Inconsiderates at the ramp and maybe just stupid people--I guess a rant

[Old Ironmaker]

I have a roller trailer.. to the folks who have witnessed a boat slip off the trailer on the ramp, I'm only curious as to how you would fix that situation... Not that I'll ever do it to my boat! But in case I would ever need to help out a fellow boater.

Don't disconnect the bow clip and safety clip until the back of the boat is in the water. Maybe you mean what to do if a boat " did " slip off the trailer. Lift whatever is left of the boat back on with a tow motor or tractor etc.

 

[Brandon5778]

Don't disconnect the bow clip and safety clip until the back of the boat is in the water. Maybe you mean what to do if a boat " did " slip off the trailer. Lift whatever is left of the boat back on with a tow motor or tractor etc.

Oh I am aware. Just was curious on how people could possibly lift a boat back on to the trailer from the concrete.. Unless you have a small boat I don't see this happening.

 

[sailor55330]

the thing about stopping on the ramp is a noobie mistake but made out of fear , they have been told by everyone to strap boat down or it will fall off trailer they fear going another 20 ft and being embarrassed.

Possible, but I didn't know boat covers kept a boat from falling off---LOL

 

[sailor55330]

I don't like these posts because The OP decided to do nothing about it but complain here. Of course there are idiots at the ramp but not all of them will dismiss good advice when you give it to them. The people who did that are probably not even on this forum and will never know what they did. Speak up to people when that happens offer some advice to them they may appreciate it. But absolutely post here when you can prove they are inconsiderate morons.

Well, Thank you for the kind words and making a relative newbie here feel welcome. Since you weren't there, here are some reasons for my actions.

1. I had guests with me and did not feel that it was appropriate to potentially cause any ruffled feathers---people are fickle
2. The ramp was busy, it was a judgement call to let it slide---that's why I kept my cool when it counted.


I admit I am new to trailering a boat, but I have been on boats for 47 of the 48 years of my life, mostly large cruising sailboats that were kept in slips, not trailers. I honestly believe I could provide some good knowledge to those who may be able to benefit, but based on the judgement placed on me by someone who seems so ready to criticize about a post that is similar to so many others I have read here with no criticism, perhaps this is not the right forum for me. I thank those who have helped in my other posts and I wish all of you the best. Thanks for showing me the way Flyingscott...

Remember--the armchair quarterback always completes the pass.....

 

[REN3G8]

Not everyone is born on the water, and not everyone is born knowing what proper ramp etiquette is... with that being said, as a noob, I always make sure I don't take my time at the ramp, try to get in and out of there as quick as I can for others to use, and try to move up and out of the way for others to get in the ramp and load or unload their boats...

I mean I will take enough time because you don't want to rush and get in and out and move out of the way for others... I make sure my boat is safe enough on the trailer to move, because the last thing you want is to put it on the trailer and forget to lock the winch, and next thing you know because you were trying to be nice to others, your boat goes flying out of the trailer and onto the road, ruining your day and probably your season.

 

[theBrownskull]

It is always interesting watching the "Boat Ramp Follies." I have seen people ram into each other with their boats, I saw an 18' bowrider boat come off of a trailer and bounce down the ramp to the edge of the water. The new owner unhooked it from the trailer prior to backing it in and was mortified it fell off. It only sustained scratches which was amazing. It took 12 people to lift it up enough to get it into the water. The best one is when this rude person drove his boat past everyone else waiting to load. He then forgot to trim up the lower unit and it drags up the ramp into the parking lot. I could lots of swear words.

I always try to help the people struggling loading or unloading, especially the seniors. They appreciate it.

Some people are just in a hurry regardless of what you say to them. I wait until the pushy people are done and load or unload.

 

[Toyelectroman]

Well i might be one of the slow people as i don't power on the trailer. Normally i can winch the boat on stright but there have been a few times it has taken me a few times of backing out and in to get it right. I was wondering do the trailer guide poles really help with this?

 

[Bayou Dave]

Well i might be one of the slow people as i don't power on the trailer. Normally i can winch the boat on stright but there have been a few times it has taken me a few times of backing out and in to get it right. I was wondering do the trailer guide poles really help with this?

Yes, the guide posts really do help keep the boat straight when loading it on the trailer.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

Well i might be one of the slow people as i don't power on the trailer. Normally i can winch the boat on stright but there have been a few times it has taken me a few times of backing out and in to get it right. I was wondering do the trailer guide poles really help with this?

A definitive yes. My trailer has 4' 2x4's that act to straighten the boat, I just have to peek over the side and see where the boat is in relation to the side bunks to know if I'm centred. I have meaning to extent them by installing 2" ABS vertically, it would even be better.

 

[mickyryan]

never power on trailer you risk digging a hole at end of ramp for some one to back into

 

[redneck joe]

I have a roller trailer.. to the folks who have witnessed a boat slip off the trailer on the ramp, I'm only curious as to how you would fix that situation... Not that I'll ever do it to my boat! But in case I would ever need to help out a fellow boater.

well, my dad related his adventure of launching on the ramp (thankfully i was not with him that day) with his 1974 190 SRV so when I did same to my 2550 Bayhole I replicated and it worked quite well.

After launching on the ramp, work on getting over the feeling of being a complete idiot, you then back up the trailer to the bow of the boat. As you get closer you have someone winch the boat to an upright, vertical position against the back of the trailer. You then push it back into the water (on the keel) and retrieve as normally as you can. Other than a lower unit, surprisingly little damage to the boat. Dad ran his for years afterwards and I sold mine but it ran until he sold.
​

 

[Bayou Dave]

never power on trailer you risk digging a hole at end of ramp for some one to back into

The ramps I go to probably 80% power launch and load. Even fisheries and wildlife agents power launch and load.

 

[444]

The ramps I go to probably 80% power launch and load. Even fisheries and wildlife agents power launch and load.

I shake my head when I see guys doing it. They take longer trying to power their boat up their trailer than I do when I just back my trailer far enough into the water.

 

[Maclin]

Regarding Power loading.... some ramps have concrete aprons way way out into the water so the washout from the props is not an issue until low water hits. Where it is an issue there are probably warnings posted to not do it. Then there is terminology diffrences. When I have a partner's help in retrieving I leave it in gear and putt on up the trailer as far as that momentum takes me, sometimes adding a little bump if needed. I do not consider that power loading I guess.

 

[ondarvr]

Yes, in some areas power loading is common, like around here.

​I power load about 90% of the time, I can guaranty you will not be off or on the trailer faster then me.

 

[Bayou Dave]

To make it easier for me to power launch and load, when I am alone, I put some bow steps on my trailer.

 

[Alumarine]

To make it easier for me to power launch and load, when I am alone, I put some bow steps on my trailer.

Is that a store bought ladder?
If so, what's the make or model?

 

[Bayou Dave]

Is that a store bought ladder?
If so, what's the make or model?

The brand name is Quality Mark BowStep. Before I bought it I checked iboats and it was listed as out of stock. A simple web search resulted in this site:
http://qualitymarkinc.com/ I called them and they have different configurations available.

 

[Alumarine]

The brand name is Quality Mark BowStep. Before I bought it I checked iboats and it was listed as out of stock. A simple web search resulted in this site:
http://qualitymarkinc.com/ I called them and they have different configurations available.

Great, thanks!

 

[Watermann]

The big issue I have with power loading is how dangerous some guys are when they do it. Trailer in too far or not far enough and they run the motor wide open slamming it into the tower.

My main reason I won't power load at some launches is because of all the people that fish off the dock and leave spools of fishing line on the bottom. Stir that up off the bottom and wind it around your prop a couple times and you'd think twice about power loading.