While I was replying to Fairwayphillys post, I couldn't help but notice that my blood pressure was up and I was starting to fume just THINKING about all the idiots out there that don't know how to launch and retrieve boats properly and clog up the ramp and dock for 1/2 hour.
Anybody else feel that way?
I typed up a big long essay about it, but decided not to post it yet. I have to wait and see where this thread goes...
In the same breath, there is nothing more entertaining than sitting there in a lawn chair watching the boat ramp in the morning...as long as you are not waiting in line to launch!
Randy
[signature]
I have been unable to determine of the problem is simply lack of education, stupidity, ignorance or just plain looking for a confruntation.
Every launch I have used this year has exposed me to how poorly people are able to efficiently and courteously use public ramps!!!
Twice this year at Deer Creek Island people have simply driver around the 2 or 3 car line and launched in front of those waiting their turn.
Loading and unloading boats on the ramp not launching and retreiving.
Actually washing down wave runners while people are waiting to launch.
Starvation this weekend- Tyeing up one lane of a two lane ramp while the boat they are waiting on is accross the lake almost out of site. Almost 15 minutes!
I launch and retrieve Alone most of the time and require a little ramp time to accomplish the chore,
but Some Folks Don't Seem To Even Care Enough To Get It!!!!!!
[signature]
It's even more entertaining to watch on a Sat.afternoon after they have had a lot of hot sun and too many malt beverages[laugh]Lots of husbands and wives screaming at each other.I'm sure a few marriages have ended on the ramp. A friend of mine here at work goes to Havasu a lot.He told me there are a group of retired folks that drive up to the ramp in their golf carts and hold up score cards!
[signature]
[red][size 1]"He told me there are a group of retired folks that drive up to the ramp in their golf carts and hold up score cards! "[/size][/red]
[red][size 1][/size][/red]
[#ff0000][size 1][/size][/#ff0000]
[black][size 1]LMAO[laugh][/size][/black]
[size 1][/size]
[red][size 1][/size][/red]
[signature]
My blood pressure doesn't go up much if the delay is caused because of challenges with the boat. Sometimes the engine won't start on the boat or something similar. I have owned three different boats and the one that I have now is the most difficult of the three to get back on the trailer. Some boats and trailers are a dream. If one even gets them close at all the trailer automatically centers it for them. What chaps me are the rude folks who seem to be in no hurry at all, get out and visit with other folks on the ramp, or pull onto the ramp and load or unload their gear. A few years ago I saw the ultimate rudness. At Lincoln Beach (the ramp is wide enough for two boats), one guy launched his boat and just left his rig parked there with the trailer in the water and went boating!
[signature]
I go down there a lot in the post and my brother in law is or was one of the card holders and it was funny to watch....
Some would even bet on how long it would take to load...
.
[signature]
One of the funniest things I have ever heard was the exchange between boat driver and truck driver, both obviously quite enibriated (sp?). This was at the state park boat ramp at Yuba. I was fishing down by the dam and could hear every word being shouted back and forth. The best one was "you are doing this on purpose and I don't want to be your friend anymore!"
[signature]
Sometimes it makes me crazy. I don't get it, because its so easy, even alone. (it actually works better if everyone else just gets out of the way!)
Launching: attach a long rope to the bow, hold the rope, back into the water until boat floats, and then secure boat to dock or drive it to a dock or to shore. Loading: Back in trailer to the proper depth, get in boat, drive boat onto trailer, tilt up motor, secure winch strap, drive away to do all the rest of the riff-raff. (tie downs, spit-shine, load and unload, etc.)
If the boat will sit on the trailer on the highway, then it will sit on the trailer on the boat ramp! The motor has more power than needed to get the boat onto the trailer. Floating the boat on is NOT how its done. The key is to not have the trailer in the water too far.
These procedures will work for ANY boat, ANY trailer, of ANY size, on most ANY ramp. I'll launch and/or load ANYONES boat in under two minutes, anytime, anywhere. Wind or no wind. Everybody just get out of the way! For every person who tries to help, add 5 minutes.
With two people, one driving the vehicle and one in the boat, it's a no-brainer. One backs in, and one drives the boat on or off the trailer. 30 seconds, tops. Yet, some folks still take all day just to do that.
Somebody should make a video of how to do this, maybe to be sold at boat dealerships, ski stores, marinas, and tackle shops. Maybe an illustrated brochure. Something! If anyone knows how to market the thing, I'll do the demonstration.
[signature]
But your not bitter.....[
]
FF462
[signature]
Not bitter, just and amazed and baffled that someone can make something that is so simple be so difficult and time-consuming. I can see the intimidation for first-time boat owners, but some clowns haven't figured out what to do with a boat on a ramp after years and years!
As someone said, it can be very entertaining on a Saturday morning, especially if you're not waiting for the fools!
[signature]
Well said, some act like they are the only ones around. If they want to take there time, get there before all the traffic or park it !
[signature]
ANY BOAT RAMP
Not the place on a Busy day for the wife (or anyone)to learn to back the unit down the ramp!
Not the place to pollish the boat or water craft!
Not the place to be waiting for the boat to arrive back to after one last spin.
Not the Place to load and unload people or Stuff!
Not the place to strike up a friendly conversation with friends or strangers!
Not the place to preform long term mechanical issues!(everyone has had an unexpected merchanical problem and we should understand)
Not the place to think you need to skip to the front of the line!
GET THE BOAT LAUNCHED AND GET OFF THE RAMP[
]
BE CONSIDERATE OF OTHERS!!!!!
[signature]
Jim very good point about driving it on instead of floating it on . You will very seldom get it centered the first time when you are floating it on then you have to back into the water then pull out then back in ect bla bla bla. My husband usually drives the truck and I just make sure I hit the trailer straight and he hooks up the winch and pulls it the rest of the way then it is centered no matter what! MMH
[signature]
Ding!
Here is what I typed up earlier that I didn't post, it kind of goes along with your instructions for 1 person. Mine focuses more launching and loading when you have 2 people...
[#4040ff]Launching and loading when you have a partner with you: [/#4040ff]
[#4040ff]1. When you get to the lake, don't park on the ramp to prep your boat. There are boat prep areas designed for this.[/#4040ff]
[#4040ff]2. Proceed to the boat ramp ONLY after all the coolers, people, dogs, cats, fishing poles, skis, etc. etc. are ALL on the boat, basically everything except for the truck driver. [/#4040ff]
[#4040ff]3. The launching process should only take a minute or so at the MOST. I usually back down with the front strap still secured until I'm down to the bottom of the ramp, then undo the front strap. I back the boat into the water but not so that it is floating yet. My wife starts the boat up and gives me the thumbs up sign once it is started. I then back up a little, she backs off, I go park the truck. All this can happen in less than a minute. [/#4040ff]
[#4040ff]4. Once launched, my wife and crew wait for me to park the trailer somewhere out of everyones way and NOT at the dock. Once the truck is parked I walk out to the end of the dock and she brings the nose of the boat in and I hop on the front of the boat and she backs away. We never ever park at the dock at all.[/#4040ff]
[#4040ff]5. We fish. (We used to ski and wakeboard, but now, we fish.)[/#4040ff]
[#4040ff]6. When done fishing, my wife pulls the nose of the boat up to the dock and ONLY THE TRUCK DRIVER (me) hops off and she backs away from the dock. Once again, we do not park at the dock. EVERYBODY else stays in the boat.[/#4040ff]
[#4040ff]7. Truck driver (me) backs down the ramp, the wife pulls the boat onto the trailer, I secure it (getting feet wet usually required here), she notifies me that the outdrive is up and the engine is off, I pull out, and go park somewhere to unload everybody and everything and put the covers back on the boat. [/#4040ff]
[#4040ff]Our total time on the ramp AND dock both launching and loading is maybe 2 or 3 minutes at the MOST.[/#4040ff]
[#4040ff][/#4040ff]
At Strawberry last Saturday I watched a classic example of what not to do. They were parked ON THE RAMP loading all their crap into the boat. The guy then backed down the ramp while his guests/family stood there and watched. He then crawls out of his truck, into his boat, fiddle farted with the battery for a while (I think his battery switch was accidentally off...) drove the boat off the trailer, over to the dock, parked it and roped it to the dock then went back and got his truck, still at the bottom of the ramp and then parked his truck. Only then did all of his guest/family whatever get into the boat while parked at the dock. In the meantime, nobody else could use the dock as he was tied to it. He singlehandedly clogged up the ramp and dock for 20 minutes while I patiently waited just to get my boat out of the water!
Randy[font "Arial"][size 2][/size][/font]
[signature]
Great set of rules, think the state could get it right with all the brains there suppose to have. Your rules should be posted at the ramps !
[signature]
I have to say the first time I backed a trailer up to get a boat I really did feel bad for everyone that had to wait well not that bad...since it was my first time....It did take me about 5 min which felt like an 20 min. on the north ramp at Willard last summer. I was all over the place and there were the people waiting. Granted I had no idea I would be driving at all that day and I hadnt backed a trailer in 10 years (and that was with a tractor in high school) I did my best and waved at the laughing people. But we were prepared and left right away. The people that lolli gag on the ramp should be slapped really just walk up and slap them....[cool]
[signature]
Great "how to" on launching and loading the boat. The only problem is the people that need the help won't read this forum [mad], just us guys that already know how to do it.
[signature]
I say print off that section and hand it to the people that need it!!!! Also tell them about the board and the wonderful info it has to offer[shocked]..
FF462
[signature]
I got a funny relpy at Blue Mesa last year, a guy watch us load in about 30 seconds. wow, you made that look easy....I of course responded that" I guess I did not know it was supposed to be hard", people make to much out of it, get to know you boat and trailer and it is no big deal, show up at the ramp and tie up the lane for 10 minutes and expect it to be a big deal [
]
[signature]
Hey, i resemble those remarks.[shocked] The ramp at Newton is a terrible place to load a boat back on. Launching is a breeze but my trailer design and the bad ramp was a nightmare for loading up. Usually i can do it no problem by myself. It is comical to watch people try and do it without those problems though.[cool]
[signature]