Am I in the Twilight Zone?

[Silverbullet555]

Re: Am I in the Twilight Zone?

I really try to resist jumping in on these threads because I am a solo launcher/retriever. I move quickly and am in and out as quick as possible. Boat is completely prepped before we get in line, fenders on both sides, ropes on both sides so we can tie up on either side. Back it in, wife gets in the drivers seat and when I am floating she pulls the truck forward and out of the way.

She brings the baby with her and they get in the boat while I park the truck and haul butt back down to the ramp.

On the way in, we do park at the courtesy dock for a few minutes. Preferably out of the way. I get the truck and back it in. She gets in with the baby and as soon as I am loaded she pulls us forward to clean up.

It's not perfect and I know on occasion someone get's annoyed, but we go at less busy times, others can launch and retrieve because we never block the ramp and I hustle to clear the dock ASAP.

If I get lucky I can walk the boat on and off the trailer.

Courtesy and prep goes a long way to making it smooth. Too many people don't have that any more.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Am I in the Twilight Zone?

I don't think that's a problem Silverbullet. I launch it solo too most of the time (kids are starting to help more as they're older now), and with an older boat I sometime have things go haywire at the ramp causing a little extra time. If I prep most things before and after, people are generally pretty good about it.

In fact where i put in most often, there are quite a few fast "chats" as people are launching and retrieving. Even a few laughs shared as a bunch of us try to nuzzle up to the pier together while we organize trailers. Maybe it's southern hospitality.

 

[areeno]

Re: Am I in the Twilight Zone?

I feel your pain about crowded boat ramps. I launch and recover my boat at the local Air Force Base marina. It's great. 4 position ramp with maybe one other boater using it. No pressure to get things done quickly. I do a lot of self launching and recovering and love the freedom of doing it at my pace which, thus far, has avoided any stupid things from happening.