Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

[outonbizniz]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I have one nagging question/worry.<br />I will have to launch my 14 ft sppedboat by myself. Could you all give me the correct/common steps to do this without:<br /> 1. looking like a dope (may be too late!)<br /> 2. damaging my boat<br /> 3. upseting others at the ramp<br /><br />Thanks! Todd

 

[495v]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

I fished with a guy once who was a loner and he had a pretty good technique. After getting to water's edge and unhooking the winch line, he would take a spare rope(25'-30')tie it to his truck and to the loop for the winch line, and continue backing until the boat began to slide away from the trailer. He would then quickly jump out, untie the line from the truck, pull up some slack line and tie to the dock, park truck and hurry back. Although he made it look easy, I see alot of room for problems to occur. I think it is a technique that needs to be mastered. I really don't think there is any safe way to launch alone. When I go out with someone new, that has never operated a boat or driven a vehicle with a trailer, I tend to handle both on my own. First make sure the ramp is not crowded because it takes longer by yourself. I drive the boat off the tralier, tie it to dock, RUN to vehicle, park it, RUN back to boat to get away from dock so somebody else can use it. Good thing I'm still on the young side. Just remember to be courteous.

 

[62_Kiwi]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

Hi Outonbiz<br /><br />I regularly take the boat out alone, but only at times when the ramp is not busy. It is slower than launching with a helper. <br /><br />Here's what I do;<br /><br />1. Prepare boat in car park, away from ramp (motor up, bungs in etc). I attach a rope to the front of the boat, which is very necessary for single handed launching.<br />2. Back trailer into water to required depth.<br />3. Release the winch hook, give it a big push and the boat slides off trailer into the water. <br />4. I hold onto the rope (to prevent boat floating away), then walk down the pontoon and tie the boat to the end position.<br />5. Jump back in the car and park the trailer.<br />6. Run back to the boat and away I go.<br /><br />As you can see, it takes longer, so you'd be very unpopular doing this at a busy time.<br /><br />If you don't have access to a pontoon, then use your anchor instead.<br /><br />Coming in is the reverse of the above. The guide rope at the front of the boat is used to guide the boat back onto the trailer.<br /><br />Good luck !

 

[crab bait]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

when i first started i was the WORLDS WORST BACKER UPPER... i thought i'd never master the art ... even with practice in parkin' lots.. then one day i drove down a dead end road with no place to turn around..... had to back up the hole 1/2 mile.. since then ,, i vastly improved.. i boat alot by myself .. best way is to put my anchor in the pickup bed. back her down to it floats off ... pull out some so my feet don't get wet.. ty rode off ... go park truck .. that simple... who says it can't be done alone... do it all the time ,, even if i got help. it's just easier

 

[araiha]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

Even though I don't boat alone, I launch alone. The wife damages too much equipment. I have the boat ready to start when it goes in. Once in the water I start it up, unhook the winch (I have a Harken sailing quick disconnect that is rated for the winch/cable) and drive the boat down far enough to clear the ramp or beach it, etc.<br /><br />Never on the ramp longer than about 3 minutes.<br /><br />Biggest aggravation with the whole process for a newbie is probably backing down the ramp. Go find an empty lot and practice backing up until you are comfortable. A good skill level would be able to back down between the parking lines. <br /><br />You are asking questions to develop a PLAN which puts you head and shoulders above most.<br /><br />Good Luck.

 

[ODDD1]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

62 kiwi....same drill I use...the most important thing is PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE..when you have a 'system' and you do it the same every time it will become habit and you gotta screw up to spend more than 3 minutes at the ramp! you know, there are worse things than goin out for a little jaunt after work 'just to practice'!

 

[62_Kiwi]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

You're right ODDD1, that it can take only three minutes on the ramp if there are not too many other people in the way.<br /><br />I find at my ramp, that during the busy times it takes considerably longer because you have to negotiate through other boats already tied to the pontoon and you (often) have to park your trailer a lot further from the ramp - which means a long walk back to the boat.<br /><br />During the time that I'm tying the boat to the pontoon (especially if it takes a while to navigate through other boats), other boaters waiting to use the ramp would probably get irritated by the sight of my unattended 4WD and trailer parked down in the ramp position.<br /><br />I guess it depends a lot on your ramp conditions and how busy it is. As I say, I only choose times that are relatively quiet and so I probably am only on the ramp for about three minutes.<br /><br />ODDD1's right about practice and having a system. Always do it the same way and it will become automatic and easy for you.

 

[TxRiverRat]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

I think I have seen just about every technique and major screw up, and these guys know what they're talking about. <br /><br />One thing I didn't notice mentioned, was that if the shoreline was sand/mud you would beach the boat away from everything then run back to the truck to park it.

 

[outonbizniz]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

Thanks to all. We just got another 3 inches of snow up here last night...guess I won't get to put your suggestions into action for a little longer. Thanks Again and THINK SPRING!!<br /><br />Todd

 

[jamesk47187]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

I always do it myself, every ramp is different. Try watching some of the boaters before you launch yours. and make sure motor is up and plug in!!! almost sunk mine. NOw those two items are checked before I leave my driveway.<br />

 

[crab bait]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

AH !!the ole' plug out trick !! it's sure to bring out the hardiest of laughter from all the by-standers young & old alike... it's probably the best trick of all..i seem to do this about once a season.. boy , do they get a big kick outta it.. on the ramp.... it's fun & laughter for all !!

 

[Chum Slick]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

One question for all those who responded as to try to launch when ramp is not busy. How do you determine if ramp is busy when you leave house with boat on trailer? I launch a 20' Pontoon and a 24' Mako alone. Not trying to be a b*tt head or anything, but if others at ramp don't have the patience to wait a couple minutes longer for me to launch then that's their problem. I have been launching boats for 35 years and eventually everyone has some minor problems that is going to delay the process. I along with everyone else has to understand this and learn to be patient and offer to lend a hand when possible.

 

[jocko_nc]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

Get a system and a mental check list. Work down the items in the list so that you don't forget anything... like the plug. Oops<br /><br />I load everything in the parking lot. Wife, kids, cooler, everything. Check battery. Line it up, then get out and remove straps, check plug. Lower boat enough to submerge lower unit and take weight off. Wife starts motor to test. Shove off keep winch line attached. Float her back a bit and crank it up. Detatch line and away she goes. She does a couple of laps to warm everything up while I park the truck. When I am ready, she comes back and only has to put the bow up to the end of the dock while I jump in.<br />Very fast.<br /><br />I do get irrated with the way some fellas spend way too much time tied up to the dock, effectively blocking all the other action.<br /><br />jocko

 

[Rocnat4]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

Agree with all and emphasis one point. Make sure your drive unit is up! at our ramp there is a nice little skeg groove that goes down the middle! Admittedly, I helped dig that groove, but just once . . . really!

 

[62_Kiwi]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

Chum Slick<br /><br />You raise some good points. "Patience" would definitely have to be listed in here for good ettiquet also.<br /><br />I think a good approach is to PLAN to be as quick as possible on the ramp. If anything goes wrong and you take longer, then you appreciate the patience (& possible help) of others. My experience is that generally boaters are very helpful to each other (as seen on this board), but I believe good ettiquet is to plan to not cause delays for others where possible.<br /><br />In terms of quiet times at the ramp, I think you get to know these by experience. At my ramp, generally weekends are busy and weekdays (Mon-Fri) are quieter (very early mornings are good too!). I myself make the personal choice to use quiet ramp times when I'm launching on my own - but I realise this is not possible for everyone and am not meaning to cast judgement over others.<br /><br />Good topic!

 

[C17LoadSmasher]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

Maybe I am the awful boater lol, but here is what I do:<br /><br />1. I ready the boat in the lot<br />2. Back it into the water, fire up the motor, while it warms up for a lil bit I attach the bow/stern lines and then I am good to go<br />3. Disconnect from winch, give her a good shove, and put her in reverse<br />4. Depending on current and traffic in the area usually I just go and dock, cut off the motor, and go park truck, run back (so I don't tie up a mooring spot for too long)<br />5. Off I go.<br />6. Return is reverse.<br /><br />It doesnt take me too long, I have gotten used to this boat, I usually only use passengers as someone to either throw me a rope or to keep boat from hitting dock if the current pulls me or something. Personally, I prefer someone else being there, makes it much easier, but it can be done! Good luck!

 

[ODDD1]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

62 kiwi, once again I have to agree [yer rapidly gettin another buddy halfway around the world]...it is alot easier to take a little time to help another on the ramp if they havent spent the last 20 minutes gettin in everybodys way...ramps are not for loading the boat, cleaning the boat,checking safety gear, putting on PFD's,finding a rope,finding a drain plug, etc,etc....that is what a parking lot is for.

 

[nh3]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

Common courtesy to your fellow boater at the ramp is nice. I try to help out the solo boater with lines and stuff at the ramp. I can't stand it when someone is struggling and a bunch of people just watching. Pisses me off. I had my steering let go when I was 40' from my trailer and the guy landing his boat next to my trailer just blew me off like I had the plauge. Hey buddy can u grab my line. I'm late he says. WHAT?<br /><br />nh3

 

[Codedog]

Re: Ramp ettiquet for NEWBIE Part II

Wow - I've got to do this more often! On the suggestion of some on this thread, this evening I spent 1/2 hour at the local public ramp. I saw one boater out of 5 pull in, drop off someone to get the truck & pull back out 'till the truck arrived. In & out in about 5 minutes. <br /><br />2 others must have spent 20 minutes just tied to the dock - doing absolutely nothing! Another guy pulls in to launch on one lane and readies his rig in the lot - except he is blocking the lane! <br /><br />The killer was a guy pulling his Bayliner in. Pulls up to the dock, ties on & leaves his buddy in the boat while he fetches the truck. As he's backing down, he's zig-zagging all over trying to line up to his side of the dock. Finally gets it there. Walks back to boat & sends buddy up to hook the winch line when he gets boat on the trailer. Buddy can't get to the trailer without getting wet, so he stands & watches while the Cap'n drives her onto the trailer, about 2 feet short of the winch. Cap'n tells Buddy to pull truck forward a bit. Buddy complies. Cap'n decides to drive the boat all the way onto the trailer - not thinking the front half of boat is now out of the water. Cap revs her up & launches boat into the trailer "upright", ripping the nose loop off the bow & bendig the winch over to one side!<br /><br />This is great entertainment! With this busy holiday weekend coming up (in the low 80's here already) I might just have to take a lawn chair & a couple of beers down there to watch the antics!

 

[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 even 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