Montebellos ramp options
Submitted by Jimsjams44 on Tue, 2012-12-11 20:59
Hi guys,
I know there is already information on this topic but just chasing opinions/experiences of launching from fortescue river and also current condition of the ramp.
We will be going over to the 'bellos in January and will be launching a 26' boston whaler. It will be towed with a truck.
Is a launch from Fortescue river a feasible option? I have also heard of people launching from 40 mile?? Any info appreciated.
If it is not possible we will probably end up launching from Onslow, but to be able to save the 30 odd miles each way (fuel wise) would be a dream.
Cheers,
James
Rambo
Posts: 12
Date Joined: 27/08/08
Montes Boat Ramp options
Hi James
We went in April/ May this year. Towed the baot from Broome to 40 mile and launched from there.
The boat was 6.5 metre aluminium and was fine to launch from the 40 mile boat ramp, though there are a few rocks to watch for on the way out.
Retrieving the boat was harder and we got bogged halfway between the beach and the end of the ramp in soft sand. We had an 80 series turbo diesel and ultimately needed another vehicle to snatch us across the soft sand. I think it would be harder again with a truck and 26 foot boston whaler but maybe someone else will chime in with their experiences launching and retrieving a similar sized boat from there.
I can't comment on Fortescue as i haven't been there.
Brucesta
Posts: 1721
Date Joined: 29/05/09
a 26ft boston may be pushing
a 26ft boston may be pushing it for Fortestcue but i'm sure there has been a few 7-8m boats launched in there, i've launched my 6.5m in there no probs. from memory it's 40nM to the monties from Fortestcue, 50nM from 40 mile and 65nM from Damps. Dunno what the distance would be like from Onslow.
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dodgy
Posts: 4586
Date Joined: 01/02/10
Ive got a 6.5 in at Fortescue
Ive got a 6.5 in at Fortescue without too many issues. The hard packed bank launch can be a little challenging with the bigger boats. 2 car pull or bit of a boot from outboards to get some momentum helps.
Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
telferfish
Posts: 142
Date Joined: 31/05/12
for a nice boat like yours id
for a nice boat like yours id go onslow or dampier,went over to barrow on the weekend from fortiscue The ramp has had the old concrete ripped out and replaced with good rock but it is still loose and pretty steep so would want to come in with a bit of water so your not backing or towing your boat up the steepst part of the ramp. keep in mind at high tide you have to go through a river crossing to get to the boat ramp. road in is good but bit of coregation. 40 mile would be no drama as long as you have a bit of water but it is exposed so if its blowing when you come back you can have a hard time getting your boat back on the trailor without damages. iether way its all worth the effort you put in for those good trips
telferfish
Posts: 142
Date Joined: 31/05/12
for a nice boat like yours id
for a nice boat like yours id go onslow or dampier,went over to barrow on the weekend from fortiscue The ramp has had the old concrete ripped out and replaced with good rock but it is still loose and pretty steep so would want to come in with a bit of water so your not backing or towing your boat up the steepst part of the ramp. keep in mind at high tide you have to go through a river crossing to get to the boat ramp. road in is good but bit of coregation. 40 mile would be no drama as long as you have a bit of water but it is exposed so if its blowing when you come back you can have a hard time getting your boat back on the trailor without damages. iether way its all worth the effort you put in for those good trips
Jimsjams44
Posts: 35
Date Joined: 21/09/11
Cheers
Cheers for the advice/info guys,
So I guess if we take our time and plan our launch/retrieval around the tides we should be able to launch from fortescue or 40 mile without taking too many risks.
How far is 40 mile from Onlsow?
telferfish, if fuel capacity wasnt an issue we would much prefer to launch from onslow/dampier, however would rather not have to strap multiple fuel drums to the boat if possible.
telferfish
Posts: 142
Date Joined: 31/05/12
would be just under 200k from
would be just under 200k from the onslow turn off i reckon
pale ale
Posts: 1755
Date Joined: 02/01/10
The fortescue ramp will
The fortescue ramp will require a 2nd vehicle to give you a helping hand. The ramp is very steep and loose river pebbles. If you have a winch on your car, there is a concrete block with a chain buried into the ground about 20mtrs from the top of the ramp. you may be able to use this to assist with winching the car / boat up the steep ramp.
On a high tide, you will have to cross the Du Boulay creek on the way in. This may have up to a meter of salt water on a huge tide, plus there will likeley be flooding from the cyclone which is bound to come a few days before your trip
If there is a lot of water in Du Boulay, you will struggle to find the "track". As you enter the creek crossing, you then travel about 150mtrs down the centre of the creek before climbing the opposite bamk. If the water is a bit over a foot or two, it would be hard to keep on track.
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Outrageous
Posts: 50
Date Joined: 13/01/12
I wouldn’t put my Whaler in
I wouldn’t put my Whaler in at Fortescue, the ramp is not the best and you have to travel on a dirt road (though you can travel on the Chinese Iron ore road to cut this down),
I would just take extra jerry cans in the boat and leave from Dampier and just put them on a beach once there. That’s what we have done.
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