Public ramps

[bonz_d]

Re: Public ramps

I don't think I've seen a boat not powerload around here. I've even seen the Corps of Engineers and the TWRA do it.

So if you also seen them jumping off the bridge would that make it the correct thing to do?

 

[ThrottleBack]

Re: Public ramps

Illegal in Michigan, but I see many do this type of power loading.

Yea I have seen some ugly power loading on some of the lake Michigan ramps. My fav is the guy in his jet boat who apparently forgot that there is no steering when you kill the motor. Comes hauling in, cuts motor, misses trailer, his ramp. Good times.

So funny about the power loading - I don't do it, but I've had a few people chastise me for not powerloading at our local lake. We load/unload at a four lane ramp with two courtesy docks. From the time we pull up to the dock to the time I have the trailer backed down, the boat hooked up and the whole rig back up the ramp, I'm occupying the takeout area for 5 minutes, max. With rare exception, from what I've seen at our lake, the folks who nose up to the dock, drop a driver, float back out, wait for the trailer to come back down to the water, idle a couple hundred yards back to the dock, power load, hook up and go are actually tying up the ramp for just as long if not longer (their boat may not be in the slot at the ramp, but it is not useable by anybody else, just the same).

Seems to me that everybody needs to take a breath and recognize that we're pretty much all out there to have fun. Yes, you'll have some folks who are very inefficient at the ramp, but getting all in a huff about it doesn't seem to make for a better time for anybody.

That last part is key. When I was my sons age learning the ways of boating from my dad and gpop a slow guy at the ramp or a guy having problems just meant a chance to help a guy out and maybe teach him some things. These days the guys that want help get cursed at and the guys that don't curse at the few offering to help.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Public ramps

For me it's much easier to just back in far enough to allow the boat to float onto the trailer, then hook the bow eye and safety chain up and pull out. All I do is look in the mirror at the wheel fender to know my desired water depth. If it's really windy I just don't back in quite as deep, then crank the boat on the bunks, it's really that simple.
Power loading seems really dangerous, especially if your boat is listing bad because your still in it. I've watched a few fish tourney guys destroy the bow, taking two or three runs at jamming that $70K boat well past the loaded position, then "power removing" two or three times, all while they sit in the seat with a 6 inch list too one side, wondering why it won't load straight?? I think if they would just get out of the boat, I bet it would just float on like everyone else does. The kicker is when you offer to help and they just say "nah I got this".

 

[bonzoscott]

Re: Public ramps

Probably the best one I've seen: An altercation occurred between a disrespectful family boater (doing all the rude things) and a fellow with a small overpowered BIG BLOCK jet boat. The fellow with the jet boat managed to get his boat in first and as he was moving out, gave everyone within 100 foot radius a VERY GOOD SOAKING! I wish I could have got that on video - it was classic!

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Public ramps

I got a new one too...

Last weekend wife and me and two kids in my truck with cabover camper, went out had a great weekend, we go to pull out and I have to tow a 19' bow rider in because it stopped running and the college kids believe they ran out of gas, we have weather coming in and its a short tow to the ramp so no biggie I haul them in, wife drops me at the dock and I go and retrieve my truck, since I have the cabover on I tend to get the truck straight above the ramp since to turn it on the ramp makes me a little nervous, anyway I get her straight and break over the crown on the ramp and I see the truck for the college kids on my left midway down the ramp and I am clear on my right so I continue, as I back down I look back to my left and the college kids truck is gone WTF? I look back to my right and there he is LOL, so I stop as he goes back to the right, ok I continue, then he is back on my left LOL I was laughing so hard, they eventually got the truck in the water on my right and I quickly dumped and retrieved and the kids kept laughing about it, it was hard to get mad since they kept apologizing and calling themselves dumb college kids, what a great weekend!

 

[Ripfence]

Re: Public ramps

So if you also seen them jumping off the bridge would that make it the correct thing to do?

I am going to assume this post was meant as a joke.

 

[slipshift]

Re: Public ramps

When I lived in Chicago it was great fun to watch the Memorial Day boat launching. It always seemed like the know-it-alls had the most problems. One guy launched his boat (nicely, in fact), then realized he didn't have any mooring lines. :facepalm: I'll bet he has them next time.

Jim

 

[belairbrian]

Re: Public ramps

So we spent last week at the river. Weather coming in so I was moving the boat from our campsite to the ramp. Only 4 trucks in the lot. I come up to the ramp (with dock) and my son stays with the boat. I walk up the hill and find I can't use either ramp. Seems a guy in a tourney bass boat has pulled out and stopped at the top of the ramps blocking both ramps. I think well he probably wants to get his transom straps on, but think he could of pulled forward.

But NO he goes to the truck and grabs rags and a spray bottle. Starts washing the boat down. Won't move. He's even wearing his patch covered tournament shirt.

 

[sndmntboy]

Re: Public ramps

I live right next to my local city park and they have two ramps i can see from my front yard. Its not usually that busy but can get crowed on the weekends. I can't tell you how many times i have seen jet skis tying up the ramp for 10-15 minutes. On two separate occasions i have seen them launch a jet ski and the battery be dead. His buddy pulls the trailer out and turns around goes back down the ramp to jump off the jet ski. It not only ties up the ramp but is stupid dangerous. I have nothing against jet skis but come on people all we need is a little common sense and courtesy.

 

[Sabbath]

Re: Public ramps

I dont bother with the ramps anymore. Too many inconsiderate retards