Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

[Walter]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

My two cents worth...<br /><br />How many boaters launch without insuring their engine will even start? I attach a garden hose to my outdrive and fire up the engine in the driveway at home before I head to the ramp. To me, nothing is more annoying than the guy who has the ramp tied up while he's going from boat to boat asking, "Got any jumper cables?"<br /><br />Walt

 

[62_Kiwi]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

Walter - good point. I learnt that lesson the hard way myself ...once. Since then I test my motor before heading for the ramp AND always carry a (tested) spare battery on board AND have installed an A/B/off switch to disconnect the batteries when not in use.<br /><br />The boat ramp is not the place to test a motor when it hasn't been run for a while...

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

As for making mistakes.It is the rude mistakes that **** people off. Something has happened to every boater at one time or another. I have drug my outdrive up the ramp trying to be super fast. Did I say my ramp is just outside of Baltimore city and the ramp was packed,is was the 4th of July and well...... It is the grace you have when it happens. <br /> I have many of boats that start in the drive way that are dead at the ramp. <br />Two batterys is a must if you cant row it. <br />Test drives have to be done or you would have to throw away a boat after it broke down. There is a time and a place for that and it isnt at peak hours.

 

[Codedog]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

^^^ up again...

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

Hi Bizniz, All the posted tips are great but there is a few details that have been left out.<br />First one is this, some people have no problem of backing a trailer with the boat on it, but when the boat is off the trailer, it is allot different because it is harder to see exactly where your trailer is. Once your backing your empty trailer over the crest of the ramp, it is easy to loose sight of it. Guide poles on the trailer not only help you load your boat, but they will also give you reference on where the trailer is once it is over the crest of the ramp.<br /><br />Second one is a pet peave of mine and it deals with night time loading and launching. I personally have two light circuits on my trailer. One goes to my running lights, and the other goes to the lights that I have on my guide poles. These lights never get submerged and allows me to see where the trailer is in the dark. My running lights (even though they are surpose to be submirsable) I always unhook them to prevent having to fix my lights after loading the boat.<br />But the one thing that really urks me is when the people that are using the ramp next to you leave their headlights on. To me it is common sense to shut off your lights in order to prevent the other person from being blinded by the lights while backing onto the ramp. Newer GM vehicles have a feature that keeps the lights on, but however simple things can be done to dim the lights such as putting a couple of towels over the lights, or even having someone stand in front of the lights. Plus there are other ways that these type vehicles can have there lights fixed to a switch.<br />Be patient, Know your routine, be Confident, and be Considerate of others. Following these guidlines will usually keep you out of trouble.<br /><br />Good Luck and remember boating is relaxation and enjoyment, it is not meant to be work or a hassel. (Unless your doing repairs!)

 

[bcbob]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

Boy do I have a ramp story for you guys. <br /> I was waiting to take my boat out of the water at a local lake where the insurance companies actually give you a discount for not boating on the lake (needless to say lots of accidents on this lake)Any ways the guy has his buddy waiting in the water with the boat, he proceeds to back down the ramp with his rig, jack knives the trailer once, twice..... finally gets into the water taking up both sides of the ramp. His buddy brings in the boat and hits the trailer, trailers to far out of the water so he revs the cr*p out of the motor trying to get it on the trailer. Creates a major wake effecting all boaters waiting to load. Finally gets the boat onto the trailer crooked and just leaves the winch cable connected.(no safety chain) Starts pulling the trailer out with his rig and what happens....... you guessed it snaps his cable and the bow points straight to the heavens slips off the trailer and the stern of the boat smashes on the concrete ramp. This on a Sunday at dusk. Rigs backed up in the parking lot and boaters waiting in the water. I couldn't bare to watch anymore, left that ramp and loaded at another. Goes to show you the safety chain isn't just there for something to hang on to.

 

[Codedog]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

Here's a tip for SSMayfloat and other late model GM truck owners. The daytime running light feature can be turned off very easily. Next to the headlamp switch is a Dome Light on/off button. If you push that button in just half-way two times in a row (push 1/2, release - push 1/2, release) you will hear a little chime sound and the headlamps are off! To get them back on again you just repeat.

 

[lso254]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

first launch today, forgot the **** plug. Fish didn't bite and kids were the ****s. Still a good day on the water.

 

[outonbizniz]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

Thanks alot Mayfloat!!! Well I've almost gotten my 1962 rude 75HP running. Once I'm a little more confident of it's reliability (can I use the 1962 rude and reliable in the same post?) I'll head to the ramp. Thanks again everyone!

 

[skier]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

NuBoatR: Where in Northern CA are you? If your near Tracy, go to the "Lazy M" marina on the delta and watch the show. bring a lawn chair and sit under the huge weeping willow next to the ramp. Last time I was there several people had cards with numbers and were rating/judging launching and retrievals. It's almost as much fun as taking the boat out.<br /><br />Craig

 

[Codedog]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

Hey Merc - I'm right on the Delta over by Pittsburg/Antioch. I know where the Lazy M is and I have heard some tales from there. Might make a good outing! I'll invite my fishing/hunting buddy, bring some chairs, beer & scorecards!

 

[Spidybot]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

A simple tip when being new to backing up with trailer:<br /><br />Grab the steering wheel at the bottom of the rim instead of at the top.<br /><br />Helps controlling the 'opposite steering' of the trailer.<br /><br />If you need to practise at the ramp in peace, go there when the weather is too bad for going out!

 

[Bob O]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

Lots of good ideas here. Before I move into position on the ramp, I change into shorts and sandels so I can wade in if something goes wrong. I also load everything from the car to the boat so I am not collecting stuff after I park and there is nothing in my hands when I climb into the boat. I don't start my motor until after I park because it takes extra time to climb in and out of the boat. I have a main outboard, kicker and electric bow mount, so I know something will work. <br /><br />Never disconnect the winch strap until the back of the boat is in the water - too many horror stories of someone touching the brake and dropping their boat on the ramp. I back part way in, disconnect the strap, then finish backing in.<br /><br />I have a bow rope that is just longer than the trailer, which I loop over the winch post when I disconnect the strap. I back in until the boat just floats off the trailer or can be easily pushed. I may also tie a stern rope to the dock or hand it to a bystander. <br /><br />When the boat is free of the trailer, I walk it to the back of the dock or shoreline so the next boat can start moving in while I park. I park quickly and run back to my boat. If others are waiting, I pull out a few hundred feet to finish any re-organizing.<br /><br />When I return, I don't unload anything at the landing to carry to the car. I do all the unpacking, strapping, etc. in the parking lot, out of the way.

 

[blifsey]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

Outonbizniz, I know you said you'd be launching "alone" but if you, or others, also have children with you, have them put on their PFD at the ramp. I read of a child that fell off of dock and drowned while the father was launching.<br /><br />BL...

 

[xmurray]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

Is there a right of way at the ramp? Meaning does someone exiting the water have right of way over someone waiting in line to enter? I am a new boater and the ramp I use dumps right into the state boat channel which usually has a swift current. There is not a good place to tie up and wait out of the way or enable me to go get the car. I think I would have to just try and maintain my position in the channell and then take a spot at the float as soon as somone pulls away. But I am sure there will already be someone waiting to back down into that spot. What is the proper ettiquet?

 

[Hooty]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

If you're loading by yourself, ya gotta tie up to the float, go get your trailer back it down, go to float and get boat, drive on trailer and pull out. Might pi** some folks off but there ain,t no other way. I launch and load by myself a lot and as long as you have it all together, nobody sez anything.<br /><br />c/6<br /><br />Hooty

 

[jvolpe28]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

One things for sure, what ever method you choose and get comfortable with, keep this in mind, dont worry what the guy behind you thinks, worry about your truck and boat, and everything will be fine, so what if it takes you 5 mins to launch or load, who cares if somebodys grand father is turning red and smoking from his ears waiting for you. until you learn to make a launch a routine, pretend nobody is there

 

[skier]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

Walter: I had started my Merc 1250 in the driveway and between the house and the lake the starter sylinoid (Spelling??) went boobs up. I had to jump across the sylinoid to start it and I just didn't turn it off until it was back on the trailer.<br /><br />Craig

 

[Hooty]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

Roger that jvolpe28<br /><br />c/6<br /><br />Hooty

 

[thornious]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

I have to agree with everything that was said here. But I think that jvolpe28 hit the nail right on the head. Its your money take your time and don't worry about everyone else you'll just get nervous. Don't get wrong everyone else needs to use the ramp as well, just make a plan and follow it and before you know it, will be second nature. <br /><br />I pulled many a trailer in the army and as a kid at home, but every time on that boat ramp I still get nervous, just don't let it get to you. I think I have done alot of unintentional stupid stuff on the ramp and I do launch by myself most of the time since I did not have power trim and the motor was way too heavy for my fiancee.<br /><br />The only other thing I can say is <br /> When things go wrong DON'T stand around and scratch your head. That will P#%* people off in a heartbeat. I think everyone respects someone a little more and will cut you a little more slack, if you at least look like you are trying to fix the problem as fast as you can.