A Wild Boat Launch
 

i've read that in some places in alaska the tides are as much as 14 feet and a launch like this one is common.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=538478280732158577&a

I've never seen it done like that before. That guy on the tractor is crazy.

holy mother of god you have to have some serious faith in a lot of different pieces of equipment to do that!!!

from the looks of things that boat doesn't seem to healthy. looked like it had a healthy list to the port side...

:ha::loco:

The dude in the tractor either has a set of brass ones or is as stated nuts...

my guess is that it took on quite a bit water with the last big wave that hit it.
causing the port side list. bilge pumps will pump it out i guess...

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i'm not man enough or crazy enough to launch on the windy side of a beach

I want to watch the video when he tries to load it back on the trailer!

Good god too me that is as nuts as it gets

:ha::ha:

now that's gonna be interesting!!

Looks like fun... :c:

i bet thats the easy part, just put the trailer in the water a bit and run the boat right on. that boat trailer has guides on it, so the boat won't be to far off center

I was thinking the same thing, so was the guy I work with.

i've had trouble loading my boat with the wind blowing hard to shore (launching ramp).... ended up throwing my son a rope, then idleing the engine in reverse, then my son had no problem pulling the boat straight in on the trailer.
however somebody with more guts would do as bow suggested run her right on.... then crank her in until she hits the bow stops

i figured with those guides thats on that trailer wind wouldn't be so much of an issue... i may be wrong. wonder if there's a video of them loading on you tube??

That's actually more common than you'd think, especially in Alaska.

It's called what it is.....tractor lauching. Particularly in the island areas of southern Alaska, and up on the Kenai, the location of boat lauch ramps are few and far between, and at times the nearest launch ramp to a prime fishing spot is 8-10 miles or more away by boat. Adds up to a long run across not-so-nice water to get there. With a tractor launch you can put in literally right next to where you want to fish.

Many of the shorelines are shallow and allow for the tractor launch. Many of the people fishing off Fox Island (just out from Seward, AK) elect this method of launching, for example.

Hope this helps,

Dan-

:U:Thats cool:U:

That tractor sure did sound nice :U:

btw that was insane

Good Lord that dude backed her waaaay down in the water! Those waves were getting big!

I was also wanting to watch them load the boat.. and yes, the guides DO help...

BUT you have to hit the trailer STRAIGHT and not sideways which is what those winds like to do!

BTW - Maj - I love your avatar! :U: BOOMER SOONER!

what happes when the tractor gets stuck screwed i gess

I knew you would say that lol lol lol

Ahh hell, with the front wheel assist and the end loader he ain't got no worries about gettin stuck. As long as the motor keeps runnin he can pull himself out with the loader bucket if he had to. On the tractor the intake and exhaust are all up high so water on the motor is no big deal.

That had to be one hell of a ride, I'm not playing with a full deck and my friends run when they see me launching or loading my boat. I wouldn't try that, well maybe after a 12 pack but it would be fun to try if the equipment wasn't mine :c: :ouch: