ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ MUNICIPAL LAUNCH RAMP – 1957 Weekend activity at the municipal launch ramp at Atlantic Highlands, NJ during the summer of 1957. Back then, most ramps were just sand that was bulldozed out into the water. Boat trailers were all float-on models and you had to get your car very wet to launch the family 'yacht'. The bigger the boat, the further out in the water you went with your car and trailer. You got wet too; there were no floating docks and a bathing suit or shorts were necessary attire. The family autos in the photo include a 1953 Hudson Hornet and 1952 Dodge Meadowbrook in the background, and a 1954 Pontiac Star Chief and a shiny new 1957 DeSoto Fireflite Sportsman in the foreground.