll be done with it for the most part and no worries about boat sizes and adding more rocks later...ect. I wonder what the simplest way will be to make the ramp not accessible when I am not there? I don't want poachers sliding a boat in there after I have spent the time/money getting it plum-full-uh-bass? I suppose some type of pull across/sliding pipe gate that locks as shown below? Thanks for your input.
I'm not in the business but I have gone through this before more than once. I've been a member of clubs where we had the exact same type of ramp built.
What you can do to keep people from using it is this:
When it is being poured, secure some vertical pipe (at least 3") on either side of the entrance to the ramp. Next, use a chain across the two pipes to form as a gate over the entrance to the ramp. You can either cut holes in the pipe or weld the chain to the pipes. We normally route the chain through the pipe and use a combination lock to secure.
Interesting idea. So when you are using it, you just unlock the chain, drop the chain down to the ground and back the trailer up over the chain? Sounds like a good idea. I could see a chain across working and easier than a pipe. Thanks Clayton.
You got it.... The chain gets lowered to the ground and driven over. One of ours has been in use 30 years in this very setup.
They do the exact same thing to logging roads in Northern Wi. but use a cable that's 3/4" thick or more. Drop and drive.
Yeah I can see how a nice thick cable might even be better
as far as driving over it...all great ideas...did some seaches
on Google and found some examples...thanks fellows.