I was just reading the city of Des Moines news letter I just got. And it says they got 750,000 dollors from the state to do improvments to tho Redondo ramp.But the bad news is they can only do the work between June to October. The exact dates are not set for closing the ramp for the work.But it does say "Redondo boat ramp will be closed for most of the 2003 boating season." It also says you can launch at the Des Moines marina for $20 to $25. But I dont think the slings will handle small boats like under 15' but im not positive on that. I do know they use to charge extra for bunk trailers.And I dont think the slings open till 6:00am.Boy Im glad I have a secret launch Thats open 24/7.

I have a bunk trail and lauch at Des Moines sling. You have to have your boat bunks adjusted so that your boat will have 8 inches hanging out over the end. I did this one day while out boating it does not take much to so. Now would be the best time to do this. The other way I have seen peopled at DesMoines do there bunkers is biuld them up with with a space in the last foot of the bunk so they can slip the sling through it but make sure you make the space big enough and help them with the location of the strap while loading so it will be in the right place when they get to the trailer. This is a simlpe fix to that problem.
As for the line at Desmoines when they close Radondo bring a sleeping bag.

Kingfisherman,
Do you know what the min. size boat the slings will launch?
And I agree a sleeping bag will be needed for that line which is already
bad. And the parking is going to be a nightmare too.

Man, that is really lame. I am not looking forward to that ramp being closed at all. I hope they have some kind of backup ramp available. I launch at Redondo several times a week in the summer. I guess if I have to I can run down to Pt. D. or I can put downriggers on a float tube.

Easy,
I thought about you when I read that it was going to be closed. I know you use that launch alot. But there is always Elliott bay on the weekends.