03-19-2013, 01:25 AM
This topic comes up usually once a year on every board I frequent. I want to give people the benefit of the doubt and assume some must be new to boat ownership, to include boat ramp etiquette and I am going to avoid generalizing (just this once) that all boat ramp follies can be attributed to water maggots (water skiers and wakeboard boats) and plain old arrogance.
I offer the following because it is not even half way through march, and in 2 outings this early in the season I have witnessed first hand that the boat ramp follies have begun but even more concerning is that there are fellow fisherman participating in the lunacy.
My intent is to offer the following in an attempt to create a more enjoyable experience for everyone that wants to use our incredible resources we have in this great state.
Do: Please utlize areas away from the ramp to prepare for your launch. This includes removing your covers, tie downs, putting in plugs, loading your boat with tackle, clothes, food, coolers, etc, etc
Dont: Back your boat down the ramp, to the water, and then start loading items from your vehicle into the boat, removing covers, tie downs, etc
Do: Once your boat is in the water and if you are by yourself, and your boat is aluminum, please move it to a section of shoreline, and beach it while moving your vehicle to a parking spot. To tie your boat to the dock, blocking others from utlizing the ramp until you park your rig and walk back down is bad form.
Dont: Don't do the above if you have a fiber glass boat and you are by yourself. It's not worth it. People must understand and be patient. If you can tie to the dock, but as far away as possible so the ramp can continue to be utilized, then good on ya!
Do: If you do have others with you, then there is absolutely no reason to block the dock/ramp with your boat while parking the rig. The boat should be moved away, allowing others to load/unload while you or other members of your party park the vehicle/trailer.
Do: Park your vehicle and trailer away from the ramp so others can have free and clear access.
Don't: Park your vehicle and/or trailer sp close to the ramp that it requires all others to use absolute precision to back their boat in the water. Not cool.
Do: If you see someone who is having problems loading/unloading, it is better to offer help than sit there and get
.
Don't: If you are operating a wake board or ski boat..please let me dispell something. I am not interested in seeing you pull your skier/boarder right next to my boat while I am trolling. Although you must think I am enteratined by this act, it just pisses me off and I dont appreciate the danger you put people in when you have the entire lake to use instead of running with in 20 yards of my fishing lane.
Don't: Tie your 14 foot aluminum boat to the side of dock, blocking it's use while you walk up and get your rig. That boat could have been tied at the end of the dock allowing others to continue unloading/loading. Not cool!
Don't: When taking your boat out of the water, do not unload items from your boat, tie down, remove plugs, etc on the ramp. Proceed to an area designated for this activity that is far away from the ramp. Again, taking items out of your boat, attaching tie downs, putting covers on is not appropriate activity on the ramp.
And finally, those who have owned boats for a long time know that things can go wrong, and not every boat will start right up everytime. Things break, and everyone has to learn some time so this is not an assualt on newbies. I extend the olive branch every chance I can at the boat ramp to those in need. I do understand the need for patience and when it should be applied.
I hope the above is helpful and again, not trying to offend anyone.
Regards
MG
[signature]
I offer the following because it is not even half way through march, and in 2 outings this early in the season I have witnessed first hand that the boat ramp follies have begun but even more concerning is that there are fellow fisherman participating in the lunacy.
My intent is to offer the following in an attempt to create a more enjoyable experience for everyone that wants to use our incredible resources we have in this great state.
Do: Please utlize areas away from the ramp to prepare for your launch. This includes removing your covers, tie downs, putting in plugs, loading your boat with tackle, clothes, food, coolers, etc, etc
Dont: Back your boat down the ramp, to the water, and then start loading items from your vehicle into the boat, removing covers, tie downs, etc
Do: Once your boat is in the water and if you are by yourself, and your boat is aluminum, please move it to a section of shoreline, and beach it while moving your vehicle to a parking spot. To tie your boat to the dock, blocking others from utlizing the ramp until you park your rig and walk back down is bad form.
Dont: Don't do the above if you have a fiber glass boat and you are by yourself. It's not worth it. People must understand and be patient. If you can tie to the dock, but as far away as possible so the ramp can continue to be utilized, then good on ya!
Do: If you do have others with you, then there is absolutely no reason to block the dock/ramp with your boat while parking the rig. The boat should be moved away, allowing others to load/unload while you or other members of your party park the vehicle/trailer.
Do: Park your vehicle and trailer away from the ramp so others can have free and clear access.
Don't: Park your vehicle and/or trailer sp close to the ramp that it requires all others to use absolute precision to back their boat in the water. Not cool.
Do: If you see someone who is having problems loading/unloading, it is better to offer help than sit there and get
.Don't: If you are operating a wake board or ski boat..please let me dispell something. I am not interested in seeing you pull your skier/boarder right next to my boat while I am trolling. Although you must think I am enteratined by this act, it just pisses me off and I dont appreciate the danger you put people in when you have the entire lake to use instead of running with in 20 yards of my fishing lane.
Don't: Tie your 14 foot aluminum boat to the side of dock, blocking it's use while you walk up and get your rig. That boat could have been tied at the end of the dock allowing others to continue unloading/loading. Not cool!
Don't: When taking your boat out of the water, do not unload items from your boat, tie down, remove plugs, etc on the ramp. Proceed to an area designated for this activity that is far away from the ramp. Again, taking items out of your boat, attaching tie downs, putting covers on is not appropriate activity on the ramp.
And finally, those who have owned boats for a long time know that things can go wrong, and not every boat will start right up everytime. Things break, and everyone has to learn some time so this is not an assualt on newbies. I extend the olive branch every chance I can at the boat ramp to those in need. I do understand the need for patience and when it should be applied.
I hope the above is helpful and again, not trying to offend anyone.
Regards
MG
[signature]
a lot. I came to have fun and so I'm not about to let someone take that away with their antics at the dock. I simply work around them or ask if I can assist them to get my business done.