Help with launching etiquette

[canuckjgc]

I just purchased by first trailerable boat. I want to launch in an area with 4 concrete ramps side by side.

There is no dock, the launch is often busy, and water can be a little rough.

My thoughts:

- Put fenders on both side of the boat in case I contact other people launching beside me
- Put kids in boat before launch
- Attach a long rope to the bow cleat, have wife hang on to rope after boat is in the water and while I park truck. Hold boat close to ramp. Ramp will be held up until I get back.
- We both get a little wet while we jump in

Boat is a 16' open aluminum skiff.

Does this sound right? I haven't actually seen anyone launch from this ramp, haven't been there before.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Help with launching etiquette

Ayuh,... That's pretty good,... But,....

Pull up near the end of the line, 'n rig for launchin' Then, 'n There,....
When it's Your turn, ya wanta be Ready to pull up, back in, 'n Launch....

The only other minor point I see is, the Wife can schooch the boat to the side of the ramp while yer parkin', so's other folks can keep things movin'....

 

[2ndtry]

Re: Help with launching etiquette

How old are your kids? I get nervous launching with them in the boat, but I usually have a courtesy dock for them to wait on.

Without the dock I usually back down until almost fully floating, then load the boat with the wife and kids. She then circles near the ramp until the truck is parked and then comes and picks me up (on a nearby dock or beach).

Before the wife was comfortable driving the boat I would back the boat down the ramp and then switch drivers (so the wife is now in the truck). I then put the kids and myself in the boat, complete the launch and have the wife park the truck (only works with pull through spots, she doesn't back the trailer). I then just circle until she comes back and I pick her up a nearby dock/beach.

 

[canuckjgc]

Re: Help with launching etiquette

She's not comfortable driving the boat, so maybe putting her in the truck is the way to go, and I can get us out of the way faster. Kids are very young.

 

[Pez Vela]

Re: Help with launching etiquette

- Put fenders on both side of the boat in case I contact other people launching beside me
- Put kids in boat before launch
- Attach a long rope to the bow cleat, have wife hang on to rope after boat is in the water and while I park truck. Hold boat close to ramp. Ramp will be held up until I get back.
- We both get a little wet while we jump in

Boat is a 16' open aluminum skiff.

Does this sound right? .

Not a good plan. As a matter of fact, a horrible plan, because you would never want to put the children in the boat unattended, if that's what you had in mind. The right way to do it is for you to back down the trailer on the ramp until at the water's edge, with the wife and kids in the truck. You then turn the truck over to your wife and you go climb into the boat, while the kids stay in the truck with your wife. Your wife backs you down the last few feet and you back the boat off the trailer. Your wife then parks the truck with the kids still in it. The wife and kids meet you along the shore at a convenient place, away from the ramp, if possible. The children stay safe and with a parent at all times, and your time on the ramp is kept to a minimum as a courtesy to other users.

 

[Chris-R]

Re: Help with launching etiquette

Not a good plan. As a matter of fact, a horrible plan, because you would never want to put the children in the boat unattended, if that's what you had in mind. The right way to do it is for you to back down the trailer on the ramp until at the water's edge, with the wife and kids in the truck. You then turn the truck over to your wife and you go climb into the boat, while the kids stay in the truck with your wife. Your wife backs you down the last few feet and you back the boat off the trailer. Your wife then parks the truck with the kids still in it. The wife and kids meet you along the shore at a convenient place, away from the ramp, if possible. The children stay safe and with a parent at all times, and your time on the ramp is kept to a minimum as a courtesy to other users.

I agree. In addition, I suggest you go to the boat ramp on a busy day with your car and simply observe how and what other people are doing. This will answer a lot of questions and give you confidence when you go there the following weekend (or whenever) to launch your boat.

 

[CaptainSkip]

Re: Help with launching etiquette

Make sure you put the plug in and start the motor before you turn loose!

 

[642mx]

Re: Help with launching etiquette

I don't have kids, but I launch at a very busy ramp (4 lane).

You or your wife needs to be in the boat with the kids before you enter a launch lane. Stopping and loading your crew on the ramp will make other folks blood boil.

One of the two adults needs to be able to operate the boat... the other needs to be able to drive the truck and back a trailer. A chinese fire drill on the ramp is going to hold up traffic.

Nobody is going to be able to launch perfectly the first few times, so don't go to the ramp when its extremely busy (which is around 11 a.m. around here), try going at 9:30 or so the first few times in order to beat the crowd.

Our technique is: (unloading)

- I drive the truck, wife drives the boat
- I back her in, wife already has the blower on and trim down before I can even get out of the truck
- Before I can shut the truck door and walk to the trailer, she slready has it running and is telling me the vitals (what the gauges are reading).
- As soon as I get to the trailer I unhook the safety chain and winch. I give the boat a little shove as she backs off.
- After she backs off, I'm already in my truck and driving up the ramp
- She arranges things in the boat and floats around while I park and then she picks me up at the ramp.

(loading)

- She drops me at the ramp and floats around while I wait in line
- When I start backing down the lane, she is a hundred feet out already lined up
- As the trailer starts into the water she is 25 feet from it
- As I'm getting out of the truck, she is already on the trailer waiting for my instruction
- I hook up the winch and tell her when to give it some gas to get the boat up to the bow stop
- I tell her when its good and she shuts the engine off, trailers the drive and is ready before I can get back into the truck.

Launching takes us less than 1 minute from when the trailer hits the water... loading back up doesn't take much longer. It took us awhile to get this good at it.

And remember that most folks will help you if you just ask... I've backed a few peoples trailers in during the rush hour.

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Help with launching etiquette

I don't have kids, but I launch at a very busy ramp (4 lane).

You or your wife needs to be in the boat with the kids before you enter a launch lane. Stopping and loading your crew on the ramp will make other folks blood boil.

One of the two adults needs to be able to operate the boat... the other needs to be able to drive the truck and back a trailer. A chinese fire drill on the ramp is going to hold up traffic.

Nobody is going to be able to launch perfectly the first few times, so don't go to the ramp when its extremely busy (which is around 11 a.m. around here), try going at 9:30 or so the first few times in order to beat the crowd.

Our technique is: (unloading)

- I drive the truck, wife drives the boat
- I back her in, wife already has the blower on and trim down before I can even get out of the truck
- Before I can shut the truck door and walk to the trailer, she slready has it running and is telling me the vitals (what the gauges are reading).
- As soon as I get to the trailer I unhook the safety chain and winch. I give the boat a little shove as she backs off.
- After she backs off, I'm already in my truck and driving up the ramp
- She arranges things in the boat and floats around while I park and then she picks me up at the ramp.

(loading)

- She drops me at the ramp and floats around while I wait in line
- When I start backing down the lane, she is a hundred feet out already lined up
- As the trailer starts into the water she is 25 feet from it
- As I'm getting out of the truck, she is already on the trailer waiting for my instruction
- I hook up the winch and tell her when to give it some gas to get the boat up to the bow stop
- I tell her when its good and she shuts the engine off, trailers the drive and is ready before I can get back into the truck.

Launching takes us less than 1 minute from when the trailer hits the water... loading back up doesn't take much longer. It took us awhile to get this good at it.

And remember that most folks will help you if you just ask... I've backed a few peoples trailers in during the rush hour.

Pretty much the same here with the SeaRay. The wife is more comfortable with the boat than the trailer. We don't have a prep area, so she gets in when the trailer gets to the water.

The StarCraft is...
Hit the blowers
Drop the lift
Fire up and enjoy the day

 

[lbruce]

Re: Help with launching etiquette

1. Start engine at home,just to make sure it starts.

2. Insert drain plug

3. When you get to the launch ramp have the kids put on life jackets.

4. remove stern hold downs

5. Attach fenders,long bow and stern lines (I use 15')

6. Place kids on dock and have wife guide boat off trailer with both lines to the end of the dock where she can tie it off,load the kids and get out of the way of the next boat launching.

7. Park trailer

 

[MPII]

Re: Help with launching etiquette

Nobody is going to be able to launch perfectly the first few times, so don't go to the ramp when its extremely busy (which is around 11 a.m. around here), try going at 9:30 or so the first few times in order to beat the crowd.

Our technique is: (unloading)

- I drive the truck, wife drives the boat
- I back her in, wife already has the blower on and trim down before I can even get out of the truck
- Before I can shut the truck door and walk to the trailer, she slready has it running and is telling me the vitals (what the gauges are reading).
- As soon as I get to the trailer I unhook the safety chain and winch. I give the boat a little shove as she backs off.
- After she backs off, I'm already in my truck and driving up the ramp
- She arranges things in the boat and floats around while I park and then she picks me up at the ramp.

(loading)

- She drops me at the ramp and floats around while I wait in line
- When I start backing down the lane, she is a hundred feet out already lined up
- As the trailer starts into the water she is 25 feet from it
- As I'm getting out of the truck, she is already on the trailer waiting for my instruction
- I hook up the winch and tell her when to give it some gas to get the boat up to the bow stop
- I tell her when its good and she shuts the engine off, trailers the drive and is ready before I can get back into the truck.

Launching takes us less than 1 minute from when the trailer hits the water... loading back up doesn't take much longer. It took us awhile to get this good at it.

And remember that most folks will help you if you just ask... I've backed a few peoples trailers in during the rush hour.

The above is the best advice! And remember, everything will not go perfect every time. And I have never been to a lake where if asked, someone wouldn't help. As stated by others here, I too have helped other people and have been helped. Sh** happens so expect it!!

There are hundreds of threads here on this topic. I would also look at the threads titled "dumbest thing you've done while boating." There are some good stories!! Good luck and have fun!!!!

 

[fat fanny]

Re: Help with launching etiquette

It would be my suggestion to find another launch site until you are more experienced especially with kids being involved. Take it from a man who has to do it all himself (the wife is useless and mearly just a spectator) From what your saying and there being no dock it will be hard to pull this off by yourself if there is no other launch my suggestion would be to go and watch what others are doing there a few days prior to your launch attempt, alos one good thing to remember before you leave the house put the pulg in (one less thing to worry about) and have all you gear ready and lines attached to the correct cleats. Believe me the more you do this the more efficient you will become at it I got it down to just under ten minutes from the time the trailer hits the water untill I off to tie the dock and back into the truck.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Help with launching etiquette

Another one that does it just like 642mx, My wife was hesitant at the beginning but now she is so much better then I am at putting the boat on the trailer its not even funny.

A few other points that I have to deal with though,

We have zebra muscle inspections here in Colorado so while I am waiting in line for inspection I am preparing the boat, bow and cockpit covers off outdrive trailering clips off plug in, wife in cooler in wife out, inspection, pull to launch line wife jumps in, dog in kids in and from there its what 642mx explained, Here its an unwritten rule if your taking to long to get ready then others are fine to pass you no need to worry about tempers flaring everyone sort of gets a good idea if your ready or not you just fall in line and the whole process from pulling in line for inspection to launch has never been more then twenty minutes which is plenty of time to get ready for the water.

Advice for the OP,

Be patient, with a little recon you can find a ramp that has some off hours, take the wife and go practice, having your wife play a part in the launch/load process will only build her confidence and make boating a team weekend that both of you will cherish and your boating experience will only improve but if you go out there for the first time and the launch line is 30 boats deep your going to be under pressure which will get passed onto your wife and it could be a disaster easily avoided. My wife and I are on our second boat the first one was a $6000 92 196 BR great first boat not a boat we were worried about doing damage on but was very dependable and we learned together. When we bought our current boat I didn't even bother to tell her I was interested in a boat, one weekend I loaded the wife and my daughter in the truck and we went to the lake, they were mad at me that we would go to the lake without our boat....then we pulled up next to this gorgeous 2000 248 BR and they didn't know what to think, I introduced the owners to the wife and daughter explained that they until now were in the dark about the boat which they laughed at we dumped the boat in the water and spent a couple hours driving around and sharing an adult beverage, asked the wife what she thought and she was very happy I pulled a large amount of cash out of my pocket and handed it to the previous owner! The Previous owner asked about our load launch procedure and discovered they had the same procedure as we did so the ladies discussed this boats characteristics my wife loaded the boat that day, Done deal we took her home. As long as I have had my boat I have loaded it on the trailer 2 times and each time it took me 3 tries to get it right my wife on the other hand could probably do it in her sleep shes a pro.

 

[texasabil]

Re: Help with launching etiquette

well before I get to the ramp I get everything ready. boat plug straps UN done ready to go. I get in boat wife backs in I motion to her when to stop. I start the motor then go to the front UN hook winch and take off she pulls truck up and I pick her up out of the way of others same thing when we pick it up!!! It did take me about 2 weeks to get her to learn to back but she all good now!!!

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Help with launching etiquette

The fastest way for me to lose boat time is to try getting my wife to be involved in launching or driving with a boat/trailer. Ease her into it slowly, have her drive around in open water if she's hesitant. Without a dock it's tough, is there anywhere next to the ramps and out of the way you can beach the boat while you park the truck where you can leave the kids and wife waiting? Start out at a slower time to get the hang of it, don't try being to fast, it only guarantees that it will take longer. Some people at a ramp are bound to get angry no matter what, do your best launching and retrieving and pay little attention to them. Just make sure you have all the gear loaded and plug in before launching, not doing that is what upsets people. Nobody was perfect when they started. I'd definitely recommend staying on one of the outer sides.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Help with launching etiquette

The single most important part of ramp ettiqute is to get your boat ready to launch in the prep area away from the parking area or ramp.

Few things get me wound up like watching someone back down the ramp then start loading all there crap on the boat all the while chatting causually woith there frinds while boats pile up waiting to get in, getting your wife and kids on is different than loading cooler, water toys ect.

I with whoever sadi ot keep your kids with your wife in the truck, just imagine your launch rope breaks and now you kids ar floating across the lake.

 

[canuckjgc]

Re: Help with launching etiquette

Ok thanks for the great advice. The big issue of course is no dock, and the wife is not real comfortable with the boat or the trailer. My thought was to just to have my wife keep the boat held at the bottom of the ramp while I park and run back but this doesn't seem to be the way to go. She may be able to park the truck and I can take the boat away from the ramp and try to find a beach to meet her.

 

[64osby]

Re: Help with launching etiquette

At our local lake we have a single launch no dock set up. There is about 40' of total width. It can get pretty busy so the goal is to launch and get the boat to the side / out of the way.

Prep boat at home. Load stuff, hook up battery, put in plug.
When at ramp, get in line and walk around the boat to double check prep, I attach a 50' line that is clipped to the bow eye and placed on the bow of the boat. Back up to the edge of the water when it's our turn. Have wife and kids stay off to one side, out of the water, one of them unwinds and tends the bow line rope. Remove straps, prime the fuel line, and launch the boat. Pull trailer out of the water. If it is windy I usually get out and help get the boat to one side of the launch where the bow line is then wrapped up by the tender and one person holds the boat. Go park the trailer. Return to the boat get wife and kids in, start the boat, hop in and go enjoy a nice day on the water. The whole process takes less then 5 minutes.

Loading is pretty much a reverse. I will look at the lauch area when out on the water before we come in to load. If it is real busy we will come back in a little while. Get the boat to one side of the launch, attach bow line, have someone hold the boat, others stand on the side of the launch, out of the water. Get trailer in the water. Push the boat out past the trailer and pull it up to and on the trailer as far as you can. Hook on the trailer strap and crank boat on to trailer. Wrap up the bow line and put it on the bow. Pull the boat out and get out of the way where you can get the boat ready to trailer. This takes no more than 5 minutes.

The ramp is not steep and the area at our launch site is very small, holds about 15 TV and trailers at one time.

You have to be able to adjust to the conditions that are at the ramp. We go to one site where the ramp is across the street from the prep/parking area, My wife will act as the traffic cop and let me know when it's clear to back up.

I have never had anyone in the boat when I launch. I have had my wife and kids in the boat when pulling out at certain ramps where she drives the boat up to the trailer and I hook it up.

Our boat is a 17' old Fish N ski with outboard

Like someone else said, go the the launch and watch for a while. See how others do it and come up with your plan. Sorry if it's a bit long winded, And always remember to Put the Plug In

 

[canuckjgc]

Re: Help with launching etiquette

Ok thanks. I'll keep the kids out of the boat until we all are in it.

I want to avoid pissing people off. Maybe I need a "Newbie Boater" sign in the window of the truck

 

[Pez Vela]

Re: Help with launching etiquette

Maybe I need a "Newbie Boater" sign in the window of the truck

That won't be necessary.