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Member
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Location: Combined Locks, WI | I was at Winnebago County Boat Landing today and noticed a sign that said no power loading.
My first question is who posted this sign? next is why? is there a problem? Will tickets be issued if you power load? is this sign just a suggestion or is it a new law? I saw no ordinance code or violation number included on that sign.
I have no problem with not being able to power load at some landings, all of Michigan is that way. But the problem I have is what happened to me today.
I saw the sign and was aware of it being there when I came in today. My partner went and got the truck and backed it in. I was back from the landing (trailer) about 30 feet or so and got a bit of a running start and then cut the engine to idle before hitting the bunks, and slid almost all the way on. As I did this an older gentleman looked at me and said " Can't you read the sign?" My reply was "I am not power loading"
Under Michigan law what I did today would be considered legal and not power loading. Power loading is easing your boat to the trailer then giving it hard throttle to power up, and that is clearly not what I did.
I pay $35 a year to launch and that money is supposed to be put towards ramp repair and maitainence. How are individuals with bigger boats and bunk trailers supposed to load? What are we supposed to do? This landing is not that deep and in order for me and anyone eles with bigger boats to crank a boat on by hand we need to back in so that the rear truck tires are in the water. If we cant power load or at least what I did today then someone needs to dredge the landing deeper to allow larger boats (I have a 20 foot Crestliner) to get in farther to be able to crank them on.
I also would like to know who is the older guy that is playing dock cop telling me and others to read the sign? This guy doesn't even know what power loading is. It was obvious today when he told me, he didn't know what he was talking about.
Wait and see the condition of these ramps when everyone stops buying a pass and goes to a launch that is suitable for larger boats.
What is everyones take on this situation? I am not looking to get flamed here just want to start a topic worth discussion. |
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Location: upper michigan | a bit off topic but in Michigan only the state owned launches are all non powerloading. county and city owned launches allow powerloading unless the specify otherwise. |
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| I noticed a week or so ago, that the Neenah Rec also had a sign stating the same thing.. |
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Member
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Location: Combined Locks, WI | Thanks for the clarification Butch, I have only been at no power loading launches. I thought someone told me that all of Michigan was that way. Better to be safe than sorry.
I know Neenah Rec. has been that way for a year or so. They did actually have an erosion problem and that is the basis for the sign there. I don't know however, if it is a law to not power load. Will you get a ticket if you do?
As for Winnebago County Landing, there is only 1 sign on 1 dock. If you use the dock to the south and it is busy, there is a chance you may not even see the sign. Again, where did the sign come from and who put it up? Is it a new law? What is my $35 annual permit going for? it sure isn't going for improved bathrooms. |
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| Been awhile since I've pulled a Winnebago Cnty launch and retrieve. However, last time I was there, they had made significant progress in resurfacing the entire parking area. I'll make a wild guess, and propose that some of your (our) launch permit money has gone to help fund the project.
As for "power loading," don't know about the legalities. However, it's difficult to argue that it's not damaging / disruptive. Ramp damage, erosion, etc. are virtually assured over time. If (when) the County is forced to fix this damage, I'd assume that that is money diverted away from potentially building nicer potties or initiating other improvements. Furthermore, I'd much rather crank a little than risk (or have someone else risk) bending an axl, hanging a trailer, or cutting a tire as a result of a power load washout. Finally, I'm sure we've all seen other boats banging and rubbing on adjacent docks as some ding-a-ling creates a torrent trying to muscle his 20 footer up dry bunks at 3/4 throttle for a minute or better. Seems common courtesy = no powerloading.
Just my take....
Regards,
xxl |
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Member
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Location: Combined Locks, WI | xxl, I appreciate and understand your response, however I have seen many guys with 20 foot boats power load without causing any disruption. Like I stated in my first post, I stayed back about 2 boat lengths and gave it only moderate power then cut the power to idle and slid almost all the way on. This in my opinion is the proper way to power load not to mention it causes minimal damage and disruption to the landing and others using the landing.
I don't dispute the fact that improper power loading causes damage in the form of washouts. I also don't understand why more guys don't power load in the way I have described instead of easing into their bunks then giving 3/4 to full throttle to power up. That is where the erosion problem comes in, not from the way I loaded.
The main issue is still where did the sign come from? or who posted it and is it a new law or just a suggestion? |
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| Jon -
Read back through your 3 previous posts on this topic, and I'm sure a "grey area" will become apparent. Did you, or did you not, power load? In your first post, you claim "did not." Later, you claim "did," but in your own appropriate, non-damaging, non-disruptive way.
Again, I don't know if there has been a law change or not. But if there has, Someone needs to provide the legal definition of power loading. Seems the only way to eliminate the "grey" is to ban having one's motor running while in contact with the trailer. This would also eliminate "power unloading!"
If everyone focused on showing consideration for the facilities and other boaters, there'd be no need to govern how folks load and unload. But you and I both know there are as many yahoos as there are good guys at the ramp. How about the guys that drive mach-90 up the ramp after launching in Mid-March without first letting the trailer drain at the base of the ramp...turning the entire ramp into a trecherous ice rink for all that follow. In many instances, common sense seems to be on permanent vacation.
Please keep us posted on what you find. I personally would not mind a new law. Sometimes an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Regards,
xxl |
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Member
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| Jon,
On my new trailer, I order the shallow loading feature. With the LBDn regs, I figured the rest would follow suit in time. The shallow load trailers have other issues as well, but, at least they allow cranking up a large boat.
Take care,
Jim O |
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| I don't think anyone one would have a problem with what you did. There is a difference between "driving on" and "power loading".
Dave S |
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Location: Waukesha Wisconsin | Johnnie,
Thanks for the heads up and report. You did exactly what any professional like yourself would do:
1. You modeled that proper way of loading.
2. You were courteous to the gentleman even though he was trying to throw out an uneducated accusation.
3. You are attempting to researchfor additional information.
4. You ignore that nameless bashers on this site that always seem to try to make trouble instead of adding to the conversation.
Pleasd keep us updated on anything else you find out.
Maybe Dale can check into this since he has so much more contact with the authorities than we do.
 Dale, it was nice spending the time with you at that landing while experiencing unfavorable moments. |
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Member
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Location: Combined Locks, WI | Thanks for all the replys. xxl, if you read my posts I describe the way I loaded exactly the same in both posts. Did I power load? I suppose because the engine was running I did power load. However, I did not apply a large amount of power to "power up the bunks" I actually cut the power back to idle as I slid almost all the way on.
The main reason for my post was to find out if anyone knows where the sign came from? or if it was a new law at that landing making it illegal to power load. If it is illegal then what is the definiton of power loading? Is it a judgment call or is there verbage describing power loading. I will make some calls in the morning if I get time, and post what I find.
This is a topic that will no doubt effect a lot of people, not just people with big boats but it will effect the mid 50 to 65 year old guys that drive their 16 or 17 foot boats on their roller traillers so they don't have to put undo stress on their bodies. Maybe there are guys out there that have a bad ticker (heart) but love to fish and drive on the trailer to prevent overworking their heart.
It just seems like a good topic to discuss. I appoligize if it looks like I am whinning, that is not my intention, just trying to carry on an adult conversation about a topic that effects many. |
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| It sure seems like when ever someone wants to log onto this site the only thing being posted is compliants and whinning, I thought this site is for fishing reports and fishing info for everyong to read. If people would posts reports instead of complaints I think more people would reply and post info, I think all the negativity is sending people away, right PS!!! By the way the westside reefs are hot with jigs and crawler, from jesuit south! |
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Location: Chilton, WI | Jeff, it may be sending people away that want to get spoon fed exact details on how to catch fish. This site isn't like that though. This site has helped a lot of people become more educated walley fishermen not just walley harvestors. Just beacuse a post doesn't contain fishing information doesn't mean it won't benifit anyone on here.
Jon may just save someone a ticket by posting this. I usually glide my boat on the trailer the same way Jon described. Now I'm also curious if this is considered powerloading. |
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| I'm not ripping on Jon about launching or trailering a boat, I also think its a horse s&^$# law and when lauches are busy it sure is a quick way for a person by themselves to trailer their boat and get out of the way. Some of the launches around the big pond are a pain if you have to crank up your rig. Hey, everyone have a good day!! |
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| Shorts this time of year and tall boots or hip boots when it gets cold. Don't think what you did today was wrong, but backing a boat trailer in far enough to let the boat load with a little winding is a part of some ramps. I agree on the cut tires and hung up axles due to power loading too. SOME people do not back their trailer up far enough and depend on the motor too much or simply don't want to get their feet wet. There are challenges that face small boats and those that face big boats. I used to really grip too, but now I just carry the right equipment. |
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| Last year before they fixed the landing at Jefferson Park in Menasha, I was putting in my Walleye boat on my tandem axle trailer and had the back wheels drop off the cement pad in the water. I had to call the city of Menasha to come out and pull my trailer with boat still on it off the ledge. The landing was completly washed out! Doc makes a good point, The less you have to use your motor to land your boat the better. I used to power load, but now I slip the trailer a litttle deeper and do a "Jonny Style" power glide. I load by my self so it's a little more work, but I don't get as many glaring eyes now as I used to. I too would rather not end up falling a slippery landing (been there done that). If the landings are designed correctly, there is no need to use heavy power to load your boat!
Now, has anyone actually been fishing, or catching crawlers or using dynamite and willing to share a report!
Edited by Anonymous 8/15/2006 4:59 AM
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Location: Rhinelander | Hey Purple Skeeter, good to hear from you.
As to the powerload question, 'powerloading' in Michigan is using the engine to push the boat onto the trailer AFTER the boat has contacted the bunks or rollers. I got that from a DNR official who was watching the ramps on Little Bay. I think the state of WI or anyone wishing to enforce a 'no powerloading' rule will have to use the same definition, mosly because the intent of the regulation is to stop the backwash erosion created after the boat is already part way on the trailer. |
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Member
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Location: Manitowoc, WI | Hey Purple Skeeter! Check your home email. |
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Member
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Location: Combined Locks, WI | Sorry this is late, I just got home from work. I did find time to call Winnebago County Parks and spoke with Rob, as did many many others.
Here is the scoop, it is not a law or ordinance as that would be hard to enforce without hiring more officers. It, however, is strongly encouraged to not powerload by using large amounts of throttle. Rob, himself, loads as I described in previous posts and has been telling people that are calling that this is the method he would encourage if you are not going to crank it on. As he described it, powerloading, is when you make contact with your bunks or rollers then apply power to drive up. The running start and slide or glide on is not a problem.
He did tell me they are faced with a washout problem at this time on a Boom Bay ramp. It will cost about $9000 to fix the problem. They will be or are extending the ramp out farther to eliminate this in the future. This will also have to happen at many other landings if care isn't taken. |
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Location: Fremont, Wisconsin | Jon
Nice follow up, Thank you!! |
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