Question about ramp etiquette

[sierrak9s]

I know the First Commandment of the Ramp is: Thou Shalt Not Hold Up the Line. Right? Get your stuff situated before you have the boat in the water, and make sure she starts before floating off the trailer.

But what about the retrieve?

Here's the situation. We were done for the day and approaching the dock next to the ramp, to offload the driver to go and get the truck and trailer. There are two ramps, separated by a single dock. Sitting at the base of one ramp, on one side of the dock, is a bass boat waiting for his trailer -- he's leaving the lake. The other ramp is occupied by a boat and trailer backing down INTO the lake.

So I hung back and waited, not wanting to crowd either one. All I needed to do at this point was offload the driver and then back away while I waited for the trailer to be in position, but I didn't even want to do that while the ramps were occupied.

But here comes another boat wanting to do the same thing, and instead of hanging back, they go right up to the dock and offload. Another boat comes up and does the same. Then another. Meanwhile, I'm still circling and waiting, and getting frustrated, because their drivers are now getting their trailers into line, while I'm still in the water a half-hour beyond what I planned.

What's the right procedure here?

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Question about ramp etiquette

If there was room for other boats to drop off a person at the dock, then there was room for you to have done it too. I am guessing that you were being TOO cautious.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Question about ramp etiquette

"All the world is a goose, and thems what don't plucks, goes without feathers."
--Mordecai Jones

 

[sierrak9s]

Re: Question about ramp etiquette

If there was room for other boats to drop off a person at the dock, then there was room for you to have done it too. I am guessing that you were being TOO cautious.

Okay, thanks. It's certainly possible, even likely -- I'm not very practiced at docking yet, so it takes me maybe a little more time than most people, and I'm sensitive to that. But if you're backing down the ramp to launch, wouldn't you be irritated at somebody coming up behind you?

 

[RL Gman]

Re: Question about ramp etiquette

Dont know if there is a "right" way, definitely a "best" way.

I think the important queue is the truck trailer line...meaning, offload your driver and let him get the truck and trailer in line. Then it doesnt matter who pulls in front of your boat or ties up etc. The next person getting in or out will be the next truck in line. It's much easier to have boats moving around/out of the way on the water than it is to move trucks attached to trailers in a line...

I would have offloaded the driver and have them get the truck in line, that way as soon as one guy pulls out, the next guy is ready to back in...Takes to long if you wait and have your driver get out after the ramp is clear. For instance, the other boaters not seeing your truck in line could just assume someone ran to the truck for something. And I think that would be a safe assumption/not being rude.

Of course, a little more tricky when by yourself, but still, the truck trailer queue is probably going to win the battle.

 

[rbh]

Re: Question about ramp etiquette

Put your self in the line up. When your second up, remove the tie downs, put the operator in the boat, turn on the power and the blower (you have already loaded all your stuff at home and pre checked the engine and boat).
Back in, unload the boat, driver parks the truck (hopefully you have two people on a busy day) boat operator picks up the driver.
Turn this around when you come in at the end of the day.
This is the way I have been doing it anyways.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Question about ramp etiquette

But here comes another boat wanting to do the same thing, and instead of hanging back, they go right up to the dock and offload. Another boat comes up and does the same. Then another. Meanwhile, I'm still circling and waiting

I agree with the earlier poster who said you were too cautious. If they could offload a driver, so could you. On some launches, if you try to wait until the ramps are competely empty you'll NEVER get off the water.

 

[KeyWestSkipper]

Re: Question about ramp etiquette

@HomeCookin; never heard that before, that's a great line and so true.

Props to Sierra for going out of his way to avoid crowding the other boaters, the intention was noble.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Question about ramp etiquette

Okay, thanks. It's certainly possible, even likely -- I'm not very practiced at docking yet, so it takes me maybe a little more time than most people, and I'm sensitive to that. But if you're backing down the ramp to launch, wouldn't you be irritated at somebody coming up behind you?

they will move... The thoughtful boater only uses the very end of the dock, which really doesn't interfere with me backing down at all. The other type just ties up to the dock. (don't ever be that one!) There are no mooring cleats on the courtesy dock for a reason, its for loading/unloading only. (in my area it is a dual ramp, dock in the middle, but a couple hundred feet of perfectly usable beach connected to the ramp)

 

[sierrak9s]

Re: Question about ramp etiquette

On some launches, if you try to wait until the ramps are competely empty you'll NEVER get off the water.

That is certainly how it felt at the time!

Thanks everyone. I'm very, very new at this -- that Saturday was only the second time out, and the one thing I did NOT want to do was be "that guy." It's worth a little frustration to me, to avoid being "that guy."

But I'll know better next time, that at least dropping off the driver isn't going to have the other boaters muttering curses at me under their breath. They'll have plenty of time to do that while we try to trailer the boat!

 

[brick75]

Re: Question about ramp etiquette

In my experience, if you don't get somewhat aggressive, you won't get a turn. Unfortunatley there are a lot of inconsiderate people out there, and it seems to be a little worse at the ramps than other places.

The first time I ever launched, some jackass pulled his boat up to the ramp as I was backing mine down. He didn't even flinch, jumped out of his boat and headed for his truck.

I'm not saying we should ALL turn into a bunch of jerks, but you'll definitely want to slip in when you can as long as you're not obviously cutting someone off.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Question about ramp etiquette

Having a courtesy dock between two ramps makes it very difficult for solo boaters. My usual strategy in that case is to beach the boat, then go for my vehicle and trailer. When it's my turn, I back the trailer down, jump in the boat or drag it with the bow line and pull it to the trailer. Depends on the characteristics of that ramp.

Fortunately, it takes me only about two minutes to get my boat on the trailer and drag it out of the water, once it's behind the trailer. It's just another benefit of owning a small aluminum boat.

When launching at a ramp like that, I back down, push the boat off the trailer, then use the bow rope to beach it as close to the ramp as I can. Again, it never takes me more than three or four minutes before I drive out and open the ramp for someone else.

I prefer double ramps with courtesy docks on both sides. That way, you can tie up to the offside of the doc for the transfer. Even then, though, it can take a while if other boaters are using the ramp, especially those who seem to take forever to get their boat back on the trailer.

 

[RL Gman]

Re: Question about ramp etiquette

that Saturday was only the second time out, and the one thing I did NOT want to do was be "that guy." It's worth a little frustration to me, to avoid being "that guy."

You are now my "New Boater" hero! As someone said before, the sentiment was noble!

 

[TRONMAN2000]

Re: Question about ramp etiquette

I'm not picking on one particular type of boater; however, I must say that it is nearly impossible to get out of the water on a Saturday evening at my area ramp (one ramp) because of the "Bass Boat Bullies" Don't get me wrong. I love to fish and would like to have a bass boat. That having been said. They come streaming in the lot one after another and line up to launch! They WILL NOT LET ANYONE LOAD!! One puts in and then the next backs down. This begins just before dark and continues for about 2hrs. Since I was a child, I was taught to TAKE TURNS. One boat goes in and then a boat comes out and so forth. The only ones that don't seem to get this is "The Bass Boat Bullies" They see a bow rider trying to get off the water and think " I can't let him get in my way" I can have my 20 footer out just as quick as they can, so what gives?

Just my little rant!
sorry

 

[capt sam]

Re: Question about ramp etiquette

Agree with the others, you just need to be polite but proactive in getting the trailer in line. Sometimes when I see someone sitting off the dock waiting I'll ask if they're waiting to load and I'll give them reasonable time to get it going other wise I just do what I need to do.

 

[rbh]

Re: Question about ramp etiquette

Just to add, If I need help I ask, If I see someone strugling I will pitch in and help. It only makes sense.

 

[mjgates]

Re: Question about ramp etiquette

I'm not picking on one particular type of boater; however, I must say that it is nearly impossible to get out of the water on a Saturday evening at my area ramp (one ramp) because of the "Bass Boat Bullies" Don't get me wrong. I love to fish and would like to have a bass boat. That having been said. They come streaming in the lot one after another and line up to launch! They WILL NOT LET ANYONE LOAD!! One puts in and then the next backs down. This begins just before dark and continues for about 2hrs. Since I was a child, I was taught to TAKE TURNS. One boat goes in and then a boat comes out and so forth. The only ones that don't seem to get this is "The Bass Boat Bullies" They see a bow rider trying to get off the water and think " I can't let him get in my way" I can have my 20 footer out just as quick as they can, so what gives?

Just my little rant!
sorry

why not just drop someone off at the head of the dock and get your trailer in line. Once you're in line, you load when its your turn.

 

[carcraze]

Re: Question about ramp etiquette

It was great that you tried to hang back, very nice for sure. Sounds like as others have said you needed to a little more aggresive to drop your driver off. Just do not excede your limitations as I am sure you will get much better with more experiance.
Crowding other boats doing their thing can be bad news but with experiance it will become easier. You sound as though you will have no trouble getting into it in the future.

Always be aware of others coming in behind you as they may not be as experianced or have any commin sense so always be on the look out as well.

I remember coming in one day and I had just docked at the end of the dock to drop the driver which are very long docks for that purpose. There was a boat loading in front of me and in comes this boat which apparantly the driver of which seemed a little under the weather. There is a guy standing on the bow to get dropped off, instead of waiting until I had the trailer in and he could use that section of dock he comes in straight at the end. Well I guess his depth perception was under the weather as well as he hits the dock end sends the guy on the bow flying off and tumbling on the dock and then bounces off and almost tags me.

Scary to say the least so being cautious is sometimes prudent.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Question about ramp etiquette

As long as you're just pulling up to the end of the courtest dock to offload the truck driver, there's no foul to the people loading/unloading boats on the ramp. The only item of caution is to make sure you aren't coming in when someone is reversing off of the trailer (it might make them panic while in reverse if they think you are closing in on them). Either way, you still played the "good bater" card by waiting.

 

[Subliminal]

Re: Question about ramp etiquette

Being new at the dock myself, I'd probably have waited too. I'd rather not have a line behind me when I'm doing the deed.