Ramp rules?

[Eddie Ray]

I guess there are no rules at the ramp?
I get there,pull into a Parking space. To do all my make ready stuff.
A guy pulls up ,no boat just trailer. Pulls down to the ramp backs down to wait. No boat there,but he has to go ahead and block one lane. Just as I go backing out to go to the other side. Two young guns pull around go to the ramp .and start getting the boat ready? You know ,taking off the straps,trying to figure out how to use the machine to pay for ramp.loading there gear,all that stuff. I thought you are supposed to do that in a parking space,then go to the ramp to load or unload?. So. Now I have to wait for a guy who is waiting for a boat to appear,and two guys who are getting the boat ready.
Now usually I would not have done this,but I pulled my boat around . In front of the guy waiting for a boat to appear. And waited for a ramp. His boat comes,he loads up . And guess what? Now he can sit there and wait awhile. I'm not moving. He beeps a couple of times,and I wave. Finally the two young ones get their boat in the water and move out of the way. The guy waiting on a boat can finally pull around and leave. And yes now I can put my boat in.
I don't know how many times I 've. Watched people pull down to the ramp ,start getting ready.while everyone else has to wait. But my favorites,are the ones who whip in there . Then go in to wait in line for their bait,while blocking the boat ramp?
Thank you for letting me vent.
Eddie

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Ramp rules?

you're welcome. Of course it does no good. Those guys don't know the rules or if they did, don't care. And they are not seeing themselves here.

I don't use crowded public ramps and never knew about all this until joining here. I would probably be that guy that does something wrong, not out of inconsideration but benign ignorance. I would be that guy that provokes first a post about me,and then a series of ramp rants complete with checklists and "best times" bragging. With all the ramp rage around here, I'm scared to go to one.

All you can do is live by this: Don't be that guy.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Ramp rules?

+1. I saw a guy yesterday almost run over his own dog at the ramp and he didn't even seem to care. Because you know you're supposed to just let your dog run free at a busy boat ramp :/ As Home Cookin' said, lead by example and don't be "that guy".

 

[MCNPathfinder]

Re: Ramp rules?

I used to be like you where I would get everything figured out in a parking space, but the way people come to the lake so unprepared now, there's no reason. I get everything I can done at home before I even get to the ramp. I try not to sit there wasting everyone's time blowing up tubes, unsnapping the cover, etc. I try and cut people a lot of slack though and be really nice. Karma and I have never been friends, I'd hate to tick a bunch of people off and then need a tow in while on the water.
The way I learned was that anyone coming off the water has the right of way, to clear spots in the parking lot, and that line is different from the line to get on the water. There's too many people in my area that boat only once or twice a season to really follow the rules. Which is unfortunate. Whenever I approach a situation that I am unfamiliar with I tend to follow others, instead of trying to get everyone to conform to what I'm doing. If I'm constantly having to tell people that they're doing something wrong, I'm probably doing something wrong myself. I am not rich/upscale by any means, but I boat in an area that is, everyone is so snobby and rude! I swear it's the only place you'd be able to get hit by a Chevy Tahoe on 24s while in the water!
Good luck out there everyone, the best thing we can do is learn from each other. Going onto forums like this is a whole lot more than what most people do.

 

[444]

Re: Ramp rules?

I agree with you there. I get everything ready ahead of time, strap and winch undone, etc. Once the ramp is empty it takes me seconds to back in, dump the boat in the water and drive off.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Ramp rules?

We call it "Ramp Fever", where folks just get crazy for a while during launches/retrievals.....and the more people/boats, the crazier it gets!

 

[spyder9179]

Re: Ramp rules?

Not really sure if I'm qualified to speak to this, I've only started boating recently (within the past two months, been out maybe 6 or 7 times). But, you know what they say about opinions, so I'll give mine.

As a newbie, I'm very self-conscious about how and how long I take when loading and unloading. We use a public ramp just a few miles from our house on the Little River here in southwest Arkansas. It has never been really crowded except for once, when the bottom dropped out and everybody converged on the ramp at one time. Even then, my experience has been nothing like some of the horror stories I've read on here. Everybody waited their turn, trailer order determined load order, etc. When there's been more than one unloading in the morning, everyone "gets ready" before they back down the ramp. Even my first time out, having never unloaded a boat before, nervous as all get out, I employed what I call the "2 Commons": common sense and common courtesy. Mind you, I realize that not all of God's creatures possess these, but so far, people around here seem to (knock on wood). But I've got at least enough of both to know that minimizing the time I'm actually on the ramp is the smart thing to do. While I'm sure I'm not doing everything the right way, at least we get in and out of the water in a reasonable time.

Hope you have better luck at the ramp next time.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Ramp rules?

Spyder, I suspect that most people's experiences are like yours. I've never before seen or heard of all the stuff I've read here on ramp issues. I think we start getting the perspective that they are all bad because that's all we hear. After all, the bad ramp stories make better readnig than the "no problems today" stories that no one posts!

I like your approach: common sense and common courtesy.

Or put another way: Don't be that guy!

 

[Lakerider]

Re: Ramp rules?

I have been boating for over 30 years and have seen lots of crazy stuff at the ramp.
Ranging from Bass tourney guys who have all their stuff ready when they roll to the ramp and have a buddy back the boat in and as soon as it hits the water the engine start and 5 seconds later they are off the trailer and the truck and trailer are rolling up and out of the water making room for the next guy. On the other end of the scale is the guy who comes to the lake on a busy saturday afternoon and decides the ramp is the best place to back a boat in (that he knows doesn't run in the first place) and work on the engine for an hour.
I believe there is a happy medium, not to say taking half an hour is ok.
I agree with MCNPathfinder get everything done away from the lake. That way you have a very minimum of things to do when you get to the parking lot and ramp.
I have a 18 ft ski/bowrider boat, not a large boat but not a flatbottom, so it takes a little work at the lake to get ready. Such as take straps off back of the boat put in the plug and unhook the bowline and then load towel bag and snacks, I would load towels and snack before but might blow out going down the highway. This is all done in line for the ramp.
Yes at the ramps I go to there is a line in to unload your boat not so much to leave and if you drive into the parking lot and pull into a parking spot to get your boat ready you are not in line. You are parked.
The people who come to the lake ready to unload shouldn't have to look around the parking lot to figure out who is loading to leave or getting ready to launch their boat, they just get into the line for the ramp, do their little things to make the boat float and then they are in their vehicle waiting for their turn to launch.
As soon as a spot at the ramp opens up i pull up and back my trailer down, my wife can't back a trailer or she would do it so even less of a delay, to almost into the water then my wife trades from passenger to the driver as i get into the boat. As soon as i am in the boat and she is in the truck, I motion for her to back down . I stop her as soon as my lower unit is in the water so i can start the engine . As soon as the engine start she backs the trailer a bit more and my boat floats off the trailer and she is pulling out looking for a parking spot. All that takes about 60 to 90 seconds.
I have worked for some time on getting faster at the ramp so I AM NOT THAT GUY. LOL

All ramps are not set up the same but the whole idea of having your boat as ready as possible before you actually get on the ramp goes a long ways towards not making people mad at the boat ramp.

I look at it as the less time at the ramp the more time I get on the water.
The whole reason for having a boat.

 

[888]

Re: Ramp rules?

I guess there are no rules at the ramp?
And guess what? Now he can sit there and wait awhile. I'm not moving. He beeps a couple of times,and I wave.
Eddie

Perfect way to address the situation. Don't get mad.....Get even

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Ramp rules?

For the most part I think its a part of everyones job to explain to others the two reasons we have a ramp, and those are in order.

1. to launch a boat

2. to retrieve a boat

If you are loading(coolers skis and wakeboards) your boat at the ramp you had better be handicapped or elderly or I will explain this to you. I have one exception to this and maybe another but that is mom or dad taking the kids out by themselves in which case I will offer my help to watch the kids and the boat or drive the tow vehicle and park it for them, to me its one of those special times for a family.

Nervous Newbs are part of the deal and they instantly get a pass from me provided were talking about prepared newbs, we all know them, boat is properly prepared and loaded but for some reason they are having an issue launching or retrieving, again loading the boat at the ramp and were going to have a talk, not rude simply here is what the ramp is for, that area over there is where you do what you are doing, of course I have been called a smarta** and/or various other colorful words of defaming content which is when I identify myself and call for back up as Mr. Dumb*** wife pulls his boat to the launch prep area and Mr. Dumb*** gets to meet my coworkers.

Educating people is not for everyone, you will meet with a varied amount of resistance, but unless we educate people we are perpetuating the same situation we are here discussing(not the word I want to use but you get the idea), sometimes you can actually run into someone who is thankful for the knowledge you willingly and politely pass on, these people suck I much rather run into Mr. Dumb*** but then I'm weird like that.

 

[SNye45]

Re: Ramp rules?

My wife told me a great story that happened during our last outing at our local lake. Having prepared the boat in the parking lot - straps off - engine bulb squeezed - wife at the helm etc I headed for the launch ramp. Turning the corner into the launch "neck" there was a "out of state" outfit parked with a couple doing exactly what should be done in the parking lot- prepping their boat. straps etc. Seeing no-one in front of them I slowly went around them.. As we went past my wife at the helm gave them a dis-approving look, and overheard the wife say loudly to her husband (of us) "They are jumping the line we are next. "No dear, see they are ready to put in" was his reply "I guess we shouldn't be doing this here".

Oblivious to all this I went ahead, turned around in the launch "bulb" carefully was they were partially blocking this, launched the boat and was headed to the parking stalls while this couple were still prepping their boat.

 

[salty87]

Re: Ramp rules?

^ good story. helps keep faith in mankind.

the ramp isn't much different from the grocery store. people blocking the aisles with their cart. or, blocking access to the whatever section with their cart.

ramp or whatever. isn't worth my blood pressure raising to let them get to me. everything isn't a race or a rush although it often feels that way.

easy to say but i'm prob an offender in traffic. going 5 below the speed limit isn't going to really delay anyone but man...can't people at least go the posted speed limit? what's wrong with them? lol

 

[bassman284]

Re: Ramp rules?

For the most part I think its a part of everyones job to explain to others the two reasons we have a ramp, and those are in order.

1. to launch a boat

2. to retrieve a boat

If you are loading(coolers skis and wakeboards) your boat at the ramp you had better be handicapped or elderly or I will explain this to you. I have one exception to this and maybe another but that is mom or dad taking the kids out by themselves in which case I will offer my help to watch the kids and the boat or drive the tow vehicle and park it for them, to me its one of those special times for a family.

Nervous Newbs are part of the deal and they instantly get a pass from me provided were talking about prepared newbs, we all know them, boat is properly prepared and loaded but for some reason they are having an issue launching or retrieving, again loading the boat at the ramp and were going to have a talk, not rude simply here is what the ramp is for, that area over there is where you do what you are doing, of course I have been called a smarta** and/or various other colorful words of defaming content which is when I identify myself and call for back up as Mr. Dumb*** wife pulls his boat to the launch prep area and Mr. Dumb*** gets to meet my coworkers.

Educating people is not for everyone, you will meet with a varied amount of resistance, but unless we educate people we are perpetuating the same situation we are here discussing(not the word I want to use but you get the idea), sometimes you can actually run into someone who is thankful for the knowledge you willingly and politely pass on, these people suck I much rather run into Mr. Dumb*** but then I'm weird like that.

Guess if you have a badge to flash things go better.

 

[86 century]

Re: Ramp rules?

Best current ramp story I have

a conservation officer is having trouble with his boat it just amazed me how many people just pass him up don't bother to ask if they can help. You would think that is the one person on the lake you would lend a hand to.
My brother was nice enough to get in the water and pull the nice man's boat up on the trailer after all it was 97? this poor guy is in head to toe darkgreen with some real nice tactical boots I'm sure he didn't want to get wet.

To me a dead boat goes to the front of the line. Or maybe that's the way I would like it to be

 

[Psalty]

Re: Ramp rules?

I HAVE to reply to this! : "Hey Mr. Arrogant!" I could have been that guy with NO regrets! I DO prep before backing down the ramp. I back the trailor in most of way into the water. I then turn the driving of the truck over to my wife while I get on board. I motion her the rest of the way down while I float off. She then drives the truck and trailor straight out and gets into a parking place. I wait at the courtesy dock holding a rope on cleat. That should cause you no problem so far.

She has bad knees and has to crawl backwards on her hands and knees to get into our 17ft SeaArk bass boat. It's humbling but she laughs about it. You're probably laughing AT her, right? When we finish for the day I pull up to the dock and leave her in the boat holding the rope while I go get the truck. My wife doesn't back a trailer or drive the boat up on it. We're in our early sixties and she's a good driver but never had experience with boats or trailors and frankly afraid to try it. I'm good at it. Owned a IH tractor and farmed some. This is our first boat just three years now. Maybe your wife or mommy can trailor but it's not a requirement. My dear wife of 46 years is a great lady, the mother of 4 and loving grandmother of 9. Past interpreter for the deaf (I still am). She's a great cook to boot! You should be so blessed.

Now the good part: I back down the ramp to right depth and leave the truck and trailor there and walk back to the boat to change places with her. She's slow getting out (hands and knees again). NOW you can fume jerk. An empty truck and trailor has sat there while I've walked back to the boat and she walks to the truck. We can't leave an empty boat tied to the courtesy dock. By the time she's walked to the truck and in the cab I've got the boat on trailor and I'm winching it up the few remaining feet. She then drives out with me in the bed of the pickup and parks us on the backside tie down area. The end.

But It's all about you huh? My wife's my best fishing partner and last time out she caught 9 white bass, one small largemouth (like YOU) and a Golden Horse bottom sucker (you again!) I wouldn't fish or boat with a self centered jerk like you on a bet.

BTW, if you need to block someone in to prove you're a smart alec, don't be surprised if you find yourself filleted and stuffed in someone's live well. I'm betting there are badder boys than you out there. I ain't scared to move you.

The way I see it, I've worked over 30 years in special education for the school system and I've paid enough taxes to have reasonable use of a public boat ramp without some toe tapping self centered immature idiot timing and criticising my efforts! Get over yourself. Do some community service and go on a field trip with a special ed team. After keeping up with autistic and other disabled children who may never know the "joys" of boat ownership you may learn to slow down and live right. Give the other guy a break. You WILL need it yourself someday I guarantee! Thank YOU for letting ME vent!

 

[Silly Seville]

Re: Ramp rules?

...my experience has been nothing like some of the horror stories I've read on here.

Spyder, I suspect that most people's experiences are like yours. I've never before seen or heard of all the stuff I've read here on ramp issues.

I concur 100% with the above posters. I have launched/retrieved on 7 different lakes in Indiana, and have not once seen any episodes of the kind described here. I don't consider it just dumb luck that all of my arrivals and departures have been pleasant...I attribute it to good folks doing the right thing by others. Most of the people are down to earth family men who still have common sense and look out for their own as well as their (boating) neighbors. Maybe it's a Midwestern thing.

 

[BonairII]

Re: Ramp rules?

I HAVE to reply to this! : "Hey Mr. Arrogant!" I could have been that guy with NO regrets! I DO prep before backing down the ramp. I back the trailor in most of way into the water. I then turn the driving of the truck over to my wife while I get on board. I motion her the rest of the way down while I float off. She then drives the truck and trailor straight out and gets into a parking place. I wait at the courtesy dock holding a rope on cleat. That should cause you no problem so far.

She has bad knees and has to crawl backwards on her hands and knees to get into our 17ft SeaArk bass boat. It's humbling but she laughs about it. You're probably laughing AT her, right? When we finish for the day I pull up to the dock and leave her in the boat holding the rope while I go get the truck. My wife doesn't back a trailer or drive the boat up on it. We're in our early sixties and she's a good driver but never had experience with boats or trailors and frankly afraid to try it. I'm good at it. Owned a IH tractor and farmed some. This is our first boat just three years now. Maybe your wife or mommy can trailor but it's not a requirement. My dear wife of 46 years is a great lady, the mother of 4 and loving grandmother of 9. Past interpreter for the deaf (I still am). She's a great cook to boot! You should be so blessed.

Now the good part: I back down the ramp to right depth and leave the truck and trailor there and walk back to the boat to change places with her. She's slow getting out (hands and knees again). NOW you can fume jerk. An empty truck and trailor has sat there while I've walked back to the boat and she walks to the truck. We can't leave an empty boat tied to the courtesy dock. By the time she's walked to the truck and in the cab I've got the boat on trailor and I'm winching it up the few remaining feet. She then drives out with me in the bed of the pickup and parks us on the backside tie down area. The end.

But It's all about you huh? My wife's my best fishing partner and last time out she caught 9 white bass, one small largemouth (like YOU) and a Golden Horse bottom sucker (you again!) I wouldn't fish or boat with a self centered jerk like you on a bet.

BTW, if you need to block someone in to prove you're a smart alec, don't be surprised if you find yourself filleted and stuffed in someone's live well. I'm betting there are badder boys than you out there. I ain't scared to move you.

The way I see it, I've worked over 30 years in special education for the school system and I've paid enough taxes to have reasonable use of a public boat ramp without some toe tapping self centered immature idiot timing and criticising my efforts! Get over yourself. Do some community service and go on a field trip with a special ed team. After keeping up with autistic and other disabled children who may never know the "joys" of boat ownership you may learn to slow down and live right. Give the other guy a break. You WILL need it yourself someday I guarantee! Thank YOU for letting ME vent!

Yikes! Who was that rant directed at?

Maybe I missed something, but I don't think anyone complained about having to wait for someone with a disability(in this case....bad knees).

Unless, I'm mistaken....99.999% of the complaints in this thread have to do with people who are unprepared, rude, or just generally oblivious to the fact that other people are trying to use the ramps also.

 

[Captain Losten Confuzed]

Re: Ramp rules?

Dear Capt Psalty
I think you walked off the plank of "understanding" this morning. From what you discribed your method of launching is right on. You appear to arrive at the boat slip ready to put the boat in the water and take off as quikely and as safely as possible.

But certainly you can understand the frustration one would have if you pulled up to the boat launch, ready to go, and then have to sit there for twenty minutes because the person ahead of you is at the bait shop eating breakfast and waiting on someone else to arrive and join him. Lets say that exact thing just happened to you and your wife. Now the two guys come out to thier boat and you think finally they're going to move but wait they open up the back of thier vehicles and start loading all thier gear and that takes another fifteen minutes.

Tell me that wouldn't have you and your wife both pig fighting mad.

Capt and Mrs Psalty I hope you have many more years of happy boating.

 

[Eddie Ray]

Re: Ramp rules?

I guess you didn't read my complaint? I too boat with a wife who has problems getting around!
I still make my boat ready out of everybody else way! I try not to spend too much time in the slip! I too have to move both boat and trailer. After my boat gets in the water I move it out of the way of everybody else.
We buy our bait while we are parked in a parking space not on the ramp.
As far as your Tude goes be careful who you talk Sh t to. I do not care if you are twenty five or a hundred and five. If you disrespect me like that in person,good chance you will leave there needing dental work. I do not start trouble,I do not run from it either.
Even with all the jerks I do see at the ramp I have never seen any one make fun of ,or give a hard time to a handicapped person. If I did I would change my rules and start a little trouble.
Happy boating , that is what this hobby is about.
Eddie