Etiquette on the boat launch

[FireRob01]

Hi guys,New boater here. Finally got my first boat that I will be trailering for the most part and since I really have no idea what I am doing I would like to ask for any tips or no no's when it comes to the boat launch. I dont want to look like a fool or make anyone mad by breaking any unspoken rules.

thanks.

 

[QC]

Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

My tip is to grab a folding chair and go hang out at a launch ramp. Lot's of good things we can share here, but you will learn a ton watching others. You will know who is doing it right, and who isn't and you can't pay for better entertainment

Maybe tell us a little about your boat, trailer, vehicle combo. Also, if practical, take the whole thing to an empty parking lot type deal and practice backing.

 

[MarkSee]

Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

Welcome to IBOATS.

Have you visited the boat launch to watch how others do it and glean from that the good and the bad? That's a good way to learn.

Also depending on whether you are going to do it yourself or if you have a helper either in the boat or the vehicle makes a difference as well as some boat ramps have docks you can tie up to right there where others you need to launch then drive over to.

If I was to offer 1 point: prepare out of the way and when it's your turn be ready to go; practice during non-peak times helps.

Mark

 

[Don S]

Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

Here is just a few items to make things go faster and easier at the ramp.

Launch:

Test run the boat at home before you head for the ramp so you know it will start and run, and you can steer it. Nothing worse than putting the boat in the water, blocking the ramp to find the battery is dead or the motor won’t start after sitting for months. Put the plug in.

Have the boat loaded with coolers and gear BEFORE your turn to launch, even if you have to do it before you get in line. Make sure the plug is in.

Have dock lines and fenders in place before launching. Make sure the plug is in.

Launch boat and move to end of ramp and out of the way of others trying to launch, be ready to go.

Move the truck and trailer off the ramp so the next person in line can launch.

Check that boat is not sinking and water is not coming in, start the boat and clear the ramp for others.



Retrieve:

When you get to the ramp with your boat, do not empty the boat. Get trailer and load boat on trailer and move off the ramp before unloading the boat.

Once off to the side and out of the way of the ramp, then unload the boat clean and flush if that is one of the things you do before leaving the ramp area. Just don’t block the ramp so others can’t launch and retrieve.

 

[QC]

Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

Have you visited the boat launch to watch how others do it and glean from that the good and the bad? That's a good way to learn.

LOL, great minds . . .

Where are my manners? Welcome aboard Rob!

 

[saumon]

Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

Welcome FireRob01,

by asking, it definitely show you're on the right track! You could have a look at the Stupid human tricks while boating section. There's literally hours of reading and most of theses occurs at boat ramps. A few that come to mind:

- don't forget to put the plug
- don't forget to remove the transom straps
- go practice backing up your boat trailer in an empty parking lot
- don't take the ramp to prepare your boat. That can be done before in the parking/prep area
- if possible, plan your first outing in weekdays. Way less crowded and you won't be in a hurry.
- spend a couple of evenings (with you chair and some beer), at a busy boat ramp and look at what others are doing
- have fun!

(Sorry if everything as already being said, those damn Moderators type faster than I do!)

 

[Wind dog]

Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

Think "Do on to others as you would have them do to you" & you'll be good.
Now get out there & have fun, and be safe.

 

[QC]

Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

Funny, but power loading is a little more regional than that, Bubba. If your ramp extends 100 feet underwater why not? Makes things much faster. And there is literally nothing to damage underwater. I understand, and agree it is a no-no with ramps that end in the natural bottom. But I couldn't stir up the bottom at Lake Mead launching a Battleship

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

Welcome aboard . . . my recommendation would be to hang out at the launch ramp (have a video camera handy) and watch folks launch boats. You will seem some folks do a nice job of it and others not so good (feel free to use the video camera in those cases )

that will allow you to learn by watching. Then as a trial, pick a time when the ramp is not busy, and try some launch & retrievals yourself. If you have an experience boater friend that can come along for those initial launches, all the better.

You want to avoid showing up with little/no practice at a busy time as you will tend you have the sort of expereince that you are trying to avoid.

 

[saumon]

Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

If you spend enough time at the ramp, you may even be lucky enough to witness the famous "boat dumped on the concrete", which I still haven't seen...or the one that go out of his truck while still in Reverse...

 

[britisher]

Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

Welcome aboard. I was a new to boating last year and launched for the first time in November (it's Florida, so the weather is good). On my second launch I forgot to put the plug in and had to quickly pull the boat out, let it drain and start again. Thankfully I caught it in time. I do not keep my battery in the boat, when not using it, so I have got in the habit of keeping the pluf in the on board battery box. That is my reminder to put it in.
The second thing I learned was through trial and error. I tow with an 03 Suburban. I found the rear glass not big enough to see through when reversing. I now lift up the tailgate and I have no vision issues and the tailgate doesn't interfere with the trailer at all either

 

[Begester]

Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

Bubba - Why not Power the boat onto the trailer? Is it a safety thing? I typically use my winch, but wasnt aware of any risks/poor etiquette to using the motor, assuming you're careful and know how to control the boat.

 

[QC]

Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

The problem is that Power loading stirs up the sand/mud on the bottom at the end of the ramp. It creates a NASTY drop off that swallows trailers. This is the kind of ramp I am talking about where it doesn't matter:

Yes, at a certain lake level it matters. But it took 10 years for the lake to get that low. Point is I can't wash away concrete

 

[QC]

Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

Agree that ^^^^

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

Launch etiquette

 

[airshot]

Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

Along with all the other great suggestions one thing I would like to stress is do practice your ability to back up with a trailer.
You will need to do more than just backing up a few feet, practice backing up around a corner, do that in both directions so you will know what it is like backing from either direction. When I taught my kids to drive, I included trailer backing as part of their driver education, also had to go thru one winter on the temps. Yep we went to empty lots out in nowhere and they were made to spin and slide the car so they would have no surprises when real driving time was here. All jokes aside though practice until you are comfortable backing your trailer from either side. Then follow all the other great suggestions on here while at the ramp.

Airshot

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

The state put in a new NARROW ramp for small boats recently. While going through the no wake zone we watched his pretty wife walk down the port side waving him on as his (looked brand new) 18 - 20' CS crunched the starboard corner. Should have used his mirrors as those of us in 3 boats were watching his wife for him.

Along with all the other great suggestions one thing I would like to stress is do practice your ability to back up with a trailer.
You will need to do more than just backing up a few feet, practice backing up around a corner, do that in both directions so you will know what it is like backing from either direction. When I taught my kids to drive, I included trailer backing as part of their driver education, also had to go thru one winter on the temps. Yep we went to empty lots out in nowhere and they were made to spin and slide the car so they would have no surprises when real driving time was here. All jokes aside though practice until you are comfortable backing your trailer from either side. Then follow all the other great suggestions on here while at the ramp.

Airshot

 

[IraRat]

Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

The state put in a new NARROW ramp for small boats recently. While going through the no wake zone we watched his pretty wife walk down the port side waving him on as his (looked brand new) 18 - 20' CS crunched the starboard corner. Should have used his mirrors as those of us in 3 boats were watching his wife for him.

Did he crunch it against his vehicle?

And any photos of the wife?

 

[pcrg28328]

Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

Here is just a few items to make things go faster and easier at the ramp.

Launch:

Test run the boat at home before you head for the ramp so you know it will start and run, and you can steer it. Nothing worse than putting the boat in the water, blocking the ramp to find the battery is dead or the motor won’t start after sitting for months. Put the plug in.

Have the boat loaded with coolers and gear BEFORE your turn to launch, even if you have to do it before you get in line. Make sure the plug is in.

Have dock lines and fenders in place before launching. Make sure the plug is in.

Launch boat and move to end of ramp and out of the way of others trying to launch, be ready to go.

Move the truck and trailer off the ramp so the next person in line can launch.

Check that boat is not sinking and water is not coming in, start the boat and clear the ramp for others.



Retrieve:

When you get to the ramp with your boat, do not empty the boat. Get trailer and load boat on trailer and move off the ramp before unloading the boat.

Once off to the side and out of the way of the ramp, then unload the boat clean and flush if that is one of the things you do before leaving the ramp area. Just don’t block the ramp so others can’t launch and retrieve.

OH SO TRUE!!!! I thought I had my stuff together, pre ran boat, loaded everything at home, all electronics funtioned properly, took a 2 hour drive to the ramp, backed in, fired it up,..... STEERING LOCKED UP!!!!! I forgot to check 1 thing and it ruined the whole weekend. Take your time when you pretrip a boat!

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

Hi guys,New boater here. Finally got my first boat that I will be trailering for the most part and since I really have no idea what I am doing I would like to ask for any tips or no no's when it comes to the boat launch. I dont want to look like a fool or make anyone mad by breaking any unspoken rules.

thanks.

theres mistakes you can do like leaving the straps on,forgeting the plug, etc. my favorite was leaving the key in after a test run at home to find the key had blown out of the ignition on the way to the ramp but thats not whats going to upset the other users of the ramp on a normal day. The big upsets are going to be the 15 attempts at reversing the trailer down the hill and the 20 attempts at trying to get the boat back on the trailer. If this is your first time its better to take a friend even if he has no clue its just some one to hold a line if things go south. second try to find a quiet ramp in a bay so you can reverse in and leave the trailer there (leave friend on bank to watch the truck) then pratice loading and unloading.
a boat has no steering when its not in drive so you will have to learn that you need to come in straight and and engage the trailer slowly with out stopping