Best boat ramp on the North shore

Just a quick question to those who launch on the North Shore.
Which is the best boat ramp to use, especially if launching and retrieving on your own? Do any have pontoons?
I see the one at Kawakawa Bay has pontoons which is perfect for parking the ski after launch and before retrieval but that ramp is 1 hour 6min from where I live (according to Google maps) so it's not a realistic option.
I have been using Castor Bay but that ramp ends in the sand (trailer starts to sink pretty quickly) so I tend to have to put the car in the water which I want to avoid now (rustphobia)
I can launch at Takapuna but not sure how people go about it if they are going out alone. Do people launch the ski, then quickly drive it ashore and then walk back to get the car off the ramp? Just don't want a pack of irate boaties waiting for me to get my car off the ramp while I'm beaching the jetski.

Any recommnedations would be most welcome.

Hi not sure about ramp options for you but I have a suggestion for when you need to put your car in the water, I used to use this technique launching my boat at bowentown on the sand and got the idea off my brother who used to launch his big Surtees off the sand at Ohiwa.

I have a specially spliced length of rope which I carry in my boot, I simply disconnect the tralier from the car and loop the rope onto the drawbar, push the trailer into the water (jockey wheel down) and launch the boat/ski, same for retrieval, pulling the boat/ski out of the water via the rope while the vehicle is on the firm sand out of the waters way. For shallow gradient beaches this method has the advantage that the trailer tilts as you winch the boat on, providing easier retrieval and not digging in, seems a bit of a hastle at first but once mastered this works really well.

The rope thing sounds like a great idea. Will try that out next time, thanks.
I'd like to continue to use Castor Bay as it is very handy being just down the road from home.

Would still be interested to hear from anyone who launches from the Shore and their boat ramp recommendations.

Hi Krud

a few of us use the taka ramp. if by ourselves just take the ski to the beach or put out a anchor system.
Sometimes you get the odd random person offer to hold the ski while you park which is cool.

If we are with a group for the sake of speed we will hold each other ski whilst parking.

I also ;launch off narrowneck beach but I have 4x4 so no problem.

call me for a fish sometime...we can get a group together.

Keith
021840530

if it's high tide then you can use Torpedo Bay (over Devonport way). No pontoons but enough water by the ramp to secure the ski to. Bear in mind though that at low tide you won't retrieve from this ramp.

Another option is Birkenhead Wharf. Just about calm enough to tie the ski off to a pile along side the ramp. No pontoons though.

Taka ramp is ok but being solo just doesn't work to well. My wife drives me to Taka ramp, puts me in, then drives the car and trailer back home. Parking is a shocker at Taka when it's busy, which is most of the time these days.
I have a boat these days, but when I had my ski I would launch off the beach a Murrays bay. Trouble is, you get through wheel bearings coz of the excess sand and grit that is churned up in the wash.

Best of luck finding somewhere that suits.

Thanks for all the advice/ideas.
Went down and launched at Takapuna ramp using my sandbag anchor to hold the jetski near shore while I parked the car.
Seemed to work ok but the ramp was pretty quiet at 2pm on a Monday so I could take all the time in the world (also plenty of parks but
guess things would be different on a windless weekend morning).
Managed to get two good snapper out the back of Motuihe island (in between the showers and the wind).

Oh and Keith (swasy) , would be keen for a fish this weekend (or Monday - I usually have Mondays off) if the weather permits so maybe we could talk later in the week and see how the conditions are shaping up. Or anyone else who might be keen

Hi Krud

call me to disuss 021 840 530 (i'll give you my home number as well)

Looks to be fine but a bit windy and maybe a swell running on the weekend (from out this far anyway) if it is rough we could always try upper harbour or some where sheltered. guys were pulling snapper of the fuel storage break water by the bridge this morning on the incoming tide.

Keith

Meola Reef is also producing... I had a 41cm out of there last night. Was heaps of yellow tails there Sunday night to.

Ok Keith, I'll give you a call tonight re a weekend fish.

Logan

Hi swasy,
Sorry I didn't get back to you on the phone. Had guests over for dinner and before I knew it, time was 10pm so decided
it was a bit late for a call.
Will try again Friday night.
In the meantime, looking at the weather forecast it's looking like Sunday might be the better day for a fish. Looks like the winds will still be up
on saturday but dropping on Sunday to 5 knots variable. Do you have a preference for Sat or Sun?

Hi Logan

I have a preference for low/no winds do Sunday would be fine. what is the bite time?
Peter (on the shore also) might be game for a fish also.

Keith

hi guys,
i have things on both afternoons but not sure what i am doing in the mornings. an early quick fish could be a go. if no wind, then maybe a few drifts down the channel...
Peter

Hi Peter
Thought you'd be watching

Sunday does look good, a few drifts through the channel sounds fine.

what time?

Sunday morning sounds good to me.
I've got Sunday pretty free so happy to fit in with a time that suits you guys.
As for bite times, not overly sure of most reliable place to find that info but found one website with this
info.

Good to see the Auckland District Health Board investing in the relaxation of their employees (top of the jpg you posted).

oops....ah well...... ahem.....

i found that a good boat ramp is at bayswater! its got loads of parking and not many people use the ramp there is always water! plus a petrol pump to fill ski!! you get 20 mins free so you put boat/ski into water then take car out of carpark so then its free parking! plus loads of security cams and officers. what more could you ask for.