System and method for elevating a watercraft

An apparatus for maintaining a watercraft, at a predetermined elevation over a body of water on a forwardly elevated ramp, the watercraft moveably engaging the ramp, the apparatus comprising:

• a displaceable catch arm having a first end and a second end, said first end rotatably attached to the ramp at a catch arm pivot point, said second end opposite said first end;
• a biasing mechanism operably attached to said catch arm, biasing said catch arm toward an engaged position;
• an engagement member operably disposed on said catch arm second end and making operable contact with the watercraft in such a manner that said member may be moved across a surface of the watercraft without causing damage thereto;
• a release mechanism operably attached to said catch arm such that when said release mechanism is operated, said catch arm is displaced toward a released position, thereby releasing the watercraft;
• a release arm pivotally attached to said ramp at a pivot point, said release arm having an upper end and a lower end, said upper end being above said pivot point and arranged to be graspable from a position on the watercraft, said release arm operably connected to said catch arm;
• and,
• said release mechanism constructed and arranged so that when said release arm is pivoted around said pivot point, said release arm urges said catch arm toward said released position, thereby releasing the watercraft.

A system useable in a body of water with a bottom and a surface comprising:

• a ramp having a rearward, subsurface end and a forward end elevated above the rearward end;
• a support mechanism, operably attached to said ramp, moveably receiving and supporting the watercraft on said ramp and allowing the watercraft to move forwardly and rearwardly relative to said ramp, said support mechanism and said ramp constructed and arranged to allow the propulsion mechanism of the watercraft to maintain operable contact with the water over a predetermined distance while travelling up said ramp;
• a catch mechanism useable to prevent rearward motion by the watercraft once the watercraft has achieved a predetermined elevation, said catch mechanism comprising:
• a displaceable catch arm, moveable between an engaged position and a released position, having a first end and a second end, said first end rotatably attached to said ramp at a catch arm pivot point, said second end opposite said first end;
• a biasing mechanism operably attached to said catch arm, urging said catch arm toward said engaged position;
• and,
• an engagement member operably disposed on said catch arm second end, able to make operable contact with the watercraft in such a manner that said member may be moved across a surface of the watercraft without causing damage thereto;
• and,
• a release mechanism operably attached to said catch arm such that when said release mechanism is operated, said catch arm is displaced toward said released position, thereby releasing the watercraft.