Hot at dock

[thurps]

Taking my boat out of the water the other day I hit a rock on the local public ramp. Took a nice little chunk out of my prop. I can't begin to tell you how irritated I was especially since you have to pay to launch. I was under the assumption that this money was for maintenance. The same day I see one of the harbor district employees at the bank in a harbor district truck. Now my blood is really starting to boil. I'm thinking they can afford to have their employees go to the bank on my dollar but they can't afford to take a &*%##$@ rock out of the water on the ramp. When I get my repair bill for the prop, I'm taking it to the harbor master and hope I can resort to non violence!

 

[imported_74baja]

Re: Hot at dock

While we're on the topic, another thing that really chafes my hide at the ramp is when people power on to their trailers. Don't they realize what they are doing? Not only does it create alot of disturbance that knocks the boats around, they are eroding the dirt away at the ramp. That's why if you back down far enough to reach the end of the ramp, your trailer falls two feet off the end and they wheels get stuck. Then its time spent squelaing tires and wondering why people won't just winch on like all the other good boaters.
A small rant,
Jack

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Hot at dock

Several of the public ramps in my area are in rocky areas of the lake. There aren't any signs or markers. It's one of the reasons I motor away from the ramp with my electric trolling motor, set so the prop is barely below the hull. I just keep my gas outboard tilted up until I am well away from the shallows.

I do the same at unfamiliar ramps, rocks or no rocks.

The other thing I do before visiting any new lake is to study the topo map of the lake, noting rocky shoals. I hate putting shear pins in outboards while I'm on the water.

 

[bouttime007]

Re: Hot at dock

Taking my boat out of the water the other day I hit a rock on the local public ramp. Took a nice little chunk out of my prop. I can't begin to tell you how irritated I was especially since you have to pay to launch. I was under the assumption that this money was for maintenance. The same day I see one of the harbor district employees at the bank in a harbor district truck. Now my blood is really starting to boil. I'm thinking they can afford to have their employees go to the bank on my dollar but they can't afford to take a &*%##$@ rock out of the water on the ramp. When I get my repair bill for the prop, I'm taking it to the harbor master and hope I can resort to non violence!

Thats why I make it a point to recon the area from different perpectives

 

[thurps]

Re: Hot at dock

This rock was on the ramp not by it.

 

[bouttime007]

Re: Hot at dock

This rock was on the ramp not by it.

Oh, well then thats a different story. The launch attendant should be more thorough if that was on the ramp.

 

[bouttime007]

Re: Hot at dock

Actually, again thats why I recon the area - underwater or not.

 

[wvit1001]

Re: Hot at dock

Some kid was probably playing around while his parents were busy and threw the rock there. Was there rip rap around the launch area.

Anyway blaming the harbormaster won't get you anything. But then I guess if blaming someone for something that wasn't their fault makes you feel better then go ahead.

The people at the ramp work hard enough for their money without having to listen to you whine.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Hot at dock

If it was on the ramp you should have seen the rock, so it's your own fault. Don't blame someone else because you weren't paying attention to what you were doing. I'll bet you don't have a spare prop, now do you?

 

[evilratgirl]

Re: Hot at dock

I've had more then a few props eaten over the years at shallow landings. The lakes around eastern Minnesota, western Wisconsin tend to be shallow and rocky. I've always thought it to be the price you pay for not knowing the lake or landing. These are low maintence public landings though.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Hot at dock

Taking my boat out of the water the other day I hit a rock on the local public ramp. Took a nice little chunk out of my prop. I can't begin to tell you how irritated I was especially since you have to pay to launch. I was under the assumption that this money was for maintenance. The same day I see one of the harbor district employees at the bank in a harbor district truck. Now my blood is really starting to boil. I'm thinking they can afford to have their employees go to the bank on my dollar but they can't afford to take a &*%##$@ rock out of the water on the ramp. When I get my repair bill for the prop, I'm taking it to the harbor master and hope I can resort to non violence!

Sure, go ahead and do that. Then they will start charging what it really costs to mantain those launch ramps. What did you pay to launch and park, $5.00?

 

[bass buster]

Re: Hot at dock

There aren't any signs or markers. It's one of the reasons I motor away from the ramp with my electric trolling motor, set so the prop is barely below the hull. I just keep my gas outboard tilted up until I am well away from the shallows.

I do the same at unfamiliar ramps, rocks or no rocks.

The other thing I do before visiting any new lake is to study the topo map of the lake, noting rocky shoals.

This is what I do, great advice here.

I'm pretty new to boating, and one other thing I learned to do, is park my rig and walk down and inspect the ramp and the area first, before I back down the ramp.

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Hot at dock

I'll bet he paid a lot more than $5.00 after you add in his taxes. Please don't tell me that dock guys work hard... every ramp I go to I see them standing around the office. Besides, if the job is too hard then they should go get a new one.