Your trailer is in line, not your boat!

[SeaKaye12]

Re: Your trailer is in line, not your boat! VIDEO!

Re: Your trailer is in line, not your boat! VIDEO!

Of course; there are places that have no ramp, no dock, no floats and no crowds...

Be thankful you have all of the above when you see what this guy has to do to launch...

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=538478280732158577&a

Looks like great fun!

Chuck

 

[hubbard53]

Re: Your trailer is in line, not your boat!

LOL @ "...after a short swim to retrieve his boat..."

Probably wouldnt have been so funny had the boat drifted into another boat and caused an accident. Or of the owner had problems when tryign to get it back. Pretty sure its illegal to set a boat adrift. If its not, it should be.

Funny how everyone on this board is a better boater than anyone else on the lake. . .

 

[jtexas]

Re: Your trailer is in line, not your boat!

...
Funny how everyone on this board is a better boater than anyone else on the lake. . .

I guess after you been around awhile, you'll learn not to be so quick to judge.

 

[jaywiz]

Re: Your trailer is in line, not your boat!

Live on lake erie and the state runn docks all have piers off to the side of the ramps to tie off of while yuo go get your truck.you will still always get 2 or 3 jetskis tied to the ramp by the time you get there with the truck!New to the whole scene and can't back a trailer up that well,so to all you guys that have been boating for years,yelling curse words at me while tring to get the empty single axle trailer into the water with my WIFEs new truck isn't gonna speed things up!! As for the swimmer he deserves what he got and should be thankful he didn't have to swim with broken arms!!Oh and last comment about the bass boat guys we tied off to the Side pier and watched about 30 guys with 30 boats load and were nowhere in sight in about 15 min!!they were shooting boats on trailers like shots out of a cannon.My son and i just watched (both with jaws on the floor),and then he turned to me and said,Dad why does it take so long to get OUR boat out of the water?I told him because it doesn't have all those sparkles on it!lmao

 

[hubbard53]

Re: Your trailer is in line, not your boat!

I told him because it doesn't have all those sparkles on it!lmao

heh, funny

I am a solo launcher/loader, even when the wife is there. On our lakes, its the same thing. Tie up to the OTHER side of the ramp, get the trailer, wait in line, back it in, untie the boat, get it on the trailer. I finally got the wife to sit in the MDX and pull it out once its secured.

The only part that takes more time than it should is that I have the pleasure of piloting a jet boat which has less than ideal maneuverability at slow speeds to I need to take it out a few more yards to get a good straight line onto the trailer. I tried it once without taking it out further but had terrible results and got up on the trailer askew. It wasnt fun.

 

[204 Escape]

Re: Your trailer is in line, not your boat!

Here's what happened just yesterday.

Got to the lake/dealership at 9:15 a.m. Got some warrenty issues out of the way, and went to the ramp about 9:50.

Take off the tie downs, get the dock ropes ready, take off the transom saver, un -hook the winch line, and the safety hook.

Get the trailer lights un-hooked, get in line for the ramp.

Get lined up, back into the water, start engine, unload. Total time, from line up on the ramp to unload the boat, ..... +/- 3 minutes.

While we were at the dealership, we noticed a orange boat, (I think it was a Formula), that was about 46 + feet long sitting in the lot with the engine compartment up being worked on.

We get ready to leave the lake about 4:30, and this orange boat is finally backing down the ramp. I docked our boat, to go and get the truck.

Upon passing the orange boat, I noticed that the boat, and trailer are stradling 2 of the 3 lanes at the ramp, and that the truck is turned ****-eyed blocking one of the other lanes.

There were 8 boats waiting to get unloaded, and 2 of us ready to get loaded up.

After about 30 minutes of waiting for the "crew" of the orange boat, to drink beer, and self diagnos (sp) their no starting problems, I got out of the truck, and ask them polietly to at least get the trailer/truck lined up so that others could load/unload. They told me to F*%$ off, and for me to wait my damn turn !!!!!!!!!!

I said nothing more, and walked over tot he marina, ask the water patrol if they could get the drunks in the orang boat to get in line at the ramp.

2 minutes later, they were off the ramp, boat on their trailer, an dcited for public drinkeness, after they told the water patrol to F*%$ off.

Problem solved !!!!!!!!!!!

 

[moach1]

Re: Your trailer is in line, not your boat!

,. Failure to plan on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part.

sounds like you need a better plan to get off the water.

 

[109jb]

Re: Your trailer is in line, not your boat!

sounds like you need a better plan to get off the water.

My plan works perfectly for me. I pull the boat to the dock and tie off, go get the truck in the line to the ramp and when its my turn back it in and load my boat. I don't have any problem. I also don't wait until the last minute to get off the water. I plan ahead for things like the ramp being crowded. That was my point. If someone else didn't plan right it doesn't interfere with my plan or me getting my boat out. It will also not make me rush because that's how mistakes happen. Not to say I load slow, I'm just not going to rush.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Your trailer is in line, not your boat!

Just a question for thought. I do understand the issues involved. I am fortunate to boat in places where if by myself I can beach the boat completely out of the way of the ramp and go and get my trailer. I will then wait until the ramp closest to my boat is open then use it. Even if it means letting others behind me go ahead. But, for those who insist their boat is in line not their trailer what do you do about the people in trucks in line to launch or retrieve their boats? Assuming you are tied off at the dock out of the way I assume then you wait your turn in line with the others to get to the ramp. If so then your boat may be in the water, but your trailer is in line. If I am in line waiting to launch or retrieve I will certainly say something rightly so to someone who goes around me to jump the line. Again I am fortunate in that everywhere I launch I don't have to park the boat on the ramp to get my trailer and can't imagine a place where you would have to do so. If such a place exists and I am sure it does then it seems only courteous that if you need to launch or retrieve by yourself you try to do so at off peak times.

 

[109jb]

Re: Your trailer is in line, not your boat!

Just a question for thought. I do understand the issues involved. I am fortunate to boat in places where if by myself I can beach the boat completely out of the way of the ramp and go and get my trailer. I will then wait until the ramp closest to my boat is open then use it. Even if it means letting others behind me go ahead. But, for those who insist their boat is in line not their trailer what do you do about the people in trucks in line to launch or retrieve their boats? Assuming you are tied off at the dock out of the way I assume then you wait your turn in line with the others to get to the ramp. If so then your boat may be in the water, but your trailer is in line. If I am in line waiting to launch or retrieve I will certainly say something rightly so to someone who goes around me to jump the line. Again I am fortunate in that everywhere I launch I don't have to park the boat on the ramp to get my trailer and can't imagine a place where you would have to do so. If such a place exists and I am sure it does then it seems only courteous that if you need to launch or retrieve by yourself you try to do so at off peak times.

Whenever I am loading or unloading, I am considerate of others to the maximum extent that I can. I do the things like tying off at the end of the dock out of the way, beaching when that is an option, driving the boat around away from the dock if I have someone that can back the trailer in, etc. Sometimes though I have been at ramps by myself where I only have 2 choices, tie to the short dock blocking that ramp, or anchor it away from the dock, and swim to the dock. Guess which one I'm going to do. As far as the trailer line to the ramps, I don't skip in the line, but I have never had to wait for more than a couple other boaters to load because, as I said, I plan ahead and don't wait for the sunset rush where 100 boats are wanting to come in at the same time. As you have said, I try to avoid the ramp at these times and is one of the ways that I am trying to be considerate. I usually am off the water before it gets that crowded. I only have had the one altercation in all my years of boating. In that case the ramps weren't even crowded and there was no trailer line at all, just no space at the dock. I probably would have just ignored that guy if I was by myself but he decided to tear into my wife, which is a different situation altogether.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Your trailer is in line, not your boat!

It does sound like you are doing all you can to avoid tying up the ramp and that is all I ask. The ones I get frustrated with are the one's who pull their boat to the ramp and then have someone hold it there while they go get the trailer. I don't tolerate them well as the ramps I go to you can beach your boat next to the ramp out of the way.

 

[109jb]

Re: Your trailer is in line, not your boat!

The ones who get me are the ones who stock up the boat at the dock instead of loading it at home or in the launch prep area. Or they do the same thing in reverse when pulling out.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Your trailer is in line, not your boat!

amen there. A few weeks ago at a three boat ramp this guy backs his boat down one of the ramps. Starts unloading from the suv to the boat. Then after he gets the boat loaded they all head to the bathroom to change into swim attire. The only reason nobody said anything it was a three boat ramp and not too busy.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Your trailer is in line, not your boat!

Probably wouldnt have been so funny had the boat drifted into another boat and caused an accident. Or of the owner had problems when tryign to get it back. Pretty sure its illegal to set a boat adrift. If its not, it should be.

Funny how everyone on this board is a better boater than anyone else on the lake. . .

There was no other boat traffic, and the water is only about 5' deep there. He's lucky he got to swim after his boat.
There is no reason for another boater to move a docked boat simply because they don't care to wait in line. Our trailer was in line and we waited out turn to get back on the ramp, when we got there, the boat had been moved. There were only a handful of boats waiting to get in, two waiting to get out when he got there. He pulled up, moved our boat and proceeded to take the first position, ready to load even though his buddy was several back in line yet. We were already backing in the water.
As far as I am concerned, he got what he deserved.
We don't have a local water patrol there, it's a public launch.
The normal procedure is that docked boats awaiting loading, stay back at the outer part of the dock till your trailer gets to the ramp, if I'm alone, I pull up in the center lane, off the docks and drive on my trailer, not using dock space.
This idiot couldn't wait for one more boat and chose to push ahead even though his trailer wasn't in line. He chose to move our boat the instant I left it unattended to help guide my buddy onto the ramp, (it's a steep ramp and the trailer is not visible while backing up when it first drops onto the loading ramp). It wasn't a busy time at the ramp, but the normal evening crowd was starting to pull in. We were coming in after fishing the last tide and were one of the last boats coming in at that time. The only other boater had come into the first dock a few minutes ahead of us, and was waiting for his buddy to get to the dock with the trailer. The part that bothered me the most was that we were on the super shallow side, since an aluminum boat doesn't need much water to load, the guy that moved the boat had at least one other wide open dock or lane to use which had no boat docked at all. He still chose to move ours. I notice that some people will only pull in between the two docks, rarely do you see anyone using the outer sides of the docks, which have the same ramp space but the far left is a bit shallower due to the curve of the bank. They back in and take up both center lanes. There's enough room for three to back in with good clearance, one at each dock and one down the middle if needed. Most seem to take the whole ramp, backing in on such an angle that they block all three lanes. Its even worse when someone backs off the end of the ramp and gets stuck tying up the whole ramp.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Your trailer is in line, not your boat!

maybe 30 years ago when I was just a teenager the campground we used to stay at was pretty much a free for all. If you could find a spot to put a tent or camper they called it a camp site. We went to bed with our camper in one of the regular spots and out boat trailer next to the camper. We woke up to another camper where out boat trailer had been. Dad went over and asked them what did they think they were doing moving our trailer and where was it. They had pulled it up to the playground and parked it there where trailers are forbidden. We had been going there several years and knew the ranger quite well. They moved their camper.

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Your trailer is in line, not your boat!

Ever seen a tournament launch? One after another, they back down, tap the brakes and let the unoccupied boat float out into the no wake zone. Every 6th boat or so, 5 or 6 guys step onto the deck for a lift out to their ride.

As an avid bass fisherman, and occasional tourny fisherman, I have yet to see that method. Generally what I see is one guy in the boat, and the other backing him in, with the same tap breaks and float off method. If the nonboater is truly a nonboater, and not just a back seater, he will usually just take it to the dock with the trolling motor, and the boater backs in. If it is a 1 man per boat tourney, for the most part two guys will team up - 1 backs in, and one is in the boat. Then, he docks or beaches and backs the other guy in, and between them, 3 or 4 more have launched.

I refuse to unhook the winch strap before backing in if the ramp is more than 1 trailer length long (most around here are). So, I ride down on the bow deck, and the driver stops when the wheels are at the waters edge. Then, I reach over the bow and unhook the winch, and the driver backs the rest of the way in, with the tap brakes and float off method.

On the chance that there is a courtesy dock, I use a slightly different method. Because there usually are obstructions (boat tied to end of dock if it is long, or seawall paralleling ramp or such) I walk down to the dock, and stand in the middle, about 1 trailer length from the waters edge. When the trailer gets down there, the driver still stops at the waters edge, and I unhook. But, I grab the bow line, and walk down the dock at the speed the driver backs in. The boat floats off, and the momentum keeps it going to the end of the dock, where I proceed to hop in, start the motor, and idle out of the way.

For loading, I powerload (never much more than idle - I tell the driver the sweet spot of the trailer). I am able to run up on the trailer, and end up right at the bow stop, or about 6 inches from it. I kill the motor, jump in the bow, hook up the winch strap, and wave to the driver to pull out.

I have found the previous methods to be the absolute quickest, yet safe, methods to put in/pull out my particular boats. I always design my trailers to best suite these methods as well.

 

[Backyardhockey]

Re: Your trailer is in line, not your boat!

FYI The following is from the Michigan DNR:

When retrieving, do not pull your vessel into a launch lane until the towing vehicle is at the ramp. The line is formed by vehicles with trailers, not by vessels in the water. Drop off the vehicle driver, and wait offshore and clear of the ramp until he or she arrives with the trailer.


The link also explains why NOT to powerload.
http://www.boat-ed.com/mi/course/p2-4_trailering.htm


Empty ramps for all!

 

[109jb]

Re: Your trailer is in line, not your boat!

FYI The following is from the Michigan DNR:

When retrieving, do not pull your vessel into a launch lane until the towing vehicle is at the ramp. The line is formed by vehicles with trailers, not by vessels in the water. Drop off the vehicle driver, and wait offshore and clear of the ramp until he or she arrives with the trailer.

So how does this work if the "vehicle" driver is also the "vessel" driver. I don't think anyone is arguing that if possible it should be done as described above, but in some cases there is no other option except to leave the boat at the dock while you get the trailer.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Your trailer is in line, not your boat!

there are sometimes when there is no choice I guess. I have never seen a ramp without the ability to beach the boat to the side or out of the way on a dock. Seems like it would work for me.

 

[fishmen111]

Re: Your trailer is in line, not your boat!

I have never seen a ramp without the ability to beach the boat to the side or out of the way on a dock.

Here, most ramps are surronded by rip-rap to prevent erosion.