ARG... Again, on a multilane ramp, the trailer dictates what lane the boat pulls into

[jake069]

I read the other thread about this, But it never fails,

Today, at a 4 lane ramp... I pull into lane 1 (only staging lane open) and wait for the guy actually loading his boat to drive away.

He drives off, I start backing down, My wife and mom are waiting out in the river.... a guy, his wife, and 2 kids pull up in a fishing boat, Tie off to the dock in my lane.. He walks up to me and says why dont you move over there. (pointing to lane 4, which had someone in it when I pulled up, but is now empty)

I replied, "I was staged here, I am Backing up here, I will be retrieving here" He walks off to get his trailer.

This guys wife is apologizing for not knowing how to drive a boat, his kids are telling me I have to wait for their dad........

I tell my wife to just drive onto the trailer, She knows what she's doing..... A few minutes later we're outa there.

I explained to the guy how the trailer line dictates where you retrieve, He said he could only drive their brand new boat. I showed him the courtesy docks......

 

[rentprop1]

Re: ARG... Again, on a multilane ramp, the trailer dictates what lane the boat pulls

Jake, I feel you, but your preaching to the choir here.....maybe by untie his boat and pushing it off, he would get the message ?

explain it the the wife, she might b!tch at him all the way home too....lol

 

[roscoe]

Re: ARG... Again, on a multilane ramp, the trailer dictates what lane the boat pulls

I probably would've backed in, then stalled my truck.

Then stood there while faking a call to a tow truck.
As soon as he had moved to the other lane, I would have drove away.

Or I would have gotten my butt kicked.

 

[jkust]

Re: ARG... Again, on a multilane ramp, the trailer dictates what lane the boat pulls

I have come to the conclusion the problems at ramps are a necessary evil of boating. There are so few multilane ramps or true courtesey docks here the problems are magnified when there is one lane in total. Some people make it up as they go. I think the flip side is trying to be over courteous which leads to more ramp stress than there needs to be.

 

[lowkee]

Re: ARG... Again, on a multilane ramp, the trailer dictates what lane the boat pulls

Shoot 'em all and let the tide sort 'em out

 

[Tyme2fish]

Re: ARG... Again, on a multilane ramp, the trailer dictates what lane the boat pulls

I was ready to retrieve my boat the other day and here is the situation.

Three lane ramp. My fishing buddy drops me off on the dock and he proceeds to idle out in the river while I get the truck and trailer.

Only the middle lane is "open" and I'm prepared to back into that lane. Another boater is getting ready to launch. By getting ready, I mean he was loading supplies,etc into his boat and wasn't even close to ready to launch.
I pulled up beside him and asked if I could jump in front of him as all I was doing was a quick recovery. He replied, "Sure, go ahead. Thanks for asking."

I back in,buddy drives boat onto the trailer.I attach the winch strap and safety chain to bow eye and am in and out of the ramp in less than a minute.

Fishing buddy and I are then in the parking area where I then attach the stern straps, attach trailer safety chains ,hook up trailer lights, attach transom saver, and do a walk-a-round.

From the moment he dropped me off on the dock till the time we were in the parking area was three minutes tops.

 

[TBarCYa]

Re: ARG... Again, on a multilane ramp, the trailer dictates what lane the boat pulls

Part of the problem may be that too many people are afraid to drive the boat onto the trailer. Most multi-lane ramps I use only have one dock next to lane 1 so everyone who wants to walk their boat on the trailer needs to use it. The ramp I use most has no dock at all instead there are 12' high walls and it's amazing to see people launch their boat and tie it to the ladder attached to the wall. I drive on and off and it's much easier plus the ramp is extremely long so there's little chance of washing out the end of the ramp. Even at the lowest tide, I've never seen or found the end of the ramp.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: ARG... Again, on a multilane ramp, the trailer dictates what lane the boat pulls

Think I will be keeping mine in a slip after all this talk. Been a LONG time since I have been to a boat ramp, might go check it out sometime in the near future!

 

[roscoe]

Re: ARG... Again, on a multilane ramp, the trailer dictates what lane the boat pulls

Part of the problem may be that too many people are afraid to drive the boat onto the trailer. Most multi-lane ramps I use only have one dock next to lane 1 so everyone who wants to walk their boat on the trailer needs to use it. The ramp I use most has no dock at all instead there are 12' high walls and it's amazing to see people launch their boat and tie it to the ladder attached to the wall. I drive on and off and it's much easier plus the ramp is extremely long so there's little chance of washing out the end of the ramp. Even at the lowest tide, I've never seen or found the end of the ramp.

Not all boats, not all trailers, can be power loaded.
And if you launch/retrieve solo, you have to fight for the ramp or be left sitting all day.

 

[jake069]

Re: ARG... Again, on a multilane ramp, the trailer dictates what lane the boat pulls

And if you launch/retrieve solo, you have to fight for the ramp or be left sitting all day.

not if theres a courtesy dock... launch, drive boat to courtesy dock, move truck, go boating... retrieve in reverse order

 

[rentprop1]

Re: ARG... Again, on a multilane ramp, the trailer dictates what lane the boat pulls

I'm solo most of the time and there are many that just can't figure that part out, they see it's only me, but still you see the huff look and comments under the breath...I guess they are just more important that I am ???

 

[TBarCYa]

Re: ARG... Again, on a multilane ramp, the trailer dictates what lane the boat pulls

Not all boats, not all trailers, can be power loaded.
And if you launch/retrieve solo, you have to fight for the ramp or be left sitting all day.

I don't consider what I do power loading because I am in neutral when i hit the trailer and winch usually about 6 inches to the bow roller. When launching, I submerge the trailer more than on a retrieve so it floats off the bunks and doesn't require much power to get off the trailer.

This particular ramp does have a courtesy dock that's nowhere near the ramp so I tie up and put the trailer in the water then walk back to the boat. It doesn't take much more time than tying to the ladder because you still have to climb the ladder (12' high) and walk to the truck. The best part is that if someone is already in line with their trailer to launch or retrieve, I don't have to worry about them hitting my boat because they're impatient.

 

[Floatsum]

Re: ARG... Again, on a multilane ramp, the trailer dictates what lane the boat pulls

My favorite ramp is 2 lanes.
Easy to see the tourist from the locals.
Tourist use the middle!!!!

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: ARG... Again, on a multilane ramp, the trailer dictates what lane the boat pulls

My favorite ramp is 2 lanes.
Easy to see the tourist from the locals.
Tourist use the middle!!!!

my ramp is like that too, but even the local yokels use the middle, especially pontoons that take an hour to get out of the water.

 

[HappierWet]

Re: ARG... Again, on a multilane ramp, the trailer dictates what lane the boat pulls

Shoot 'em all and let the tide sort 'em out

Problem solving at it best

 

[scipper77]

Re: ARG... Again, on a multilane ramp, the trailer dictates what lane the boat pulls

Getting back to the original post...
You can't fight with everyone so I think that the best you can do is explain the proper way to use the courtesy dock "nicely" and hope that the next time he takes you advice. Arguing with someone in front of there kids can get ugly. If you yell at me in front of my kids you better be telling me that my boat is on fire!!!!

I have taught many people about winching there boats on to the trailer after watching them float on pull out crooked back in again and repeat. Most people will listen

 

[jhogue46140]

Re: ARG... Again, on a multilane ramp, the trailer dictates what lane the boat pulls

I think it is just a lack of courtesy. No one showed me the rules of boating etiquette. I go out a lot with my son who is 15. So I have to drive boat and truck. If it is busy when I pull up to load or unload we will pull over until it quiets down. This way others can load and unload their boats without us in the way. I will wait for a place to tie off the boat out of the way. I never tie of on the inside of the dock toward boat ramp. It is just being courteous. The only time I tie off close is when we load at night and there are only a couple of boats out. Doug

 

[roscoe]

Re: ARG... Again, on a multilane ramp, the trailer dictates what lane the boat pulls

not if theres a courtesy dock... launch, drive boat to courtesy dock, move truck, go boating... retrieve in reverse order

And when the dock is full of "picnicers and partyers, or there is no dock?

 

[roscoe]

Re: ARG... Again, on a multilane ramp, the trailer dictates what lane the boat pulls

I don't consider what I do power loading because I am in neutral when i hit the trailer and winch usually about 6 inches to the bow roller. When launching, I submerge the trailer more than on a retrieve so it floats off the bunks and doesn't require much power to get off the trailer.

This particular ramp does have a courtesy dock that's nowhere near the ramp so I tie up and put the trailer in the water then walk back to the boat. It doesn't take much more time than tying to the ladder because you still have to climb the ladder (12' high) and walk to the truck. The best part is that if someone is already in line with their trailer to launch or retrieve, I don't have to worry about them hitting my boat because they're impatient.

My point is that you can't do that with all rigs.

Take my current cruiser, 18', closed bow, all roller trailer.
The bow eye is so far under the boat that you can't reach it even if lying on the deck.

 

[grahamh]

Re: ARG... Again, on a multilane ramp, the trailer dictates what lane the boat pulls

While we're complaining about launch etiquette, what really bothers me is when parents let their children play in and around the launch ramp.

How is it a safe place? Big trucks backing trailers up with poor to no rear visibility. A ramp is not a beach. Even worse, some parents get angry when you politely ask their kids to move.

I've also had to deal with people tanning on the dock, even when there's plenty of grass like 6 feet away! They didn't even move, we had to step over and around them.