Originally appeared in The Maine Sportsman
There is a world of water to explore in Maine, offering majestic beauty and fine fishing. Once the snow and ice melt, why not trailer to a couple of new ramps?
Trailering has been around for hundreds of years. Native American tribes pulled early trailers--travois--behind their horses, dragging their personal belongings, food and fishing tackle made of string with handmade hooks.
With the invention of the automobile, it was just a matter of time before American outdoor enthusiasts invented the boat trailer to increase their fishing range and options.
A Little History
The first boat trailers were lumbering, heavy transporters, often with full-side automotive wheels and tires. Later, lightweight galvanized steel and aluminum were used to construct the frames.
Conventional trailers usually featured carpet-covered wood cradles. In the 1960s, as anglers began to haul bigger, fancier boats, trailers came with rollers so that owners could unload and load their boats more quickly.
Maine Options Abound
When it comes to access to fresh and saltwater, we are fortunate to live in Maine. Visiting fishermen are amazed at the natural beauty and diversity Maine offers. Take for example the Kennebec River Valley and environs, which offer large inland lakes, ponds and the mighty river itself that flows from The Forks, through Madison and Anson, Waterville and Augusta. From Augusta downriver, the Kennebec's tidal action ebbs and flows all the way to the Atlantic.
With a bit of logistical planning, anglers in this region who start early in the day can catch salmon, large- and smallmouth bass, brown trout, brookies and rainbows, and then had out for "schoolie" striped bass--and still be home for supper.
It's easy to find ramp locations in the Maine Atlas and Gazetteer. Take a look at the inside front cover to interpret the two types of launch symbols--a solid boat hull designates a trailerable launch site, while a hollow outline of the small hull icon marks the hand-carry sites.
Trailering Tips
Here are a few trailering tips and reminders that apply in most situations.
Before your leave home...
- Use wide, quality tie-down straps. A little duct tape over the buckles is good insurance if you're taking a long trip.
- For the ride to the ramp, stow almost everything inside your vehicle.
- Make sure the boat's drain plug is screwed in tight.
- Put the boat key in the ignition--then you won't panic and look goofy at the ramp searching for it.
- Engage the starter briefly to make certain the battery is fully charged. A spare battery has saved many fishing trips.
- Check your fuel supply. There's no greater feeling of despair than being in the middle of a large windy lake or cruising offshore and noticing your tank is empty.
- Sort your dock lines, anchor and anchor line, so you are not scrambling to untangle them during a launch.
- Don't forget life jackets and required safety equipment.
- Pull off to a safe spot and load your gear and tackle into the boat. Take a quick walkaround to see that you've removed all the straps. Recheck the plug. Now you can head to the ramp.
- If you're new to trailering, practice before your first launch at an empty ramp when it's not busy. You don't want to hold folks up on a crowded summer weekend.
- Someone will need to unhook the boat's tow strap and safety chain, then control the boat's bow line as it comes off the trailer. As the designated driver, especially if launch traffic is busy, try to avoid having to walk back and help the line handler. Better to drive your vehicle and empty trailer up to the parking area so you don't delay the next boat in line. Managing all this smoothly is the sign of a knowledgeable skipper.
- If you can, check out ramps in advance. How's the parking? Is the area lighted for your return? Got toilets? Picnic tables?
- When it's time to reload the boat after your trip, make sure the safety chain is attached to the boat's towing eye before you let go of the winch handle. (It can whirl like a live thing and cause injury.)
In low tide or low water in a lake or river...
Here's familiar situation: a too-shallow ramp. Last summer I used a dirt boat ramp on Indian Pond; the water was too low to float the boat off the trailer. I backed until my tailpipe was bubbling, but didn't dare back farther.
To the rescue: I have a lightweight, spare Danforth-type anchor on a 30-foot line. That day at Indian Pond, I climbed into the boat, stood there like a Wild West buckeroo, swung the anchor around my head and heaved it off the stern. Then I set the anchor by hand and made it fast to the lifting ring.
With the stern of the boat firmly secured to the anchor, it was easy enough to drive the trailer out from under the boat, leaving it floating in the shallow water.
The scene may have looked a bit crazy, but I wasn't about to miss a day on the water in Maine.