Boat launch etiquette
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: General Correct Craft Discussion
Forum Name: General Discussion
Forum Discription: Anything Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=41708
Printed Date: April-29-2024 at 12:54pm
Topic: Boat launch etiquette
Posted By: Netdewt
Subject: Boat launch etiquette
Date Posted: August-09-2017 at 1:56am
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I've been around boats most of my life. I can launch/land in a few minutes. I'm also a non-confrontational person. If there is a clear order I am supposed to follow, I do, but I also don't like waiting around if there is no reason to. Tonight at the launch I was heading in for the evening. A boat was in front on me (red) between 2 buoys (blue), but generally I don't consider the boats waiting there to be "in line" for anything except a dock spot, which there are only 2. I assumed the boat in front was waiting for one of those, or waiting for his buddy to back in a trailer. The launch also has these side bumper things on the outside edge of each launch spot (green). They are wide enough to walk on but have no tie downs. People use them all the time as extra dock space as long as they don't need to tie off. So, without thinking about it, I just went around him and grabbed a spot on the side bumper to go get my truck. Once I was backed in, he had just gotten his dock spot (he was alone) and was heading to the parking lot. I realized he was mad. I said I'm sorry, didn't need a dock spot so thought I would keep things moving. I said I'd be out before he got back. He said "Bull*************** and you know it. You passed me in line." I was pulling out as he rounded the corner to back in his trailer, no problem. So I went and parked to pull the plug and clean up. That took another few minutes. When I was ready to leave he pulls up right in front of my car and blocks me from driving forward, clearly as retaliation. We had my 3 kids and the neighbor kid with, I didn't want to stick around and attempt another apology, so I just backed up (quite easily) and left. He gave me a G-rated thumbs up as I passed by. Next time I guess I will be more careful and talk with other boaters at the launch, but until he started acting up, I really didn't think I had done anything wrong. I only took space that was not being used. What do you think? Did I budge? ------------- 1989 Ski Nautique 2001, 880 hours |
Replies:
Posted By: Netdewt
Date Posted: August-09-2017 at 1:58am
 ------------- 1989 Ski Nautique 2001, 880 hours |
Posted By: SNobsessed
Date Posted: August-09-2017 at 10:55am
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You can't change the past but can change the future. Next time pull up beside other boat on the water & see what his plan is. Glad for you it didn't escalate. ------------- “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Ben Franklin |
Posted By: GottaSki
Date Posted: August-09-2017 at 11:00am
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Don't worry. Every day is like that for people like him, everywhere they go, the world sh|ts on them, because thats the color classes they wear. Dunkin's Gas Station Deli Bank County Fair its endless ------------- "There is nothing, absolutely nothing, half so much worthwhile as messing around with boats...simply messing." River Rat to Mole |
Posted By: KENO
Date Posted: August-09-2017 at 11:08am
Have to agree with this, a friendly Hi, and a little conversation as you're getting next to him to see what he's planning/thinking. Who knows what the reply back would have been, but he at least wouldn't think you were cutting in front of him without at least asking. Who knows, you might have ended up helping him since he was alone |
SNobsessed wrote:Posted By: desertskier
Date Posted: August-09-2017 at 11:44am
| You didn't do anything wrong. He was obviously clueless. You shouldn't have to chat with people at the ramp and find out their intentions. Talking to them could cause more problems depending on the persons attitude. If there wasn't a trailer waiting or he wasn't going to the dock he should get out of the way. Just part of having fun at the ramp! |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: August-09-2017 at 11:47am
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I'm siding with GottaSki and try to go about my business with minimal interaction. If someone needs help sure I'll jump in otherwise you do your thing I'll do mine. I have little patience at the ramp. |
Posted By: quinner
Date Posted: August-09-2017 at 12:32pm
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Trailers should be what forms the line not boats, Like many at the public launch, he was clueless ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1143" rel="nofollow - Mi Bowt |
Posted By: Netdewt
Date Posted: August-09-2017 at 12:34pm
Exactly how I have always operated. ------------- 1989 Ski Nautique 2001, 880 hours |
Posted By: Donald80SN
Date Posted: August-09-2017 at 12:46pm
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There are A Holes everywhere. Seems to be more at boat ramps. ------------- 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. |
Posted By: quinner
Date Posted: August-09-2017 at 1:01pm
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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. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1143" rel="nofollow - Mi Bowt |
Posted By: DrCC
Date Posted: August-09-2017 at 10:57pm
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First World Problems https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwvlbJ0h35A ------------- Keep it....from sinkin' |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: August-10-2017 at 12:01am
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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 ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: DrCC
Date Posted: August-10-2017 at 2:11am
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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 ------------- Keep it....from sinkin' |
Posted By: Jonny Quest
Date Posted: August-10-2017 at 10:10pm
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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. ------------- Current 2003 Ski Nautique 206 Limited Previous 2001 Ski Nautique Open Bow 1994 Ski Nautique Open Bow Aqua skiing, ergo sum |
Posted By: JPASS
Date Posted: August-10-2017 at 10:50pm
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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. ------------- '92 Correctcraft Ski Nautique |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: August-11-2017 at 5:15am
| trailer first. sorry |
Posted By: JPASS
Date Posted: August-11-2017 at 8:09am
Meaning what? I'm confused as to what you guys mean by trailer first. ------------- '92 Correctcraft Ski Nautique |
Posted By: DrCC
Date Posted: August-11-2017 at 10:20am
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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. ------------- Keep it....from sinkin' |
Posted By: quinner
Date Posted: August-11-2017 at 10:42am
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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 ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1143" rel="nofollow - Mi Bowt |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: August-11-2017 at 11:06am
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. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: desertskier
Date Posted: August-11-2017 at 12:11pm
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. |
Posted By: 75 Tique
Date Posted: August-11-2017 at 12:40pm
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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. ------------- _____________ “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.” |
Posted By: quinner
Date Posted: August-11-2017 at 12:50pm
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I have also been in that situation Larry, I anchored my boat while dropping/retrieving the trailer ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1143" rel="nofollow - Mi Bowt |
Posted By: JPASS
Date Posted: August-11-2017 at 1:04pm
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. ------------- '92 Correctcraft Ski Nautique |
Posted By: 75 Tique
Date Posted: August-11-2017 at 1:07pm
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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...; ------------- _____________ “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.” |
Posted By: Dreaming
Date Posted: August-11-2017 at 2:03pm
| 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... |
Posted By: SNobsessed
Date Posted: August-11-2017 at 10:07pm
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. ------------- “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Ben Franklin |
Posted By: bkhallpass
Date Posted: August-11-2017 at 11:02pm
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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 ------------- Livin' the Dream |
Posted By: Smithfamily
Date Posted: August-12-2017 at 9:05am
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?  ------------- Js |
Posted By: SNobsessed
Date Posted: August-12-2017 at 2:03pm
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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 . . . ------------- “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Ben Franklin |
Posted By: jbear
Date Posted: August-13-2017 at 11:35pm
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 ------------- "Loud pipes save lives" AdamT sez "I'm Canadian and a beaver lover myself"... |
Posted By: AAM196
Date Posted: August-14-2017 at 2:26am
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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. |
Posted By: Dreaming
Date Posted: August-14-2017 at 6:25pm
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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Posted By: ac505
Date Posted: August-17-2017 at 7:23am
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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..... ------------- |
Posted By: cbr1000dude
Date Posted: August-17-2017 at 2:05pm
| 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. |
Posted By: dochockey
Date Posted: December-25-2017 at 3:59pm
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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 ------------- 1989 Teal Ski Nautique 1967 Mustang Harris Float Sunfish |
Posted By: SNobsessed
Date Posted: December-25-2017 at 6:34pm
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I witnessed same thing but guy stopped with nose of boat just barely on trailer & outdrive holding up stern. ------------- “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Ben Franklin |
Posted By: gt40KS
Date Posted: December-25-2017 at 10:52pm
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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 ..... ------------- JCCI 1995 Ski Nautique GT40 |