Boat Ramp Etiquette

Drcoffee

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 26, 2021
Messages
220
I work off the premise, first come, first serve. If Im on the boat, I wait my turn and tie up on the doc once the last boat is out of the way. You can back your truck down, but good luck unloading. People are A holes.
 

southkogs

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 7, 2010
Messages
14,919
I'll add my 2¢, and also work on it from the perspective of the ramp I use most which can get pretty busy. I'll also say that in general, I try to think in terms that we're all boatin' on the weekend: it's supposed to be fun and enjoyable.
- Is it the order you arrive at the ramp or who can get the trailer in line first?
Where we are, there are two things in play: the ramp (wide enough for two trailers) and the courtesy dock (designed for two boats, but you can sometimes nose a third in). The vehicles get to the ramp in one order, and the boats get to the dock in one order. The vehicles getting to the ramp are the order in which things get launched and landed. That order typically adds a little order to who has the dock at any moment.
- I had 2 80 year old parents, my wife and my brother. None who have driven my boat nor backed my trailer into this ramp before.
- What about the guy next to me that only had himself and his teen ager son on their first time out? Do they never get to the ramp because the boy cant drive the boat and does not have a drivers license to back the trailer in?
These are kinda' the same thing: both cases need the dock. So, you need to wait until you get the dock. I'm not above asking other boats if they're waiting for the dock and then finding my place in line. Occasionally I get cut off; but not too often. If there's a buncha' boats waiting to get in and out (start or end of a fishing tournament can be total goat rodeo), there can be a loooong wait to get the trailer into the water.

And sometimes, if we come in to the ramp and see it's a stampede: it's easier to just go put around a little longer. Let the dust settle and get back into line. I've offered to help people, strike up conversations to keep things light, whatever ... try not to get roused up on a day when I'm trying to unwind from the week that got me all roused up :p
 

tpenfield

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 18, 2011
Messages
18,039
After reading some of this, I am glad that I don't have to launch & haul out on a daily basis . . . The joy of having a slip or mooring.

It sure seems like these ramps could benefit from some signage on etiquette or protocol and perhaps even some supervision by the local authorities during the busy times.

Now that I am semi-retired, I can spend more time at the local ramp on busy weekends taking in the show . . . but then there is the desire to be out on the boat during those times too.

For those of use who have moorings - the challenge is not at the ramp, but at the loading dock. Folks sit there for an extended amount of time washing their boats stem to stern, while other boats circle and wait. The problem is at my local ramp/dock, everybody tends to know each other. So, it is more challenging to call friends and acquaintances various obscenities. :ROFLMAO:

I tend to use the dock for boat cleaning in maintenance during the slow times. I find while hanging out at the dock with the boat (washing or maintenance) I tend to get a lot of dumb questions from by standers. This past week someone asked me what the name of the dock was ? I told him that I did not know, but Fred seemed like a nice name. :ROFLMAO:

Never a dull moment . . . maybe we can all compile our stories and write a book. 🤪
 

FLATHEAD

Captain
Joined
Dec 29, 2002
Messages
3,161
Around here it seems to be who gets the vehicle on the ramp goes first. I’m another that avoids weekends at the ramp like the plague. I think we all have seen our share of toolbags at the ramp. The newbies don’t bother me all that much. It’s the entitled that purposely tie up the ramp while others are waiting that gores my ox.
 

nola mike

Vice Admiral
Joined
Apr 22, 2009
Messages
5,362
It sure seems like these ramps could benefit from some signage on etiquette or protocol and perhaps even some supervision by the local authorities during the busy times.
This was all I could think about when reading through these comments
 

jdmcpha2

Cadet
Joined
Mar 11, 2012
Messages
7
I'll add my 2¢, and also work on it from the perspective of the ramp I use most which can get pretty busy. I'll also say that in general, I try to think in terms that we're all boatin' on the weekend: it's supposed to be fun and enjoyable.

Where we are, there are two things in play: the ramp (wide enough for two trailers) and the courtesy dock (designed for two boats, but you can sometimes nose a third in). The vehicles get to the ramp in one order, and the boats get to the dock in one order. The vehicles getting to the ramp are the order in which things get launched and landed. That order typically adds a little order to who has the dock at any moment.


These are kinda' the same thing: both cases need the dock. So, you need to wait until you get the dock. I'm not above asking other boats if they're waiting for the dock and then finding my place in line. Occasionally I get cut off; but not too often. If there's a buncha' boats waiting to get in and out (start or end of a fishing tournament can be total goat rodeo), there can be a loooong wait to get the trailer into the water.

And sometimes, if we come in to the ramp and see it's a stampede: it's easier to just go put around a little longer. Let the dust settle and get back into line. I've offered to help people, strike up conversations to keep things light, whatever ... try not to get roused up on a day when I'm trying to unwind from the week that got me all roused up :p
This has always been our way too. While we wait our turn, we assist others too keep things moving along and because it's being human.
When it's busy, we hang back and give it a while to clear out.
We figured by the way these two guys acted is that they have been doing this for quite a long time and probably were taught this by their misguided mentors who were taught the same thing. Generational entitlement. I'm sure by the reaction at the ramp that Sea Ray dude will think twice next time.
 

harringtondav

Commander
Joined
May 26, 2018
Messages
2,439
Never a dull moment . . . maybe we can all compile our stories and write a book. 🤪
It's been written...sorta. Australian boaters FB group. Carnage on the Boat Ramp. I joined. Lots of laughs.
 

freerider8

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jul 28, 2021
Messages
76
I think people just need to have respect for others and simply ask if someone there before them are going in or out of the water and just wait their turn but that can only happen in a perfect world. I usually just try and wait my turn and go have fun either way. I am not going to let the Jerk offs ruin my day on the water. Some people just simply have no respect for their fellow man. It's all about that entitlement that so many people have nowadays.
 

909

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 19, 2021
Messages
537
Boat ramps, especially public launches are complete sh:t shows and people are idiots.


Luckily , I'm able to launch from beaches where the views are nicer if you know what I'm saying.
 

RBoyd1971

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Oct 20, 2020
Messages
165
If you have a smoking hot wife with a bikini 10 sizes too small, all the men don't mind waiting while you launch and retrieve your boat. 😁 Funny how folks are.
 

freerider8

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jul 28, 2021
Messages
76
If you have a smoking hot wife with a bikini 10 sizes too small, all the men don't mind waiting while you launch and retrieve your boat. 😁 Funny how folks are.
LOL, that is so true. I would watch the hottie all day and not care how long it took to dock or get into the water. Nothing better than watching a smoking hot hottie do anything.
 

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
16,071
If you have a smoking hot wife with a bikini 10 sizes too small, all the men don't mind waiting while you launch and retrieve your boat. 😁 Funny how folks are.
Where I boat, you’re not going to find any smoking hot wives, or girl friends for that matter, wearing bikinis at the boat ramp.

They’re all at the pool bar at the yacht club….lol
 

Renken2000Classic

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 10, 2022
Messages
233
I have learned to avoid the busy times.

I woulda stayed longer today, but told myself, I gotta get outta here before it gets busy (about 1030). I made a shot at the downwind side of the dock and missed (my shift action is a little iffy and I sorta voluntarily limit myself on changing gears a bunch), and then I heard a guy who was docked on the other side, where I would rather have been, say "Do you want this spot? I'm about to leave?" Yep, I did. I puttered a minute while he got in and left and it worked out great.

There's some nice people out there too.

Dock was essentially full by the time I got back to my boat, trailers all dunked side-by-side on the ramp... I got out just in time. I wouldn't want to be they guys I see inbound to the lake on my drive back home (especially on 100F+ days like this), and there's usually a bunch.
 

airshot

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jul 22, 2008
Messages
5,080
I have learned to avoid the busy times.

I woulda stayed longer today, but told myself, I gotta get outta here before it gets busy (about 1030). I made a shot at the downwind side of the dock and missed (my shift action is a little iffy and I sorta voluntarily limit myself on changing gears a bunch), and then I heard a guy who was docked on the other side, where I would rather have been, say "Do you want this spot? I'm about to leave?" Yep, I did. I puttered a minute while he got in and left and it worked out great.

There's some nice people out there too.

Dock was essentially full by the time I got back to my boat, trailers all dunked side-by-side on the ramp... I got out just in time. I wouldn't want to be they guys I see inbound to the lake on my drive back home (especially on 100F+ days like this), and there's usually a bunch.
Yep, same here, retired so I can go anytime !! Try to stay away on holidays and busy times. I am cery lucky to have a small town marina with a public launch ramp, they charge 10 bucks or a season pass for 125. The really nice part is the season pass is free to those over 65....yea me!!!!! Even better is a full time security gard to watch over operations at the ramp, extremely few fights or people just leaving there stuff sit there !!! And even better yet, the gard has a golf cart to shuttle you to and from the parking lot!!! Life is good !!!!
 

airshot

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jul 22, 2008
Messages
5,080
Many years back we were comming in from July 4 fireworks show, ramp was filled with folks comming out. There were 4 ramps spaced wide apart, enough that an ectra vehicle could easily pull in between if they didnt need a dock. My son dropped me off at the very end of a dock to get my trailer, when I got back there were two people taking their time getting there boats on the trailer. I just backed down the ramp inbetween the two with plenty ( at least 6' each side) to have my son drive up on the trailer, snap the winch snap and pulled out!! You would have thought I murdered someone!!! I was called every name you coukd think of because I didnt wait my turn....I did not bother anyone or take anyone elses place..just used a space that no one else wanted to use, didnt crowd anyone, we were in and out in less than 5 minutes, my wife timed it when she saw me back the trailer in. I think prople were jealous because they couldnt do what I did so quickly !!!! Was damn near chased out of the parking lot !!! Was I wrong???
 

jimmbo

Supreme Mariner
Joined
May 24, 2004
Messages
13,446
If you made your own Lane, I can understand why people were Pissed at you. If the lanes were designed to have a wide gap between them, it was for reasons of Safety, If you had hit someone standing between the lanes, you likely would be facing Criminal Negligence Charges, not to mention Civil Suits.
 

airshot

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jul 22, 2008
Messages
5,080
Lanes are not marked in any way, there is just an extremely large space between. Fitting 3 vehicles to launch or retrive is not an issue. From the comments made foljs were more upset becausevthey didnt know how to load there boat without a dock beside them.
 

Renken2000Classic

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 10, 2022
Messages
233
I'd say there was maybe 4' between me and the next trailer (which went in at the middle spot) after I was already backed in on Saturday. I thought it was a little close, but I was OK with it. I was out before they got their boat on there. There is enough room for 3 if everyone plans it right, but no markings. I was nearly on the edge. It's the guys that take the middle of the whole thing that make it a little harder to use it all. 2 is easy, 3 possible, but I'd rather not try to hit one side with someone already in the middle.
 
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