Take out the right way.

[Nandy]

We often make big post about forgetful, misbehaving, drunk, out of luck or plain stupid boaters and their miss haps at the ramp. Today I did not have a lot of time for the boating so I took my son for ice cream and in my way back decided to stop at the lake ramp since it is just a few minutes from home. I parked in a shadowed spot and waited for the first boat to get taken out of the water.
This older gentleman was poetry taking his boat out. He backed his trailer without trial/error. Removed his lines at the ramp and guided his boat to the trailer, jumped in the water, adjusted the boat and winch it in. Once it was winched he put his safety chain and trailered the boat to the tie down area. He proceeded to dry the boat, secure it and had a walk around while inspecting the boat/trailer.
I left before he did. I went there to get entertained by someone else's mishaps but end up getting schooled on how to take out a boat. It was a better time than seeing anyone else messing up.

Cheers!!!

 

[JB]

Re: Take out the right way.

I wonder how many mistakes that gentleman made in the process of learning how to do it right.

USCGA and the US Power Squadron ought to have a course in ramp skills to go along with safety and piloting.

 

[xxxflhrci]

Re: Take out the right way.

If he weren't older, I'd guess you were watching me. From the time my feet hit the dock, I can have my boat out of sight in less than 5 minutes.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Take out the right way.

I wonder how many mistakes that gentleman made in the process of learning how to do it right.

Im sure he did, no one was born knowing this stuff. Well, some stuff is kinda common sense... but..... never mind!
I enjoyed the performance!

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: Take out the right way.

Years ago this older guy drowned while taking his boat out by himself at a ramp area I had used just hours before. I wasnt there and dont know what happined but ever since I have been afraid not to be careful. slow and focus while doing the same.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Take out the right way.

Nice to see it done right eh !!!!

 

[triumphrick]

Re: Take out the right way.

Thank you, Nandy for that introspective narrative.

 

[gstanton]

Re: Take out the right way.

Yeah... slow down and focus... as said before...is the key. As many times as I've done it by myself, there is always something! My latest (2 yrs. ago) was forgetting to raise the prop. It only takes once!
Ouch!

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Take out the right way.

I guess it wasn't this guy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJv8zWpRbdY

 

[achris]

Re: Take out the right way.

I guess it wasn't this guy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJv8zWpRbdY

Been there, waited for them....

But yes, it's nice to see it done right...

 

[OldePharte]

Re: Take out the right way.

Our lake house is across from a public boat ramp and it is a constant source of amusement. Originally my son and DIL hated it until they spent some time sitting on the patio and with binoculars in hand spent a good deal of time watching the fun.

Short list -

One guy (new boater and a go-fast boat) actually tried to back a boat onto a trailer.

Another lost all of his right-side trailer wheels and still pushed the boat into the water, then dragged the trailer to a parking spot and left.

Watched a guy on a jet ski having problems lining it up on the trailer, took a longish high speed run, and launched it into the back of his pickup truck.

One family tried to do a quick retrieval (no tie-downs and two people on board) and as the truck pulled the boat out, it slid off the bunks and onto the ramp.

And of course countless folks either not getting their trailer far enough in for an easy launch or too far in getting the bumper a foot or so underwater.

Between that and the numerous people who forget to lower their drive after launching. I am sure they wondered how come they lost so much speed. Also, boats don't reverse too good with the prop on the surface.

I got to get a parabolic mike to listen in on some of the conversations.

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Take out the right way.

Watched a guy on a jet ski having problems lining it up on the trailer, took a longish high speed run, and launched it into the back of his pickup truck.

Now that's funny.

 

[achris]

Re: Take out the right way.

Now that's funny.

And worthy only of jet-skies...

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Take out the right way.

I wonder how many mistakes that gentleman made in the process of learning how to do it right.

I bet he never made the same one more than once though.

 

[mthieme]

Re: Take out the right way.

Touchee'.
Mistakes happen.
If someone told me they never made one, I would call them a liar.
I live two houses up from our community ramp.
I have to say, it does provide a lot of entertainment.