I dont want to be discourteous , but...

[Fl_Richard]

I didn't want to jack the "Idiocracy at the launch" thread but I had a question to offer to the group.

WSDavis posting exactly mimics our ramp setup. Four launch lanes on two docks. (1x23x4). There is a wide road on the right side for the approach and prep while leaving on the left side to park.

My question is regarding "cutting" in line, someone remarked "first in, first to launch" - or something to that effect.

When I go out on the weekends I'm at the ramp by 8 am. The approach road is wide enough to accommodate two vehicles with trailers and is not marked as two lanes. Usually all slips are available but occasionally there may be a boat or two stacked on the approach road with their owners loading their boats and removing straps, loading coolers... whatever.

I always pass these people up and go directly to launch. My boat is loaded, the plug is in, the engines have already been started and are warm; I'm literally 3 - 4 minutes to launch and gone. The only time I dont do this is if the amount of slips is less than the que' length including myself. That way if theres three available I take one and there are two left for those still "loading".

Is this discourteous or in bad form?

If I was loading and this happened, it wouldn't bother me.

I think its courteous to get in and get out as smoothly and quickly as possible.

Thanks

 

[JoLin]

Re: I dont want to be incortious, but...

Re: I dont want to be incortious, but...

If you literally back down the ramp and splash the boat, then I don't see an issue. BUT, don't you need to unstrap the boat from the trailer, put out fenders, and do a couple of other things before you release the boat? That's what the 'staging' area is for. I'd consider it bad form if you do that on the ramp.

My .02

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: I dont want to be incortious, but...

Re: I dont want to be incortious, but...

I usually ask the people if I can cut them off. I can launch FAST and understand. I just ask first.

incortious do you mean discourteous

 

[Vankaye]

Re: I dont want to be incortious, but...

Re: I dont want to be incortious, but...

If there's a line then I usually wait my turn in it. If I get in that line and the folks in front of me wave me past because they are still gearing up that's different.
To me, boating is all about relaxing and enjoying. So I'll wait. I'm no more important than anybody else at the ramp.

If you're concern is being in-courteous you could always ask, "Hey, are you in line?"

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: I dont want to be incortious, but...

Re: I dont want to be incortious, but...

Their obviously in line, the point is there are four empty launches in front of them. There not launching their loading. Should a load hold up a launch?

And no the straps are off (i dont use them 1 mile from the ramp and 35mph), no fenders required its a protected marina setting. The only thing I do on the launch itself is stop, have everyone get out of the car. Back in, hand lines to crew, Start the motors and unclip the safety chain and winch cable and park 75 feet away.

And BOB thank you for grading my post

 

[salty87]

Re: I dont want to be incortious, but...

Re: I dont want to be incortious, but...

i suspect most courteous people won't see an issue with that. on the other hand, people who are- let's call them clueless- probably don't see anything wrong with being inconsiderate of others and could take issue with the fact that you 'jumped the line'. i think that's the real issue...many people in today's society are completely focused on themselves. they can't see that you're making better use of an empty ramp while they are holding things up by prepping on the ramp. i think your question demonstrates that you're not one of them. the problem is, they don't care about you so your caring about them does nothing. they won't understand.

i don't see it as any different from people at a stoplight when it turns green. some people taking their sweet time knowing they'll get through the light and take their time they do. they never stop to think that if they tightened ranks another 10 cars could get through the light too.

be careful out there.

 

[emoney]

Re: I dont want to be incortious, but...

Re: I dont want to be incortious, but...

To me the "line" starts at the ramp, not in the staging area.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: I dont want to be incortious, but...

Re: I dont want to be incortious, but...

And BOB thank you for grading my post

No grading .....just a slight nudge!

The bottom line is most people in-line to launch are "center's of the universe" so I treat them as such. Ask and blast down the ramp!

The trick is in the delivery.

Hello folks! (with a big smile) you don't mind if I launch because it will only take a second? Then say Thank You and go launch. I seldom wait for their response since the are usually occupied!

 

[V153]

Re: I dont want to be incortious, but...

Re: I dont want to be incortious, but...

i don't see it as any different from people at a stoplight when it turns green. some people taking their sweet time knowing they'll get through the light and take their time they do. they never stop to think that if they tightened ranks another 10 cars could get through the light too

'Specially if'n it's a left turn light. Personally I think people should think of that light as the "christmas tree" at the drag strip. When that effer turns green they oughta lay rubber ...

 

[Expidia]

Re: I dont want to be incortious, but...

Re: I dont want to be incortious, but...

As Bob said . . . "Just ask". What you dont want to do is cut the line without asking as you may come back off the lake only to find the air let out of your tires or your tow vechicle keyed. Why invite retribution by just driving by others in the staging area???
Good way to have some yahoo you just drove by run down to the ramp and tear you a well deserved new one

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: I dont want to be incortious, but...

Re: I dont want to be incortious, but...

The problem won't be with the guy that still has 10 minutes of prep to do. The problem is the guy that had 1 minute left, and you've now cut in front of him without asking.

 

[BonairII]

Re: I dont want to be incortious, but...

Re: I dont want to be incortious, but...

My boat is loaded, the plug is in, the engines have already been started and are warm;

You start your engines and warm them up BEFORE you put the boat in the water?

 

[Campylobacter]

Re: I dont want to be incortious, but...

Re: I dont want to be incortious, but...

Where I boat, there are a few "pull out" spots specifically for removing straps, putting in the plug and loading. These are very distinct from the line for the ramp. When you are ready to launch, you pull out and get in line. If you get ready before the guy in front of you, you pass him and get in line. The only discourteous ones are those that skip the pull out and remove the straps and put in the plug on the ramp.

 

[Bob's Garage]

Re: I dont want to be incortious, but...

Re: I dont want to be incortious, but...

To me the "line" starts at the ramp, not in the staging area.

If there is a line of boats on the approach road that are prepping their boats for launch, then that is the line. If there are boats scattered around the area that are prepping, then the line may appear to start at the ramp. Custom plays a big part in ramp etiquette, but it just make sense to me to ask if you can "jump the line", most people would not object.

Failing to observe what may appear to be the local ramp etiquette is a good way to have an unpleasant conversation with one of the people you passed by. Life isn't so short that you can't wait a few minutes for your turn to launch.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: I dont want to be incortious, but...

Re: I dont want to be incortious, but...

At a 4 lane ramp with 2 or more spots open I don't see that big of a problem if you ask and are in and out quickly... but what would you do at a one lane ramp?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: I dont want to be incortious, but...

Re: I dont want to be incortious, but...

You start your engines and warm them up BEFORE you put the boat in the water?

I would like to know more about that comment too.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: I dont want to be incortious, but...

Re: I dont want to be incortious, but...

You start your engines and warm them up BEFORE you put the boat in the water?

I do that. It would suck to get all the way to the ramp and discover there's something wrong with the engine(s).

 

[bruceb58]

Re: I dont want to be incortious, but...

Re: I dont want to be incortious, but...

He almost makes it sounds like he is starting his engine DRY. Hope not!

 

[jayhanig]

Re: I dont want to be incortious, but...

Re: I dont want to be incortious, but...

Their obviously in line, the point is there are four empty launches in front of them. There not launching their loading. Should a load hold up a launch?

And no the straps are off (i dont use them 1 mile from the ramp and 35mph), no fenders required its a protected marina setting. The only thing I do on the launch itself is stop, have everyone get out of the car. Back in, hand lines to crew, Start the motors and unclip the safety chain and winch cable and park 75 feet away.

And BOB thank you for grading my post

It wouldn't bother me in the least if somebody more ready than myself cut in front and launched immediately. When I roll up to the ramp with the intention of launching the only thing left to do is back down the ramp until the boat's afloat, disconnect the winch, pull the boat by a line out of the way, and then go park my truck and trailer. If anybody else is ready to do the same, I'd say the first man ready ought to have the priority regardless of what order he first arrived in the vicinity.

To me, the bottom line is get as many boats launched and recovered in as short a period as possible. If I have more stuff to do than another, I can't see getting my gears torqued if somebody slips out before me. Frankly, I'd rather not have somebody waiting on me to get done anyway; I'd rather they go first and then the pressure is off me to go quickly. I do better work when I don't feel pressured.

 

[jayhanig]

Re: I dont want to be incortious, but...

Re: I dont want to be incortious, but...

You start your engines and warm them up BEFORE you put the boat in the water?

I do that too... at home in the driveway on muffs. I want to be reasonably sure my boat is going to reliably start. If the battery's gotten weak I'd rather know before I leave so I can throw the charger on it first.