Warning - Buckhams Bay Boat Launch

[Chevy Champagne]

absolutly rediculos is all i can say
shouldnt be this bad
just watched the interview on cbc
hopefully they start to do something about it
sorry it had to take something like this to get them to fix it

[Hookup]

Are there any on-line links to the interview? I'm very curious to see that report.

Did the city or fed's comment?

[Raminator]

is that rockpile in one spot or the entire width of the ramp? that is a real wide ramp.

[bucketmouth]

We had a diver in the water to help place the ramp slabs but the boulder field beyond the last slab wasn't any concern at the time. A backhoe could push them deeper but you likely won't be seeing them lower any part of a backhoe into the river without an inquisition... way too many flannel wearing sensible types down that way...

It was built to spec on a design based on the 100 year flood plain... ridiculous. We did the wharf in Fitzroy the same winter and same stupid results.

[fatluke]

http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/News/Local_Ne ... 1485384636

[Hookup]

regardless of the damage to your boat, i'm impressed to see the end-result of how to take an issue and get it resolved. It's not often that this works, and maybe the long-run this will not be easy. But I do have to complement the approach taken, the video report and your initiative.

I'm sure we all want to have the best possible boat launch for our tax dollars. One that functions throughout the entire season.

[Markus]

Unless guys change the way they "normally" do things, there's going to be a lot of business for the prop and lower end shops.

That prop damage looks to be from power loading. With the low water, rocks are a hazard, but the throttle control is in the boat. With the ottawa river being extremely low, boaters need to take extra care.

I can't see where that ramp is bad design. I've used ramps that are extremely steep and others that are barely a slope. Loading and unloading practice change at each. Some I power load, others I dont.

The quickest fix for the municipality is to hang a "No Power Loading" sign and then wait out these unusually low water levels.

[Flipper]

Thanks for the feedback and support. I know it's futile to ask for compensation but I will be happy as long as they fix the ramp and wharf.

I haven't had any response from our MP at all but hopefully they can get a floating dock in there before someone gets hurt trying to climb the wharf to get out of their boat. It's hard to appreciate the height of the wharf in the pics and video but the CBC reporter told me she got vertigo just standing on it.

The rocks are recent and go across the full width of the base of the ramp and they range from 8 to 10 inches in size. They rise from the base of the ramp by about 12". They are hard to see in my pics but easy to see in the CBC report. Maybe the rocks were pushed up against the ramp by the ice in winter? Just speculation. A backhoe would be an easy fix for that.

I was driving up on to the trailer like usual, with the motor tilted up, as I have done for 18 years there and even in lower water than what it is now with no problems. Chevy, I'm sure you've seen me doing that several times there.

If anyone uses the launch be super careful. It might be risky backing up to launch now too.

Thanks to this message board is that I was able to use the search function and find a machine shop in the Arnprior area that will be able to re-build both the prop and skeg (hopefully before Sunday!).

I'm glad it was an aluminum prop; a stainless prop would not be as forgiving and could have transferred damage to the gears and power head.

[Chevy Champagne]

since i am there quite alot i do see you alot
we always power load aswell we have never had a problem were usually able to do it easily with the pontoon and the fiberglass boat
we wouldnt try it now though its brutal right now its not eaven worth going there to fish anymore
usually i would go there on walleye opener and do pretty well
i dont think its gonna be the same this year

[steadyj_17]

just curious flipper as to why you use that launch when there is another launch closer to your house ?

[bucketmouth]

hope you're not talking the Landing's launch! That one is crapsville at the best of times, lol. I've seen half a dozen cars and trucks have to get winched out of that one throughout the years.

[steadyj_17]

hope you're not talking the Landing's launch! That one is crapsville at the best of times, lol. I've seen half a dozen cars and trucks have to get winched out of that one throughout the years.

haha yes i am talking about the landing one... i know its not the best but you make a great point for me... its not a great launch and yet its the only launch i use as well as several family members... and yet to this date we have never hit a prop or wrecked a skeg there...

[solar]

Just watched the CBC report, well done on getting the local media involved in the event. I expect you'll get the complete runaround from every level of government from here on in. I imagine the "fix" will be warning signs stating that you launch at your own risk......

[Cyber]

Are the launches in Fitzroy & Bucham's another Gov't "boondoggle"??

YOU BET!!

Will you ever find anyone to stand accountable??

HA HA, FAT CHANCE!!

Am I sick & tired of hearing about it??

BINGO!!

IF YOU DON'T LIKE 'EM, GO SOMEWHERE ELSE!!!

[Flipper]

steadyj_17,
Most times I'm launching by myself and the Maclaren's launch has no dock, the current is strong and the small rock point 10 meters down stream is intimidating. But I guess I will be going there more often now

The Buckhams launch is actually a lot closer to me by boat and closer to the gas station too.

I wish we could use that nice launch they put in for the boat lift at Quyon. Nice ramp with twin floating docks. It's locked up though and it never gets used.