Boat ramp blues

[scuba_redneck]

Hey guys, as most of us have experienced, I was able to get to see a royal fubar at my local ramp on the Tennessee tombigbee waterway a couple of weekends ago. My local ramp in Becker bottom is a two lane ramp but a tight two lane. If the driver of the tow vehicle does not back their boat down perfectly straight then things can get pretty hairy pretty quickly. Well I was getting all geared up for a nice weekend of fishing and camping when I pulled up to the ramp. When I get there I see a guy on the ramp with his two sons trying to start his boat. There is a guy in front of me waiting to launch but he cannot because the guy down the ramp is sitting in the middle of it. I figured I would be nice and go down to offer this guy some help when he starts hollering just about everything he can think of and basically giving me the good ole **** off. Well I left him alone and let him do his own little thing. 30 minutes later he is still trying to crank up and his I/O hasn't even coughed like it wanted to fire up. Eventually this guy gets so pissed off that he reattached all his tow straps and bow line and flies off the ramp. I have no idea what his problem was but dang did he need a chill pill. After he left me and the other guy was able to launch side by side without any issues. Anyone else seen this or am I just special?

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Boat ramp blues

You're not alone Scuba. The boat ramps are always a places of stress and contention it seems. You can usually tell who knows what they're doing from those who don't by the manner in which they launch an retrieve their boat. If you're good, you can slip in and out with hardly a notice for the other folks at the dock. Of course to do that, you have to have all your ducks in a row and have a plan before you even get to the ramp, which most folks don't have (e.g. guy in your story). He probably hadn't touched the boat in 6-12 months leading up to the trip, then promised the wife and kids the moon and the best boat trip ever, then when he gets to the ramp and things don't work right, he can't let his ego take the hit so he doubles down on stupid and assumes that trying harder is the same thing as trying something better. Sadly, there's no getting through to guys like that. Unfortunately, you just have to let them figure it out for themselves. Of course, they always have to "figure things out" right in the middle of the ramp, but such is life. He's the same guy that takes up two parking spaces (one of which is surely for the handicapped), never uses his blinker, and generally blames everyone but himself for his problems. Next time you see him, or someone like him at the ramp just breathe deep and be glad he isn't your dad. I always try to go to smaller, less crowded ramps, if possible, but sometimes there's no avoiding the traffic jam. I just think it's sad how everyone gets so wound up in the pursuit of "recreational" boating.

 

[scuba_redneck]

Re: Boat ramp blues

Haha that about sums it up. If I am by myself, from the time I park the truck to prep the boat till th time I park it to hit the water it usually takes me about 5-10 minutes and even less of I have someone with me that knows what they are doing. I get a good chuckle when I go to launch at this ramp when I see some of the local high school boys with their little 12 and 14 foot flat bottoms that have no clue about boat ramp etiquette. They prep in the middle of the ramp, take 20 minutes to launch and dock because the tow vehicle drive cannot back a trailer to save his life, then spend another 15 at the dock trying to crank up their ole beater motors. I have been able to help a few f em out and show them a few tips and tricks along the way about backing down a ramp. Once they started backing properly in either the right or left lanes I have noticed much less congestion at the ramp when they are there. I live 1/2 mile from the ramp therefore I have a front row seat to all the lovely discourses that occur throughout the year from the duck guys to the crappie guys to even the most hardcore bass fishermen that hate to have even another vehicle within 3 parking spaces of their truck and trailer combo. I'll have to break out the camera sometime and put together a little compilation of the Becker boat ramp conundrum when it gets really hopping.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Boat ramp blues

Regarding that tight 2 lane scenario, a friend and I were both at the ramp to trailer our boats. A storm was coming so the pressure was on to a degree. One guy waiting in line was obviously frustrated with how long it was taking some of the retrievers to finish, and very vocal about his abilities in comparison to their's. Everybody up to this point were all being careful to take up only one side of the narrow ramp. Now it is this guy's turn, so he backs up very quickly, and also very crookedly taking up both sides. He retrieves in a fairly normal fashion regarding time taken, no where near the skill level he was bragging about. So here he is, taking the time of 2 or 3 "slower" boaters bascially extending mine and my friend's time in the water waiting. We laughed pretty loudly after a while and mentioned to him that taking up the whole ramp was way ruder than taking extra time in the choppy water to load. I am sure he still to this day thinks how superior his performance was.

 

[scuba_redneck]

Re: Boat ramp blues

I've been lucky thus far and have not ran into "that guy" that brags about his launching abilities then royally blows it on the ramp. I have been in the situation that you described with the storm and chop. It was back in April last year after the string of storms that tore up most of Mississippi and Alabama with tornados. We had decided since the river was up by 4-5 feet that the catfish must have been biting. When we get to the ramp, the water is flowing out of a creek directly perpendicular to the ramp quite quickly making it difficult to even unload the boat. we eventually get the boat in the water and underway to our fishing hole. There is so much trash in the water while traveling that it sounded like some mad midgets were hammering into the hull with all they had. We catch a few fish that night but nothing to brag about. As we are about 2 miles north of the ramp the fuel tank runs dry. Thank goodness for the spare tank we had or we would have been royally screwed. Anywho once we get the new fuel tank hooked up and the engine running again, the throttle cable covering breaks and the engine goes WOT with the shift stick in neutral. A quick duct tape fix later we are underway again. We get back to the ramp and the creek is flowing just as good as it was when we left it. Cross flowing creek on a boat ramp _= recipe for disaster. The trailer is backed down and my uncle takes a stab at getting on the bunks. Fail. After repeating this for a couple of times we changed our strategy. I wade out into the water and attach the strap to the bow eye and crank like a madman. The boat is finally trailered.

I believe that I learned my lesson from this trip. Never launch out when the river is up at a dangerous level.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Boat ramp blues

Rivers add complexity for sure. I have only boated on lakes, and none really big enough to have any currents that could affect me. On the day I was describing by the time I got the boat to the trailer the waves were 2-3 feet and I had to get out and keep moving the stern back on the trailer, it was bad. This was a 15.5 footer with outboard. I had a good hold on the top of the stern and a couple of times it lifted me off the bottom, I kept it square and my driver just kept pulling out slow until the boat stayed on the bunks. Wild end for that day on the lake!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Boat ramp blues

Not to excuse bad behavior but maybe to explain it...

I see a lot of the boat ramp stress coming from those who are, or believe they are, running late. For me, it's often after driving 1 1/2 hours, running late on leaving work or home due to "life" and then trying to beat a falling tide or make a sunset duck shoot. When you get that pressure, albeit self-imposed, you start doing stupid stuff and often hurt yourself and/or your gear. And my situation is at a private ramp with no line and any bystanders are guys I know who are going to give me a hard time regardless, but I still have to make myself wind down.

But those guys flailing away I'll bet you are starting at the "running late" stress level and then it gets worse. Add to it the guys in front of them making them even later. They're mad at "someone" for making them miss the early launch before it gets crowded--with people like them. That's why they snap at people who offer to help--they know it's really their own fault. And it gets worse as they make mistakes--like the guys in the first post who clearly had not hooked up the safety cut-off lanyard!

then they try to make up "being late" by roaring away from the dock, wake rocking every one else, endangering those in the launch area, leaving half their stuff on the dock and one line still tied to the dock POW!

 

[Harritwo]

Re: Boat ramp blues

I boat in the St John's and on occasion when i launch or recover at Mayport during tide change, it can and does create some havoc geting on the trailer. 90% of the time i float on and off the trailer, very seldm do i drive on. I can launch or recover most times in less than 3 minutes. When i recover at Mayport, (THe Mouth of the St Johns) i occasionally use the motor in reverse to stay straight and the winch to load on the trailer. Once i get on the bunks, i kill the motor and trim all the way up. Where i launch, the ramps are known to eat a prop when you try to power on. The tide rushing in or out makes it somewhat difficult at times.

 

[AlmostFamous]

Re: Boat ramp blues

Not saying anyone is wrong, but until I joined this site I never really thought a lot about what goes on at the ramp. It seems that a lot of boaters, or at least boaters on this site are very focused on what is happening at the ramps. I don't want to say hyper-sensitive...but... Or maybe it's because I've not run into the sheer number of fools you all run into at your ramps. I'm an inland, fair weather, sofa boater...Which probably limits my exposure. lol.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Boat ramp blues

Not saying anyone is wrong, but until I joined this site I never really thought a lot about what goes on at the ramp. It seems that a lot of boaters, or at least boaters on this site are very focused on what is happening at the ramps. I don't want to say hyper-sensitive...but... Or maybe it's because I've not run into the sheer number of fools you all run into at your ramps. I'm an inland, fair weather, sofa boater...Which probably limits my exposure. lol.

I'm sort of the same way, except coastal, tidal all weather (and non-sofa thankyouverymuch). I haven't used or had to deal with crowded public ramps,and all the rules, customs and attitudes. For example, I don't load my boats before launching, since I often carry a large load of gear and launch with the axle dry, and a heavy boat doesn't launch well (transom dive). I've never used a ramp without a pier, except a few side of the road deals for a 13' boat, and the public or marina ramps I've used aren't crowded--no lines. But I absolutely understand the need for the loading/prep rules at the crowded public ramps.

 

[Philster]

Re: Boat ramp blues

I agree with Home Cookin' as far as people being rushed is concerned. I think it winds up putting pressure on people who aren't rushing as well, and with rushing to do anything comes stress and tension.

I am lucky to be right next to a great ramp, but no matter how good the ramp is, it can't overcome stupid by itself.

I just don't understand the utter lack of prep. I'm getting desensitized to it though, which is sad. I'm almost numb... apathetic to it really. What I will never get desensitized to are people who won't buck up to get 'er done. If you've messed up, or for whatever reason, you have to get your toes wet, could you please do so? Yes, people are tossing some wakes and your plan for dry feet is out the window, but you really might have to touch the water (god forbid).

Whatever it is, if you're young and healthy could you man up please? Also, could you try to help people if you are just standing around. We're boaters, for Pete's sake, let's help each other out!


.

 

[Slow1]

Re: Boat ramp blues

What I find is that everybody is waving to everybody while they are out boating on the lakes.
When it comes time for everybody wanting to get off the water they all become sons of the devil.
We have the same rude people loading and unloading their boats and I handle them the same way I do rude people on the road. I simply laugh and wave and go on my way. Just remember you are going to or have had a great day on the water and not everybody are as lucky as us.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Boat ramp blues

I guess it could be the "I'm in a rush" thing but I just don't get it, Preparation is king at Public Ramps but Patience is a close number two when Launching, retrieving by contrast is all about patience, When my wife and I are on a boating trip (just the two of us) we always save an hour for the ramp, yep you guessed it were the ones that anchor up a couple hundred feet away with binoculars and watch the show.

If your in a hurry whats the joy in Boating?

 

[erwinner]

Re: Boat ramp blues

Whatever it is, if you're young and healthy could you man up please? Also, could you try to help people if you are just standing around. We're boaters, for Pete's sake, let's help each other out!

While there are very, very few lakes near me, the ones we have to have very abundant boat ramps. At least 8 lanes, and multiple ramps on the lake. People don't have to worry about the guy next to them loading the boat after backing to the water because there's usually plenty of space.
But 2 weeks ago I was waiting for the boat with my dad when a brand new F150 pulls up with a fancy bassboat and right as they came to a stop just in front of us the entire hitch slipped out of the receiver and the front of the trailer fell to the ground. When the pin fell out or how they moved at all is anyone's guess.
So, of course the asked us to help lift the boat, which we had to decline since I was 4 weeks out of open heart surgery and can't lift over 10 lbs. and my dad has 6 screws and a bunch of titanium in his neck.
It didn't take long for a few more fancy bass boats to get in line and the drivers were more than happy to help (get the line moving again so they could launch!)

 

[scuba_redneck]

Re: Boat ramp blues

While there are very, very few lakes near me, the ones we have to have very abundant boat ramps. At least 8 lanes, and multiple ramps on the lake. People don't have to worry about the guy next to them loading the boat after backing to the water because there's usually plenty of space.
But 2 weeks ago I was waiting for the boat with my dad when a brand new F150 pulls up with a fancy bassboat and right as they came to a stop just in front of us the entire hitch slipped out of the receiver and the front of the trailer fell to the ground. When the pin fell out or how they moved at all is anyone's guess.
So, of course the asked us to help lift the boat, which we had to decline since I was 4 weeks out of open heart surgery and can't lift over 10 lbs. and my dad has 6 screws and a bunch of titanium in his neck.
It didn't take long for a few more fancy bass boats to get in line and the drivers were more than happy to help (get the line moving again so they could launch!)

This is the kind of stuff I like to see. Boaters helping boaters. We are all there to enjoy the water. Clearing a ramp is usually a pretty good modivator to help someone else out!

PS. Also a good excuse to keep them safety chains attached!

 

[Jungleboat]

Re: Boat ramp blues

Well I recently became the yelling and shouting type :redface:

I've spent the last 6 months restoring an old 23 foot fiberglass shallow-v boat, which came in 2 months and about $3000 more than expected. FINALLY, after continously throwing more money and time at this thing, came the time to actually go fishing...

Wahoo! You know, fishing, ie the whole point of this exercise in the first place...

Just posted a thread elsewhere about how some idiot had placed a fishing net over the end of the ramp, fouling the prop and for some reason preventing the engine from re-starting. Anyway, we finally cut free and got the engine running again, before going for a very short trip, very slowly.

Why very short and very slowly?

Did I mention I paid someone to make the transom bigger, for my long-shaft engine? Well they obviously just fiberglassed a bit on top of the old transom, because it was cracked there after some high-speed testing (!). It was still sturdy enough for chugging up the river for a day's fishing - and after 6 months of faffing around, I was gonna go fishing, crack or no crack!

Well the transom wasn't the problem. My plan of just sticking it in Forward and chugging along on idle worked fine, my father in law and I caught a total of 12 decent catfish and I got some sunburn as a bonus. Cool, time to head back...

Did I mention that while trying to rescue the non-starting boat earlier that I'd lost my shoe in the mud and barnacle-encrusted rocks? So I let my father in law tow the boat out of the water.

All he had to do was drive forward about 20 yards or so, then I could take over and park in in the my assigned shelter. Easy, right?

My tow vehicle is a little tiny 'Kembara', a dinky 4X4 with a 1300cc 85 HP 4 cylinder engine, with an auto box. It's cute, fun to drive and yes, it has a locking diff'.

Now you may laugh and ask why such a little car, with such a big boat? Surely you Americans, you need at least a 5.0 liter V8 to pull a 12ft bass boat, right?

Well quit laughing, because my father in law thought the same, flooring the Kembara's gas pedal and flying up the ramp and right across the yard, collapsing the tongue-jack and throwing the boat sideways into the side of a local cafe, where it wedged between the wall and a concrete pot plant holder.

So yes, I became a bit shirty and shouty - but do you blame me? Really?



JB

 

[Jungleboat]

Re: Boat ramp blues

Before someone asks "Why was the tongue jack down in the first place?", that's because the ramp is pretty steep and slimy, so the local method is to use a 30ft tow rope with the trailer's front wheel down. Just not at that kind of galloping speed...

Lemme dig out a pic of the boat...

 

[Maclin]

Re: Boat ramp blues

Heck of a story Jungleboat!

 

[Jungleboat]

Re: Boat ramp blues

Indeed... but it gets worse, as I didn't mention the shattered rear window on the Kembara..

Or the fact we lost my remaining stainless steel anchor! I had 2, gave the buyer of my old boat one, kept one for this boat. It got tangled on something, couldn't pull it up. Normally I'd just power forward and rip the thing off the river bed before bending it back into shape but I wasn't about to put that kind of strain on a transom that already had a crack in it.

They were the most expensive catfish I've ever caught

Where the transom is concerned I'm relieved in a way, as I wasn't happy with the 'modification', even when I thought they'd cut deep into the original and replaced a large section. Now I know they just laid a strip of wood on top of the old one before glassing it all over I know I was right to not trust them. I'll be taking it to the bigger, more expensive boat builder and just have the entire thing replaced.

Regarding the accident, I called my father in law a few choice names in the heat of the moment but no-one was hurt and it was an accident, so no use fretting about it.

The good news? Incredibly little damage.

The tongue jack trailer wheel is completely mangled but by sheer good fortune the concrete pot plant and wall thing jammed the trailer so hard it actually bent the front end of the trailer (jerking the car to a very sudden stop) but the boat itself appears fine!

OK, it's buckled the (new, like everything else on the boat) canopy frame where he pulled it through the lower branches of a tree but apart from that I can't see any damage. Didn't even tear the canopy, just bent the frame a bit. Pure good luck but it seems the trailer tire took virtually all of the impact and it was the trailer and car that got bent or broken, rather than the boat.

Egos on the other hand, were crushed...



JB