BOAT RAMPS
Radtke Contractors is your source for professional boat ramp installations. Whether residential, commercial, or industrial, our boat ramp contractors can handle your customized boat ramp project. In addition, with more than 50 years dedicated to boat ramp installations and marine construction, you can trust our experts to handle your project!
​
If it’s time to upgrade your boating launch experience, then Radtke boat ramps are the perfect solution! To discuss your boat ramp requirements, simply give our team a call at (920) 582-4114. We are the boat ramp construction experts!
WHY A BOAT RAMP INSTALLATION?
Boat ramps provide convenience, safety, and time saving whether in a commercial, industrial, or residential area. In today's world, the luxury of owning waterfront property or having easy access to a private boat landing is becoming increasingly rare. Public boat ramps, while accessible, often come with a host of inconveniences. They can be cramped, potentially hazardous, costly, and incredibly time-consuming. The frustration of waiting in line, launching your watercraft in such close proximity to other boaters, and the endless search for a parking space big enough to accommodate your vehicle with a trailer can quickly dampen your enthusiasm for a day out on the water.
​
Materials for the boat launch ramp vary depending on our clients' specific needs. Our boat ramp installation experts will discuss with you your needs and preferences before we start any work. This is to ensure you end up with a finished product that both functions well and complements your property. More on the boat landing design and installation process below.
​
Boat Ramp Design
Before beginning the project, we will discuss the following requirements:
-
Site criteria
-
Boat ramp design
-
Construction methods
-
Materials needed
-
Permits needed
-
Type and size of boats
​
​
The Boat Ramp Installation Process
Step 1
Our boat ramp installation process kicks off with a crucial step – site selection. During this phase, our experienced contractors will collaborate closely with you to identify the ideal location for your boat landing. Several critical considerations are taken into account:
​
-
Size and Flatness: The chosen area must be sufficiently spacious to accommodate both your vehicle and trailer comfortably. It's essential that this space is relatively flat, ensuring stability during the launch and retrieval of your watercraft. There needs to also be an area for the ramp to slope into the water.
-
Water Depth: At the base of the ramp, we require a minimum water depth of approximately four feet to facilitate safe and easy boat access.
​
Step 2
Next is site preparation. Our boat ramp installers recommend scheduling the installation during the summer months when water levels tend to be lower, providing easier access to the ramp site. Key aspects of site preparation include:
​
-
Grading: The ramp area is carefully graded to achieve a slope of 12 to 15%, ensuring a smooth transition from the land to the water.
-
One Grade: Our experts ensure that the boat ramp maintains a consistent grade for optimal functionality and safety.
-
Plank Bed Dimensions: The bed for the concrete planks extends approximately 6 feet wider than the ramp planks, guaranteeing a stable foundation.
​
Step 3
With the site prepared, it's time for our installers to begin the boat ramp construction process. Here’s what to expect during the actual installation:
​
-
Concrete Plank Placement: Heavy equipment is used to position the concrete planks. Starting from the top of the boat ramp, each plank is carefully placed, extending down and into the water. This meticulous placement ensures a sturdy and dependable ramp structure.
-
Adequate Planking: Our contractors take special care to ensure that there is an ample number of planks to accommodate the size and weight of your boat during launch and retrieval. This attention to detail guarantees that your boat ramp can withstand the demands of regular boating activities.
​
For more information about boat ramp installation or general info, please refer to our guide to boat ramps here.
​
Building a Private Boat Ramp vs. a Commercial Boat Ramp
The process of building a private boat ramp looks different than construction of a larger commercial boat ramp. Overall, the finished design of your boat ramp will depend on the size and type of boats you plan on launching.
​
For example, if you need a private boat ramp on your residential property to launch kayaks, choosing a boat ramp design will be a simpler process. However, if you require a commercial boat landing for multiple types of boats, choosing the design will be more involved. More information on the state of Wisconsin's guidelines for boat ramps.
​
Boat Ramp FAQs
How deep should a boat ramp be?
The depth of your boat ramp is determined by the size of your boat(s) or other watercraft. Typically, a depth of 4 feet is considered sufficient for your boat ramp. Please note that as a boat owner you should be careful of water levels during droughts or periods of heavy rain.
​
How steep should a boat ramp be?
The best slope for a boat ramp should be graded between 12% to 15%. This is equivalent to (7° to 8.5°). If your ramp is shallower than 12%, a standard car will have its rear axle submerged in the water at the point your boat is backed in far enough to be pushed out into the water. If on the other hand, the ramp is steeper than 15%, people will likely sleep and fall. In addition, it is hard for some vehicles to gain the traction on a steep, wet boat ramp. As a result, your boat ramp should always be sloped between 12 and 15%.
​
How wide are boat ramps?
Typically, your boat ramp width for a single lane should be around 16-20 feet. 8-10 feet make up the primary width, with 4 to 5 feet on either side. Too narrow of a boat ramp width will make it harder for people to handle a trailer in reverse. If you have questions about your boat launch's width, please don't hesitate to talk with the Radtke team.
​
What is the etiquette for boat ramps?
Some rules to follow for boat ramp etiquette include: being prepared so you don’t have to rush, staying off the ramp while it’s being utilized by other boaters, following the instructions given, not stopping the boat on the ramp, moving out of the way when another boat is landing, and overall promptly launching and retrieving your boat. Learn more here about etiquette for launching and retrieving boats.
​
What is a slipway?
A slipway is another term for a boat ramp. It is the ramp on the shore where ships, boats, kayaks, canoes, and other watercraft may be moved to and from the water. The marine slipway earned its name by the way a ship’s hull is thoroughly greased, moved over the ramp (usually by a crane or fork), followed by the ship slipping safely off the ramp and into the water, thanks to the grease applied to the hull..
​
What are other names for a boat ramp?
The boat ramp is also known as a slipway, boat launch, or boat deployer. A boat ramp can also be called a way or a skid. These names all refer to a ramp on the shore by which boats or ships can be launched and retrieved from the water.
​
Our Boat Ramp Contractors
Since Radtke Contractors’ founding in 1965, our dedicated team of boat ramp contractors have focused on three things: discipline, responsibility, and family. Our contractors always deliver on innovation, honest work, superior quality, and exemplary service. We are proud to serve the Winneconne, WI community and beyond.
​
Need a boat ramp installation? Simply reach out to our boat ramp contractors at (920) 582-4114 or contact us online and we will be happy to provide a quote.
​