Boat launch etiquette |
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gt40KS
Gold Member Joined: August-05-2017 Location: Wichita Kansas Status: Offline Points: 943 |
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Posted: December-25-2017 at 10:52pm |
Having read all that, I tend to take newbies mistakes and bumbling with a grain of salt and if it seems they need a pointer or two, perhaps offer a nugget now and then, if they're open to it. Let's face it, we've all been the newbie at one time.
HOWEVER, stupidity, carelessness and rudeness from folks that should obviously know better gets under my skin as well. But in over 40 years of boating I really haven't run into this very much. Count myself lucky I suppose. Newbie stories however ..... |
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JCCI
1995 Ski Nautique GT40 |
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SNobsessed
Grand Poobah Joined: October-21-2007 Location: IA Status: Offline Points: 7102 |
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I witnessed same thing but guy stopped with nose of boat just barely on trailer & outdrive holding up stern.
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“Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”
Ben Franklin |
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dochockey
Gold Member Joined: September-16-2009 Location: Colorado Status: Offline Points: 638 |
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When I'm in bad mood all I have to do is go to my local boat ramp and before I know it I'm cracking up.
The weekenders there was this one time where the guy forgot to hook the boat to the trailer and gunned it well the sound of the IO dragging on the ground I will not forget lol |
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1989 Teal Ski Nautique
1967 Mustang Harris Float Sunfish |
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cbr1000dude
Senior Member Joined: August-23-2011 Status: Offline Points: 330 |
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Mostly our ramp runs smoothly, 3 lanes, lots of tie ups out of the way. Once in a while a young person that doesn't know how to drive a boat with "deer in the headlights eyes" will be left blocking a ramp while holding a boat in place by hand, no ropes in sight or life jackets. The driver has left to go get his trailer, unaware I suppose there are 10 rigs in line in front of him coming back from the parking lot.. I feel it is best to just work around this person, but my wife will take a rope over and talk to the person and help tie them off somewhere. She's an RN, and has a very calming influence on people.. I would probably get arrested or in a fight with the driver.
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ac505
Groupie Joined: July-02-2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 66 |
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Unfortunately there are idiots everywhere. My dad taught me one very important thing,"there is no arguing with stupidity" so agree that we should get on about our own business and help others where needed.
Reminds me of a situation years ago, we were out on my old MC on a choppy day early spring and on this day my prop shaft decided to snap resulting in a 1" hole below the waterline. For those that have not experienced this, a LOT of water soon comes into the boat And without wetsuits on I would say you have tops 10 minutes in the water before you have bigger problems to deal with so needless to say I was a little flustered. Fortunately I managed to get a tow to shore by the local rangers, I had my bilge pump running constantly and quickly rerouted the ballast pumps to draw water, so unless we had an electrical failure we were good. Arrived back at the ramp under tow, and understandably the ranger helps us get to the front of the queue.on the dock. In this situation we kind of have priority over both boats moored and those queued with trailers. But OMG did I receive torrents of abuse whilst I hastily nipped past all those waiting to pull out the boat out. Even after explaining we were sinking, people still felt they had priority; there were two slips so we weren't really holding anybody up and we were out the water in only a few minutes. This was where my dads wise words came to mind..... |
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Dreaming
Platinum Member Joined: May-21-2010 Location: Tacoma, WA Status: Offline Points: 1870 |
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Totally agree Brian! Mrs. dreaming is a better docker than I am, just not as confident about it. The trailer on the other hand... That is going to take a bit more practice. She is good at pulling the boat/trailer out of the water though. We make a good team, and once we have more boating days under our belts, I am sure she will be a rock star boat loader... or trailer backer, or both. Heck... she will probably be a better driver than me all the way around. |
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AAM196
Gold Member Joined: October-23-2012 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Status: Offline Points: 846 |
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If by myself at a ramp or without competent help, I let others that are dropping/loading go ahead of me if they don't have docking that doesn't block ramp, even though I can drop and load by myself much faster than the typical husband wife combo...
Trailer line dictates order. |
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jbear
Grand Poobah Joined: January-21-2005 Location: Lake Wales FL. Status: Offline Points: 8193 |
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Mrs jbear (Patti) can back the trailer and or load the boat. Very helpful and she looks way better than me while she is doing either job. I have had way more than one guy approach me in the parking lot asking "how did you teach her to do that?" When we lived in Avon Ohio Larry there was a boat launch on Lake Erie.....Miller Rd launch ramp. Patti and I used to get Subway and go down there just to watch. Hilarious and at times..a bit sad. Way to many fights between husband and wife in front of all the kids at the end of what was otherwise a fun day. john |
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"Loud pipes save lives"
AdamT sez "I'm Canadian and a beaver lover myself"... |
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SNobsessed
Grand Poobah Joined: October-21-2007 Location: IA Status: Offline Points: 7102 |
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My wife has been hit on at the ramp because she can back the trailer straight. She reminds me of this once & a while . . .
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“Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”
Ben Franklin |
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Smithfamily
Platinum Member Joined: December-26-2007 Location: Orlando, Fl Status: Offline Points: 1602 |
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Ive heard of some guys who left their boats tied up at the restaurant late, getting a ride home and pulling out the next morning, so they would not block the ramp? |
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Js
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bkhallpass
Grand Poobah Joined: March-29-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4723 |
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Ya. and Dreaming when you let her run with it, you let her run with it. Mr. Hall is good boat driver. Actually a very good boat driver. But she does not think like me. Never will. 99 out of 100 times, she pulls the boat on an off of trailer great. That other 1%, can either hold my tongue or get a divorce. If she were to total the boat, would not be worth price of divorce or price of my emotional stability as I actually love my wife. It's a boat. *************** happens. Very hard for me to accept sometimes, but it is the truth. If she happened to total the boat. which will never happen, not even close to the importance of wife and daughter.
BKH |
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Livin' the Dream
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SNobsessed
Grand Poobah Joined: October-21-2007 Location: IA Status: Offline Points: 7102 |
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My uncle lived on the Texas coast & this was his Sat evening entertainment. The drunk fisherguys were a hoot to watch load up. Don't know why THP wasn't there, they would have made their DUI quota in a couple hrs. |
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“Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”
Ben Franklin |
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Dreaming
Platinum Member Joined: May-21-2010 Location: Tacoma, WA Status: Offline Points: 1870 |
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Jpass, I hear and understand your plight. Our ramp is 4 lanes wide with a dock in the middle and on the outsides. There are some nearby docks that allow you to dock while retrieving a trailer. but there have been occurrences where the standby docks are full of boats that are just tied up, My wife is learning, but we are still working on both the trailer backing and the open water driving, so until she is ready/capable, I will be in the spot where I am the only trailer loader, and the only trailer backer. When on the ramp dock, I RUN to the truck, and don't mess around with the loading process. probably takes 5 minutes for me as well. Once we are on the trailer, the boat goes to the tie down area before being wiped off, unloaded, strapped down etc. Some of these guys may have help, which is great, but if you don't, just do your best to be quick about it. If you can tie up somewhere else, that's the best option. I think there are ways to be seriously inconsiderate at the ramp, but if you can load in < 5 mins, you are way ahead of some of the guys I have seen just trying to get their boats off or on the trailer, or their tube blown up in the middle of ramp 3, or all of their blooming gear out of the van, or...
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75 Tique
Grand Poobah Joined: August-12-2004 Location: Seven Lakes, NC Status: Offline Points: 6100 |
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I dont trailer much anymore, but I was talking to a work colleague last week. He frequents the nearest lake to Raleigh on a regular basis and tells me the ramp is a horror show. 4 lanes, which is great, but still packed with weekend warriors/wallies. He said the line can be 2o cars long. If my time was worth nothing, I would get a lawn chair and cooler and jsut go sit and watch some saturday. Even the quiet little ramp I used every time out up in MA could be entertaining. Two best were when a guy unhooked all is tie downs and backed his I/O down to the ramp. Boat slid back on trailer about 20 feet shy of the water, with the lower unit scrapping on the pavement. He was clueless and kept on pushing it back, despite his friends yelling at him. Another one was watching a guy try to load up his way to big boat on his trailer he didnt know how to get back into the water. Whole family was involve including the overweight diva wife in her glamorous black cover up and gold sandals. Took forever. And of course there is always the guy who doesnt put the plug in...;
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_____________
“So, how was your weekend?” “Well, let me see…sun burn, stiff neck, screwed up back, assorted aches and pains….yup, my weekend was great, thanks for asking.” |
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JPASS
Grand Poobah Joined: June-17-2013 Location: Orlando Status: Offline Points: 2283 |
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This is my situation at a lot of the time as well. How the heck am I supposed to retrieve my rig without docking my boat? In the situation I mentioned earlier, I was at the end of the dock and there was no one waiting in line to retrieve or launch. Even if someone pulled up to launch at my slip, there was room for them to dock in front of my boat. I also didn't have anyone on board who could operate my boat to drop me off. I understand the etiquette, but I honestly don't think it applies to all ramps. Some are not conducive for this type of loading and unloading. Aside from anchoring my boat out of the way of others and swimming to sure, I don't see how this can be done in many of the places I launch. If I can park my boat, get my rig and be gone in less than 5 minutes, I don't see any issues. |
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'92 Correctcraft Ski Nautique
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quinner
Grand Poobah Joined: October-12-2005 Location: Unknown Status: Offline Points: 5828 |
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I have also been in that situation Larry, I anchored my boat while dropping/retrieving the trailer
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75 Tique
Grand Poobah Joined: August-12-2004 Location: Seven Lakes, NC Status: Offline Points: 6100 |
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I get the "trialer first" idea, which is easy if you have someone to drop you off at the dock so you can fetch the car, but what if, like me, the vast majority of times you launch or pick up, you are alone. Granted, most of time you can tie up somewhere without blocking, but not at all ramps.
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_____________
“So, how was your weekend?” “Well, let me see…sun burn, stiff neck, screwed up back, assorted aches and pains….yup, my weekend was great, thanks for asking.” |
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desertskier
Platinum Member Joined: December-19-2006 Location: Az Status: Offline Points: 1114 |
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I don't remember the last time I saw any confrontations at a ramp. Probably has something to do with our state not having any gun laws. Knowing that everyone is probably armed tends to make you think twice before you start a fight. |
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8122pbrainard
Grand Poobah Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41040 |
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I agree. You can pull up to the dock preferably on a side or end that doesn't block the actual ramp just to drop off the driver of your vehicle and trailer. Then the boat goes back out to open water waiting for the trailer in the ramp. Any gear unloading should be done after the boat is pulled out and in the parking lot and not in the ramp. Passengers too. |
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quinner
Grand Poobah Joined: October-12-2005 Location: Unknown Status: Offline Points: 5828 |
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Trailer first means when your trailer is backed in the water is the only time your boat should be blocking the ramp.
As I read your scenario, you pull up and block the ramp while the ramp next to you is being used, while u r blocking and getting your trailer the guy who was actually next in line had to wait for the ramp next to you to finish instead of using the ramp you blocked when his turn came up |
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DrCC
Grand Poobah Joined: April-12-2004 Location: at home Status: Offline Points: 2867 |
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I just wonder if maybe this is half the reason Jody takes along a Ruger Red Hawk ?
They kind of have a way of keeping gators and angry ramp guests simmered down. |
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Keep it....from sinkin'
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JPASS
Grand Poobah Joined: June-17-2013 Location: Orlando Status: Offline Points: 2283 |
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Meaning what? I'm confused as to what you guys mean by trailer first. |
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'92 Correctcraft Ski Nautique
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Hollywood
Moderator Group Joined: February-04-2004 Location: Twin Lakes, WI Status: Offline Points: 13510 |
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trailer first. sorry
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JPASS
Grand Poobah Joined: June-17-2013 Location: Orlando Status: Offline Points: 2283 |
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I got yelled at by some guy earlier this year when we were leaving the water. 2 dual slips at this place. Boat in front of me was getting onto it's trailer and as it pulled out, I followed in behind it and parked my boat on the dock. I jump out and ran to get the truck while my wife secured the boat and helped our guests get off the boat.
Slip to my right had a guy putting his boat on the trailer as I ran off. I come right around (no line) and begin to back the trailer in the water. Some new guy to my right was driving onto his boat onto the trailer and he proceeded to tell me what I was doing was wrong and that I was not being courteous. I explained I was following what others have been doing and that my boat was only there for the amount of time it took for me to run from the dock to my truck and return (2 mins). Needless to say he disagreed with me. He wanted me to park my boat on the edges of the docks on the outside of the ramp. Go get my truck, then back to my boat to drive onto the trailer. While I agree with this tactic if the ramp was busy, I didn't see anything wrong with what I did and believe it took less time to do it my way than his. |
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'92 Correctcraft Ski Nautique
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Jonny Quest
Grand Poobah Joined: August-20-2013 Location: Utah--via Texas Status: Offline Points: 2843 |
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I try not to let this type of idiotic and clueless behavior get to me, but sometimes I am amazed at the self-centered lack of common courtesy at the dock. People, the launch ramp is NOT the place to un-tarp the boat, load gear, store gear, trouble-shoot the engine, have 7 or 8 people climb aboard, practice backing, fuel the boat, etc.
I've seen all that (and more) around the country. Drives me nutz... OK, I feel better now. |
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Current
2003 Ski Nautique 206 Limited Previous 2001 Ski Nautique Open Bow 1994 Ski Nautique Open Bow Aqua skiing, ergo sum |
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DrCC
Grand Poobah Joined: April-12-2004 Location: at home Status: Offline Points: 2867 |
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Last time I launched I had to hook the boat up beforehand by myself. Then I had to get back in the expedition, put it in D for drag the dang boat to the dang ramp. So after three minutes of getting to the ramp, I noticed there wasn't anyone around but just a bunch of driftwood and gravel on the ramp, So, I'm like "Hey! somebody shoulda swept off the dang ramp before I got here". Well, they didn't. So I had to get out of the expedition anyway, so I thought "Hey, might as well kick those two pieces of driftwood over into the grass before I put the plug in." So I did. But still haven't put the plug in yet, cause I noticed those three rather large chunks of gravel had not moved off of the ramp yet, So I had to go over to those three chunks and kick them over to the other side so they could be with the rest of the gravel
There's more but my typing finger is getting sore. loggin-out |
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Keep it....from sinkin'
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Gary S
Grand Poobah Joined: November-30-2006 Location: Illinois Status: Offline Points: 14096 |
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My last one was a couple of weeks ago on a Sunday evening. Whole ramp dynamics were changed because of higher water levels so only one lane was open. Guy who's first in line and just launching decides to load the boat on the ramp while 2 others wait. Then after he has it in the water he says hope it starts,I have not run it since October... Thanks buddy your the only one out here
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DrCC
Grand Poobah Joined: April-12-2004 Location: at home Status: Offline Points: 2867 |
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First World Problems
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwvlbJ0h35A |
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Keep it....from sinkin'
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quinner
Grand Poobah Joined: October-12-2005 Location: Unknown Status: Offline Points: 5828 |
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Last launch run in I had was at Torch lake up in northern Michigan, 1 lane one-way road to launch, single ramp 1 boat wide with a single pier. I got dropped off at shore and got in line with my trailer, My turn and a guy pulls up and starts tying his boat to the pier blocking the ramp, wtf. Same thing, he says I cut the line, lol. Attempt to explain to him the logistics but he was not hearing it, now the wifey is chirping at me also. It wasn't until the guy/trailer in line behind me intervenes that they finally start moving, of course spewing profanities while having a total meltdown, lmao.
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Donald80SN
Grand Poobah Joined: January-12-2009 Location: Denver, NC Status: Offline Points: 3888 |
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There are A Holes everywhere. Seems to be more at boat ramps.
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1980 Ski Nautique SOLD Back to Cypress Gardens
2002 Sport Nautique, GT-40, FCT2, Cover Sports, Tower Bimini, Inc., Wet Sounds Audio System, Star Gazer Wake Edition S. 1968 Ski Nautique, Project. |
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