Thought I'd seen everything at the boat launch

[Ebbtide94]

Re: Thought I'd seen everything at the boat launch

I have a confession....Yesterday I may have been guiltyof poor boat ramp etiquette.

I had everythig ready to go and backed down the double ramp beside a pontoon just putting in. Nobody was behind me waiting to put in or in the water waiting to pull out. I stepped out to see if my wife had it running and was ready. However, she said something was wrong. The motor turned over once and now everything was dead. I climbed in the boat to investigate.

I checked the fuses, made sure it wasn't in gear, and scratced my head. About this time is when I noticed certain signs. The guy beside me couldn't get his cranked. There was a guy tied to the dock working on his motor and another in the tie down lane working on his. I thought to myself this might be a bad day. I preceeded to troubleshoot.

I was down checking my battery connections when my wife started saying we should pull out. At first I just ignored her but she got a little more persistent. It was then that I looked up to see why. Five people had lined up waiting. I felt like a heel. I quickly jumped out and pulled my boat up to the tie down lane.

The pontoon remained in the way working on his. I quickly found my problem (loose connection at the battery). I then circled around and got in the back of the line I had helped create.

 

[QC]

Re: Thought I'd seen everything at the boat launch

Many would say that you ^^^^^ should've started your boat before leaving the house, and that has always been my routine in years past.

Buuuuttttt, here's my situation right now. We usually tow 280 miles each way. After 25 years of that it is finally getting old, so I have been storing my boat in Lake Havasu. Brother-in-law gives me free storage at a lot he owns but there's no water and no electricity. Our trips are usually 2 -3 weeks in between. So now I am in the position of hoping my batteries have held a charge and that nothing else has gone belly up while she's been sitting. So far I have never had an issue. I am careful about a lot of things when I store her, and I do check for voltage before I leave for the ramp. As most would understand, I won't start her dry, so the fact is the launch ramp is where I crank her first after a span of weeks :redface:

I guess my point is that even though delays at the ramp drive me nuts, and unprepared boaters drive me nuts, there are situations that just don't line up with all that we know should happen . . .

 

[rwidman]

Re: Thought I'd seen everything at the boat launch

Many would say that you ^^^^^ should've started your boat before leaving the house, and that has always been my routine in years past.

Buuuuttttt, here's my situation right now. We usually tow 280 miles each way. After 25 years of that it is finally getting old, so I have been storing my boat in Lake Havasu. Brother-in-law gives me free storage at a lot he owns but there's no water and no electricity. Our trips are usually 2 -3 weeks in between. So now I am in the position of hoping my batteries have held a charge and that nothing else has gone belly up while she's been sitting. So far I have never had an issue. I am careful about a lot of things when I store her, and I do check for voltage before I leave for the ramp. As most would understand, I won't start her dry, so the fact is the launch ramp is where I crank her first after a span of weeks :redface:

I guess my point is that even though delays at the ramp drive me nuts, and unprepared boaters drive me nuts, there are situations that just don't line up with all that we know should happen . . .

After a 280 mile trip, I would be pretty upset if my boat wouldn't start. Two thoughts:

1. Solar charger

2. Portable "jump box".

 

[SeanT]

Re: Thought I'd seen everything at the boat launch

I don't run mine before I go to the launch, but I run the blower and crank once just to make sure the starter is going to cooperate.

 

[MPII]

Re: Thought I'd seen everything at the boat launch

I was down checking my battery connections when my wife started saying we should pull out. At first I just ignored her but she got a little more persistent. It was then that I looked up to see why. Five people had lined up waiting. I felt like a heel. I quickly jumped out and pulled my boat up to the tie down lane.

The pontoon remained in the way working on his. I quickly found my problem (loose connection at the battery). I then circled around and got in the back of the line I had helped create.

I think you are in the clear here. People did line up, but, upon realizing it, you got out of there. I was talking about the people that sit there and stair at you while you're waiting to get down the launch.

 

[tanner1]

Re: Thought I'd seen everything at the boat launch

or the people that bypass you while youre taking your transom straps off, putting the plug in and checking things over only to back to the waters edge and do the same thing only to get their boat in the water and sit at the end of the trailer waiting for their late buddy

 

[monk-monk]

Re: Thought I'd seen everything at the boat launch

Yep...one never knows what awaits them at the boat ramp...It's kinda like Cup racing at Bristol...Best to leave your emotions at home..LOL..!!

 

[cribber]

Re: Thought I'd seen everything at the boat launch

Luckily our drive to the local ramp is 5 miles. I warm it up in the driveway so we can drop it in the water and go. Thing is no matter how prepped you are something can always go south and sometimes do. Just do your best to get thru it and your day will most likely turn out well!!

 

[strokeoluck]

Re: Thought I'd seen everything at the boat launch

Luckily our drive to the local ramp is 5 miles. I warm it up in the driveway so we can drop it in the water and go.

You let it warm up with no water running through the engine?

 

[roncoop75]

Re: Thought I'd seen everything at the boat launch

You let it warm up with no water running through the engine?

Muffs.