Three ring boat launch extavaganza

[Knot Waiting]

Holiday weekends sure bring out the best.....
One guy felt it a good idea make some food and have his kids splash around the water for a while... all while still tied to the launch dock.
Another decided the best time to uncover and load his boat was after he parked squarely across both lanes of the launch.. at which point he opened all four car doors... just in case there was any chance you might be able to sneak around him.
Someone else took their 22ft Four Winns and slamed full tilt, reverse into the dock, crushing his transom, staling his engine and then drifting onto the ramp.
And finally I watched as trailer after trailer kinked into the side of inexpeirenced drivers car..... all and all I was fairly entertained during the half an hour I waited to launch my boat this weekend....

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Three ring boat launch extavaganza

Its fun to watch the launch ramp follies,,,,,,,,,as long as your not waiting in line

Our ramp was real busy this past weekend also. One guy had his PWC loaded in the back of his 4x4. He got tired of waiting and just backed his truck down across the grass to the bank. Backed down over the bank and his bud slid the PWC out and off he went. The guy in the truck almost got up the bank using his 4 wheel drive until his front drive shaft broke. The nice Park Ranger pulled him out only to give him a citation. I don't know how he got the PWC out of the water, but I'm sure it had to be another show to watch

 

[cmchesse]

Re: Three ring boat launch extavaganza

Igrorance is not only bliss, it's funny!

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Three ring boat launch extavaganza

Very similar at Georgian Bay yesterday. A lot of cottagers pulling out their nice and shiny new boats for the first time after their initial launch in the spring. We went to the ramp at 2:00 p.m. for our 5 minute recovery of our boat only to be 4th in line to 3 new to recovering boaters with shiny new toys this year. We finally tied up and helped them in turn so we could get out and home. Got them all out and straight on the trailer and received no thanks whatsoever. If I had the time I should have left them to it and sat watching menacingly !!!!
Maybe I will do that next season when they are all there again !!!!
I think that they think of us as the "poor relation" as we have a 23 year old boat !!!!

 

[Shizzy]

Re: Three ring boat launch extavaganza

no boat launch funnies, but at the resort we were at over the weekend we watched a guy try 4 times to dock his new Glastron Cabin Cruiser. there was a strong wind and current and he insisted on coming in WITH the wind and current. He kept missing or smashing in to the dock and then circling around. We all sat there trying to decide if any of us should suggest he try coming in from the other direction so he was under power and not just drifting.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Three ring boat launch extavaganza

no boat launch funnies, but at the resort we were at over the weekend we watched a guy try 4 times to dock his new Glastron Cabin Cruiser. there was a strong wind and current and he insisted on coming in WITH the wind and current. He kept missing or smashing in to the dock and then circling around. We all sat there trying to decide if any of us should suggest he try coming in from the other direction so he was under power and not just drifting.

Reminds me of the old saying
"You can lead a horse to water".............

 

[SooLineRob]

Re: Three ring boat launch extavaganza

Got them all out and straight on the trailer and received no thanks whatsoever.

Sorry none of those (ignorant) folks said thank you.

However, I would like to say THANK YOU for going above and beyond what was necessary to assist newbies (or wanna-be's) in clearing the ramp that day.

Sometimes during "high stress" situations like holding things up for everyone else, it may not dawn on someone to ask for help. And then some people's pride gets in the way, and accepting assistance will somehow be viewed as an unwelcome intrusion. Sometimes when people become so focused trying to resolve a problem (hurry up) that when a nice, patient person like yourself offers a helping hand, the "light bulb" suddenly goes off and help IS appreciated. I know I've had tunnel vision, and when someone observed my floundering and offered assistance, I felt greatful that someone would rather walk over and help than ridicule from afar. And I was sure to introduce myself/family/friends, and thank them for their help and offer them a cold beverage or some other token of thanks...

Thus far during our rookie boating season, our experiences have been great. Great boaters/people/families on the water, and all encounters have been exceptionally fun/courteous. We've seen some "weird" things at the ramp, but we've managed very well to avoid being one of "those kind" of boaters.

On behalf of newbies like myself that DO say thanks, as well as other boaters patiently waiting for their turn at the ramp, I again THANK YOU for helping those not-so-courteous boaters that day.

 

[kspor]

Re: Three ring boat launch extavaganza

I have owned many boats, and my wife is getting used to them (she is a tad afraid of boats and/or water) and the ramp is a tough time for us. I have to say she still struggles to back up the trailer, and if I do it she is so nervous she often floods the engine on the boat. So I often just back it up myself then we switch and she pulls the trailer out. I have thanked many a good boater who lent a hand to us, I am sad more dont. I would like to suggest that any newbies or old salts with a spouse who has difficulties backing, add a hitch to the front of your vehicle. It does require a tad more work, but it also makes loading/unloading a boat easier and if the ramps are slick keeps the drive wheels high and dry. Or find a empty parking lot and practice backing into parking spaces, they are far smaller than most ramps and no one glares at you if you go early/late enough.

P.S Gentelman the loudness of ones voice, the waving of arms and the use of colorful language does not improve the spouses ability to back up a trailer.