Drotto vs Ramp N Clamp: The Ultimate Boat Latch Face-Off
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- Опубліковано 1 жов 2024
- Compare Drotto and Ramp N Clamp automatic boat latches and see a install & first impressions & review.
LINKS FROM VIDEO:
🔗 Boat2Trailer Ramp-N-Clamp Boat Latch: at.fish/RampNC...
🔗 Drotto Catch-N-Release Boat Latch: at.fish/Drotto
👉 Sign-up for the FGTN Newsletter at at.fish/Newsle... - get no-fluff updates on gear releases, reviews, comparisons, and deals every few weeks.
In this video, we compare & review the Drotto Catch and Release and the Ramp N Clamp automatic boat latches for solo boaters. We dive into the differences in construction materials, impact protection, mounting, and warranties before doing a step-by-step installation of the Ramp N Clamp. See how these automatic latches can make launching and loading your boat safer and easier without getting wet or leaning precariously over the bow.
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*Do you have a boat latch already or looking at getting one?*
LINKS FROM VIDEO:
🔗 Boat2Trailer Ramp-N-Clamp Boat Latch: at.fish/RampNClamp
🔗 Drotto Catch-N-Release Boat Latch: at.fish/Drotto
👉 Sign-up for the FGTN Newsletter at at.fish/Newsletter - get no-fluff updates on gear releases, reviews, comparisons, and deals every few weeks.
I have the Ramp n Clamp for my 19' Starcraft on a bunk trailer. I've been all over Northern MN with it. Even the steepest ramps are no problem. I love it!
From the title for your video, I was expecting a "face off" a "Drotto Vs Ramp N Clamp" comparison. ?????
I have the Ramp&Clamp it works great for my Nitro Z-18. Drotto said that theirs would not work with my boat. Two thumbs up for the Ramp and Clamp.
Great Video !! This video helps me make a decision on which hitch I will buy . Thanks
I will stick with my Drotto. Great product, and easier to use. I have never had a problem in over two years of use. People often ask me at launches what they are because of how effortless it is.
So, did it take take the paint off of your keel yet? I have a 2020 1875 Pro V that I launched a couple times a week, for 3 seasons, by myself, without putting a scratch on it. Added this ramp & clamp, at the lake with boat off. After installing, I slowly winched the boat on, which lined up perfectly when the boat is fully on the bunks. Backed into the water, with latched released, boat slide off and launched as normal, but as the rear end of the boat entered the water and floated, it put more pressure on the RnC and putting a large scuff on the keel as it slide off. Messed around with the tension, and making small tweaks, while launching and loading 6 more times. It was very hard on the paint, and I could tell by launching just these few times, that it would be taking the paint off in no time. I was pissed, but being the end of season, I left it on. Emailed pics and questions to B2T , was told I had it mounted too low.
Really wanted it to work, and over the winter decided I would trade missing paint for ease of loading. On the origianal install, it had moved my boat back a couple inches past the end of the bunks, so I decided to reinstall moving the winch mount forward. Mounted it again, as shown in the instruction vids, with boat on the bunks. It was lined up perfect with dry boat sitting fully on the bunks, in the loaded position, as shown in the vids. Next couple launches same thing. Launches well, but hard on the paint. The launches vary alot here, most don't have concrete very far in the water, so power loading is prohibited, I did try to gently drive it on numerous times, even making a magnetic fiberglass "sight" that sticks up, to point the bow at while loading. Very easy to miss off to the side, as if you are off just a couple inches, and you throttle enough to make the latch lock(it takes a good run at it) it will dent your bow. You can be 6" away from full hookup, perfectly lined up, tap the throttle, and it can still shoot off to the side, denting and scratching the boat.
This product is well made and I think would work well IF you can power load with bunks over half out of the water and you don't care what it does to your boat.
I have have a friend, who has guided for many years,with a Drotto on his trailer, and he battles with the same issues. Good luck, mine is for sale.
Wow, very detailed feedback and experience. Thanks for sharing hopefully someone here or one of the companies can offer up some recommendations. I personally have not run into this issue at all yet (regarding the rubbing and paint damage), the difference being I know my winch post is pointed down rather than level or up and I have a roller trailer (as you know makes this glide really easily even when not in much water), however just yesterday I specifically backed the trailer in much more than I needed to see if I would run into any issues and I didn't with the latching.
As for the centering and getting it lined up. Yes, I had that issue the very first time I went to load. I thought I was good and I gave it some gas and sideways it went off to the side and the bow past the latch (fortunately without too much scuffing / damage). What I did was got some side rollers to help guide the bow a bit better and it's been great now every time. Even when I come at the trailer from a 45 degree angle it straightens itself out and onto the RNC.
I'm interested in buying! Is it off the trailer and readily shippable?
@@tfarris7113 Yes. It is the RNC Model L - Short Handle version
@@TW14137 according to the site, the 'L' won't fit for me- I need the sport model for a thinner mount 😕
I am 65 and need this type of device on my boat. My only concern is the short trip lever. It would be more convenient for it to be longer. I will research to see if the Ramp N Clamp will work for my boat and model. Thank you for taking the time to research and compare these two products. I appreciate it.
Heck yeah! Both offer a longer lever option and you can tie a rope to the end to release easily too!
So basically you want to support the product of the people that copied and stole the Drotto design??? Okay, sure, whatever...
Anyway, BOTH products need to be oiled and maintained along with everything else on the trailer. Regardless of whether it's SS or not. That little dinky wheel that comes with the Ramp-n-Clamp isn't good enough. The Drotto allows me to use my large rollers to protect my bow. Both products need to be adjusted to fit the boat correctly once installed on the trailer, which will require adjust of your winch post. I tried BOTH products and I prefer the Drotto. The Ramp-n-Clamp handle is way to short. I can release my Drotto from the seat of my center console. There's no need to walk forward and reach over the bow.
Great video! Now I know to go with ramp and clamp instead of the Doratto. I would say get yourself a piece of stainless steel flat bar and make a longer extension handle that sticks up past the boat. As long as you have the clearance without it interfering with the boat or tailgate. That way you don't have to bend over the front of the boat to release it
Great idea, I know some people use a rope too
Have the Dratto and love it. Fish often by myself and it’s the only way to go
I have a 21 foot stingray and just added a 9000lbs marine strap. Easier, have trailer steps and tbh no need for both products. Happy I saved 300 USD and I get on the trailer steps.
I have the drotto, I think I would have gone with the Ramp N Clamp instead.
I have the Boat2Trailer and love mine best things I ever added ! 👍
Thank You for sharing. 👍
Have the Drotto myself. One thing I always do is back the boat down the ramp, then remove strap and safety chain right before going all the way into the water. Same on way back out. Takes another second but I can’t imagine dropping my boat off on the concrete in case the latch doesn’t fully engage. It took a while to learn how to best use the quick release but now I really see the value and it’s awesome when you’re by yourself.
Great advise!!
You forgot about the og ramp-n-clamp based on what i can see is boat to trailer has a roller on top
I'll have to look, is that the orange one?
I just installed the RampNClamp on my 19’ Triumph Bay Boat. Very pleased! Now I don’t have to hang off the bow holding on by my toes to hook up the strap and crank the winch.
Awesome, its one of those simple things that makes a BIG difference
From the looks of your video, I've the identical set up, 2001 Tyee magnum sport, with roller trailer. I left the Profile 2000 alone when I installed it and it worked once. I moved the winch post back toward the hitch 1.5 inches to counter the latch displacement and now the latch doesn't. It gets caught up on the forward nut of the eye and won't close. Can't even winch it up to latch. Any ideas? I will be contacting B2T soon too. Great video, covered everything top and bottom views.
Been looking forward to the first video with the new boat on the water.
I've got the first day on the water test run filmed. I just need to edit! I underestimated the amount of rigging I wanted to do and the time, but lots of other videos on that coming too!
I have a 19ft flat bottom, tunnel hull catamaran-type hull (yes, it's weird... think stretched Shoalwater 14.5 cat) ~
If I used 4 total (2 sets of trailer guides, one set fore, one set aft)... could this work?
I realize they're meant for V-bottom/V-Bows and hulls...
Anyone?...
Have RT 178 Ranger and I am told will not work. I am disabled and wish it would.
Sorry to hear, have you tried reaching out to one of the companies or both and see if they have a work around or a modification that can be done?
How is it holding up so far?
Really good so far, looks brand new still!
Great information love all the information you give us thanks Alex
Thanks so much, I really appreciate the kind words and am happy you found it informative!
Drotto is, and always will be my choice.
You have to ask yourself how ethical Ramp N Clamp is to market Drotto then go off and steal the idea and compete with a similar product that they now manufacture in the same format..
Thanks for the comment and question around this. A few thoughts:
Based on my research from a patent perspective, the Drotto boat latch was patented in 2013. Ramp N Clamp's patent was filed in 2022, several years after Drotto's. While this doesn't necessarily mean infringement occurred, as patents cover specific designs and mechanisms, it shows Drotto was first to market with their innovation.
Looking at the bigger picture, it's common and usually legal for companies to introduce products that compete with existing offerings, as long as no patents or trademarks are violated. This is the nature of a free market economy. Competition often spurs innovation, gives consumers more choices, and puts downward pressure on prices. Many product categories have multiple brands selling similar items - phones, cars, appliances, etc.
While Ramp N Clamp previously sold Drotto latches, shifting to making their own competing product is an entrepreneurial decision many companies make. As long as it's done legally and ethically, it's a valid approach. Consumers can decide which latch best meets their needs and budgets.
In the end, boat owners now have two automatic latch options to choose from. Healthy competition is usually a win for consumers. Patent and trademark laws exist to protect truly novel inventions and brands. But no company is entitled to a monopoly on an entire product category. The free market tends to reward those who continuously innovate and provide compelling value to customers.
@@AlexTimm Thanks for such a great video! The actual patent filing date of the Ramp N Clamp was 2012. The Drotto was 2013. The Ramp N Clamp design patent was filed first. We decided to go in a new direction and offer the best product and materials we could to our customers.
Drotto, Boat2Trailer and Ramp N Clamp are 3 separate companies.
Thanks for this series of boat rigging and accessories. I bought a flat bottom this spring and just upgraded to a deep vee pro am last week. It’s been a journey and love all the work, was looking at the ramp and clamp also as I feel it has significant improvements over the drotto.
So this is just an ad 😂
If this is an ad, I must be the worst negotiator in the business. I bought the product at full price, invested my time, equipment, resources, and effort into filming, editing, and posting this video, all for a grand total of $0 in return.
The goal was to provide an honest, unbiased review to help others understand the differences between these two products and explain why a product like this could be beneficial for them.
But clearly, I did such a good job that it went right over your head. Thanks for commenting and the engagement on the video so it can reach others 👍 Go check out my other ads on the channel 😀