My woes at the boat ramp

[saxrulez]

Re: My woes at the boat ramp

I have found that my best boating times on my boat with friends is with friends who own boats Friends who can back a trailer are especially nice

See above. I love when I take my friends that are capable of backing a trailer up with me. I just let them know about where to put the rear wheels in relation to the water line.

I take friends with me all the time that drink, but I guess mine are mature enough even when pretty drunk to just stay off to the side while loading up! My friends drink and have a good time, but nobody ever gets loud or obnoxious.

It's also probably b/c I only bring 3-4 other people on my boat absolute maximum. Typically its my wife and I and one other couple which is what we enjoy the most. Mostly just cruise and talk. Occasionally some tubing or fishing, but a lot of just cruising/floating around.

 

[sschefer]

Re: My woes at the boat ramp

As a non drinker but former boozer I can understand both sides of this. There is nothing wrong with having a couple of beers or drinks while boating with the exception of the captain. FYI, if you're the owner and you're aboard you are the captain unless you've actually hired one to represent you. Your friend driving may be sober but the captain is still under the influence and by maritime law, that's illegal.

That said, captains should never drink while aboard their own boats because they are always responsible for the safety of the passengers. If you have a passenger that has been drinking excessively then you are responsible for ensuring that their actions do not endanger or cause harm to themselves or others. Yep, it's not the drunks fault if someone gets hurt, its the captains. Personally, I'm out to have a good time, I'm done babysitting. If you come aboard my boat and get drunk you might just find yourself sitting on the beach until you sober up.

 

[roscoe]

Re: My woes at the boat ramp

Sounds like you are more a boater, and they are sandbar drunks.

Rarely do people from these 2 groups get along for long.

I'll stop by friends that are rafted up, spend 20-30 minutes chatting. Then I'm outa there.

Boating or fishing is my thing.

I'll maybe have a drink when we get back to camp or the hotel.
Actually, alcohol - sun - waves - make me kind of sick.

Perhaps your "friends need to buy their own boats, instead of relying on you to provide one, along with livery service to their drinking hole.

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: My woes at the boat ramp

AAGH! Abandon ship!

Happy boating!

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: My woes at the boat ramp

I think the people you take with you should respect the fact that they are having the privilege of you letting them tag along on your boat (not theirs). You should keep to your rituals and what makes you happy on the water (not worry about what the others do that is right or wrong so to speak (as long as it does not endanger anyone or your boat) after all they probably didn't invite themselves. As far as the drinking I used to be all for it but in MS an open container will get you a ticket or arrested so it's a no go now. Just my 2 cents. I am sure you will figure it out and keep on enjoying the water.

 

[Big Island Lifer]

Re: My woes at the boat ramp

I agree with most of the above posts. Remember your boat- your rules and your spouse needs to have your back at all times with this. I would definitely narrow down the number of people you allow aboard as well as evaluate if alcohol should remain part of your departure check list.

Good luck. Old friends or not they need to respect you and your time, effort, and money or they need to get their own boat.

 

[Nandy]

Re: My woes at the boat ramp

So, let me get this straight... You provide a boat, take the expense of maintenance on it, maybe all the gas expenses, maybe even some of the expenses of what is consumed and these people are making the trip so miserable to you that all you worry the minute you leave and thru your entire boating day is coming back to dock... Sir, you do need to consider better who you take with you in the water, including the wife. I have banned family members from my boating in the past and there are family members that I dont allow in my car either. They have a similar behavior as what you explained. Nice people until they get drunk... I cant stand a drunk myself either. If you are miserable boating with them why go boating at all? You need to wear your captain hat and be ready to hurt some feelings and stop inviting such people to boat with you. You are not in an easy position....

 

[Icyharp]

Re: My woes at the boat ramp

Well like I have said, I invited them and I knew what was going to happen in time. Being since I already knew where we were going, the "sandbar" so we could just chill out was already in play. I didn't want this to become a "wet or dry" boating experience. Actually a sandbar worked good for me as my boat doesn't use gas sitting, no one falls overboard and I don't supply anyone with beverages, they must bring thier own, which they did.

I just didn't like the feeling of worrying about the retrival at the ramp the whole day I was out, along with I would have rather had my friends just step back and me do my thing instead of pulling my boat up with the bow eye as I was backing down my trailer, and the comments I really don't need, I like the "get out of my way", approach.

I did speak to my wife and a couple of my boating comrads here at work and they have had a chat with her as well, 18 years of marriage so I know her pretty good...lol, BTW the wife and I work at the same place soI think I got the point across.
This was also the first time I took non boat owners out, and probably could be the last at least for a lake run anyway. On the river I do really enjoy myself, seems more like a road trip on the waterway than going around in a circle on a lake. So there is so much more enjoyment for me on the river, with all the things to do.

Again thanks for the comments, but I did not want this become a "drink or not to drink" thread.

 

[scooper77515]

Re: My woes at the boat ramp

Drunks?

A couple of you have hit on the fact that you can have alcohol on the boat without being DRUNK!

As for rules, you gotta have em to keep everyone safe. But I try to limit them to "stay in the boat and seated while engine is running" and "keep out of the way if you don't know what to do while loading and unloading". Sit in the truck, hang out by the bathroom, go talk to the fishermen on the dock, I don't care, but there is a routine that needs to be followed both going in and coming out, to ensure that all steps are followed to ensure a safe trip in the water and on the way home.

I don't bring enough alcohol to allow anyone to get drunk. I only bring enough that we can have a few drinks and stay civil.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: My woes at the boat ramp

Having a 28'er, I need help. I usually pull the truck up to the staging are prior to backing it down the ramp. I then let my son-in-law back it in with me at the helm. I then drive the boat off the trailer and he takes the truck and trailer from the public ramp to the docks at the marina. Then in the fall he meets me at the ramp with the truck and trailer and I drive up on the trailer. Then he pulls me out. Not much to it really. Of course during this process there is never any booze involved.

Come Aug 26 it will be 2 years of being sober! . I dock during the season. I have friends that come to fish and have fun. However if they come to the dock showing signs of being buzzed, the boat does not leave the dock. I find them annoying since it is almost impossible to get away from them when out on the lake. Plus the constant use of the head for the beer drinking causes an early pump out. Staying at the dock, they can use the marina facilities. It works out. They get drunk, I like to laugh, and they give me something to laugh at.

 

[cobra1476]

Re: My woes at the boat ramp

To the OP, It almost seems like your biggest issue is launching and retrieval of the boat.

I personally think that this is one of the biggest obstacle that people have with boating. It isn't an easy task if you ask me. especially if the launch is packed it almost becomes a headache.

Well ask yourself this, If I hop on the boat that is in the water already and return and dock it and go home, would my day be better? If you answer is yes, then you solution would be getting a slip.

I bet you can justify the cost with all the extra gas you burn in you truck hauling a boat and trailer around. Plus no more backing up!

You seem like a fun guy who really doesn't have a problem with hanging with your friends (typical Wisconsinite). I am sure that isn't the issue.

When I first started boating. I rented a boat every weekend. Boat was in the water already and didn't have to hook it up to the trailer. Now it is almost like work to get everything going. So I feel your pain.

I am planning to get a slip reserved this winter. I missed my chance in our area this spring. lol!

 

[salty87]

Re: My woes at the boat ramp

To the OP, It almost seems like your biggest issue is launching and retrieval of the boat.

I personally think that this is one of the biggest obstacle that people have with boating. It isn't an easy task if you ask me. especially if the launch is packed it almost becomes a headache.

Well ask yourself this, If I hop on the boat that is in the water already and return and dock it and go home, would my day be better? If you answer is yes, then you solution would be getting a slip.

I bet you can justify the cost with all the extra gas you burn in you truck hauling a boat and trailer around. Plus no more backing up!

You seem like a fun guy who really doesn't have a problem with hanging with your friends (typical Wisconsinite). I am sure that isn't the issue.

When I first started boating. I rented a boat every weekend. Boat was in the water already and didn't have to hook it up to the trailer. Now it is almost like work to get everything going. So I feel your pain.

I am planning to get a slip reserved this winter. I missed my chance in our area this spring. lol!

beat me to it....what causes you more anxiety?....the drunk crew or the dread of loading your boat?

i trailer and my local ramp can have a fairly swift current. it's not fun at times as even getting to the dock to pick up the mrs. can be a real clencher. she won't back the trailer down and that's my only source of frustration. i don't like parking the truck on the ramp to run over to the boat. i get over it though, it's not that big of a deal.

non-boating friends, drunk or not, can't really be trusted with much.

 

[Icyharp]

Re: My woes at the boat ramp

I don't have an issue launching or reteiving my boat. It is already knowing that crap happens at the ramp and I do not need any mishap if I can help it. So as it has been said before......go change, walk around over there and let me get this done. Good grief I am 45 and boating since I was 12, the launch or retreivel is from my worry. Less than 5 min and out, but that is when I am alone.....lol.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: My woes at the boat ramp

Icyharp.. If they wish to help that bad, do like I did one time long ago. Hand them the anchor and tell them to hold it until the boat is out of the water. Or even have them hold a rope that looks like it is tied to something. They just want to be involved. Let them be involved with something that does not get in the way of your routine.....Good Luck...........SS

 

[rivermouse]

Re: My woes at the boat ramp

Friend.........I would find some folks that LIKE BOATING MORE THAN DRINKING.....If they MUST drink leave them at some bar until you get back...lol

 

[cobra1476]

Re: My woes at the boat ramp

I don't have an issue launching or reteiving my boat. It is already knowing that crap happens at the ramp and I do not need any mishap if I can help it. So as it has been said before......go change, walk around over there and let me get this done. Good grief I am 45 and boating since I was 12, the launch or retreivel is from my worry. Less than 5 min and out, but that is when I am alone.....lol.

Ok, now I am confused. I read your original post and this reply and it still reverts back to being at the ramp. So you get anxious at the ramp and start seeing everything in a negative way.

Like I said before, if you eliminate the whole "ramp" aspect of boating, would you then think boating would more fun or easier?

Here's another analogy for you:

What if you had a car that you had to remove the wheels every time you parked it? Would that be fun? Now add on the fact that your kids want to help you put it back on when your ready to leave again, but you have your own way of doing it. at that point, it just gets frustrating and you are thinking if it is even worth the work to drive.

So, dock the boat, get the drunk people out, secure it on the slip, cover, and your done. No holding, checking this and that, or mishaps related to trailering it.

I guess at this point that is just my .02's.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: My woes at the boat ramp

There's 2 things I hate in life.

1. A drunk man when I'm sober

2. A sober man when I'm drunk.


I never drink and drive/boat, I save the alcohol for when the truck and boat are parked safely in the driveway and I'm in the house.

We have an open container on the water law here in 'Bama just like on the road.

I have one friend I let bring beer on my boat, he only goes out once or twice a year during Crappie season and he knows if we get ticketed he pays both tickets. He never gets drunk and we always have a good time.

I personally couldn't handle a bunch of drunks on or near my boat.

 

[Icyharp]

Re: My woes at the boat ramp

Icyharp.. If they wish to help that bad, do like I did one time long ago. Hand them the anchor and tell them to hold it until the boat is out of the water. Or even have them hold a rope that looks like it is tied to something. They just want to be involved. Let them be involved with something that does not get in the way of your routine.....Good Luck...........SS

LOL that is a good idea.......guess better than getting on edge and telling the to get away...

 

[Icyharp]

Re: My woes at the boat ramp

Ok, now I am confused. I read your original post and this reply and it still reverts back to being at the ramp. So you get anxious at the ramp and start seeing everything in a negative way.

Like I said before, if you eliminate the whole "ramp" aspect of boating, would you then think boating would more fun or easier?

Here's another analogy for you:

What if you had a car that you had to remove the wheels every time you parked it? Would that be fun? Now add on the fact that your kids want to help you put it back on when your ready to leave again, but you have your own way of doing it. at that point, it just gets frustrating and you are thinking if it is even worth the work to drive.

So, dock the boat, get the drunk people out, secure it on the slip, cover, and your done. No holding, checking this and that, or mishaps related to trailering it.

I guess at this point that is just my .02's.

Cobra, my boat stays home with me until I take it out, the issue is in post 1. Again I have found the answer I am looking for to deal with that, and again thanks to all who responded.

As for the slip, pops has 2 of them at Pettibone in La Crosse, one that holds pops 62 foot house boat and one that holds 2 jet skis on a jet dock, I can keep my boat in the covered jet ski slip when I take mine down. I know the advantages to a slip as well as the disadvantages. So I hope I cleared this up. I do not leave it there as I live in Polk county and it is a tad of a drive. Regardless, the issue is I needed to just find someway to get my drunken peeps out of my way, and I think I found it........LOL.

 

[Icyharp]

Re: My woes at the boat ramp

Rivermouse,

LOL I live in WI, we have a bar on every lake it seems like.......if not 2 or 3.

But I know what you mean, I have a handle on things now....