Just Some Advice

[Ämp]

Fellows has absolutely no way to break the wind that comes in ... try to get off the water before the wind hits 25mph. otherwise you may be looking at 3-4ft waves and a almost impossible take out . the worst scenario is west winds above or gusting to 25mph.. even 10- 15 is difficult to deal with there . with the boat ramp right out on a main point and the topo of the area it can make for a hard time for the small boats that are allowed on fellows. so if your new there or have never had this experience presented to you be very cautious .

Three easy steps for easy take outs in adverse conditions..

1. park with your trailer facing the wind so you can motor with the wind at your back hopefully taking most the drift out of your steering.

2. you can also park close to the dock and attempt to crank it on while your friend guides the boat on with a paddle or ropes

(depends if your pushing or pulling).

3. barely put the trailer in the water (just enough to get your rollers wet and the front of your boat safely on) get your crank rope as far out as you think you can get on plus a little more. motor onto the first few set of rollers , attach your crank , take slack, pull the trailer forward a lil at this point and it will straiten your boat then crank it up the rest of the way...

obviously trailer combos with railing and good guides help more than anything else. Hopefully you dont have to deal with this situation at all, if you do try one of these 3 tips.. good luck

[Wayne SW/MO]

The best way to get on a trailer with a cross wind is to use Kentucky windage. Approach the trailer a little upwind and with a little momentum you pull it in and out of gear as you approach, If your line looks good, If the line is right put it back into gear and drive it on. If the line is bad, hit reverse and back away. You can get better control, in my opinion, by putting it in and out of gear then with the throttle.

[Ämp]

I was there friday afternoon , at one point with no motors on and nothing but the wind pushing us my gps showed over 5mph moving speed in my boat.. thats a hell of a needle to thread but again if your comfortable enough to motor on then this thread probably isnt for you.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Done it a hundred times. The key is to use the gear shift and keep the throttle consistent. It takes some practice, but it will work.

[Ämp]

see I'm not sure your grasping the fact that I could see a 5 hp motor not keeping up with this wind..and it came outta no where you could not and would not attempt it if you seen the 3-4 ft waves crashing over the boat dock .. I have a good sized boat and great trailer with high rails and rollers that I have launched 100x a year for 5 years strait but even at that comfort level I would not try it. I would not suggest attempting a kamikazi stunt move to get your boat stuck under the dock because you missed the mark .. or worse slam it in reverse and watch the waves come over the back like a bad ocean fishing adventure..... stick to the safest easiest way that wont tear up your trailer or boat in the process .

[Wayne SW/MO]

Amp I'm familiar with the ramp at Fellows, and if we're indeed talking about 3-4' waves I don't think your ideas or mine would work. I suspect that nothing short of wading would work.

I do have say that I've seen 4' waves on Guerrero in Mexico once and on Texoma once, but never in Missouri?

I'm not saying your way won't work, but with a cross wind and 12-18" waves one can drive on. The big problem isn't the waves as much as it is the wind blowing the boat, IMHO.

[Ämp]

we are indeed talking about atleast 3'.valley to white cap.. broke a battery strap just sitting idle it was that rough.. I agree with you in any normal to near normal circumstance your method would be the standard. but it was for sure the roughest i have ever seen a missouri lake, indeed the wind is your worst problem . I think its only when the wind blows up the valley on the other side of the darn and then comes right on across w/o anything to break it up..the darn is sloped and there is virtually no trees on the other side to slow the wind ..either way .. those are the best ways I have been able to get my boat on in adverse conditions if I am unable to motor it on . I am interested to hear if anyone else has a specific way of getting the boat on that could be helpful.. please add your ideas..