Whether you are a seasoned boater, a shore-side homeowner, a fisherman, or just love being out on the water, a portable boat ramp is a really useful thing to have. Unlike more permanent concrete ramps, a portable ramp can be moved around as needed. They’re designed to build and take down again, moving it to where you need it to be. This can help if you want to take your boat somewhere new, or if you want to reconfigure it based on water level changes, usage patterns and the needs of your property.
While the portability of boat ramps are great, they’re not always the most simple thing to do. You need to plan carefully, prepare for the move and make sure you adhere to safety regulations. In this article we’ve put together all you need to know about moving a portable boat ramp, from what exactly it is, to why and when you might need to move it and the best loading and unloading techniques. Keep reading to find out more.
What is a portable boat ramp?
Portable boat ramps are modular systems designed to create a launching surface for boats where a permanent ramp doesn’t exist or isn’t feasible. This could be because you live somewhere where the tide is drastically in and out, so you can’t always access the water, or because you like to sail from different places, where there isn’t a structure already in place. In essence, their major advantage is the ability to relocate or reconfigure based on water level changes, usage patterns, or waterfront property needs.
What is a portable boat ramp made from?
Portable boat ramps come in a few different forms. This includes:
- Modular aluminum or steel panels that bolt together
- Heavy-duty mats or roll-out surfaces made of plastic or composite materials
- DIY wooden ramps built from lumber and secured with anchors
- Temporary access systems used seasonally on lakes, rivers, and coastal areas
The type of material you choose for your portable boat ramp depends very much on your needs, where you live, your budget and what will work best for your boat.
Why and when might you need to move a portable boat ramp?
There are many scenarios in which relocation is necessary. It could be that you need the same shoreline adjustment - so you want to stay in the same body of water, but there have been water level changes due to things like seasonal fluctuations or drought conditions. There might also have been ice or storm damage making your current placement unsafe, it could be that you need better alignment with tide line or boat traffic, or perhaps there has been shoreline erosion that altered slope or your access to the water.
Another reason you might need a portable boat ramp is because you're moving to a different body of water. You could be relocating due to seasonal waterfront activities, you might be taking a ramp to a leased or new property, or perhaps you want temporary placement at an event or group gathering.
Finally, you could need a portable boat ramp due to storage and off-season timings. You’ll need to protect components from storms or harsh weather, and may want to keep it in indoor/ off-site storage to prevent it from incurring wear or theft.
How is best to plan the move?
Even though a portable boat ramp is designed to be moved, you still need to be strategic and have a plan in place. Just like if you’re moving heavy equipment or modular structures, you need to have everything in place ahead of time. The best way to approach it is to start by assessing the ramp components. Look at what materials it is made from and how they’re assembled. Consider things like how heavy the section is, are the legs detachable or do they anchor, and are there any hydraulic or sensitive parts present? Make a quick checklist before you start disassembling it to ensure it all goes right.
Next, you need to evaluate the distance and terrain. Same shore moves might only require wheeled dollies, winches or manpower, whereas across-road relocations might require trailers, permits of specialised vehicles. Consider the type of terrain you’ll be moving on, whether this is concrete, mud, or inclines.
Finally, you need to plan your route, determine things like the distances to travel, and get over transport challenges such as narrow roads, power lines and tight turns. Check whether permits of pilot vehicles are necessary for oversized loads and if there are any local regulations on transporting wide or tall equipment. Safety is part of this too, so make a plan including any personal protective equipment you might need, securing loose parts so they don’t fall off, and taking weather considerations into account. Having emergency protocols in place is also super important so you know what to do if anything goes wrong enroute.
How does moving on the same shore differ?
Relocating the ramp along the same shoreline tends to be easier than long-distance transport but still has key challenges. Most portable ramps are designed to be disassembled into sections, typically made from boards of panels that are bolted together. You might be able to shift it how it is, but you’ll need to disassemble if:
- Sections are too large to handle safely
- Ground slope is uneven or soft
- You need to store parts during winter
- You’re moving to a significantly different shoreline location
When you might avoid full disassembly:
- Minor repositioning (moving forward/back along the same bank)
- Strong, continuous surface that can be rolled or slid
Smaller sections can be moved with things like motorized winches and straps, skids or rollers under ramp panels, dollies with locking wheels and black and tackle setups for steep slopes. Always ensure the surface is stable particularly if you’re moving heavy mats or if you are placing ladders on soft ground.
Once you’re repositioned, drive stakes into firm ground, use anchor blocks or water-borne anchors for floating systems and be sure to adjust the ramp angle to match current water depth. Leveling the ramp is critical for ease of launching.
How about over the road transport?
When you’re moving the ramp to a different area (e.g., from one lake to another), the requirements resemble heavy equipment transport. Use the right equipment depending on the size and weight. Covered trailers offer protection, flatbed trailers are great for modular sections, while tilt trailers help load heavy boards. If really large, you might need a forklift or crane to load the ramp onto a trailer safely.
Once the ramp is on a trailer, use heavy-duty ratchet straps, ensure anchor points on the ramp are solid, and double-check all the straps and cinches before departure. Relocating boat lifts is one of the biggest lessons in how important proper strapping and load placement is!
What are the best loading and unloading techniques?
Loading a portable boat ramp onto a trailer (or into its new place along the shore) can be one of the trickiest parts. Ensure you get the right machinery, using something like a forklift or skid steer if sections are heavy.
If a forklift isn’t available, you could:
- Raise the ramp section slightly using cribbing blocks or 4×4 blocks.
- Slide a sturdy trailer under it.
- Slowly lower the ramp onto the trailer bed.
- Ensure the center of gravity is low to avoid tipping.
- Secure the entire piece with multiple tie-downs.
What are the best safety techniques?
Portable ramp location might seem straightforward, but if you don’t do it right you can either injure yourself or lead to damage to your equipment. Some of the most common mistakes you need to avoid include:
- Not tying down your ramp properly when you transport the ramp
- Underestimating the weight and size of your ramp. Oversized loads might need permits and require more careful planning.
- Ignoring weather conditions such as rain or ice that increase the risk of slipping. Make sure you postpone the move to when the weather is better.
- Not planning enough people to execute the move. If you don’t move large panels or ramps with enough people it can be unsafe. Enlist enough people to provide the strength it needs to move from place to place.
How do you store the boat ramp when not in use?
Relocating a portable boat ramp can be as simple as sliding panels along a beach or as complex as transporting large sections over public roads. With adequate planning, the right equipment, and a safety-first mindset, you can securely move your ramp within the same shoreline or to a completely new body of water. Always treat the move like a project, so don’t rush into it at the last minute (or you might get injured or break the ramp!) And be sure to assess, plan and assemble step by step. No matter the reason you need to move your boat ramp, this guide should help you know the right way to do so and make it as easy as possible going forward.