Holding up the boat ramp!

[TriadSteeler]

Re: Holding up the boat ramp!

I especially like the folks who, when unloading their Jet flea or small runabout, pull directly in the center of a two lane launch ramp.

Unloading a 25 footer, that's understandable, I'll give you plenty of leeway and probably help if needed.

These are the same folks who double park their new car in the CLOSE spots.

 

[Bass-A-Holic]

Re: Holding up the boat ramp!

i dont get what is so difficult about launching to some people. the first time i ever launched my boat i did it alone (mom just sat in car) in less then 5 min and im only 15

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Holding up the boat ramp!

I don't have a problem waiting for those who are only launching or retrieving their boats. I do have a problem with those who wait until they get down on the ramp to load the boat or take the tie downs loose or put in the plug or take the transom saver off ect. I usually will say real loud to my wife so they can hear how glad I am to have this pre launch area to get my boat ready.

 

[scorpian]

Re: Holding up the boat ramp!

Agitator,<br /><br />Well, a lot of folks who claim they're going to do something are all hat and no cattle, I've found. <br /><br />It's easy to talk big on an online forum and claim that you're a tough guy. It's a different story out there in the real world.

i always find that a stinger missile clears a ramp very quickly

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Holding up the boat ramp!

I and my family help out if people need it. Our boat is kept docked in the marina and will be put in and out at various places about 5 or 6 times a season tops. We can see the ramp from where we are and it is indeed a very educational experience at times watching some of the antics that happen. We are usually doing some BBQ'ing as people are coming out at the end of the day. The husband / wife / kids arguments are quite funny at times and they all blame each other.
Bottom line is that I think we have all had our issues at the ramp, I know I have !! and the offer of a helping hand has often diffused a screaming family.

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Holding up the boat ramp!

We took our boat out for the third time on Sunday. The first time we took it out, no one was at the ramp so we just took our time and waded in pulling the boat.
Second time/my first time driving. Dad backs trailer down ramp as I idle around no wake zone to get a straight shot at the trailer. I nail it perfectly and it takes us less than three minutes from the time he cleared the top of the ramp going down, till when we clear it going up. First time powerloading. My first time driving and I am only 13. Mind you, this is a real long ramp because the lake is so low.
Third time. I have my sister on board. Being 7, she won't hold still. I miss the bunk and run over the fender. I try backing out to try again, but the motor stalls when putting it in reverse (havent adjusted our idle yet. Have to give a more gas when hitting it into reverse. I hadn't quite mastered that yet) Dad was able to shove me off from his perch on the tongue. I circled back through the no wake zone to get a straight shot as no one was waiting. Hit it almost dead on this time. Dad hooks us up then we drive to the top. Still less than five minutes.
Yes, this is a 12 foot aluminum, but we have the technique down for when we load the Lund. we should be able to do it just as fast.

 

[cbavier]

Re: Holding up the boat ramp!

Ah...backing...some people will never learn to back their trailer. I see the most amazing things at the ramp. Some folks zigzag back and forth across two ramp widths in 100 feet.<br /><br />And these don't look like first-time boaters, either. How you can boat regularly and not be able to back a trailer, I will never understand.<br /><br />When I get home, I have to back down a 100' driveway that is shared by my neighbor. He generally has his truck and boat backed in, and I park in my back yard at an angle to my garage. If you do not do it exactly right, you have to start all over again down the driveway, and there's less than 6" of clearance between my fender and my neighbor's nice new truck at one point. It took me about 10 tries the first time, but now I do it in one, every time.<br /><br />How do these folks get their boat backed into their driveway?

I have been backing boats and trailers including Motorhomes, travel trailers up to 35 ft and Fifthwheels too for nearly forty three years. So I can back a trailer or ___and do have the experience. The problem I see is you cannot see the Dock on many ramps until you get part way down because of the steep slope. Therefore it is difficult for someone who has very little experience backing. Furthermore. Sometimes you can back in first time slick as a whistle and look like a pro, and other times it's a struggle and you look like an idiot or beginner. SO ....the key is to be patient and if you see someone struggling offer to help them or go do something else.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Holding up the boat ramp!

Going and practicing in a parking lot on a quiet sunday morning is how my son learned to do it.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Holding up the boat ramp!

I have been backing boats and trailers including Motorhomes, travel trailers up to 35 ft and Fifthwheels too for nearly forty three years. So I can back a trailer or ___and do have the experience. The problem I see is you cannot see the Dock on many ramps until you get part way down because of the steep slope. Therefore it is difficult for someone who has very little experience backing. Furthermore. Sometimes you can back in first time slick as a whistle and look like a pro, and other times it's a struggle and you look like an idiot or beginner. SO ....the key is to be patient and if you see someone struggling offer to help them or go do something else.

If a guy has an SUV or a Van, he can just open the hatch before backing down. That way, he can see what's behind him and avoid guessing where the edge of the ramp is. I've been doing it that way from day one.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Holding up the boat ramp!

Going and practicing in a parking lot on a quiet sunday morning is how my son learned to do it.

Yup. When I turned 16 (oh so many years ago), my dad hooked up the boat, took me to the supermarket parking lot, and taught me to back the boat around until I got good at it.

I remember him telling me that it would be my job from now on so he could sit in the boat and drive off the trailer. The only trouble was that he was so expert at doing it, it was really hard for me to do it well enough to suit him. He never even turned his head when backing a trailer...the mirrors did just fine for him.

Well, now that I'm in my 60s, the mirrors are all I need, too, but it took a while for that 16-year-old kid to get it down just perfectly.

I don't get impatient at the ramp with folks who are just having problems backing. That's something they'll get better at. The only folks who bother me are the ones who seem to think they're the only ones at the ramp and who don't even try to get prepped beforehand, or who don't understand that the "Courtesy" in Courtesy Dock doesn't mean that they can hang out there half the morning, blocking the ramp.

I do remember one trip to the ramp, though. I had just retrieved my boat and was parked in the lot, "unprepping" before I headed home. I heard this guy on a boat out in the lake just yelling and cursing at someone. I looked, and it was a woman driving a pickup and trailer, and having a heck of a time trying to get down the ramp. The more she tried, the worse the situation got, until she was almost jacknifed on the ramp.

Now, the guy should have come in, tied up to the courtesy dock, and taken over for her, but he thought it was better to keep screaming at the woman, who I assume was his wife. She was in tears, and the guy was screaming obscenities at her.

So, I went over and asked her, very quietly, if I could help. She scooted over in the truck and I pulled up and backed the trailer down for her. The guy drove up on the trailer, hooked up, then started in on me, calling me names and telling me I should mind my own business.

I couldn't believe it. I felt so bad for the woman he was with, since it looked like that was his normal pattern. I walked down real close to him and explained to him, very calmly, that calling me names and cursing at me was probably a big mistake, and that he might want to calm down just a little before getting back in his truck.

Didn't work. He kept yelling at me and telling me that he was going to kick my behind. I just turned and walked away. Next thing, he's screaming at his wife through the car window, calling her every name in the book. I though I was going to have to intervene, but a Sheriff's car drove up about then. Apparently someone else had called the cops. The guy started mouthing at the Sheriff, and ended up in the back seat with his hands cuffed behind his back.

The deputy asked the woman if she'd be OK driving the boat home, and she said she didn't think so, so he asked me if I'd give her a ride, and I agreed (My wife was with me). So, I parked his truck and boat and we took the woman home.

I never did hear any more about it, but that was the worst day at the ramp I have ever experienced.

 

[cbavier]

Re: Holding up the boat ramp!

I too use the mirrors exclusively. The ramp at the lake we usually launch at has a short and steep incline. Also the parking is very short and limited. If someone parks in front of the loading area it's almost impossible to get around their trailer. Also often times an IDIOT parks his truck and trailer on the edge of the staging area so there isn't room to make the sweep around with a long trailer. Thankfully the DNR has staked off an area where they plan to escavate about three more feet away and move the parking bumpers forward so there will be more room to park longer trucks and trailers. My boat trailer is 23 ft long and I have a Full size 3/4 ton HD long box pickup. I couldn't park there at all with a 4 door crew cab. Right now I cannot even make a U turn and straighten the truck and trailer up. Put a boat on the trailer and sometimes it can be fun. Ha! Ha!

Patience is the name of the game and avoid the weekend warriors as much as possible and Holidays forget it. I offer to help even if it's just standing on the dock and if the offer is declined I go to outhouse or___and just wait.

Most boaters and campers alike will welcome any help that is offered.

 

[cbavier]

Re: Holding up the boat ramp!

The ones that tie up the ramp either preparing to launch or retrieve are just plain unconsiderate jerks or newbies. if you listen to them a few seconds you can usually tell which. If they are newbies, a kind word will move them out to the staging area and a word of apology but if they are jerks. It will only p**s them off and they will take even longer. A unconsiderate jerk is a jerk and jerk about everything they do and are about. They only care about themseves and what effects them. They have absolutely no consideration for others and even with signs posted they are the ones who choose to ignore the rules which are made for everyone's convienience and consideration. And if they have been drinking they become even more beligerant.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Holding up the boat ramp!

You're right. It's a good idea to observe folks a little before confronting them, it seems to me. Telling a bunch of drunk guys to "move it" can be unpleasant, and probably not worth doing.

All this stuff is why I try to do my boating on weekdays, rather than on the weekend. I know that not everyone can do that, so it's not a real solution for everyone.

Still, the weekday boaters all seem to be up on ramp etiquette.

 

[TriadSteeler]

Re: Holding up the boat ramp!

I don't get impatient at the ramp with folks who are just having problems backing. That's something they'll get better at. The only folks who bother me are the ones who seem to think they're the only ones at the ramp and who don't even try to get prepped beforehand, or who don't understand that the "Courtesy" in Courtesy Dock doesn't mean that they can hang out there half the morning, blocking the ramp.

Exactly. Everyone was a beginner once. I know I have fishtailed down the ramp a time or two and it takes lots of practice and experience to get over the impulse to turn the tow vehicle the opposite direction of what your instincts are telling you.

I have all the patience in the world for those who are busy trying. I don't care if they have to back down the ramp 10 times.

What I do not have patience for are those who are busy cracking open the cooler, planning a family reunion, or installing their cobweb covered outboard on the transom from the middle of the ramp.

One thing I wonder. Are those people that do that sort of thing on the ramp oblivious to their surroundings or are they really that callous and rude.

 

[jasonh]

Re: Holding up the boat ramp!

Here in the Dallas area it is my experience people respond to unsolicted advice very poorly. I have tried to offer friendly pointers to people concerning their lack of ramp etiquette in a non-threatening, non-accusatory manner. I would either receive a blank look and be ignored or I'd be told to go f** myself.

One guy left his headlights on at night as his truck was pointed up the ramp. I had a heck of a time backing down while being blinded by his high beams. I parked next to him, got out, and asked "how ya doing?" He said, "oh just fine, had a great night, was a beautiful day", and so on After the niceties were exchanged I mentioned that when it's dark, it's good to turn your headlights off and just leave the parking lights on, as I had a heck of a time backing down. His response? A half grin followed by a "sorry about your luck pal".

Sigh.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Holding up the boat ramp!

One thing I wonder. Are those people that do that sort of thing on the ramp oblivious to their surroundings or are they really that callous and rude.

I don't know. I suspect it's a combination of both things. If the ramp is busy, you can bet they were annoyed by the wait, so you'd think they'd get it, but that doesn't seem to happen.

I see it a lot like the folks in the supermarket who will angle their carts across the aisle, making it impossible for anyone else to get by, while they look for what they want. Some just don't know they're doing it, while others are doing it intentionally...being passive aggressive. I just say "Excuse me." If they don't move their cart, I move it for them.

The problem I see from time to time at the ramp is that some of the lane blockers are belligerant if you ask them to please move along...even if you do it politely. Those folks, I assume, know exactly what they're doing, and hope they're annoying other people...kinda like a guy in a bar who comes up to you and says, "Say, buddy...I don't like your looks." They're just looking for a confrontation. Those folks I give a wide berth...in the bar or at the ramp.

On the other hand, the guy who has his family there, with kids running in all directions except toward the boat...That guy I have some sympathy for.

I finally gave up, though. What I've found is that arriving at the ramp at about 7 A.M. on a weekday, I'm usually the only one launching. Same thing when I come in off the lake.

I realize that not everyone has that luxury.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Holding up the boat ramp!

Here in the Dallas area it is my experience people respond to unsolicted advice very poorly. I have tried to offer friendly pointers to people concerning their lack of ramp etiquette in a non-threatening, non-accusatory manner. I would either receive a blank look and be ignored or I'd be told to go f** myself.

One guy left his headlights on at night as his truck was pointed up the ramp. I had a heck of a time backing down while being blinded by his high beams. I parked next to him, got out, and asked "how ya doing?" He said, "oh just fine, had a great night, was a beautiful day", and so on After the niceties were exchanged I mentioned that when it's dark, it's good to turn your headlights off and just leave the parking lights on, as I had a heck of a time backing down. His response? A half grin followed by a "sorry about your luck pal".

Sigh.

It's sad that so many folks have a chip on their shoulder all the time. The guy who can't take friendly advice...the guy who deliberately takes up room while he fiddles with something he could fiddle with in the parking lot...the guy who's had a bad day and is hoping for someone he can divert his anger toward.

It's not just at the ramp, either. It's on the highway, where your driving 2 mph slower than the guy behind you sends him into a rage. It's in the parking lot, where someone takes offense at your bumper sticker and keys your car. It's an epidemic, it seems to me, and it's not getting better.

In my old age, I've finally stopped dealing with those people at all. I took all my bumper stickers off, and try to avoid situations that are going to set such people off. It doesn't always work, but I try. Folks who are looking to be angry at someone are going to find a reason to be angry at someone.

I'm trying not to get angry with other people any more. I'm too old for that nonsense. If the ramp's slowed down by someone being an idiot, I tie some lures on my rods, or reorganize a box in my tackle box until they're done with their silliness.

If someone's stuck on the ramp, well, I have a 24' chain and a tow loop on the rear of my SUV. I'll ask if I can help. If they say yes, then I'll drag 'em out. If they swear at me, I'll just go back to my tacklebox and arrange some more crankbaits.

Why raise my own blood pressure? I went to the lake to lower it, after all.

If, after all that, things get really ugly at the ramp, I just pull out my cell phone and call 911. If someone's beating someone else up over a bumped boat or something like that, I don't interfere any more. I just call the cops. I'm too old for that stuff.

Same thing on the lake. That pesky jet ski who's bugging me by running donuts around my little boat? The guy buzzing smaller boats in his cruiser? Let the lake patrol handle it. Their number is already in my cell phone.

I'm not looking for a confrontation any more. It's a waste of time. I'd rather go fishing.

 

[jasonh]

Re: Holding up the boat ramp!

Quote - CATransplant

I aspire to achieve your level of zen/calmness in dealing with the world. I don't know how old you are exactly, but at 33 it takes a lot of effort to breathe deep, exhale, and ignore the howling idiots that seem to be taking over this world.

Cheers to you, man.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Holding up the boat ramp!

Yeah, I hear you. I'm 62, but when I was 33, lots of things bothered me that I just shrug at now. Us old geezers have to conserve our energy for important things...like landing that 48" musky and carrying the beer cooler.

You young guys can duke it out over there. I'll have another Leinie!

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Holding up the boat ramp!

Quote - CATransplant

I aspire to achieve your level of zen/calmness in dealing with the world. I don't know how old you are exactly, but at 33 it takes a lot of effort to breathe deep, exhale, and ignore the howling idiots that seem to be taking over this world.

Cheers to you, man.

There are idiots everywhere. The sooner you let them learn for themselves when they "know it all" or assist if they are in trouble and ask for assistance the sooner they will be on your side of the fence. Both my sons have seen the "idiots' and learned before they became one of them at the ramp. They are 19 and 21 years old and can handle the boat and trailer at the ramp like veterans. I am now the casual observer while they do the business at the ramp usually. (I still have to pay for the gas though) LOL