Ramp etiquette - launching solo

[BrianFD]

Re: Ramp etiquette - launching solo

Johnnybigrigger: I've been on that ramp! Was that you waitin' behind me?? hehehe<br /><br />chads15: More than a little familiar with Alum Crk and the follies that go on there. That's why I go to Buckeye L. Not that they're any better, smarter, quicker... just because I got tired of the self-centered, non-courteous and downright dangerous idiots up there (present company excluded, of course!!). And the rangers being there sometimes helps, sometimes hurts the process. Same with Buckeye... they're never there when you need 'em.<br />Oh well... we live, we learn, we try to overlook the idiots and have fun in spite of them.<br />Glad to see another Buckeye on the board!<br />Brian

 

[johnnybigrigger]

Re: Ramp etiquette - launching solo

Brian, it I had know it was you holding up progress I would have told you the pointed end of the boat needs to go on the trailer first <br /><br />I took my bass boat (you can find that wonderful thing in the project boat forum) to the lake to see, remember see if the latest repair helped the performance. There were two fellows in a nice looking Ranger getting ready to launch. Then I heard a sound I dread.<br /><br />They started it on the ramp out of the water. With one in the boat, the other backed the rig across the turn around area into the water. The motor stalled when he put it in gear, and he was floating away from the ramp. The first fellow was yelling instructions to him as he floated out to open water. It seems the fellow in the boat could not back a trailer, and it was his first time in a boat. A fellow boater took him out to his boat...it was a hoot to watch this fellow yelling at his buddy. As for my boat.....It still would not go above 2800 rpms. Then I turned the page, and it said to check the stator. I love boats!!!

 

[BrianFD]

Re: Ramp etiquette - launching solo

jbr, I can never get the trim up high enough to clear that crossmember when backing up onto the trailer!! So, you're saying I need to put the 'pointy' end on the trailer first?? Dern, you're a verified 'genius'!! hehehe

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Ramp etiquette - launching solo

jtexas,<br /><br />Prior Proper Planning Prevents Pi** Poor Performance. If you are alone at the ramp launching and nobody has the stones to lend a hand, and you are moving like you have purpose, anyone who complains is a jerk deserves to wait. <br /><br />In a pinch I would rather have someone move, not park, a warm truck than land a boat with a cold engine. Tie up your boat and then go back and park your truck how and where you want it. Just my opinion.

By the way ever notice how the loudest complainers take the most time once they get their turn.<br /><br />Pointer94

 

[johnnybigrigger]

Re: Ramp etiquette - launching solo

...I can see some fool reading this forum, and trying to back his boat onto his trailer. But dear, there was a fellow on the internet that did it

 

[Scoop]

Re: Ramp etiquette - launching solo

I do have one other way that I launch my boat. I have a 14' Jon boat. It is fairly heavy. The lake I frequent does not have public access unless you can carry your boat from the side of the highway 40' down an embankment. The cabin that I stay at has no launch facilities and has a medium slope hill.<br /><br />I built a cart that straps onto my boat that lets me take my boat down to the water myself and launch. Putting the boat back on the cart is a little harder, but it works and lets me do everything myself. I do have to watch the steepness of the hill because the weight of the boat will pull me down the hill with it if I slip.<br /><br />I only use my boat for fishing and this lets me get into water that a lot of people do not have access to.<br /><br />The first version of this cart did break this year (After 3 years of use), but I have a better design in mind. The cart is small, light, floats, and goes on soft ground without sinking in too bad.

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: Ramp etiquette - launching solo

that makes me realize that IBOATS.COM needs to engineer/build/sell an aluminum boat with wheels, kinda like an old seaplane, right? maybe 6" clearance should get the whole idea selling. oh yeah, built in 1 7/8" tongue that hinges down, LED lights built in to the transom too. tadaa! <br /><br />i need some help here. maybe totally flat boat, like when plywood frame, but made of aluminum. with a modified trapezoid shape front/back and manual jackplate built in too.... lol<br /><br />maybe slide/groove plastic replaceable keelguard.<br /><br /> if you build it, they will come (and buy)

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: Ramp etiquette - launching solo

dang, somebody needs to franchise a BoatsDepot

 

[Bassy]

Re: Ramp etiquette - launching solo

I really enjoyed this thread. Thanks to you all.<br />Old sailor - Where is this ramp? In Oregon? If so, where?<br /><br />Luna Sea - Loved the link! I'm gonna definitely save it.<br />Bassy

 

[moretodaythanyesterday]

Re: Ramp etiquette - launching solo

Around here, alot could be said about the individual who designs the ramp and placement of docks for the individual launching alone. My favoite ramp is designed in such a way that you can hardly avoid blocking a ramp by docking and then pulling/parking the tow vehicle. Early last spring it was better when the water was low, at least you could beach the boat and then grab the tow vehicle not blocking a lane. What chaps my arse is when the guy with the with 7 people in the boat ties up and blocks a lane while he fetchs the trailer. I guess not one other moron on the boat could idle the boat in a holding pattern away from the ramp while he fetched. Never a dull moment.

 

[Invader92]

Re: Ramp etiquette - launching solo

Being a new boater, its hard to believe that people wouldnt have there boat and gear ready to launch before they backed down the ramp. I have yet to launch alone (wife loves boating) so I always have her hold the line with the boat at the far end of the dock while I park my truck. I made a few mistakes on my first launch but had no issues with those waiting on me. I also made a check list to do before I leave the house and before I launch. I dont miss a thing anymore. <br />Whats with the people that have to work on there engines at the dock? I run my boat before I even hook it to the truck....Thats just me

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Ramp etiquette - launching solo

The first & last time I accepted help from a waiting boater he moved my truck of the ramp while I moved the boat.<br /><br />Cost me a clutch (hmm, that smell wasn't there this morning). Politely & with a smile, "No thanks, I'll only be a few minutes".

 

[JoeW]

Re: Ramp etiquette - launching solo

Ah! Yes indeed. It is that time of year again. And what I timely subject. <br /><br />I took my boat out yesterday to go fishing. Launch went just fine, but pulling out was a different story. Imagine this. It's 3:30 p.m. Local state run ramp has 2 docs (about 60' each). With room on both side for launch & retreival, so four lanes total. I'm with my 13 year daugther, so it's about the same as going solo as far as driving the boat goes. I idle into a holding pattern waiting my turn at the doc. I then notice than no-one seems to be going anywhere. No progress whatsoever. Not seeing anyone in holding pattern infront of me, I pull into one of the few open spots on a doc and go to fetch my truck. In this case, parking lot is about as close as the courtesy doc, so I figure it's a wash. <br /><br />On my way up the ramp I notice a long line of vehicles waiting for a turn at the ramp, half launching, half retreiving. I could see right away what the problem was. The docs were full of boats waiting to be pulled out of the water. The vehicles that need to pull them are stuck in line behind the folks who want to launch. The folks who want to launch can't because of the boats on the doc waiting for the vehicles stuck in line. etc. etc. No one is going anywhere and everyone is getting hot tempered. <br /><br />What do I do? Stupid me! I decide to be a good samaritan and try to coordinate traffic a little. After all, there are 4 whole lanes. We should have two for launching and two for retrieving. What do I get?, a bunch of nasty looks and bad comments ("I was here first" kinda thing). It was a deadlock that wouldn't budge. So I give up on the traffic cop role. Then I decide to do something that makes me look like a complete jerk to these folks. I go get my truck and jump in front of everyone to get my boat out. I get a couple of nasty comments, both from the guys on the $40K ski boats. After I did this, a couple of other empty trailers jump in line also. Next thing you know, the log jam is clear. <br /><br />What a fiasco. <br /><br />With 4 full lanes, the state should mark two for launching and two for retreiving. <br /><br />What do you think? Did I do the right thing, or should I have gone to the courtesy docs and waited in a line that would never move?

 

[masterandcommander]

Re: Ramp etiquette - launching solo

I managed to block the ramp for an unprecedented 23 hours . Fortunately it's a little used launching ramp at that time of the year (late September). Truck couldn't get enough traction in the sand to pull out my 23 foot sailboat. The tide was out most of that time so noone was going to be using it anyway. Broke off the little jack/wheel. Broke the winch off the trailer trying to winch it up to the truck. Finally rigged up a system that worked using chains to winch it to the truck and putting boards under the trailer wheels for less resistance. Was winching it out slowly when the police pulled up....somebody had complained about me blocking the ramp. Just then 2 mexican guys in a big heavy loaded public works truck pulled up and offered to pull me the rest of the way out, thanks be to God.