Holding up the boat ramp!

[Ripfence]

Re: Holding up the boat ramp!

Not everyone is experienced as you. Perhaps you were born knowing how to launch and retreive a boat but the rest of us have to learn on our own.<br /><br />

Originally posted by ZmOz:<br /> I absolutely hate people that take more than 5 minutes at the ramp and do my best to get out of everyone's way when I'm launching.<br /><br />I don't care what kind of fight I start anymore, if anyone's in my way for more than a few minutes they'll be very clear about what I think of them.<br />

 

[woody20]

Re: Holding up the boat ramp!

dtherrien, <br /><br />Got to be careful at the boat ramp, might see big ted driving in without a boat.

 

[Gone]

Re: Holding up the boat ramp!

At the inland lakes around here Spring and Fall seem to be the worst times. The residents are putting boats in/out for their twice a year launch experience. They haven't a clue about ettiquette. They also think that they own the lake and are entitled to take as long as they want. I'm not sure that there is any hope for these types.<br />I've launched/loaded in the middle of bass tournament events and have found that the contestants eagerly give way at the launch site to the general boater. Hats off to them!

 

[dicktaber]

Re: Holding up the boat ramp!

Quote:<br />"With most states issuing concealed weapons permits age, sex, and weakness become irrelevent when said object of scorn gets fed up and pulls out what he has been sitting on and cuts loose."<br />End Quote.<br /><br />Are you serious? Do you have any idea how many licensed CHL permittees use their weapons illegally or in haste? Essentially ZERO. Texas has had one, count 'em, one case in the ten years it has been issuing (many hundreds of thousands of) permits. Florida has been issuing them for nearly twenty years now with similar results. Don't take my word for it--both states have web sites with this public information. <br /><br />Anyone who goes through all the effort, background checks, expense and training required for a CHL is not going to "lose it" over your mouthy attitude at the ramp. CHL holders, as a group, pride themselves as avoiding confrontation and de-fusing the situation. The concealed weapon is there as a last resort, and the penalties for doing otherwise are severe.<br /><br />If you get shot at by anyone, it will be by someone carrying illegally--that is to say, someone who has already decided to ignore the law. In all likelihood this will be a gang banger (or wannabe), a career criminal, or an illegal alien. <br /><br />Worry about criminals and psychos, because they are out there.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Holding up the boat ramp!

"In all likelihood this will be a gang banger (or wannabe), a career criminal, or an illegal alien...." You forgot "disgruntled postal worker". <br /><br /><br />This appeared on my local fishing board this morning under the heading "FOUND: Tackle box"<br /><br />

I found a large Tackle box this morning. It has a ton of lures and 2 reels in it. It also has a loaded pistol in it.<br /><br />Contact me and tell me the make and caliber of the pistol and I'll see that it is returned to you.<br /><br />NOTE: I'm glad that I found it instead of some kid!!!

Couple replies advising him to contact the police...hope he does.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Holding up the boat ramp!

This may not be the considerate way but it works and prevents arguements. Be very very direct. Something to the effect: Hey! MOVE IT, I am trying to retrieve here. Don't yell it across the ramp or lot, just walk right up to him/her and state it and walk away. Say it in a matter of fact tone, not an angry one. No chance for them to respond. And if they do, your standard response is, Hey einstein, thats my boat in the well, and I can wait all day while you are here makin friends, blocking the ramp. Or words to that effect.<br /><br />I don't do this with everyone, but those arrogant fools who don't have a clue. Usually driving something brand new and towing a high performance chick boat. A family with the father or mother trying to keep all the balls in the air get the respectful, Is there something I can do to help? or "excuse me ................"<br /><br />Direct statements to jerks usually PREVENTS arguements. It's what they understand best. As is the case with most here, I am very proficient at launch and retrieval. When you knock the whole operation off in about 3-4 minutes and move off to the staging area, they are usually embarrassed. If they are extreme jerks stick around and watch them perform their operation. You will be doing a public service for the rest of those waiting to get in. In this way you are actually teaching the jerk a lesson without saying a word. Next time he will hopefully show more ediquette when launching while still having his I'm better than everyone else, mindset. You won't change his mindset, just his actions.<br /><br />I don't think there is a person here that minds a busy efficient ramp. I think it is actually kind of fun to watch experienced and considerate boaters launch and retrieve. I have met many very nice people at the launch. It is the jerk who thinks that it is their personal slip and their own little loading zone that makes it miserable for all.<br /><br />Maybe Wisconsin is an anomoly, but I never seen a gang banger type trying to launch a boat.

 

[Gone]

Re: Holding up the boat ramp!

+1, Knot2Much!<br /><br />The ignorance of anti-gunners is only surpassed by the fear they have of wanting to learn the facts.<br /><br />CD

 

[michael-lagrange]

Re: Holding up the boat ramp!

I can wait while someone loads or unloads, what bugs me is a family pick-nic on the 3rd ramp.<br />they use ther car to block the ramp, set up a grill on the ramp with wood blocks to level it, 5 curtin climbers swimming and the water patrol waves at them when he cruises by. If the water patrol does nothing, the state troupers in Georgia sure will.<br /> The twin ramps were backed up, and that was the only time i used my cell phone from the boat. The troupers response time was 5 min. and he waited on them to pack up and leave.<br /> <br /> PS ther are tables, grills and a sandy shore 100yards away.

 

[rottenray6402]

Re: Holding up the boat ramp!

That is just plain stupid,it goes beyond rude and it would seem that the water patrol is a waste of tax dollars for the people of Georgia.

 

[anyfishlldo]

Re: Holding up the boat ramp!

In my time boating I have found that most people at the ramp fall into these demographics:<br /><br />45% Courteous, experienced boaters who are thrifty with their time and mine.<br /><br />25% Newbies who just haven't gotten down the lauch/retrieve but are trying, and will probably be there next season<br /><br />25% Complete morons who probably can't tie their shoes unnassisted (but essentially nice and harmless)<br /><br />5% Total Tools who care nothing about others' time and are incapable of taking advice or help graciously. <br /><br />I try and be as patient as possible with all but the 5%, those I will crowd, rush and generally annoy should they not respond to initial polite "nudges".<br /><br /><br />And even those of us that are "experienced" make mistakes now and then, I left one of my transom straps on the edge of the trailer just yesterday when I launched, left it in the drink when I pulled out the trailer. Made me feel dumb, but what the hell; I was launched, tied off, parked, back on the boat and underway in well under 5 minutes with a 2 yr old a 1 month old and a chatty wife in tow.<br /><br /><br />One of the best ones I've seen to date was a guy in crappy old motor coach circa 1971 trying to launch a pontoon for what looked like his first time. I was coming in to trailer my boat and saw that he was coming waaaayyy too far down the ramp, he had no "spotter" and I was in a no wake zone so before I could get there to wave him down or shout out to him he was so far down the ramp the big picture window in the back of the 'coach was about an inch above the water (which is about 4 feet above the bumper).<br />We had to get a guy with a diesel to help piggy back him out, and needless to say, lots of water drained out of that coach.

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Holding up the boat ramp!

I received my first ever offer for help on Saturday. When I launch I do it all. Back it up, pull it off, tie it up, pull the trailer out/park it. Then come back and drive off in the boat.<br /><br />For the first time ever, someone offered to help me out. It was much appreciated.

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: Holding up the boat ramp!

I so far have been lucky with my launches/retrievals...most are under 5 min..doing it solo (I haven't trained my friends or kids how to help yet). But I have seen some real "winners" out there but MOST of the ramp hold-ups I have seen have been technical problems...most can be alleviated buy a neighborly gesture to help..<br /><br />One example...as I was waiting in line to retreive, a van was launching in the other lane. I noticed that the launch lane was getting backed up and the van was still sitting there. AAll the people waiting to launch were yelling at this guy...and boy does he look ashamed..seems his van died...wont start...nothing. The guy had called a tow truck and it would be atleast 30 minutes before they got there. Took me all of 5 minutes to pull up, unhitch my boat..back down and give him a tow up to the parking lot. I would think that would have been "common-sense" for the 15-20 people waiting to launch.<br /><br />-JMW

 

[WTPhantom309]

Re: Holding up the boat ramp!

Im not a tough guy, and i cant always back up straight the first time. but im doin my best and if some one offers help ill usually take it but for the horn honkin it gets you no where fast and thats how most people probly are

 

[mtfoyre]

Re: Holding up the boat ramp!

Yesterday was my first launch on my own. I mean, I had my son & daughter with me...but I did all the launching myself. Other times I had someone with me that could manage the truck/trailer while I docked.

Aside from the motor not firing the first few times I think it went well.

The retrieval, on the other hand, didn't go so well. After I tied off I ran up to get the truck. Since the ramp wasn't busy I decided to try driving down the ramp and then turning around about halfway and backing the rest (I'd seen this done a lot, but never tried it).

Needless to say I won't be doing this anymore. I had a guy almost tailgating me down the ramp and when I turned around he seemed very impatient. He gunned past me when he turned around in front of me...almost clipping my truck with his trailer.

I didn't let it phase me and kept up w/ the retrieval. Once I had the trailer in the water I was on my way back up the ramp in about 4 minutes.

Oh...and that was my 3rd retrieval ever.

 

[troypolla]

Re: Holding up the boat ramp!

say somthing... i like the idea of talking loud enough they can hear you... I did the last time a sea do-oer was doing do-nuts around the no-Wake bouy. Trust me... big waves resulted from that and many other people who were actually in the ramp got their boat rammed up against the dock... they were real happy

 

[Serentiy]

Re: Holding up the boat ramp!

This is why I think they should make ducks like ride the ducks for the public. But must take a test to buy one and have training to run on lake.
Just think no tow vehicle. Just drive to lake, have everything in vehicle with you, then ease into water .
Just my thought
serenity

 

[i386]

Re: Holding up the boat ramp!

Most of the launches around here are single-lane ramps and a small courtesy dock. If you're solo, you hurry up and tie up at the courtesy dock and then go park the truck. Everybody understand this. It's the guy that does all the prep stuff on the ramp that makes everyone mad.

I'm a pretty patient guy. I normally just idle around in the no wake zone while waiting my turn to take out (good time for a wind free cigarette). But I lose my patience when it's raining and I'm getting soaked while waiting on morons.

If someone ever offered to help I'd let 'em just to see if they could get that damn Chrysler pull-started by the time I got back from parking the trailer.

 

[aerwin]

Re: Holding up the boat ramp!

hate those people takin there time on the ramps, ramp rage is gona happen some day, we need to create a name for ramp idiots and make a certificate we can download and hand them one when they are holding up the ramp, something like certifiies you as being the local ramp A%^ hole and get out of the way and watch a real boater handle a boat

 

[Minuteman]

Re: Holding up the boat ramp!

I got my start at boating late. So I probably look like I should know what I'm doing even though I just got my first trailered boat this past summer.

Since I'm new I usually avoid crowds at the ramp and will even wait till everyone else is done. Haven't had any problems and I get everything ready in the lot and it only takes me 3-5 minutes on the ramp.

However, I did have an incident the last time I was out. A guy has this super nice Xpress Bass Boat and he is retrieving the same time we are launching. He motions for me to pull next to his truck as there is room for 2. I didn't want to hog the ramp and I back in next to him without any problems. As I get out to unhook he yells "Hey, did u put the plug in?" Being new I know that is the first thing to do and I know I did it, but I figure he must've saw something wrong. So i pull back up and double check. I tell him that yea, it is in. He then says, "Oh, I always yell that to everyone launching a boat". I just laughed and thought it was a great idea and I made a new friend at the ramp.

Luckily, no one was waiting to use the ramp or I might've looked silly pulling the boat out and then doing a Chinese Firedrill and backing in again.

 

[zuke1]

Re: Holding up the boat ramp!

i am reminded of a time we went duck hunting in my bass boat....

there were a few people taking there sweet ass time at the ramp, and we were parked facing them waiting for them to leave, and after clearing my throat as loud as i could for a few minutes, i decided we should just get ready right there on the ramp till they left, i figured it would save some time....

so we got out, went to the boat ( mind you this is AZ, very republican gun laws) pulled out the shotguns, started loading them, making all the noise that pump action shotguns make..... after i loaded my three rounds of steel shot, i turned around and noticed that not one boat remained....

so, to answer the first post.... dont say anything to them, just pull up, step out, pull out a pump action, and load it up right in front of em'... and to add a little drama, stare em' down as you are doing it... and might even be funny to say " no, no.... take your time!"

lol...