Went to the local boat launch today to help a friend and I was truly amazed

[Brian 26]

It depends on who my passengers are. If they're not experienced boaters, I have them wait on land until I pull up to the dock.

That reminds me of another story. We had my son€™s 6 year old friend and her parents out on the boat one busy Saturday afternoon. Before we left my house I explained to them where to park their car and what docks I would pick them up at – docks that were out of the way of the ramps. Then when we pull up to the launch line I get out and point to them where to park and what docks to meet at.

5 minutes later I’m launching my boat in lane 2 of a very busy 3 lane ramp and the little girl walks up to the boat with her mom 10 steps behind. Shocked by this sight I not so politely told them they shouldn€™t be walking around and again pointed out the docks to meet me at.

 

[frantically relaxing]

This is some family on our SkipperLiner. This where it's resided for 9 seasons now. Notice where the launch ramps are...

First class seats to the best show in town!

 

[Bluepike]

Since my dock is close to the launching ramp, I too get the free entertainment. My two favorite ones were where a guy was sitting at his helm yelling at his wife after she backed him in to the water and the boat was drifting towards another boat that was docked and if I had not jumped in to the docked boat and pushed the guy off, he'd have hit the docked boat's outboards. Then there is the guy who for three Saturdays in a row got his boat launched, turned around in circles, then pulled the boat out. On his 4th Saturday, I could not take it anymore and told him to drop his outdrive so he could steer. I give the second guy credit, he said he was new to boating and had a lot to learn.

 

[Pony]

I boat on some pretty busy lakes.....even during the week there are plenty of people at the landings, although the weekdays are quite a bit slower. If I want to fish on a Sunday, I have seen the landing full by 6am. During the week I have seen it full around noon....sometimes its never more that a quarter full. Most of the boaters I encounter have their stuff together.....specifically in the morning.

 

[drrpm]

I took my boat out Sunday and it was relatively busy at the local ramp. There are 6 ramps and 3 docks and there was a pretty steady flow of people launching and retrieving but no waiting in line or drama. I have seen a few odd things over the years, like the time a particulary beat looking pontoon boat had its outboard fall off during the launch but most of the time its not too exciting a show.

 

[Stumpalump]

A guy in a jet bought (that should sum it up) backs his trailer off the bank and is getting ready to take off. However I noticed quite a few wakes broke over his transom and dump quite a bit of water in his boat while he was getting stuff out of his truck. I eased down to where he was and he turned away. I said nice boat and he grunted something so I said what I saw and didn't know if he knew he took on 100 gallons of water. He said to me don't worry about it. Nice. Those are light boats with big engines and only sit a few inches from the water. That thing would have sunk with all that water in it. As I was leaving he was pulling it out to remove the drain plug. No thanks to me. I don't mind dumb or new but the pricks are multiplying. I'm never helping again unless they are waving me down.