Yet another boat launch idiot

[mikeyzx2]

I was at the boat launch at Joe Wheeler State Park above Wheeler Dam today fishing with a guy from Florida that was staying there on vacation. We were fishing on floating dock, keep in mind it's a secluded, sporadically used launch as it is an old launch with a ramp that is in disrepair yet it attracts all the Johnnie Rednecks and their toys. This idiot comes back in with his Sea Ray and when loading it back up his fat*** buddy is too lazy to winch the boat the last foot or two so they tilt the outdrive up a little and gives it a "little" gas. It throws up about 500 gallons of water like a geyser and swamps us. All he says is "sorry about that" and load up and leave. I was ticked off for a bit, but what do you do to a guy that's confined to a wheelchair? You sure don't whoop on him for being a little intoxicated and stupid.......

 

[Belchy]

Re: Yet another boat launch idiot

speeking of stupid people at boat ramps, last weekend we were just pulling in to the ramp after a day of fishing, and there was a family (dad, mom, and kids) that was going to get ready to go for an afternoon cruise. THey were parked on the level spot getting ready to back the boat in. ONe was in the truck and the other hand the lines in hand waiting to back in. We waited at the end of the dock to give them enough room to launch. <br /><br />So around the corner comes this pair of idiots in a truck and fishing boat, as the family starts to back up, they cut BEHIND the family, cutting them off and start backing down the ramp. Once they get the boat at the ramp, one both jump out and one hands gear into the boat for and one gets the boat ready. <br /><br />Now they have held up the entire boat ramp, and when questioned said it was first come first serve. And when the pulled away from the dock through the no wake zone, were at a good 40 mph in a couple of seconds. <br /><br />Just one of those things that makes you mad.<br /><br />Belchy

 

[rayjay]

Re: Yet another boat launch idiot

Those are the ones that need to come back and find all their tires cut.

 

[mikeyzx2]

Re: Yet another boat launch idiot

well I wouldn't cut their tires, but I would take the valve stems out and keep as a trophy. the thing was there were people and their kids out there too and they were small enough to get knocked down or off the dock by the force of the water hitting them.

 

[Capt Joe]

Re: Yet another boat launch idiot

"I wouldn't cut their tires, but I would take the valve stems out and keep as a trophy."

.<br />Hey fellas, that's a bit rough. A little bit of finesse is required in these situations, eg small stones under the valve caps, then screw them back on hard. Result - slow leak all around (don't forget the spare). might take a day or so, but I bet there's no one there to help when they realise.

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: Yet another boat launch idiot

Totally disassemble trailer...keep all bolts and nuts as trophies. Leave an A-Hole certificate on windshield of truck. Hang aroudn ramp until they come back and remove plug from boat as they try to figure out how to get trailer back together. <br /><br />And that is being nice. <br /><br />-JustMrWill

 

[live2fish]

Re: Yet another boat launch idiot

I hate it when people jump in front of others at the ramp. One would think it is quite obvious that someone else is ahead of you. We have one local ramp that has signs posted on the docks for loading or unloading. If they can't wait, it sure seems like they would have enough brains to have the boat loaded and ready to launch. It seems another of our local launches has had some problems with people removing the valve stems from boat trailers. I wonder if maybe some of these are the same people cutting in line?

 

[QC]

Re: Yet another boat launch idiot

Originally posted by live2fish:<br /> I hate it when people jump in front of others at the ramp.

I agree with this, but if I am in line, ready to go and the guy in front of me is sitting up in the ready lane jackin' around when the slot opens then screw it. I'll be in and gone before he quits messin' with his plug. I can't stand it when people are not ready and have tied up a spot. So far nobody has ever damaged my trailer, but I wouldn't actually make anybody mad if they really weren't ready and I would never cut in behind someone who was actually moving.

 

[BigPoppaG]

Re: Yet another boat launch idiot

Biggest problem on our ramp is that there are two lanes in the parking area that you drive your vehicle and boat in. The lanes line up with the ramp You prep your boat, back it in the water, then go and park in a regular parking spot.<br /><br />People seem to think this lane is also a parking lane or they are just to lazy to walk the extra 10yd to get back to there boat. They use these loading lanes as parking lanes.<br /><br />Makes it harder for the rest of us since room to back in is a little limited by a bad Ramp design.<br /><br />City property, what do you expect.

 

[brownies]

Re: Yet another boat launch idiot

Memorial day weekend is a fine time to observe. If staying on a Large, Nice lake. You know, the ones where you have a chance to see at least 100 boats launch and load per day.<br />Just grab a lawn chair, a canopy, a friend or two, and a 30 pack.<br />Pick a place where you can see the loading ramp and, Kick back and enjoy the show.<br />July 4th is even better for those of you that like to fish. It's hot so that fishing early and late is best....during the heat of the day you can kick back and have get almost a years worth of conversation in just a few hours.

 

[riverkid]

Re: Yet another boat launch idiot

Yup...I see 'em all the time..Tonight I'm sittin' there parked in a boat/ trailer slot and some nerd family with one of those beer can house/deck boats pulls into the main lane for boats leaving the ramp.Nerd boy jr. gets out of the suv and starts loading up the jackets and sports drinks-all the while blocking the main road from the ramp!!Then get this-Nerd Dad Sr. comes and asks me if he's blocking me from launching! I tell him that most reasonably intelligent and/or courteous people pull into a trailer parking spot and get ready to launch out of everyones way.Wow,musta' hit a Nerd nerve with that one!!He tells me he's just being polite and wondered if he was in my way."Ya,your in my way,your in that fishermans way,and you blocked the dude in the 4winns who wants to pull out of the ramp.Then he tells me to "shut up" all the while Nerd Kid is running around doing all the stupid s**t new boat owners do.Well,Fat Nerd Wife waddles over and asks me to "stop running my mouth" "Be glad to,just learn a little boat ramp etiquette" says I. Nerd Sr. then gets some testosterone and tells me to,"shut the f**k up"I says,"no problem,cute guy ,first time on a boat ramp?? He slinks away while nerd boy backs the suv into position.They launch their family aluminum picnic barge and I watch nerd boy jr.park the trailer/suv combo 100 yards away in the gravel.I think he's scared of having to back up or manuever too close to something.I'm starting to hate my local boat ramp.Better keep the guns at home,C.C.

 

[rayjay]

Re: Yet another boat launch idiot

That is one perk of having a boat in a marina slip. I get to use the private marina ramp for launching my fishing boat. Never had to wait for it to be clear.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Yet another boat launch idiot

Don't want to step on toes here; as something of a smarta** myself, I recognize what a great opportunity is to spout off a clever remark or two when an obvious newbie starts asking ramp etiquette questions. But obvious as it is to me & you that what the guy is doing is stupid and rude, if he's asking then obviously it's not obvious to him, and telling him in words that are sure to embarrass him in front of his family is sort of painting him into a corner, don't you think?

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Yet another boat launch idiot

I guess I have to agree, jtexas, despite my impatience with ramp hogs. Since the guy asked if he was blocking, a guy could tell him politely that it's best to prep the boat away from the ramp entrance. That might have kept the situation from escalating.<br /><br />We were all beginners once, and not all beginners understand how the ramp works. I boat solo most of the time, so I can take a few more minutes at the ramp to tie up my boat after launch and pull the trailer out to park it, and vice versa on retrieval. <br /><br />I try to take as little time as I can, but there's no way I can launch quite as quickly as a couple of guys. I've been sworn at, cussed out, and given a hard time over this at some ramps. At others, it's more typical for someone on the dock to grab the bowline for me and tie off the boat on the outside of the dock while I park the trailer. I prefer the second ramp, I must admit.<br /><br />What's the difference between the two ramps? One is used heavily by recreational boaters, water skiers, etc. The second, more polite, ramp is usually used by fishermen, since the lake doesn't lend itself to motorsports.<br /><br />I generally find fishermen to be a lot nicer than the other group.

 

[90skichallenger]

Re: Yet another boat launch idiot

Sometimes, If we give the newbies a polite education in boat ramp etiquette, instead of calling them morons, They tend to learn more. Alot of stuff comes from ignorance, and the only answer for ignorance is education. So educate instead of berate, and you will be surprised at the reactions.<br />Later,

 

[boling]

Re: Yet another boat launch idiot

Being a newbie, I look behind me in line, if he's more ready than me, I wave him by, if he's busy, I go on and load. Since I do it solo(not trained anyone else with me to drive the boat or back the trailer), I know, sooner or later I'll be in someone's way. So far, I've been able to load or unload and clear the ramp within 3 or 4 min. That's still faster than some of the twosomes I've seen at this ramp. I need to train a partner. A drive on trailer helps a bunch.<br /><br /> Just last week I had to wait as someone, who forgot the plug, half way winched the boat back up, then pulled forward for it to drain, still blocking the ramp for 20 min. Some folks, regardless of experience have no concept of the time others have to wait. Education may not help here.

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Yet another boat launch idiot

Let me throw this wrinkle into the "courtesy" issue." My boating partner (my wife) uses a wheelchair. That means I back the trailer in. Get out and take the boat off the trailer. Tie it up. Pull the trailer out/park it. Then I come back and help my wife get in the boat, get our 1 year old secure in the cabin and then we leave the dock. I can't remember a single courteous boater offering a hand in any of this.<br />Do I expect any one to help? NO<br />Do I think anyone owes us a hand? NO<br />Would I go absolutely ballistic if some a-hole told me to hurry up? YES<br />With that said, I'm am so sick of Joe-mom-and-dad who can't figure to load their cooler and all their other junk until AFTER they're tying up a spot.<br />I usually go offer to help the slow pokes and then explain that we're all in a hurry to get on the water and it is better to do this stuff before hand, etc.<br />Unfortunately, no matter how many you educate, there is an endless supply of morons.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Yet another boat launch idiot

Chris,<br /><br />I'm with you on that. I often wave people by. I'm never in that much of a hurry, and I like to launch and retrieve without being rushed. <br /><br />That said, I do very much dislike it when people don't ready their boat before pulling up to back down the ramp. I see way too many people doing their prep right in front of the ramp, instead of in the parking area or other area designed for this job. It's very annoying to see someone you know is going to tie up the ramp approach for 15 minutes while they do all the stuff they should have done away from the approach.

 

[Nos4r2]

Re: Yet another boat launch idiot

Saw a good one yesterday-an idiot German in a small speedboat that couldn't get his engine started spent 2 hours at the end of the ramp endlessly trying to pullstart it. I'd just come in with engine problems and was waiting for my g.f to bring the trailer down,up to my waist in water hanging on to my boat for grim death in 20mph winds.<br />He had the cheek to ask me to let go of my boat to help him.<br /><br />He got an earful from me.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Yet another boat launch idiot

2 hours? Talk about excessive. Here in Minnesota, on a weekend, that guy would have been summarily told to get his boat out of the water and out of the way after about 15 minutes. Had he refused, a few folks would have gone out and pulled the boat off the ramp manually.<br /><br />Fishing is sacred here, and nothing stands in the way of a walleye fisherman intent on slaying that tasty species.