Launch and Recovery

Freakwater · 12-02-2003, 10:19 AM

Time to do the old "Launch and Recovery" gag so I can weigh my "custom" trailer on a certified scale (required by DOL to get a tag).

Does anyone have a suggestion on where I could safely moor my sled for a couple of hours while I go get it weighed? I would prefer somewhere near west Vancouver, but any place that would work will do.

Thanks,
Freak

Miss B Haven · 12-02-2003, 10:58 AM

Nope- (wrong side of the creek for me)but I suggest you take a buddy and buy him a six pack to wait in the boat while you're weighing! I wouldn't leave my boat unattended at any public spot.

jimh · 12-02-2003, 12:03 PM

Rent it for a couple of hours. :smile:

or

Have someone take the trailer to weigh it while you fish.

12-02-2003, 12:05 PM

Could you put it on blocks in your driveway or on your lawn? It's fairly easy and fast.

El-Kabong · 12-02-2003, 01:15 PM

RiverKeeper,

is that 2 cases each or 2 cases total.

MacEFL · 12-02-2003, 01:41 PM

Frearwater, I sent you a PM!

Freakwater · 12-02-2003, 11:04 PM

Buddies not working out. Maybe more beer required.....or new buddies.

12-02-2003, 11:07 PM

You can park it in the irrigation ditch on my property :grin:

Miss B Haven · 12-02-2003, 11:18 PM

Move to Oregon, beer buys almost everything over here and Scotch takes care of the rest.

Do you have a scale set up? I was thinking hwy scales but I don't know if they will give you a load ticket. They might give you another kind of ticket

, but not sure about a certified weight ticket.

Farm scales (grain truck scales) will give you a weight ticket, 3 bucks last time I weighed hay (empty and full).

Theres a Marina/Launch and a hwy scale very close together on hwy 30 just before Scappoose. Channel Marine runs the launch (Big Oak) (fee is 3-5 bucks I think) and they would proly let you stick it in a slip for an hour or so to get the weight. That scale is only 1/8 mile from the Marina.
Problem is I'm not sure about getting a documented weight from an ODOT weigh station. Might have to call. Also - they are not always open, usually are during weekdays but not always.

fatfish · 12-02-2003, 11:18 PM

I would think that you could connect at the Ridgefield launch site. With all the houseboats around someone would be more than willing to keep an eye on it for awhile. People that live around there are always friendly to me when I've used the site. Good luck.

El-Kabong · 12-02-2003, 11:29 PM

"...or new buddies..."

ouch

now if we were going shad fishing we could drag Freaks kidney cracker along and use it as a fish box

[ 12-02-2003, 12:36 PM: Message edited by: El-Kabong ]

Riverkeeper · 12-02-2003, 11:31 PM

ouch.

Freakwater · 12-02-2003, 11:34 PM

B,

My understanding is it has to be a WSDOT certified scale. Was told any WA hwy scale would do. The DOL also told me of a local Co-op where I could pay to get it weighed. Lost my notes so I'll have to give them a call on that.

How many hits did Jen say ifish is getting per day? Probably a good idea to announce on the internet where I'm going to leave my boat unattended for a couple of hours......hmmmm

Freak

Miss B Haven · 12-02-2003, 11:36 PM

Maybe your "buddies" would take it fishing for the day and buy there own beer!

Freakwater · 12-02-2003, 11:48 PM

You can see their affection for the flat bottom...

Riverkeeper · 12-02-2003, 11:53 PM

On second thought, I guess I don't really need my teeth, so I'll do it for a seasonal microbrew. Two cases. Cold.

Pitch Pocket · 12-02-2003, 11:55 PM

There is a public scale at the Port of Vancouver (second entrance if coming from downtown Vancouver). Pretty close to Vancouver Lake if that ramp is suitable for your boat. I wouldn't leave it unattended there either.

12-10-2003, 12:21 PM

Freek,
What did you end up doing about the boat?

Freakwater · 12-10-2003, 12:37 PM

I forget the name of the launch, but it is down 4th Plain past Frenchman's.(Kadow's?). My roomate followed me. We launched the boat and threw out some crawdad traps. Tied the boat to a tree, while roomy sat in his truck to watch the boat. Ran back to The Port of Vanc. to the scale Pitch Pocket suggested. Back so quick the crawdad bait didn't even thaw, no dads, mission accomplished. Trailer weighed 620#. I though that was alot.

Freak

Freakwater · 12-10-2003, 11:06 PM

Mission accomplished.

Thanks Pitch Pocket. That scale was 0.2 miles from my house. They did charge me, but well worth the convenience. Process took all of 45 mins. with the help of my roomate.

MacEFL, thanks for the offer to help.

Freak

Pitch Pocket · 12-11-2003, 05:25 PM

Hey Freakwater, I'm glad it worked out for you!

12-11-2003, 06:37 PM

I'm glad things worked out [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]