Etiquette on the boat launch

WIMUSKY

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Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

My truck has an anti roll back system. Put it in drive, take the foot off the brake and the truck doesn't move until I give it gas...... :)
 

MarkSee

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Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

I will add that I "two foot" when I go up the ramp. ....I already have a foot on the brake when I start to apply the throttle. Also helps with traction. If I have the brake on it is less likely that the wheels break loose as I start to apply some throttle. Of course as soon as I am rolling the left foot comes off the brake and I go back to single foot operation. My little fail safe procedure

That's the way I do it with 2 feet and when I turned the task of pulling up over to my wife it's how I taught her. It was easy for her to understand that we don't want 11,000+ pounds of boat and trailer to all of sudden be free to pull a 7000 pound truck down a slippery ramp.

Mark
 

Don S

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Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

Guys, you're getting way off course on the original question. As usual.

It's about ramp Etiquette, not individual backing and launching and retrieving techniques.
 

QC

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Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

I find sliding into the drink really bad Etiquette. Slows everybody down . . .
 

gm280

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Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

After reading quite a few of these stories and launching techniques, I haven't read one that says anything about helping somebody that could use help with their boat either launching or retrieving it. Sometimes a nice offer of help goes a long way to become a friend and calming the situation. While we all have those days of hurry up syndrome, helping a person with their boating experience does us good... I've helped folks before because they seem to need another person to help them. That could be a simple as guiding them back or even pulling their vehicle forward out of the way for the next person. Or it could even be grabbing a rope and tying it up at the dock for them... But in all honesty as hurried as we get some times and want everybody to get out of your way so you can catch more fish, it usually really doesn’t matter in reality. :)
 

Malibu Rudder

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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:

P%20014.jpg


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 ;)

Power loading does cause the concrete to break away in time. This is especially true if the edge at the end of the ramp has holes in the ground caused by power lifting. The edge breaks away and trailers get stuck in the deep hole. People struggle to bring the trailer and boat up the ramp. Many times I have seen the trailer tongue on the ground because the trailer had fallen into this hole(caused by power loading). Please be respectful and refrain from this.
 
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BobGinCO

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Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

Practice "bump and go" on the dock.

When recovering, you pull up to the dock, kick the person out that is going to go get the trailer, then get the heck out of there, and back off until your trailer is in the water, and ready to load.

You don't need to tie up to the dock, just to kick out your trailer driver. If you do, you are tieing up a critical resource.

For that matter this same technique is very useful, when somebody has to get off the boat to use the restroom, or whatever. Up to the dock, TOUCH, HOVER, and LEAVE. It sounds easy. It is not.
 

Home Cookin'

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Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

Bob has it right--which is why everyone on the boat has to be able to operate the boat and trailer. Only solos should be allowed to tie up and go get the vehicle (and it sounds like at some ramp set-ups, when crowded, this creates a problem--not in my neck of the woods luckily).

Any person over 14 can hover the boat and run it up on the trailer, unless you're talking about a cabin cruiser (which in my neck of the woods isn't likely to be trailered in the first place).
 

WIMUSKY

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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.

Don't worry about looking like a fool. We all had our first launches, we all made mistakes. Even captains that have been doing this for a while occasionally screw up too. It happens, don't sweat it. The more you launch/retrieve the easier it gets.

Basically, have your boat completely ready for launching "before" you get to the ramp. Pull off to the side in the parking area so you don't impede anyone's travel and prep your boat. Take your time so you don't forget anything. When you think it's ready, look it over again. Even then you still might forget one thing, no biggy as long as it's not the hull plug.....

Pull up to the ramp, launch, park your tow rig, get in the boat and leave as soon as possible.

When you come back to the ramp, wait in line on the lake if it's busy. Otherwise, tie up to the dock, get your tow rig, pull out the boat and again park where you're out of the way of everyone else and prepare it for the travel home..... :)

Every ramp can be different. Some you could sit there for an hour and not see another boat wanting to go out or come in. Others, it's a steady stream.........
 

1216bandit

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Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

Some very good advice given...remeber, if you need help during the launch/retrieve dont be afraid to ask some of the folks at the launch...you will find most more that willing to lend a hand!
 

QC

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Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

Power loading does cause the concrete to break away in time. This is especially true if the edge at the end of the ramp has holes in the ground caused by power lifting. The edge breaks away and trailers get stuck in the deep hole. People struggle to bring the trailer and boat up the ramp. Many times I have seen the trailer tongue on the ground because the trailer had fallen into this hole(caused by power loading). Please be respectful and refrain from this.
Boy did you miss my point. Look again at the picture. I have launched at the top of that thing. There is no edge unless you have a submarine. Yes, there is an edge when the lake is 150 ft. down. And . . . when I say power load, I mean idle. I sooo thought I was clear. Oh well.
 

BobGinCO

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Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

Don't worry about looking like a fool. We all had our first launches, we all made mistakes.

The Admiral is my trailer pilot. Her son, a professional truck driver, gave her this advice:

When it's your turn, Take the Ramp. Use ALL the Ramp. It's yours. Do not try to make sharp turns, but rather take all the distance you need to make those turns easy. Do not be concerned about how long it is taking. It takes as long as it takes, and somebody pressuring you to hurry up, is pushing you to make mistakes. Take as long as you need. Take as much space as you need. With time, you will get quicker, and more precise. Until then, it's your ramp.

She's doing pretty well with this. Her biggest problem is that she has short legs, and has trouble sometimes reaching the clutch and gas pedals!
 
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Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

The only thing that upsets me at a ramp is someone on a mobile phone whos struggling because they only have one hand free
 

Malibu Rudder

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Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

QC, Your post was very clear. My response was to the last statement regarding you not blowing holes in concrete. I was just helping out a newbie regarding rules and etiquette. I am fairly new myself and did not intend to be disrespectful. The marina I frequent has many offenders that truly power load. All the boats on the dock rock from intense waves caused by this. The statement, be respectful was not intended for you but rather all thsoe loading their boats. ;-)
 

IraRat

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Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

How come people always give me dirty looks when I sit by the side with a bullhorn and goof on their launch problems?
 

BobGinCO

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Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

How come people always give me dirty looks when I sit by the side with a bullhorn and goof on their launch problems?

Who knows? Maybe because you're a rat?
 

OrangeTJ

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Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

Bob has it right--which is why everyone on the boat has to be able to operate the boat and trailer. Only solos should be allowed to tie up and go get the vehicle (and it sounds like at some ramp set-ups, when crowded, this creates a problem--not in my neck of the woods luckily).

Any person over 14 can hover the boat and run it up on the trailer, unless you're talking about a cabin cruiser (which in my neck of the woods isn't likely to be trailered in the first place).


I agree that the bump and go is optimal, but that doesn't really work for everybody. When we're out boating, it's typically me, my wife and three young kids (youngest will be 3 this summer). Until that 3 year old is grown enough to be trusted to sit still without any grownup supervision, it is simply not a safe situation to have my wife floating out away from the ramp in a crowd of boats and in charge of the boat and the little guy. Neither is it a safe option, IMO, for me to carry him off the bow onto the dock in a bump and go, particularly if there is any chop bouncing the boat and dock around. Despite lots of trying, it isn't safe for anybody on the ramp to have her be the one backing the trailer down to the boat! That being the case, unless we're just not going to boat, we're going to have to tie up at one of the docks while I run and get the truck/trailer. So, even though it looks like we have a "boat load" of people onboard, I'm essentially solo when it comes to launching and retrieving.
 

Triangleboater

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Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

Since it's the beginning of the season, I'm going to harp on a point that I've presented before so it is fresh in the minds of everyone.

Please use wheel chocks behind your back tires when launching/retrieving! It is your greatest insurance against having a YouTube moment for the rest of the world to enjoy...namely, your truck in the water! I cannot stress it enough how simple it is to put a 4"x4" piece of wood behind your tires immediately after exiting the truck while backed down the ramp. If you have others with you, have a responsible person set the block of wood behind your tires BEFORE you put it in park and set the brake. That takes a ton of weight off the tranny! When solo, I have asked a bystander to set the chock for me before I back down the ramp, and have never been told no or looked at funny. Folks who understand this extra precaution appreciate it. ANYONE who has ever driven a commercial vehicle understands it. It takes 10 seconds max to do it, and could save you from an insurance claim or an injured passenger/innocent bystander. For those who think this is overkill, I dare you to try stopping the combined weight of 5-10k lbs. of stored kinetic energy just waiting to roll down the ramp with your bare hands and feet. Ain't gonna happen. CHOCK YOUR WHEELS!

So I was launching a 21' dixie walkaround with a good friend, and instead of poping the hood of the truck, he released the parking brake...lucky enough the ramp have tons of grip to pull out, but literally the entire truck was int he water...really lucky to have no damage just a hurt nervous system for days.

Yes I do recommend the chocks. :) Sorry this is a little late
 
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