Ramp Ettiquet for Newbie

[Codedog]

Being as I'm looking to get my own boat soon, I would like to get some hints on launching & retrieving at the ramp so I don't P*ss off other boaters. I've gone through it before, but as a passenger/helper, not owner/driver.<br /><br />So, I would like to get all of the hints, tips and instructions from as many as possible before the "big day"! <br /><br />Thanks a bunch for all of your help!<br /><br />(BTW - I have read a couple of good stories in the SHT forum so I have a start!)

 

[62_Kiwi]

Re: Ramp Ettiquet for Newbie

Hi IVBN<br /><br />Good on you for asking the question.<br /><br />In my view, the best boat ramp users are the considerate ones who are well organised and have their boat fully prepared before they get onto the ramp. Once they're on the ramp, they immediately launch their boat in minimal time and then quickly clear the way for others coming through.<br /><br />Here is my list;<br /><br />1. Boat is ready to launch before getting on to the ramp.<br />2. Your people don't walk around on the ramp getting in the way of others.<br />3. You launch the boat as soon as you get on the ramp - no unnecessary delays holding up access to others.<br />4. Once in the water, you move away from the ramp as soon as possible - again to keep the way clear for others.<br />5. No jumping the queue (common sense here). If others have been waiting longer, let them go first.<br />6. In my opinion, boats coming out of the water should have priority to boats being launched (I'm interested to hear what others think of this).<br /><br />A good question.

 

[TxRiverRat]

Re: Ramp Ettiquet for Newbie

Thank god someone thinks ahead... <br /><br />Here goes:<br /><br />1. Get ready to launch in the parking lot and not on the ramp. Put your boat either in a parking spot out of the way, or if your park has "get ready" lanes, use them. <br /><br />2. When finished, dont wipe down your boat, or unload gear/people or pull the plug on the ramp - find a parkuing place again.<br /><br />3. Do not wait for the person parking/retrieving the truck/trailer at the courtesy dock - pick him/her up once he is there. other people need to use it.<br /><br />4. Make sure the person backing the boat into the lake knows how to back it in without taking up more than one lane. <br /><br />5. Don't clean fish on the ramp and then throw the guts in the dumpster - it stinks and attracts swarms of flies for hours after you leave!<br /><br />The secret to being perfect on the ramp boils down to having a routinized pattern of doing it. try to have the same person launch the boat, and the same person backing it into the water. The faster you can safely and effectively get the boat in the water without any screw ups, the more likely you wont make anyone mad. <br /><br />Good Luck

 

[DJ]

Re: Ramp Ettiquet for Newbie

Ivanna,<br /><br />Everyone else is being VERY polite. In other words, DON'T try out your new rig at 9:00 AM on Saturday. <br /><br />1. No one is as impressed with your new rig as you are.<br /><br />2. Listen to advice.<br /><br />3. Get in and out ASAP.<br /><br />If you follow # 1, you'll be far ahead of the game.

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Ramp Ettiquet for Newbie

The thing that makes me mad is when some one pulls there boat and stops on the ramp to lash it to the trailer. Winch your boat up on your trailer and hook a safty chain from the trailer to the eye (just in case your winch lets lose when you drive up the ramp,that will realy tie things up)and get off the ramp. I would never tow my boat home after a quick tie down on the ramp but people do. You always see things on the side of the road(lifejackets,coolers,clothes,ect) leeding to ramp.

 

[Ross J]

Re: Ramp Ettiquet for Newbie

Hi Ivanna Boatnow, may I suggest you go down to your local boat ramp and sit a while and watch. Very soon you'll see all the excellent habits spoken of here. You'll also see some daft things occur. You'll cotton on quick and soon be using the ramp like an expert. The biggest thing appears to be to prepare well.<br />Good luck<br />Ross

 

[JRJ]

Re: Ramp Ettiquet for Newbie

Welcome Ivanna, check out the trailer forum for some more good tips. If everyone could handle their rig with the skill and politeness of the folks here, the ramp would be a snap for us all. Good luck with your boat search.

 

[C17LoadSmasher]

Re: Ramp Ettiquet for Newbie

Don't forget that when transiting the dock/slip area to keep it slow... here in SC it's a no-wake zone w/in 50 ft of a dock or slip. You would think that some of the people on the water couldn't read or understand the nice simple pictograph.<br /><br />--C17LoadSmasher

 

[chellabell]

Re: Ramp Ettiquet for Newbie

Always let your crew know exactly<br />what each one is to do. An informed crew is a<br />good crew. A bad experience at the ramp will<br />really ruin your day.

 

[chrker]

Re: Ramp Ettiquet for Newbie

Take your rig to the nearest open parking lot (i.e. local mall) and practice backing it. You don’t want to learn to do that at the ramp.<br /><br />-Chris

 

[Rocnat4]

Re: Ramp Ettiquet for Newbie

Many good tips here. Heres one that always takes the cake. Driving a boat onto a trailer!! Here is the typical scene<br /><br />two buddies (one standing on dock with Beer in hand and belly hanging out)The other behind the wheel giving hell to his overpowered Bass pro shop 17' boat to get it on the trailer one extra inch. <br /><br />Do they realize (or care about) the amount of wake caused by this practice? Whats wrong with cranking these up by hand?

 

[495v]

Re: Ramp Ettiquet for Newbie

Rocnat4, did you see me boating last year or something? I don't know which buddy I was with because they all have big beer bellies hanging out. Oh wait, you said 17' and I have a 21' so it must have been someone else...I do this practice you are describing, except I learned that in order to properly drive your boat on the trailer you must,1) get the trailer bunks wet, and 2) have the trailer in the water deep enough. I never have any problems and never cause these monster wakes that disrupt people. The problem you describe is caused from not getting the bunks wet. My trailer has no rollers so if you do not get the boat up all the way by driving it, you must back the trailer in the water a little further to be able to winch it, and that ends up taking more time at the ramp for others. Now that I have my procedure down packed, I can get it on the trailer and off the ramp in just a minute or two. I also end up putting a little extra life on the carpet of my bunks by getting them wet first. I'll take your complaint into consideration next time and make sure my wake stays at a minimal! Good comments.

 

[Codedog]

Re: Ramp Ettiquet for Newbie

Thanks for the tips everyone! This is great information. I too will likely be launching alone sometimes (I will have help from my Yello Labs!!) so keep the ideas coming. Step by step procedures are greatly appreciated!

 

[GETDANET]

Re: Ramp Ettiquet for Newbie

Go to the ramp and watch people launch you will learn alot , not only to see what to do and how but what NOT to do . If you stay long enough you'll also get a good laugh or 2 just look for the guy with the roller trailer that unhooks before he backs down the ramp LOL . I saw that one last season

 

[Bobby Powell]

Re: Ramp Ettiquet for Newbie

Did that guy have a 21' Wellcraft Center console? If her did then you must of been in Norfolk Va because that would of been me ....lucily I was down thte ramp far enough not to cause the boat to hot the ramp. <br /><br />Bobby Powell

 

[Codedog]

Re: Ramp Ettiquet for Newbie

^