Slippery Boat Ramp Suggestion to Improve

Name on 27/07/2021 - 19:36

Bit of a long shot, but my boat ramp is extremely slippery in the tidal zone, can't stand on it without slipping over making it difficult to launch from. I've pressure washed it and within 3 months it's back to being slippery.

I googled for a "large sinkable mat" that I could lay down when launching / using ramp and then pull it up when done so that it doesn't get covered in slippery stuff. I could only find this one product that looks pretty straight forward but wayy too expensive at $2-5k.

https://www.mobiinternational.com/products/boat-ramp

Anyone got any suggestions on alternatives? I've thought of just rubber mats and such but they need to be large enough and sinkable.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • Hybroid on 27/07/2021 - 19:40
    +1

    Slippery for you or car?

    For you, recommend a pair of Crocs. To hell with what people think. They're comfy, good grip and no probs getting wet/quick dry making them ideal for boat trips.

    For car, would BFG KO2s be an option maybe? No issues with traction launching boat off slippery ramps.

    • Name on 27/07/2021 - 20:38

      For me. Not sure if crocs would be enough. I'll give them a go tho as it's atleast cheaper. But normal flip flops don't help. Hah.

  • pharkurnell on 27/07/2021 - 19:47
    +1

    Is this a personal boat ramp? Cant see you running the pressure washer down to the bay.
    What is it made of? How long, how steep? how often is it used?

    but anyway its the sea…. things will continue to grow for ever on the boat ramp. You will be chasing your arse for ever trying to keep it clean

    Even putting down no slip tape etc will clog up.. and wear out..

    FWIW - 3 mths out of the steam clean I think is about as good as you'll get

  • Quantumcat on 27/07/2021 - 19:56
    +1

    Can you cover it in marine carpet or something?

  • Muzeeb on 27/07/2021 - 19:57
    +1

    Old piece of carpet from a lounge room or similar.
    Weigh it down in the corners. Works a treat.

  • oO0Dam0Oo on 27/07/2021 - 20:26
    +10

    I used to slip over on my runway whilst boarding my Learjet. Now I just order my butler to drive me to the boarding stairs in my golf cart.

    • SBOB on 27/07/2021 - 21:28

      same, then i tripped up the stairs, so now I have the butler carry me up the stairs also…

  • Name on 27/07/2021 - 20:37
    +1

    Personal boat ramp so free to generally do what I want with it. It's steep at the water line but within standards (at the high end). But even when trying to drag my kayak up I'm slipping over. I unfortunately can't step to the side as I've got mangroves. The ramp is made of concrete. Photo for context https://imgur.com/a/lkq5I6k

    I like the idea of the carpet / marine carpet but concerned it'll just float too much.

    • Muzeeb on 27/07/2021 - 20:41
      +3

      jealous

    • Hybroid on 27/07/2021 - 20:44
      +3

      Super jealous but yes, looks you just need a pair of anti-slip shoes really.

      Even a $20 pair of dive boots with rubber bottom will do the job and can keep them on kayaking.

    • Muzeeb on 27/07/2021 - 21:50
      +2

      I like the idea of the carpet / marine carpet but concerned it'll just float too much.

      Domestic carpet will sink when soaked. Add a brick in each corner to hold in place. After a few months enough sediment will build up on the carpet holding it in place and you can remove the bricks.

      You will need to replace the carpet every 3-4 years as it will eventually become janky itself. That's why second hard carpet works a treat

  • El cheepo on 27/07/2021 - 20:39

    Maybe just a better set of shoes is the simple cheap option to try first.
    Something with grip and water proof/resistant like diving boots and the like.

  • Hardlyworkin on 27/07/2021 - 20:56
    +1

    I'll come launch it for you. Only thing better than owning a boat is a mate with a boat!

    • Name on 27/07/2021 - 22:01
      +1

      Heard the second best day of your life is buying a boat, with the best day when you sell it.

      • Muzeeb on 27/07/2021 - 22:14
        +4

        Never understood these phrases. Boat ownership has been the most amazing experience for our family. All of our fondest family events include our boat. Only ever sold to upgrade so selling has always been exciting.

        • Name on 27/07/2021 - 22:16
          +1

          I'd say it's more a running joke as I haven't heard of anyone hating owning a boat either.

          • Quantumcat on 28/07/2021 - 07:05

            @Name: A family member did, it constantly had problems that cost money to fix and they only sailed it like 3 times in the couple of years they owned it

        • Hardlyworkin on 28/07/2021 - 06:09
          +1

          Because a lot of boats are an expensive dust collector.

        • brendanm on 28/07/2021 - 17:48

          People don't realise how expensive they are to own.

          • Muzeeb on 28/07/2021 - 18:25
            +1

            @brendanm: I spend nearly $200 per week on fuel over the warmer months. Ouch! But so worth it.

            • brendanm on 28/07/2021 - 18:28

              @Muzeeb: Was on a sea trial a couple of days ago on a boat burning about 200l/h at cruise, think yourself lucky 😂.

              • Muzeeb on 28/07/2021 - 18:34

                @brendanm: That's bigger than a 21'er for sure 🙂

                • brendanm on 28/07/2021 - 19:04

                  @Muzeeb: It sure is, not excessively large though, 50ft, only gets worse from there 😁.

  • jpl on 27/07/2021 - 21:44
    +2

    Croc will still be slippery especially if the ramp material is wood.

    I have seen many ramps and also council deck by the river below high tide water line used chicken wire. Very cheap and effective and good grip too.

    An example https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbj77B1wyNI

    • oO0Dam0Oo on 27/07/2021 - 22:16
      +1

      This or cut strips of tyre treads.

  • mskeggs on 27/07/2021 - 22:57
    +1

    One of the rubber grid mats in commercial kitchens? Toss it down on the end of a rope so you can drag it back up?
    Otherwise a stiff broom you can use to clear a foot wide path to the water?

  • mshanann on 27/07/2021 - 23:10
    +2

    If you don't care what it looks like, get some second hand diamond style aluminium screen doors

    https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/bateau-bay/building-material…

    Otherwise you could do marine grade aluminium grating or strips that are run horizontally down the ramp

  • saltypete on 28/07/2021 - 10:00

    A fairly permanent fix is to screw metal strips into the concrete surface. There is also an aluminium extrusion sheet you can buy that consists of 30ish mm squares with a rough finish that you can screw to the concrete base.
    How long have you owned the ramp? It could be a seasonal thing for that waterway and be clear in a month or so. If it is a new growth after years of ownership it may be worth asking if anything has changed upstream to add extra P or N to your estuary. Eg farmer putting too much fertiliser, stormwater drains…

    • Name on 30/07/2021 - 16:40
      +1

      Only owned it for a year. Not too sure, we did have a mid-level flood event a while back which did wash a lot of silt / whatever else down and backyard went under.

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