 | Parkways and park roads |  |
Trailer Parking at Boat Ramps:
The most critical features in the design of public boat ramps
are the width and gradient of the ramp itself. Let the ramp be
40 feet wide and the grade 14%. That width will serve 3 boats at
one time (all boats seem to leave and return at the same hour).
That gradient will permit most boats to float free of a trailer
high traction, especially where algae is prevalent! Imagine yourself
a novice driver towing a new boat and trailer. You approach the
shoreline driving toward the ramp; you turn right until you see the
boat and trailer reflected in the mirror on the car door. You then
back toward the ramp, constantly watching the reflection in the mirror,
until your boat and trailer are aligned with the ramp. You slowly
back down the incline until the boat is bouyant. Then you stop, set
the handbrake, turn the engine off, set the parking gear, and leave
the car to unlash the boat from the trailer. After you have secured
the boat to the pier, you drive the car and trailer to the parking
area—they remain there all day.
After a day of fishing, you return to the pier, secure the boat,
and drive the car and empty trailer back to the ramp. This time you
watch the trailer reflected in the mirror, then back down the ramp
until the trailer is submerged. You stop, set the handbrake, turn
the engine off, set the parking gear, and leave the car to load the
boat on the trailer. Then you drive straight up the ramp and away.
All quite complicated in description, but the simplest way I know
to design a ramp and parking area for the boater who uses the place
ten times a year.
| Parkways and park roads | |