What a boat ramp is for!!!

[fishndirk]

Im posting this to remind many people out there that a boat ramp is not for adjusting your gear, playing with your catch, of bullsh**ing with other people standing near the dock. Attach whatever gear is necessary to keep your boat on the trailer while you pull it up or put it in and get out of the way so the next person can do the same. I understand if its a small parking lott or small ramp but situation dictates. 15 minutes is too long to pull an 18ft boat out of the water, even if its at night. If not than you just suck and just dont care about other people or have no boating skills whatsoever. If the shoe fits, wear it.

 

[5150abf]

Re: What a boat ramp is for!!!

I got swooped twice yesterday, there were 3 boats waiting to take out, just as guy 3 pulls out some schmuck kid with daddys ski boat comes in and goes straight to the ramp, of coarse the battery is dead so he sits for 5 minutes before he finally moved of so I go for the truck and another guy drives in and straight to the ramp, people are just stupid.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: What a boat ramp is for!!!

When launching at my closest ramp, there is usually a line of 2-3 boats waiting their turn. During the short wait, I attach bow/stern lines, put in the drain plug, detach the winch strap, make sure all gear is ready to go, etc. When it was my turn, I can launch in about 2 minutes.

I sat at the ramp once for 30 minutes while a yahoo tried to get everything ready on the ramp, talking, running off to the bathroom...all to find a boat that wouldn't start! Worked on it for the next 15 minutes while tying up the ramp!

When I finally launched and went to park the trailer, I wound up next to his tow vehicle. So I simply removed his trailer from the tow ball and attached my trailer tongue anti-theft clamshell to his boat trailer. For some reason, I really didn't mind buying another one...

 

[bonz_d]

Re: What a boat ramp is for!!!

When I finally launched and went to park the trailer, I wound up next to his tow vehicle. So I simply removed his trailer from the tow ball and attached my trailer tongue anti-theft clamshell to his boat trailer. For some reason, I really didn't mind buying another one...View attachment 96136

That's evil! though kind of funny at the same time. Sad part is that they probably still don't understand why it was done.

 

[ziggy]

Re: What a boat ramp is for!!!

When launching at my closest ramp, there is usually a line of 2-3 boats waiting their turn. During the short wait, I attach bow/stern lines, put in the drain plug, detach the winch strap, make sure all gear is ready to go, etc. When it was my turn, I can launch in about 2 minutes.

food for thought. be careful when detaching the winch strap prior to launching. i don't detach mine till my boat is over the water and ready to launch. if i detached prior to going down the ramp, i think my boat would launch it self onto the ramp. i got a roller trailer..

yep, i don't know why folks gotta do all their deeds while on the ramp... much easier to do it prior to being on the ramp..

i launch and load pretty darn fast too. but i'm prepped prior to being on the ramp.. no point in me being other folks' way...

 

[scoutabout]

Re: What a boat ramp is for!!!

Fireman - I'm trying not to laugh in spite of myself...

All time record ramp tie-up for me was an hour while a guy tried to load a floating dock he had towed by boat to the ramp. Trailer was too small and the dock was old and flimsy and once it no longer had the benefit of water to support the entire structure, it just started falling apart all over as he was trying to winch it up the trailer. I wasn't going anywhere so I spent the better part of that time trying to help him get it out of the water.

Another more recent experience was hanging around watching a guy try to get a lawn tractor out of his boat and onto the ramp dock. Yeah - I don't know either...:facepalm:. But once again I was so amused it was hard to be impatient...

And you guys thought launch ramps were for boats....

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: What a boat ramp is for!!!

Fireman, that's funny, & ya I agree, I'm sure he has no idea why it was done. He dosen't even know he was being a dope. These stories will go on & on forever, never a shortage of boneheads at the launch. This year I have a new Nikon 3100 camara & it has a vid. mode. I'll be keeping it in the truck when I hit the lake for sure.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: What a boat ramp is for!!!

food for thought. be careful when detaching the winch strap prior to launching. i don't detach mine till my boat is over the water and ready to launch. if i detached prior to going down the ramp, i think my boat would launch it self onto the ramp. i got a roller trailer..

I wouldn't do that if I had a roller trailer either. Mine was carpeted bunks. The ramp wasn't that steep, either. I would tie the line from the bow cleat to the safety eye on the trailer winch. I would just back down and once the trailer fenders were at water level, the boat would float itself off. Remove the line from the winch and tie off to the dock. Then back in the truck to pull away. No muss, no fuss. 2 minutes.

 

[marcoalza]

Re: What a boat ramp is for!!!

When I finally launched and went to park the trailer, I wound up next to his tow vehicle. So I simply removed his trailer from the tow ball and attached my trailer tongue anti-theft clamshell to his boat trailer. For some reason, I really didn't mind buying another one...
View attachment 96136

I know EXACTLY how satisfting that is.
Well done!!

 

[25thmustang]

Re: What a boat ramp is for!!!

I was able to watch a small boat launch this past weekend waiting for the ferry to depart.

Two boats approached the finger dock at the same time. A 260 Sea Ray, and a smaller, maybe 20' Boston Whaler. The Sea Ray got in first, and tied to the end of the dock, on the outboard side of the ramp. The Whaler pulled in behind him. The Whalers driver was prepping the boat, and another guy began to get the trailer down the ramp to haul the boat. The guy in the truck was having a very hard time (very clean looking new Escalade). He took a few tries and still managed to tag the short wall on the side of the ramp. Finally got her in, and they loaded the Whaler on VERY off center. They tied her off, left and then 5 minutes later were back and driving around the parking lot looking lost.

Around that time a 25' or so Wellcraft Sportsman came in. He spent a few tries trying to get the boat in behind the still docked Sea Ray. After 3-4 attempts, he went around to the launch side of the finger dock. Finally getting the boat to the dock, the Sea Ray owner started her up and took off. I assume he used this dock as a slip for the 15 minutes or so he was there...

Uneventful compared to most, but entertaining while we waited to leave.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: What a boat ramp is for!!!

you're just preaching to the choir, here. Everyone here does it perfect.

Im posting this to remind many people out there that a boat ramp is not for adjusting your gear, playing with your catch, of bullsh**ing with other people standing near the dock. Attach whatever gear is necessary to keep your boat on the trailer while you pull it up or put it in and get out of the way so the next person can do the same. I understand if its a small parking lott or small ramp but situation dictates. 15 minutes is too long to pull an 18ft boat out of the water, even if its at night. If not than you just suck and just dont care about other people or have no boating skills whatsoever. If the shoe fits, wear it.

 

[skargo]

Re: What a boat ramp is for!!!

So messing with another persons rig makes you as big of a jerk as the other guy fireman. In fact, a bigger jerk, because the other idiot can blame stupidity.

Maybe next time try explaining it to him like an adult.

 

[bowler]

Re: What a boat ramp is for!!!

So messing with another persons rig makes you as big of a jerk as the other guy fireman. In fact, a bigger jerk, because the other idiot can blame stupidity.

Maybe next time try explaining it to him like an adult.

Fair comment. I know it's frustrating but boating is supposed to be a relaxing pass time. Deep breaths and chiiiiillllllllll... The guy could be a total newbie so maybe some advice next time? If not, sit back and have a beer/smoke/whatever.

D.

 

[AZSenza]

Re: What a boat ramp is for!!!

My wife and I are not "Expert" boaters, more like "Experienced" but we can outload or unload anyone on the dock. We have a system and she can back our rig up like no ones business! I see a lot of people who have zero respect for anyone on the ramp. I certainly understand newbies but spending 30 minutes detailing the boat at the ramp when its full? Come on!

 

[skargo]

Re: What a boat ramp is for!!!

My wife and I are not "Expert" boaters, more like "Experienced" but we can outload or unload anyone on the dock. We have a system and she can back our rig up like no ones business! I see a lot of people who have zero respect for anyone on the ramp. I certainly understand newbies but spending 30 minutes detailing the boat at the ramp when its full? Come on!

Like I said, be a man and bring it to their attention, don't vandalize their equipment.

 

[lifelesslived17]

Re: What a boat ramp is for!!!

Although Im still probably a newb, I am reallllllly good at backing a trailer in. Ive hopped out of my vehicle a few times now and helped someone back in. Sometimes its easy to forget how many people helped us along the way and maybe these other guys dont have that luxury. While it might seem totally logical to us to have the boat ready to pull away as soon as it hits the water, that may not be apparent to others.

There is a ton of stress involved with those first few or so times dropping the boat in the water if you have never done it, seen it done or helped do it, believe me, I know! With all the things flying through the head of the uninitiated its easy not to see the forest through the trees.

Short and sweet, treat others the way you'd like be treated, always be the bigger man and ""Patience Daniel San" Of course thats just my .02

 

[Sixmark]

Re: What a boat ramp is for!!!

When reminding people of something it's best to at least try to be civil, if you had a bad experience and you are still ranting about it while you are posting on the forum then you don't need to worry about reminding others.....you need to worry about seeking an anger managament therapist.

I see people all the time who have issues loading or launching their boat, and when I can I offer to help if it's obvious that they are new to the experience.

Certain things should not be done at the ramp and that is just a fact, however I have also found that some self proclaimed "experts" think that every launch or retrieval should be 2 minutes or less and if your feet touch the water then you are doing it wrong. I will go on the record right now as saying tha is a pure line of BS.

Try getting your boat in the water and getting 4 kids into it in under 2 minutes!!!!

Certain things are done within reason, however people abuse it on both sides, some overreact to how long some people take and some people just do take way too long screwing around with issues that should have been addressed before backing to the ramp.

 

[rrhodes]

Re: What a boat ramp is for!!!

And to the guy that sat in the ramp for 15 minutes warming up his engine with the excuse of "This is the first time I have started the engine this season and want to make sure it runs"

1st, buy a set of muffs and make sure it runs before you back into the ramp...
2nd, Memorial day weekend is one of the busiest weekends on the lake and we all want to get in the water...

And to all of the people that enjoy watching people at boat ramps... It is not okay to "raft up" your golf carts next to the ramp unless you are actually out of our way....

These people had 5 golf carts parked side by side right in the way of the guys trying to swing their trailers around before backing into the water!!!

 

[possum2082]

Re: What a boat ramp is for!!!

So messing with another persons rig makes you as big of a jerk as the other guy fireman. In fact, a bigger jerk, because the other idiot can blame stupidity.

Maybe next time try explaining it to him like an adult.

agreed. jerk move.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: What a boat ramp is for!!!

So messing with another persons rig makes you as big of a jerk as the other guy fireman. In fact, a bigger jerk, because the other idiot can blame stupidity.

Maybe next time try explaining it to him like an adult.

I understand your comment. No problem. I did not vandalize anyones rig, I simply made him have to go get a hacksaw before he could go home. What I didn't explain, and perhaps I should have, was the other driver's at the ramp, asking him (politely) if he needed help, could he get try to move it along, etc. His responses of flipping them off, yelling obsenities, screaming that he would take his 'own sweet f----in' time', etc made me realize that there would be no discussing it with him like an adult. Yelling things like that in front of his own kids and mine (as well as the others). The last thing I was going to do was try a civil discussion.

Was it a jerk move? Maybe...maybe not. I was there. You guys weren't.