New Boater at Launch

[tommybro31]

I was one of them at the beginning of this season.

I got my first boat, boater?s cert and went out with my experienced buddy a few times to get the hand of the boat. I then decided on a nice Saturday to take the family out for a nice day of fishing. Got to the lake had my safety inspection from the ramp attendant ( old fella, very nice guy ) told him it was my first time solo and chit chat while others are loading. We get to launch, and that went smooth, I was even able to hit the water on my first shot!

Go fishing all is well. Come time to pull out I dock the boat, run to the truck, there was another guy that was ready at the same time, tell him to go ahead this may take a while. He does his thing and I back down, first shot again, I am very pleased with myself. Then I get in the boat and pull it onto the trailer while the wife does the front strap. She cranks it up and I noticed the boat is not sitting right on the trailer, loosen it up push it back off; crank it up, same freaking thing. Now I am up to my butt in very cold water trying to keep this thing straight, look over and there is another guy waiting to pull out. I apologize that it's taking so long, he was nice and says no prob, we all have had problems. After that the ramp fella walks down and asks if we are having problems, I say yea, any advice is appreciated. He looks and says, Trailer is way too deep pull up 5' and it should load fine. I do, embarrassed and the boat loads just like he said, I pull out pull away then finish strapping down. Thank the fella again and take off. I have gone out quite a few times since and we are getting better and better,
Sorry for the long post just wanted to share my newbe story.

 

[pinecrestwoods]

Re: New Boater at Launch

After that the ramp fella walks down and asks if we are having problems, I say yea, any advice is appreciated.

No shame in that. He did the right thing, you did the right thing. EASY fix, and your day ended on a high note, rather than bein' all cranky-pants on the way home. Sometimes it takes a 3rd party to spot the obvious. Happy boating!

Jeff

 

[notaz3]

Re: New Boater at Launch

That same thing happened to me yesterday.

Put the boat on the trailer, and everything seemed fine until we got off the ramp and went to put on the rear straps. Found the boat was sitting port side high on the boards. Went to put it back in the water to float it onto trailer correctly, but it was time for all the fishing boats to head out. My little mistake of not looking immediately after I pulled it out of the water ended up costing me about 45 minutes to re-launch and get it centered.

 

[tommybro31]

Re: New Boater at Launch

Yea, just felt a little stupid driving home with wet shorts and the heat on. I will always listen to advice from other people. I don't have enough experience not to yet.

 

[Thad]

Re: New Boater at Launch

I had to take a double look at where you were from. I offered help and advise to a couple guys over the weekend. Two had their trailers in too deep, and one not deep enough. One guy snubbed me, the other two were very gracious and thankfull. I told them the same thing that was told to you. We ALL started somewhere and have ALL had our share of problems.

Like my dad says, the day we stop learning, we're dead.

P.S. Get heated leather, I have used it more than once in the middle of summer with cold wet shorts. And, you can leave the air on and nobody will know you're cold

 

[Navy Jr.]

Re: New Boater at Launch

Tommybro, you done good. A lot of guys are too proud to ask for help or advice and end up wasting everyone else's time. (I wonder if these are the same fellas who don't ask for directions when they're obviously lost!). Anyway, on behalf of all in the boating community, thank you for your thoughtful consideration of others.

 

[Seon]

Re: New Boater at Launch

We've all been there and done that. But at times, when I have nothing better to do, I'll drive down to the launch ramp and just watch knowing there will be some comical scene when boaters launch and retrieve .

 

[rjlipscomb]

Re: New Boater at Launch

Actually, you did very well. You recognized a problem and sought to correct it in the safest manner. You asked for help rather than play ignorant. You acknowledged your delay and apologized to others when you really did not have too. Good Job and Congratulations. May we all learn from your triumph.

 

[Tahoe 55]

Re: New Boater at Launch

Wish more people were like you at the ramp. Eager to learn the right way and not too proud to ask for advice...
Good job bro!

 

[HappierWet]

Re: New Boater at Launch

In addition to the pats on the back noted above, let me add this simple mantra...."launch deep...retrieve shallow" If the bunks or rollers are too deep they won't guide the boat onto the trailer. Obviously, the less resistance you have launching the easier the boat comes off the trailer. It's just a matter of judgement, especially as you try different ramps....as ramp angle changes so does the sweet spot, where the boat comes on easy and the rollers or bunks still do their job. That all said.....You done good!

 

[Boss Hawg]

Re: New Boater at Launch

In addition to the pats on the back noted above, let me add this simple mantra...."launch deep...retrieve shallow" If the bunks or rollers are too deep they won't guide the boat onto the trailer. Obviously, the less resistance you have launching the easier the boat comes off the trailer. It's just a matter of judgement, especially as you try different ramps....as ramp angle changes so does the sweet spot, where the boat comes on easy and the rollers or bunks still do their job. That all said.....You done good!

Ditto
Retreving i have about half my bunks submerged - just enough to guide me on
BTW, you did good

 

[cribber]

Re: New Boater at Launch

Sounds like it all worked out and Pay it Forward!!!

 

[QC]

Re: New Boater at Launch

Yeah, this doesn't belong in SHTs. I am thinking in the boat section. Good story!! I still "hang a strake" every once in a while . . . I was taught early too, but even after close to 30 years launching and retrieving some ramps throw me a curve. Not often, but there is one I avoid now because of an ordeal just last year.

 

[cribber]

Re: New Boater at Launch

QC, I agree this one was all good and no SHT were committed!!!

 

[burp]

Re: New Boater at Launch

Tommybro,

Nice story....getting your boaters certification, using friends with experience to "show you the ropes" and asking/accepting help from others. Sounds like you are a pretty intellegent guy.

Earlier this year, I watched 6 people in a truck go past the boat prep area and stopped at the launch ramp, blocking 2 lanes. The girls headed off to the restrooms, while the guys moved the coolers/toys from truck into the boat and then headed off to the marina store. Several minutes later the guys returned, one hopped in the truck while another hopped in the boat. (At this point, I thought the boat should be clearing the launch ramp pretty quick....but...) The guy in the boat started it up with the (Merc Alpha) outdrive in the trailer position as the truck was pulled forward, aligned with the dock and backed towards the water. The outdrive driveshaft u-joints sounded like a buzz saw....and the outdrive was left in the trailer position with the engine running for 5-7 minutes, while the guys waited on the girls to return from the restrooms and the truck/trailer to be parked..

All the time I was out on the water, waiting in line for the launch ramp to clear so that I could load up and head home. I figured the boat owner will soon be venting about how unreliable his boat is and the cost of some necessary mechanical repairs.....overheat, tow, impeller, u-joints.....

 

[dkorzun21]

Re: New Boater at Launch

did the same thing....lol