Boat launch....

Newbie@boats

Newbie@boats

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 6, 2010
Messages
536
Well today I went to my local boat launch and man was there a line to get into the water and on top of that they were doing saftey checks :rolleyes:

Finally got into the launch and there was 7 jetskis taking up all the space to tie your boat up too.

They finally left and I put my boat in the water, someone offered a helping hand which always makes things go easier.

I guess there are some nice people at the ramps, and just some idiots.
 
JimKW

JimKW

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 10, 2009
Messages
397
Re: Boat launch....

I think nice people out number the idiots, but the idiots are more noticeable.
 
M

MacPointMan

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 15, 2010
Messages
114
Re: Boat launch....

I hope I am not one of those "Idiots" my first time out when I get my boat.

Put the plug in
Make sure the transom straps are unhooked
Make sure the boat is loaded up
Make sure you have all safety equipment needed
Then pull the boat to the ramp and Back down CAREFULLY
Don't get the rear wheels of the Truck in the water
shift into neutral then set the parking break, take foot off break then reapply break and put the truck in park
Throw Chock block down real quick
Take off the safety chain and unwind the boat and let it float off the trailer.
Lower the trim start her up and proceed to the dock tie her up
Park truck
Get to boat as fast as possible, family should already be in the boat and be putting on PFDs especially the little one.
Jump in boat and Have fun.
I know I am missing something but I think I have the basics.

LOL hopefully it works well and I don't take too long. Though still I have to buy my boat and learn from experience and practice. 10 days till I get home for R&R.

MacPointMan
 
H

H20Rat

Vice Admiral
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
5,204
Re: Boat launch....

MacPointMan said:
I hope I am not one of those "Idiots" my first time out when I get my boat.
Click to expand...

sounds like a great comprehensive list! The one thing I would suggest adding is make sure your boat starts in the driveway before you leave home. (on tap water of course!) Do this ever time until you get used to its quirks for starting, all non-efi boats have them. It's easy to flood a boat engine while you have a ramp full of eyes watching you.

More or less just think of your fellow boater. I don't mind if someone can't back. Some people just struggle with that no matter what. I'm even fairly tolerant of uncooperative motors/dead batteries, it happens to all of us sometime. But... loading 6 coolers, 12 lawnchairs, 11 people, and getting everyone situated while taking up a loading lane, yeah not a good idea!

(btw, you might want to add 'put the plug in' about 3 or 4 more times on your list!)
 
D

dave11

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Dec 2, 2007
Messages
1,195
Re: Boat launch....

MacPointMan said:
I hope I am not one of those "Idiots" my first time out when I get my boat.

Put the plug in
Make sure the transom straps are unhooked
Make sure the boat is loaded up
Make sure you have all safety equipment needed
Then pull the boat to the ramp and Back down CAREFULLY
Don't get the rear wheels of the Truck in the water
shift into neutral then set the parking break, take foot off break then reapply break and put the truck in park
Throw Chock block down real quick
Take off the safety chain and unwind the boat and let it float off the trailer.
Lower the trim start her up and proceed to the dock tie her up
Park truck
Get to boat as fast as possible, family should already be in the boat and be putting on PFDs especially the little one.
Jump in boat and Have fun.
I know I am missing something but I think I have the basics.

LOL hopefully it works well and I don't take too long. Though still I have to buy my boat and learn from experience and practice. 10 days till I get home for R&R.

MacPointMan
Click to expand...


If you're worried about it, you probably won't be one of those idiots.
 
saxrulez

saxrulez

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 10, 2010
Messages
286
Re: Boat launch....

MacPointMan said:
I hope I am not one of those "Idiots" my first time out when I get my boat.

Put the plug in
Make sure the transom straps are unhooked
Make sure the boat is loaded up
Make sure you have all safety equipment needed
Then pull the boat to the ramp and Back down CAREFULLY
Don't get the rear wheels of the Truck in the water
shift into neutral then set the parking break, take foot off break then reapply break and put the truck in park
Throw Chock block down real quick
Take off the safety chain and unwind the boat and let it float off the trailer.
Lower the trim start her up and proceed to the dock tie her up
Park truck
Get to boat as fast as possible, family should already be in the boat and be putting on PFDs especially the little one.
Jump in boat and Have fun.
I know I am missing something but I think I have the basics.

LOL hopefully it works well and I don't take too long. Though still I have to buy my boat and learn from experience and practice. 10 days till I get home for R&R.

MacPointMan
Click to expand...

Good sequence! The one thing I would slightly change is don't unhook the winch until you get the engine started up! I did this and I immediately started floating away from the trailer before I had the engine cranked. I was glad it started :cool:
 
H

Home Cookin'

Fleet Admiral
Joined
May 26, 2009
Messages
9,715
Re: Boat launch....

With a large enough boat on a roller trailer, you can clear those jetskis away from the area when you launch if you give it a good shove.
 
M

MacPointMan

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 15, 2010
Messages
114
Re: Boat launch....

I concur with the Little one should have PFD on prior to getting to the dock. Good tip for unhooking the winch.

I have been there plenty of times when putting a boat on the trailer and putting a boat in the water I just have never done it myself.

It is nice to know that there are loads of nice people at the launch that will help out. I am the type that will make the little one stand where I can see her the whole time with her hand on the fender of the car while I load it up until I can get her in the booster seat lol. Anything can happen on that dock.

Thanks for all the tips. Here is to not being a "Launch Ramp Idiot"

Maybe you can have "Launch ramp Idiot" hats and shirts to give out and a "Launch ramp Idiot of the Day" award.

Though I have earned the "Dumb ***** of the day" award on a number of occasions.

MacPointMan
 
N

nuboat2me

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 12, 2010
Messages
137
Re: Boat launch....

No...

The Dumb &$%^ of the day goes to the newbies I came across about 15 years ago at a launch ramp in Missouri...

Nice 18footer on a roller trailer. HE had asked HER to "loosen" the winch strap once they were all set to launch. The intepretted "Loosen" was taken as "unhook" :rolleyes:

The Ramp mind you.. quite steep... HE pulled around, started backing and she hollered STOP!!! It was too late... The boat SLID off the rollers, and proceeded come to a complete stop, OFF the trailer and about 10 ft short of the water... :eek: Putting it BACK on the trailer was a tough one. ALot of us waiting in line to launch (2 space ramp) jumped in and helped get the boat back on the trailer. The winch strap was about 2 ft too short as well.

They thanked us over and over for the help. Shoot... We HAD to help if we wanted on the water that day... It was one of those kodak moments and alas... no kodak..

Happy Boating!! ;)

NOW... THATS the idiot of the day award...
 
T

tlzimmerman

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 21, 2010
Messages
82
Re: Boat launch....

Yep...seen one roll off on the ramp before, it aint pretty. One of the reasons I like bunks is just that image burned in my head, not that it would happen if you leave it hooked up anyways.
 
Andy in NY

Andy in NY

Commander
Joined
Oct 25, 2007
Messages
2,109
Re: Boat launch....

RickJ6956 said:
I would modify that line: Little ones should have PFDs on before they get near the dock.
Click to expand...

my rule is EVERYONE has jackets on before going near the dock.

after stopping in the prep area:

load anything needed into boat (coolers, toys, etc)

everyone else heads to the grass and puts on pfd's

remove safety chain, loosen winch

remove transom straps, double check plug (i put it in at home)

tie dock lines to cleats

start to back down ramp, when the transom is at the water line, my step son unhooks the bow hook.

continue backing down until the boat floats (my step son has the lines). he pulls the boat back a little, yells CLEAR! i pull out and park. he ties up the boat and everyone gets in.

i get in, lower motor and start engine, let warm for 60 sec or so.

back up and take off.


the whole process takes 5-7 minutes, including prep.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top