Marine construction
Boat Ramp Construction on Lake Livingston
A ramp at your own shoreline, so launching the boat does not mean a trip to the public ramp.
Launch from your own property
For many lakefront owners, the busiest part of a day on the water is the drive to a public ramp and the wait in line to launch. A private ramp at your own shoreline lets you put in and pull out on your schedule, and makes it easier to take the boat out of the water before bad weather.
Onalaska Builders builds boat ramps with our own crews. Because we also handle excavation and grading, concrete work and bulkheads, the ramp, the bank around it and the driveway down to it can be planned as one job.
A boat ramp project can include:
- The ramp itself, from the bank down into the water
- Shaping and grading the approach
- Tying the ramp in with a bulkhead or the existing shoreline
- A driveway or turnaround for the truck and trailer
- A dock or pier beside the ramp for loading
Planning
What goes into a good boat ramp
A ramp has to work for your boat, your tow vehicle and your shoreline. The main things to plan for:
- Slope. Steep enough that the trailer gets deep enough to float the boat, gentle enough that the truck can pull it back out without spinning its tires.
- Length and water depth. The ramp needs to reach water deep enough for your boat, and the lake level changes over time, so the bottom end matters as much as the top.
- Width. Room for the trailer with a margin on each side, especially if you will be backing down alone.
- Traction. Wet ramps get slick, so the surface matters for tires and for footing.
- The approach. Room to line up and back a trailer straight down, and to turn around at the top.
- The bank on either side. A ramp cuts through the shoreline, so the banks beside it need to hold. That is often where a bulkhead comes in.
- Drainage. Runoff from the driveway should be directed so it does not wash out the top of the ramp.
Ramp surfaces
Common boat ramp surfaces
Private ramps are built several ways. The right choice depends on the boat, how often the ramp will be used, the bank and the bottom, and your budget:
- Poured concrete is a common choice for a lasting ramp. The surface is usually grooved or textured so tires can grip when it is wet.
- Precast concrete sections are made ahead and set in place, which can help where pouring concrete below the waterline is difficult.
- Gravel or crushed rock can serve lighter use, such as small boats and kayaks, but it needs more upkeep and can wash out.
We will talk through the options that fit your shoreline when we look at the project.
The work
How a boat ramp project comes together
- Look at the site. The bank, the water depth, the bottom, and how a truck and trailer will reach the water.
- Check the rules. Confirm what applies to your lot before work starts (see below).
- Prepare the ground. Clear and grade the approach and shape the cut through the bank.
- Build the ramp. Set the base and build the ramp surface down into the water.
- Finish the edges. Protect the banks beside the ramp and tie in the driveway at the top.
Upkeep
Keeping a ramp safe and usable
- Keep it clean. Algae and silt make a ramp slick. Clearing them off keeps tires and feet from slipping. See pressure washing.
- Watch the edges. Waves and runoff can wear away the soil along the sides and under the end of a ramp. Catching that early keeps a small repair from becoming a large one.
- Check after high water. Floods and storms can leave debris on the ramp and move soil around it.
- Mind the drop-off. When the lake is low, the end of the ramp can sit in shallow water. Know where it ends before backing down.
Budgeting
What affects the cost of a boat ramp?
- Length and width of the ramp.
- The surface you choose.
- How much dirt work the approach and bank need.
- Site conditions, including the water depth, the bottom and access for equipment.
- Related work, such as bulkheads, a dock, or a driveway down to the ramp.
Send the form with the town or ZIP code, a rough idea of your shoreline and the boat you want to launch, and photos if you can.
Lake Livingston
Boat ramps around Lake Livingston
Structures on Lake Livingston's shoreline fall under the Trinity River Authority, which runs a permit process for property owners, and some subdivisions and property owners' associations have their own rules. Check what applies to your lot before work starts. Private ponds are a different situation, so tell us which kind of water you have.
We build boat ramps around the lake and within about 35 miles of Onalaska, including Livingston, Point Blank, Coldspring and Trinity. See our full service area.
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Questions
Boat Ramp Construction questions
Do you build private boat ramps?
Yes. Our own crews build boat ramps for lakefront and pond property around Lake Livingston.
What are boat ramps made of?
Private ramps are commonly poured concrete with a textured surface for grip, precast concrete sections set in place, or gravel for lighter use. The right choice depends on the boat, the shoreline and how often the ramp will be used.
Can you build a dock next to the ramp?
Yes. We build docks and piers, and a dock beside the ramp makes loading and tying up easier. It is best to plan them together.
Do I need a permit for a boat ramp on Lake Livingston?
Structures on Lake Livingston's shoreline fall under the Trinity River Authority, which runs a permit process for property owners. Some subdivisions have their own rules too. Check what applies to your lot before work starts.
How do I get an estimate for a boat ramp?
Call (806) 480-0328 or send the estimate form with the town or ZIP code. Tell us about your shoreline and your boat, and include photos if you can.
Get started
Tired of the public ramp?
Tell us about your shoreline and where the property is. Send the form or give us a call.