Etiquette on the boat launch

Downforce6

Seaman
Joined
May 30, 2012
Messages
74
Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

Just do your best....

Not everyone has as much exp as others... I have to back the trailer, launch the boat... at least the old lady can take the trailier to the parking lot... but coming in... I have to tie up, retrieve the trailer, trailer the boat....

Just have the boat ready to go at the ramp,,, when coming in trailer the boat and then unload in the parking lot... other than that... they can freaking wait..
 

FireRob01

Cadet
Joined
Apr 7, 2013
Messages
7
Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

Thanks guys, Im pretty confident with the trailering etc, It will either be on my wifes silverado or my sport trac once I put a hitch on it,But I often pull trailers and drive larger trucks so that should be an issue.
I think I picked up a few tips here that leave me feeling ready to get at it. I think I will goto port bruce the first few times as it is quite quiet compared to long point or turkey point.

If there are any hilarious moments I will share
 

WIMUSKY

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Sep 26, 2009
Messages
19,982
Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

If you can, take a day off work and go during the middle of the week the first time. Should be very little activity at the ramps.....
 

UncleWillie

Captain
Joined
Oct 18, 2011
Messages
3,995
Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

The summary of Launch Ramp Etiquette is simply to apply the Golden Rule as your Mom taught you.

Do not do any thing on the Ramp that can be done in the Parking Lot. <===<<< Rule #1.

When you are on the ramp, always be doing something that will get you closer to leaving the ramp.
No Standing Around! Keep moving!
Spend as little time at the ramp as possible.
Get in, Get out, Get going.

You should try to keep the time you start backing down the ramp, to the time you are pulling back up, under 5 minutes.
You should try to be underway and heading for open water 5 minutes later.
The less time you tie up the ramp, the more people can use it.

Consider if there were 4 people ahead of you.
If they each took just 5 minutes, you have a 20 minute wait.
If Not... It could be an hour or more!
 

BobGinCO

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 22, 2012
Messages
539
Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

DEFINITELY do your Maiden Launch and Recovery on a weekday. Bring your "boating coach" if you have one. If you don't have one, consider getting one. Somebody who has been doing this for a long time, who is patient, even-tempered, and a good teacher. I spent my first trips up and down the ramp with my coach, Tammy calmly coaxing and encouraging me. (Yeah, a woman - and her partner Elaine, was my four-wheeling coach. Take wisdom where you find it.)
 

BonairII

Commander
Joined
Jun 7, 2011
Messages
2,727
Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

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.

Have the 3 yr old go with you to get your vehicle instead of staying in the boat with mom.
 

Quit It

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 6, 2012
Messages
298
Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

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.
Have the 3 yr old go with you to get your vehicle instead of staying in the boat with mom.
He did say he doesn't think it's a safe option. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't.

I'm a newby myself so I've listened to those with boatloads of experience. Besides asking for help if necessary and practicing ahead of time, the only thing I'd add is to relax but keep moving. Don't worry if there's some hothead who's trying to ruin your day because he perceives you're ruining his. Just relax and keep moving. It shouldn't take more than 5-10 minutes your first time and you'll definitely go faster the more practice you get.
 

skydiveD30571

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Feb 13, 2012
Messages
1,042
Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

For those of you with carbed engines which need a decent amount of time to get to operating temperature and idle correctly, how long do you sit there and let it warm up? Originally I would start it on the trailer and after a minute or two off I would go. Only recently have I gained enough knowledge to know that I was shifting at higher-than-recommended rpm's if I do this before operating temp is reached. Seems like I need a good 5 minutes before a decent operating temp is reached.
 

BonairII

Commander
Joined
Jun 7, 2011
Messages
2,727
Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

I warm my motor up for about 3-5 mins. If launch is busy, I warm it up for a minute or so...put it in gear and just idle away from dock. I won't hit the throttle until motor is sufficiently warmed up.
 

rogerwa

Commander
Joined
Nov 29, 2000
Messages
2,339
Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

Two things i have not seen here yet are very basic.

Launching and retrievings are routines with a set order of things to happen. Memorize that routine and do not vary it. If you have someone helping you that is normally not there, that is when things go wrong. Be aware of that. There are certain thing i don't let anybody do, just so I won't miss them.

Also, I open my window when at the launch ramp. Two reasons. One is that it is easy to hit the power lock button when getting out of the car. My BIL did that when i let him back in the trailer. It was about 40 degrees, raining, and my car was stuck, running, locked on the ramp. Second reason is that if you do go in the drink, you won't have to struggle getting your door open to get out.
 

Home Cookin'

Fleet Admiral
Joined
May 26, 2009
Messages
9,715
Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

I warm my motor up for about 3-5 mins. If launch is busy, I warm it up for a minute or so...put it in gear and just idle away from dock. I won't hit the throttle until motor is sufficiently warmed up.

um, you have an outboard. Warm-up is not necessary if the ramp's crowded. get moving.
 

BonairII

Commander
Joined
Jun 7, 2011
Messages
2,727
Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

um, you have an outboard. Warm-up is not necessary if the ramp's crowded. get moving.

I have my son start the motor once the boat hits the water. The "minute or so" refers to the time it takes me to park the car/trailer...and hustle back to the boat.
 

82rude

Rear Admiral
Joined
May 8, 2012
Messages
4,082
Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

what ever you do ,dont listen to the young hottie when she tells you sir your outdrives look a little low.show her and the 2 pinheads your with that you know whats what and that screaching noise and laughter is just normal for your go fast boat.p.s. not me ,but buddies daughter was the tell,e.
 

Downforce6

Seaman
Joined
May 30, 2012
Messages
74
Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

Actually, in alot of States, including the one I live in. A boating safety course is required for any person born after 1984.
 

coolbri70

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Oct 6, 2011
Messages
1,554
Re: Etiquette on the boat launch

i do all the launch/retrieve if others try to help somebody gets hurt. i push the boat off with a long bow line in my hand, i walk 20 feet or more down the bank and pull my boat to shore, tie it to a tree if im alone. i then jump in my tow rig and park it. takes between 5 and 10 minutes, i untie the boat and push off the bank as i climb onto the bow, the momentum carries me 40 or 50 feet out. i am now floating and out of the way. i then start the engine, if for some reason it don't start, it happened before, i started the kicker and went down the river a ways, dropped anchor and fixed the main engine while floating. i guess if the kicker hadn't started, whould have resorted to the troller, but nontheless tie up the launch for less than 10 minutes only 5 if things go smooth and im out of the way. i rarely use the courtesy dock as there is only 1 good place to tie up, and seems like there is allways some knucklehead who thinks thats a good place to load/unload his boat, or hang out while passengers get off use the restrooms
 
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