Speaking of docks, or rather ramps...

[rusirius]

Went out last weekend for a little fishing excursion... As I pull up to the ramp there is a guy trying to back down the ramp. He was a good 150ft from the ramp and would literally back up like 4 inches and then pull forward 3... Over and over... over and over....

I get out and get the boat prepped for the water... Get back in and he's literally only about 10ft closer to the ramp than before I started!!!

I was about ready to jump out and help the poor guy, but then the other ramp (there's two there) opened up so I went ahead over there... I back down, float the boat, tie it off and jump back in and park the trailer...

Come back, get in the boat and he's JUST getting it into the water...

What do you think happens next?

You probably guessed it... He jumps out and THEN starts prepping the boat... Getting the drain in, getting the tie-down off, etc...

Anywho, I head off up the river... Go a ways and decide to head back down river the opposite direction... As I'm passing by the ramp I look over and notice the SAME guy still struggling to back down enough to get the boat off the trailer... Good GRIEF!

Head down river a ways and set up to start some fishing... Cover a nice area that looks like a good bass spot and find nothing... Didn't feel like waiting for the draw bridge so I head back up river again... About 500ft from the ramp I pass the same guy... JUST getting shoved off away from the dock!!!

I mean come on... Backing up the trailer is bad enough... If you suck at it that much either bring along a friend that can do it, or go out to a parking lot somewhere and get lots of practice!

But then to add insult to injury, to not even have the boat prepped before tying up the ramp?!?!?

There outta be a standard "ramp rules" sign at every ramp... I can't tell you the amount of times I've seen folks do the same thing... Have some curtesy for others and if you can do it before backing down the ramp, DO IT! It's just common sense...

Things happen... Sometimes it takes longer to launch than others... I have no problem with that, but for goodness sake at least do what you can to minimize your time...

Okay, my ranting is over... Thank you... Please drive through...

 

[david_r]

Re: Speaking of docks, or rather ramps...

i know people like that!!!!

yeah ive told them to go to parking lots but i just get ignored

when i first took one of my cousins i lined up the truck AND put the boat within inches of the water....all he had to do was let the truck roll backwards...............yep you guessed it he put it in rev and goosed it.

he thought it was funny cause of the look on my face...til he noticed i wasnt laughing...he backed in til my rear tires were almost completely submerged

then when we get back to the dock from fishing i did the same as when we launched and told him not to do it again.............yeah so he spins my tires half way up the ramp. i know the tires were wet but nobody else has this prob with my truck.

yep and you prob already guessed he dont go fishing with me anymore......he still thinks everything he did was hilarious

your user name looks familiar lol

your eng still overheating?

ramps are entertaining ....someitmes i make mistakes but luckily ive never seen any of mine posted by other people....ive been pretty lucky ,it seems i pay extra close attention when there is a lot of people around and more relaxed when im out there alone...more forgetful is more like it lol

 

[Nandy]

Re: Speaking of docks, or rather ramps...

We have very clearly stated "make ready" and "tie down" zones in most ramps here. People just dont care. Like JB says, you cant fix stupid...

 

[wajajaja02]

Re: Speaking of docks, or rather ramps...

I was fortunate, the ramps i go to are Attended, the attendant come out take your fare, and tells you when,how, and what to do if necessary. works very well for us newbies.

 

[rusirius]

Re: Speaking of docks, or rather ramps...

I was fortunate, the ramps i go to are Attended, the attendant come out take your fare, and tells you when,how, and what to do if necessary. works very well for us newbies.

Fare you say? Hrmmm not sure I'd savior the fact of paying to use a ramp... Even if it meant avoiding the idiots!

 

[PW2]

Re: Speaking of docks, or rather ramps...

When I used to live and work in Seattle in Ballard near Golden Gardens Park, I'd often take my sack lunch there to watch the folks launch their boats on my lunch hour.

It very rarely failed to entertain.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Speaking of docks, or rather ramps...

I bypass stupid by launching and hauling out only once a year I love my slip

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Speaking of docks, or rather ramps...

rusirius, many areas, have private ramps, that charge for the service, some parks charge, all of this goes to maintain the ramps. no everyone has public ramps. Yes, at times it is worth the price, due to distance to a free ramp, or facilities at the paid ramp.
Fishs camps, charge for use of their ramps, unless you buy bait, ice, etc.

 

[rusirius]

Re: Speaking of docks, or rather ramps...

rusirius, many areas, have private ramps, that charge for the service, some parks charge, all of this goes to maintain the ramps. no everyone has public ramps. Yes, at times it is worth the price, due to distance to a free ramp, or facilities at the paid ramp.
Fishs camps, charge for use of their ramps, unless you buy bait, ice, etc.

Very true... I never really thought of it that way... Living so close to water surrounding in all directions (I live on a friggin penninsula! LOL) I guess I take all our public ramps for granted... Heck I've got about 10 of 'em within a 5 mile drive!

 

[wajajaja02]

Re: Speaking of docks, or rather ramps...

It cost 12 bucks to launch at the at county ramp and 20 at the private ramps on Lk Hopatcong in NJ, the only public lk in Northern NJ we can boat on.
the county doesn't pay taxes, is a great facility , but is full of rules, gets crowded and is at the far end of the lake, relative to where you live of course,.
The Private guys have picnic grounds, offer concessions, and pay taxes, big time, probably 40k, and require at least 2 ac just to support the ramp with parking , all for a 12 week season on a lake that you can circumvent in 2hrs, during the week, and cant do in a day because its too crowded.