Idiots at the launch!

[clockwatcher]

Re: Idiots at the launch!

Relax is the key.

We live within a mile of several extremely busy ramps. Hauling out on the weekend became so stressful that I now have my wife bring the kids in a separate vehicle. When they get ready to go I just drop them off at the doc. Then I motor out into the cove and watch the show.

I actually look forward to the that time of day.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Idiots at the launch!

I was at Lake Iowa one time getting ready to put the jon boat in. Had it all ready to go and was pulling in to turn around and back down the ramp when some idiot came flying in front of me with an empty trailer and proceeded down the ramp. I was a little miffed but thought "well he's just pulling out, this will be quick anyway, no big deal". Yeah right. 45 minutes later I was still standing there at the only ramp and he was still trying to get his boat on the trailer. Finally a DNR officer who apparently had been watching came by and told them they had been on the ramp too long and had to move so I could launch. We could still see him on the ramp a half hour later. Makes you wonder.

Wow, 45 minutes is quite the wait to be sitting idle waiting for one person to load a boat. I would have helped after about 10 - 15 minutes.

 

[dg512055]

Re: Idiots at the launch!

Here is some pressure at the ramp. Last Sunday the wife and I plus dog head to Kentucky Lake to run around a bit and have a sandwich on the water. We launched at an empty ramp, but the parking was FULL. Turns out there was a bass tournament going on with about 250 boats out. We run around on the lake til about 3:00pm and decide we need to get out. We arrive at the ramp between the first and second 'waves' of 50 bass boats each due back in. You talk about a crowded ramp. There were no less than 6 park rangers directing traffic on the ground. The ramp is wide enough for 4 trailers if they are close to each other. Did I mention that all these fishermen had been on the water since 4:30am? I DID NOT want to get in anyone's way. There were at least 50 boats idling around waiting on their partner with the trailer. My wife does not back trailers and of yet does not drive the boat. I get the truck and get in line. My turn comes and I back in the trailer, truck in park, brake on, RUN to the dock where wife is holding boat for me. Tell wife to get in truck, jump in boat, back out of dock within 10 feet of 3 other boats, all moving, idle to the trailer in front of 5 bass boats waiting on their trailers, slide boat onto trailer, cut engine, raise drive, jump into back of truck and hook boat to winch and tighten, then tell wife to get ready to pull out. Still had to wait about another minute for traffic guy to signal us off the ramp. After all this, any situation I find at the ramp is no problem.

 

[mogfisher]

Re: Idiots at the launch!

The other day I was at the launch waiting to go in. There was a guy in a new bass tracker and he was obviously a newbie. He was actually doing OK but he was clearly panicking. He was yelling at the wife to do this or do that and that people were waiting. He was too far in and was floating over his guides. I couldnt help it. I had to go over and tell him to relax and nobody minds waiting a bit. People wait on us too. I helped him load the boat and then he was fine. Sometimes we all just need a little help. Poor guy.

 

[dan4081]

Re: Idiots at the launch!

I dont mind the people who take a little longer than others because they arent that good at launching or retrieving yet.
What bothers me is the plainly inconsiderate people.

Last week my brother and I were trailering our boat to the ramp we launch at. On the way we were talking about the late start we had and hopeing it wouldnt be to crowded at the ramp.
As we pass by a gas station on the way we see a boat at the station and some guy was filling the gas tank.
I joked 'at least we arent getting as late a start as that guy'!

We get to the ramp and luckily it isnt to crowded, but there is a short line. We proceed to a section off to the side, away from the ramps to stage the boat, put the bimini top up, etc etc so we would be ready to drop quickly and get off the ramp.

We get done and head over to the ramp, and lo and behold the guy from the gas station is parked halfway down the ramp.
As we sit there waiting he proceeds to stage his boat, climb in and out of the boat multiple times emptying trash, loading a cooler, setting his bimini, etc. Then he walks his little son over to the side, away from the boat, and wipes him down with sun screen. Leaving his truck and boat sitting there, and his wife was just standing by the truck watching.
He spent at least 15 minutes getting everything set up, completely oblivious to the ever growing line of people backing up to use the ramp.

Just a friendly reminder to everyone......please stage your boat BEFORE proceeding to the ramp............

 

[BTMCB]

Re: Idiots at the launch!

I dont mind the people who take a little longer than others because they arent that good at launching or retrieving yet.
What bothers me is the plainly inconsiderate people.

Last week my brother and I were trailering our boat to the ramp we launch at. On the way we were talking about the late start we had and hopeing it wouldnt be to crowded at the ramp.
As we pass by a gas station on the way we see a boat at the station and some guy was filling the gas tank.
I joked 'at least we arent getting as late a start as that guy'!

We get to the ramp and luckily it isnt to crowded, but there is a short line. We proceed to a section off to the side, away from the ramps to stage the boat, put the bimini top up, etc etc so we would be ready to drop quickly and get off the ramp.

We get done and head over to the ramp, and lo and behold the guy from the gas station is parked halfway down the ramp.
As we sit there waiting he proceeds to stage his boat, climb in and out of the boat multiple times emptying trash, loading a cooler, setting his bimini, etc. Then he walks his little son over to the side, away from the boat, and wipes him down with sun screen. Leaving his truck and boat sitting there, and his wife was just standing by the truck watching.
He spent at least 15 minutes getting everything set up, completely oblivious to the ever growing line of people backing up to use the ramp.

Just a friendly reminder to everyone......please stage your boat BEFORE proceeding to the ramp............

Now, although the competition is stiff, that guy you described could possibly become president of the Idiots at the Launch club.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Idiots at the launch!

Get a lawn chair and cooler,
then sit in the shade and watch the fun. Even better, take a vedio camera -
it get's to even the pro's. You may even find yourself being laughed at

I've done exactly that while waiting for the redneck family to get the entire pontoon loaded up, with a line forming at the ramp.

Dug a folding chair out of the ski locker, sat down, got comfortable, and had the cell phone vid cam ready for any decent action. Nothing... just took forever to get loaded up while tying up the ramps with a vehicle. (They had already unloaded the pontoon, they had another vehicle full of crap that pulled into the ramp so they could unload without walking 100 feet)

 

[AZBoatDreamer]

Re: Idiots at the launch!

This is a big Boating Holiday weekend for my area. I'm nervous as heck launching and retrieving on a Busy Ramp. To date I have had 7 Successful launch and retrieves on non busy days.

Wish me luck please.

 

[brhodes]

Re: Idiots at the launch!

My wife made a great comment as we were leaving the ramp last weekend after watching some dudes get really worked up, we should start a marriage counseling service and have the storefront right next to the boat ramp

 

[mickjetblue]

Re: Idiots at the launch!

I have assisted a few times, and actually been assisted a couple of times at a launch. The only time I had a few unkind words with a guy was when he made some rude comments and suggestions to my wife. He was a bully type of personality, and he was looking to provoke an altercation. I asked him to just let us go our way, and the situation did not go any further than a brief exchange of words.

The lesson of this meeting was that with some kinds of people you cannot avoid an unpleasant exchange, and no exchange at all is the best thing.

That's reality, really right most days, but rotten rude on a bad day.

No matter what, keep on doin' right, as I once heard it said.

 

[PigPen4x4]

Re: Idiots at the launch!

Last Friday I had to wait seemingly forever for some moron who couldn't figure out why his boat wouldn't float off.
Then I had my DD pull me back out and I took off the rear straps.
Good thing the place was empty as usual.
PP4x4

 

[BTMCB]

Re: Idiots at the launch!

Last Friday I had to wait seemingly forever for some moron who couldn't figure out why his boat wouldn't float off.
Then I had my DD pull me back out and I took off the rear straps.
Good thing the place was empty as usual.
PP4x4

Sounds familiar! The second time we launched I kept thinking to myself.....geez, why can't she (admiral holding lines) just yank the damn boat off! Then it dawned on me! Only good things were (1) no one else at ramp and (2) self didn't say what self was thinking out loud to admiral!

 

[greenwell001]

Re: Idiots at the launch!

i think that there are some idiots out there.....but alot of these idiots are learning how to launch and retreive....i remember the first time i tried to load mine.....i was almost shaking because i didint want to tear up my brand new boat....and the current was rippin.....all i am sayin is dont be a jack***** and give everyone a hard time because you are impatient.....eating a sandwich not cool.....having trouble loading forgivable.....some of you guys sound like my wife nagging about something stupid....the key is to be safe and dont tear anything up.....not get r done so you dont inconvienance someone else.....thats my take and i have had to wait 15 to 20 min before several times at our launch so i did what i could to help the newbie that was having trouble

 

[onthelake2010]

Re: Idiots at the launch!

I don't know why, but I get stressed out, I wish I didn't, just have to learn to relax. But what made my blood boil was Labor Day Sunday last summer where we were waiting to land the boat at about 6 or 7pm, had waited in line at the two-ramp launch on the chain, I was next in line, and there were 5 or 6 boats behind me, and from out of nowhere, a Malibu ski boat comes flying in (in a slow-no wake channel) and cuts in front of me. When I confronted them, he simply flipped me the bird....so so mad

Ooops, my throttle got stuck and rammed your nice Malibu with my anchor.

We should stand at the boat launch and hand out cards to idiots that say "join iboats, and save us the laughing fit we just had"

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Idiots at the launch!

I'm pretty fortunate that our launch is never really too busy and I have a slip on the lake so I don't go in and out much.

Having said that... I've seen some stupid stuff, but I also know the feelings of being a newbie and try to show patience and assistance if possible.

Pay it forward... and pray you don't run across the blatantly ignorant people who just don't care what they're doing or how long

 

[onthelake2010]

Re: Idiots at the launch!

Being a holiday weekend up here I sat in my boat at the marina (I arrived Wednesday) and watched boat after boat going into the water at the private launch. Everybody was pretty good and you could tell many of them had been doing it for years. The ramp is short and steep so pretty much everybody just floats their boat off.

Then one elderly couple take their turn at the launch - she's driving and he's in the boat giving directions. He had her doing a zigzag path down the ramp and then haulers STOP! I can't see the boat at this point but I hear the engine rev up .... and roar ... and roar .... and roar! I guess he finally powered it off the trailer because the engine stopped and I saw 4 young men jump to try to catch the boat before it ploughed into the boat behind it 60 feet out the dock.

Best way to spend a holiday Friday afternoon is watching folks launch boats!

Dianne,
I missed all the fun. Think anyone will be launching this weekend?

 

[carcraze]

Re: Idiots at the launch!

The best I have witnessed or at least the later part of it was years ago. We had launched at a small park ramp and enjoyed the day out and was coming back in. As I approach the dock there are some PPl there and a boat on the ramp side of the dock. I come in on the outboard side of the ramp and while looking down you could see the roof of a truck submerged.

He came in a little under the weather from his day out got the vehicle backed it in, and stepped out.

You know the rest I had quite a wait for the tow truck to pull his rig out.

 

[reefrunner7]

Re: Idiots at the launch!

New to the launch process this year and thanks to iboats I unload and tie off in under 5 mins and get my vehicle out of there. Load the boat with everything before I even pull near the ramp, when I get to the ramp its back in unlatch and let her roll right off. I keep hold of the bow line and grab the stern line and walk the boat back and tie it off, jump in the truck and get out of the way!

When loading its the same thing we are not allowed to power load at my marina but still loaded and out of there in under 5 mins. Its all common sense just to many people have none or yes they are "just Idiots"

 

[Bluegills Unlimited]

Re: Idiots at the launch!

I share your pain! My boat is ready to go when I start to back her down the ramp. I feel like a 1000 eye balls are watching me. A minute seems like an hour. I think I have read everything on boat etiquette this past Winter. I should be okay If I just take my time and don't try to rush!

Andy

Anyone who's opinion really matters at all will realize someone who is doing things the right way, safely. You will be fine. Just load the coolers at home!

 

[KCinNC]

Re: Idiots at the launch!

my village has it's own lake access area...but now that alot more outsiders know about it....it more or less stays locked up on the weekdays , then i have to go down to the Marina ..