Lowest tide to launch at Gold River
- Thread starter Klob
- Start date
spring fever
Well-Known Member
I have a 24 Orca with a 1 ton 4x4 with duels. I won't launch and recover at much less than 6 ft. The ramp is really not the problem -it's the river-I don't like the stress of coming in or going out on the kicker-it can be done-4 feet?? I don't know-I would give it a try with your boat-but not mine!! LOL
Last edited by a moderator:
Great quote, always easier with someone elses boat !!!!!
RiverBoy
Well-Known Member
X2 what Springfever said.
I wouldn't attempt to launch with a boat that big with anything less than 4' but that is my opinion. The ramp has about a 1' drop off at the end and I've seen many a truck and trailer stuck due to the weight of their boat, and unable to pull it out. If you stick to the extreme right (when looking at the water,close to the dock) the drop off isn't so bad. Also, watch the rocks by the plane dock. I smoked my prop badly last year on the creep out to the inlet. Even with my motor trimmed waaaay out of the drink. That delayed my trip big time waiting for a new prop to be delivered from C.R. And I seriously damaged my liver in the process thanks to the cheap scotch I brought along.
I wouldn't attempt to launch with a boat that big with anything less than 4' but that is my opinion. The ramp has about a 1' drop off at the end and I've seen many a truck and trailer stuck due to the weight of their boat, and unable to pull it out. If you stick to the extreme right (when looking at the water,close to the dock) the drop off isn't so bad. Also, watch the rocks by the plane dock. I smoked my prop badly last year on the creep out to the inlet. Even with my motor trimmed waaaay out of the drink. That delayed my trip big time waiting for a new prop to be delivered from C.R. And I seriously damaged my liver in the process thanks to the cheap scotch I brought along.
Tailwalker
Active Member
I was just there this past Sunday, 0.3 meter tide at 0700, got there at about 0830 and the shallowest spot was by the float plane dock at 2.5 feet, once past that, it was about 8 feet heading toward the ramp. Saw some 24-26 footers launched at the right side without problems about an hour later....
tyeeking
Active Member
In my experience 4' is pretty marginal for that size boat but it does depend a lot on how many people are using the launch, which direction they are going, and how cooperative they are. I run a 24' Weldcraft. A couple of weeks ago when I pulled my boat out it was about 4' which would have been plenty of water if there was only one or two of us. Unfortunately there was an gaggle of boats wi no coordination. At 4' of tide the area around the launch gets very small. I wish they would take some of our launch and parking fees and bring the docks up to something workable. Every year they are worse and worse.
