We need a dang boat launch ettiquite lesson...

[capt sam]

Re: We need a dang boat launch ettiquite lesson...

I didn't read all these posts, I've heard all the different takes anyways. What gets me is the people who like hanging out at the ramps to make fun of alot of the newer boaters, I would guess most of them couldn't do much better. Since my kid was 8 or so he has always launched the boat on and off the trailer, I've seen the ramp yahoos get quiet real quick when they see how good he is at it.

 

[Chewey]

Re: We need a dang boat launch ettiquite lesson...

All of this is why when my wife and I bought our first boat last January, we spent the next 3 months learning how to launch the dag-gone thing while the ramp was uninhabited. It paid dividends cause come mid may, the ramp starts gettin' busy and we looked like the experienced folks instead of the newbee's that we were. There was even a point where I had to play ramp boss cause people packed their lunches but left their coomon sense at home that day.

 

[DixieBoatN]

Re: We need a dang boat launch ettiquite lesson...

I grabbed this off of boating basics online. Here is the link. Since I am not sure if it works or not, here is the list.

Launching

1. Do initial launch preparations away from the ramp so as not to impede launching for others.
2. Raise the outdrive or motor, remove the support bracket and install the drain plug.
3. Disconnect the trailer wiring. Remove tie down straps and again check the drain plug.
4. Make any equipment adjustments necessary and check the drain plug.
5. Connect the fuel tank, check fluid levels and check the drain plug.
6. Drive to the ramp and back the boat and trailer down the ramp, keeping the tow vehicle's wheels out of the water.
7. Set the emergency brake, shift into Park, and block the wheels.
8. Someone should get aboard the boat, turn on the blower, lower the motor, look for water entering the boat, sniff the bilge and start the motor.
9. Make sure you have attached a bow line to the boat, then release the winch and disconnect the winch line.
10. You should be able to launch the boat with a slight shove or by backing the boat off the trailer under power.
11. Return the towing vehicle to the parking lot as soon as the boat is launched so the next person in line may proceed.
12. Move the boat to an area away from the ramp to load additional equipment and passengers.

Retrieval

The steps for retrieving the boat are essentially the reverse of launching. You always should be courteous of others launching and retrieving.

1. Unload the boat away from the ramp if possible.
2. Back the trailer into the water, again keeping the tires of the tow vehicle at water's edge, not in the water.
3. Maneuver the boat carefully onto the submerged trailer, attach a bow line and shut off the engine prior to raising it.
4. Winch the boat onto the trailer and secure it. Do not stand in direct line with the winch cable. It could break and cause an injury.
5. Drive the trailer and boat out of the ramp for cleanup, reloading, securing equipment and safety check.
6. Remove the drain plug to allow water to drain from the bilge.


Enjoy!

 

[cr2k]

Re: We need a dang boat launch ettiquite lesson...

I was waiting to load one day at our local lake (Millerton in Cen. CA) a lady was sitting on a PWC holding another that they had to tow in. She was near the water edge and one was docked and she keep moving back and forth across the ramp. She said her husband would be right down to load them and maybe I should use the other side of the dock to load. Didnt work too uneven. So I just kinda moved in and docked, brought my trailer down, all the time she was saying her husband would be right down and I would be in his way. I got tired of her and just backed down forcing her to move. Loaded my boat and on the way out saw some sucker stuck in the sand (they had parked on the beach) with a PWC trailer behind his truck. (Guess who this was!) I turned around, unhooked my boat and went down and pulled him out. I felt sorry for him having to go home with "her". Lesson: if your trailer ain't coming down the ramp get the *&^% out of the way. The ramp is for launching and retrieving not working on your boat or hanging out. Problem is it's SO simple just be courteous; you may be the one that needs a tow in some day.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: We need a dang boat launch ettiquite lesson...

I was out one day this past week, during the week, light crowd to say the least at the ramp but someone had one ramp blocked with a truck that wouldn't start, and the other ramp had someone sitting there doing boat repairs. With 4 trucks in line, I figured that my tinny didn't need a ramp at all. I just backed around, hung the trailer off the sod bank and dumped the boat in, tied off to a tree, and parked the truck. Some yahoo thought that wasn't fair, he started hooting and hollering that it wasn't fair that I got my boat in before him. He was pulling a 19' or better I/O boat. I told him to go ahead, help himself, but there was no way that trick would work for him. He was furious that I got there way after him, they were all arguing with those blocking the ramps, yet I got in, parked my truck and was on my way in minutes.
My thoughts were just that he needed to get a life. I guess he figured that I should have waited just as long even though I could have been on my way fishing. I was out for an hour or so, he was still heading down river when I was heading back from a test run. I waved and smiled as he passed.

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: We need a dang boat launch ettiquite lesson...

saw some sucker stuck in the sand (they had parked on the beach) with a PWC trailer behind his truck. (Guess who this was!)

Some yahoo thought that wasn't fair, he started hooting and hollering that it wasn't fair that I got my boat in before him.

Good stories folks.

 

[Rowroy]

Re: We need a dang boat launch ettiquite lesson...

Some yahoo thought that wasn't fair, he started hooting and hollering that it wasn't fair that I got my boat in before him.

Some people never grasp the fact that life isn't always fair. Other folks are too spoiled to realize how gracious they should be for having such luxuries as a boat. Apparently, the folks from these two camps had a kid . . . you you're lucky enough to have met him.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: We need a dang boat launch ettiquite lesson...

I don't necessarily agree with some of the suggestions in the "ramp prep list". Life chocking the rear wheels on a ramp: yeah, it's a precaution you can take, but nobody ever does that. Setting the parking brake, and throwing it in park (in that order) is the normal method.

Also, no reason to unload the boat somewhere other than the ramp. No reason to unload at all, just trailer the boat and unload it after you've pulled out of the water and into the parking area.

Putting the tow vehicles tires at the waters edge doesn't always work because it is ramp and trailer/boat specific. Many shallow ramps require all four tires to be in the water just to launch a bass boat.

 

[vintage boat junky]

Re: We need a dang boat launch ettiquite lesson...

I didn't even read through that list because I made one of my own, specific to my needs. It's impossible to make a general list that will work for all, because not all situations are the same.

I'd just break it down into categories:

Be quick/in a timely manner when busy
Be courteous/thoughtful/considerate
Be Safe/use common sense
And most importantly; BE PREPARED!

The last place I want to find a surprise is at the boat landing; test your sh*t before you use it.

 

[hubbard53]

Re: We need a dang boat launch ettiquite lesson...

These threads always plss me off b/c everyone is a bloody expert. . .
You know, I admit, I sometimes take a few extra extra minutes to be extra careful with my brand new 35K investment at a PUBLIC ramp. I dont load/unload gear at the ramp, I don't 'fix' my boat at the ramp, I don't wait for others to show up while on the ramp. I only launch and load - but I am careful. No I am not an expert at backing - I am a computer guy; I dont drive truck for a living. I am courteous and only launch when I think it will not be busy but that is not always reliable.

I think everyone should just be patient - most of the stress at ramps is caused by the so-called experts, staring, pacing, sighing, etc.

 

[golf101]

Re: We need a dang boat launch ettiquite lesson...

I haven't read through all these posts, but enough to know that the newbie side is under-represented. I'm relatively new to trailering boats, and have a 24 footer that I am still getting accustomed to. I would be interested in a poll of how many people have actually smoothly gotten their boats in and out of the water at a public boat ramp the first two or three times they tried. If people responded honestly, I bet the percentage would be low.

Keep that in mind when getting frustrated with the newbie at the boat launch. Even with good instruction, there are still things you can only learn by actually doing it. Centering a boat on a trailer in a strong wind or current when loading - no course is going to teach that. I agree that there are little things, like getting your boat ready before getting it in the water, that are common sense, but backing up a boat down a long ramp with a lot of people watching is not a skill people are born with. Practicing backing up in a parking lot is a lot different than backing down a busy narrow ramp with a very expensive toy and a lot of people watching.

In my brief experience, I have found that some of the most obnoxious people I have ever met are the people who are experienced at getting their boats in and out of the water. Apparently, they have forgotten their own humble beginnings and now have no patience for a newbie who is still learning the ropes. I know you have the day off and are anxious to catch some fish, but instead of standing there with your hands on your hips, offer nicely to help. My guess is that most will accept the offer. If they don't, then flip them off and stand there with your hands on your hips. One day the trailer klutz will be an expert too, and will get in and out of the launch area more quickly the next time you see them as a result of your kind assistance.

Just my two cents worth.

 

[Ridemywideglide]

Re: We need a dang boat launch ettiquite lesson...

I haven't read through all these posts, but enough to know that the newbie side is under-represented. I'm relatively new to trailering boats, and have a 24 footer that I am still getting accustomed to. I would be interested in a poll of how many people have actually smoothly gotten their boats in and out of the water at a public boat ramp the first two or three times they tried. If people responded honestly, I bet the percentage would be low.

Keep that in mind when getting frustrated with the newbie at the boat launch. Even with good instruction, there are still things you can only learn by actually doing it. Centering a boat on a trailer in a strong wind or current when loading - no course is going to teach that. I agree that there are little things, like getting your boat ready before getting it in the water, that are common sense, but backing up a boat down a long ramp with a lot of people watching is not a skill people are born with. Practicing backing up in a parking lot is a lot different than backing down a busy narrow ramp with a very expensive toy and a lot of people watching.

In my brief experience, I have found that some of the most obnoxious people I have ever met are the people who are experienced at getting their boats in and out of the water. Apparently, they have forgotten their own humble beginnings and now have no patience for a newbie who is still learning the ropes. I know you have the day off and are anxious to catch some fish, but instead of standing there with your hands on your hips, offer nicely to help. My guess is that most will accept the offer. If they don't, then flip them off and stand there with your hands on your hips. One day the trailer klutz will be an expert too, and will get in and out of the launch area more quickly the next time you see them as a result of your kind assistance.

Just my two cents worth.

I agree on the noob representation.... Howwever, we are noobs so there's some "live'n'learn" we have to go through.
Karma, however, is a b!tch... Here's mine.
I've launched/retrieved my boat a total of 4 times now.. I can back a trailer, loaded or not, just fine, but doing it all by myself (as the boat was new to me and not running well, I didn't want to strand some other poor bloke with me) made it a bit of fun..
the 3rd time out I had a fishing buddy, at a lake I'd never been to, with a boat that didn't run well... Home time and I drop my friend at the rocks near the ramp. From accross the lake we could see a guy and his wife trying to launch,, boat was being finiky and wife wasn't good at backing in... So my friend grabs the truck, waits about 8 minutes, meanwhile I'm out waiting with a boat running/dying every 3 minutes... The whole time mind you I'm bashing this guy that can't get his little boat off the trailer.
Finally he's off, my trailer is in the water, idling up and it dies, won't restart.. Wind is cross, boat is 22', I'm a novice, and I find out NOW that my buddy is afraid of getting wet... Wind has me sideways to the trailer and I'm leaning out over the bow trying to get it straight AND guided into the guid bunks.. POP.. Broke a rib from the way I was hanging out trying to handle all that weight..
Needless to say, I'll not bash the next guy I'm waiting on...

But still I have seen some amazing people at the ramps..

 

[slasmith1]

Re: We need a dang boat launch ettiquite lesson...

I agree on the noob representation.... Howwever, we are noobs so there's some "live'n'learn" we have to go through.
Karma, however, is a b!tch... Here's mine.
I've launched/retrieved my boat a total of 4 times now.. I can back a trailer, loaded or not, just fine, but doing it all by myself (as the boat was new to me and not running well, I didn't want to strand some other poor bloke with me) made it a bit of fun..
the 3rd time out I had a fishing buddy, at a lake I'd never been to, with a boat that didn't run well... Home time and I drop my friend at the rocks near the ramp. From accross the lake we could see a guy and his wife trying to launch,, boat was being finiky and wife wasn't good at backing in... So my friend grabs the truck, waits about 8 minutes, meanwhile I'm out waiting with a boat running/dying every 3 minutes... The whole time mind you I'm bashing this guy that can't get his little boat off the trailer.
Finally he's off, my trailer is in the water, idling up and it dies, won't restart.. Wind is cross, boat is 22', I'm a novice, and I find out NOW that my buddy is afraid of getting wet... Wind has me sideways to the trailer and I'm leaning out over the bow trying to get it straight AND guided into the guid bunks.. POP.. Broke a rib from the way I was hanging out trying to handle all that weight..
Needless to say, I'll not bash the next guy I'm waiting on...

But still I have seen some amazing people at the ramps..

You said you made the biggest rookie mistake maybe the broken rib will remind you to make sure your boat is running properly BEFOREyou go out on the water.

 

[Ridemywideglide]

Re: We need a dang boat launch ettiquite lesson...

You said you made the biggest rookie mistake maybe the broken rib will remind you to make sure your boat is running properly BEFOREyou go out on the water.

While I have to say your right, there's also only one way to know if it's running right..

I DID work on it in the driveway on muffs, and it was fine there...

 

[Shizzy]

Re: We need a dang boat launch ettiquite lesson...

I haven't read through all these posts, but enough to know that the newbie side is under-represented. I'm relatively new to trailering boats, and have a 24 footer that I am still getting accustomed to. I would be interested in a poll of how many people have actually smoothly gotten their boats in and out of the water at a public boat ramp the first two or three times they tried. If people responded honestly, I bet the percentage would be low.

Keep that in mind when getting frustrated with the newbie at the boat launch. Even with good instruction, there are still things you can only learn by actually doing it. Centering a boat on a trailer in a strong wind or current when loading - no course is going to teach that. I agree that there are little things, like getting your boat ready before getting it in the water, that are common sense, but backing up a boat down a long ramp with a lot of people watching is not a skill people are born with. Practicing backing up in a parking lot is a lot different than backing down a busy narrow ramp with a very expensive toy and a lot of people watching.

In my brief experience, I have found that some of the most obnoxious people I have ever met are the people who are experienced at getting their boats in and out of the water. Apparently, they have forgotten their own humble beginnings and now have no patience for a newbie who is still learning the ropes. I know you have the day off and are anxious to catch some fish, but instead of standing there with your hands on your hips, offer nicely to help. My guess is that most will accept the offer. If they don't, then flip them off and stand there with your hands on your hips. One day the trailer klutz will be an expert too, and will get in and out of the launch area more quickly the next time you see them as a result of your kind assistance.

Just my two cents worth.

actually my first few launches went fine. I had rode along many times and watched my friend launch/retrieve his 19' Sea Ray. I had also been to the boat launch many times when all I had was a canoe so I had seen both do and dont. when I did finally get my boat I brought my friends along who had launched before. I didnt just buy the boat and drive to the lake.

Im fine with people who might have a little issue backing the trailer up or getting the boat back on the trailer (within reason) its the rudeness or complete stupidity that bothers me.

a few minutes of research and 3 minutes of prep and things go fine. I watched a family launch their ski boat last summer. they pulled up, wife got out and jumped in the boat, daughter grabbed the dog and walked over to the dock, dad unhooked the transom straps and then backed the trailer in. Mom fired it up, pulled off the trailer and dad went to park the truck. everyone knew where they were supposed to be and what their function was. they were pulling away from the dock for a day of fun and sun in less then 2 minutes.

 

[Rowroy]

Re: We need a dang boat launch ettiquite lesson...

Interestingly, I never had anyone "teach" me how to lauch and retrieve a boat from a trailer and I've never had any problems at all.

A little common sense goes a loooong way. Unfortunately, that seems to be something that is sorely lacking in today's society.

 

[vintage boat junky]

Re: We need a dang boat launch ettiquite lesson...

I disagree with the Noobies not being represented. If you read back, you'll see hundreds of posts in which noobies are referenced.

As far as the problems being caused on the ramps.... I hardly believe the one's I've seen are noobies. I'm talking about well seasoned vetran morons who are very deticated to their field.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: We need a dang boat launch ettiquite lesson...

I began boating at an early age. The campground where we stayed had a ramp a bit of a ways from the camp. When I got old enough to drive the boat my stepdad would drive the truck around and I would take the boat around the point to the ramp. About a mile after the no wake buoys. So I learned early and in stages so by the time I got my own boat I was not a newbee. I have all the patience in the world with someone having a problem backing to the ramp or retreiving. I have no patience for the guy who backs down the ramp. Then decides to take the stuff from the truck and put it in the boat. Then leave it all on the ramp so momma and the kids can go to the bathroom all the while why we are waiting. The ramp is for loading and unloading your boat. Nothing else.

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: We need a dang boat launch ettiquite lesson...

There are all types at the launch. Some have seen and know what to do, some have never been taught, some make an honest effort, and some are just jerks. I'm a pretty patient person and have only ever been annoyed once by someone who felt it was necessary to prep their boat on the ramp. If I see someone having issues loading or unloading I'll assess what is actually happening and if I feel they may need a hand will offer it. If I'm refused to help then I just go back to where I prepped my boat and will do a few more rounds around it and look in the truck to make sure everything is loaded. May take them a few more minutes to get in/out but if I can be prepared and save a minute or two for the next person it just cancels things out. No use waiting with your hands on your hips when your drain plug may very well be sitting near the transom and not installed lol

 

[freeisforme]

Re: We need a dang boat launch ettiquite lesson...

I was helping a buddy launch his newly acquired 24' Center console last weekend and had some idiot pull in right behind the boat we were launching, tie off the boat on the other side and just walk away. He then tried to back his truck and trailer down between the two lanes to retrieve his boat. He was pissed that someone cut his boat loose while he was getting his truck. He had the nerve to back down only inches from my buddies new truck and boat, then began flipping out about how dare anyone touch his boat.
This coming from a guy that tied off to someone elses boat who had also gone to get their truck. His boat blocked us from unloading. When he started to get nasty with the guy who's boat he tied to, we both stepped in and kindly explained life to the loser. Meanwhile, his boat was headed down stream, most likely to be beached at the next bend in the river about 1/3 of a mile down, on the opposite side of the river that has any access.

We loaded my buddies boat, he took his truck home and I met him at his dock with the boat down stream a few miles. I saw no sign of the boat on my way out though. It either continued downstream farther or got tied up by someone else someplace. We weren't too concerned for the guy. He's better off without a boat.