Boat Ramp Edicate

[YumDinger]

Every year, there is a post about boat ramp edicate or a funny story about it. I had to create this post out of simple frustration to vent to my fellow outdoorsmen. I took the wife and 2 kids on my bass boat this past Sunday. We were at Stewart's Creek boat ramp and it was absolutely packed. When i saw all of the people, i said to myself "I wonder who is going to be completely annoying today". It didn't take long. As i was putting in, there was a black SUV pulling a small orange fiberglass boat out. The guy could not get the boat on the trailer and his girlfriend was driving the car. Then, he had problems getting the boat hooked so he could pull the boat on the trailer. I counted 3 boat launches while this guy messed with his boat and blocked half the ramp (at least he was using only half the ramp).

Anyway, with that over, we had a very enjoyable day on the lake and when it was time to come in, I'll be darned if I didn't run into another "rookie" boat handler. This time, it was a large pontoon boat and this lady could not get the boat on the trailer to save her life. After 7 or 10 attempts, she got it on the trailer, but it wasn't straight. The big problem here was that he husband, who backed the trailer down, blocked the whole ramp and had it tied up for 20 minutes while they messed with thier boat. When he finally moved, I had my trailer backed in and by boat on the trailer and out within 3 minutes. Also, when they pulled out of the ramp, they pulled straight ahead and made it difficult for me to get into a good position to back my boat down the ramp.

My advice: People, if you don't know what you are doing, or how to handle your boats, please bring someone who does. Also, use your heads and be respectful of others when using the boat ramps. It makes it completely not fun when season sportsmen run into annoying people at the boat ramp.

[j19bill]

Ugh. I avoid that boat ramp like the plague.

I once saw a guy back his truck down the ramp no boat no trailer and got out his gear started walking down the bank to fish. Needless to say there were several people highly upset.

Sent from my Droid Bionic complete with typos and sarcasm.

[90titans89]

I was at Barton’s Creek ramp early yesterday morning. I pulled in the parking lot to unhook my boat before using the ramp. Sure enough, as I get into my truck to back to the ramp, somebody jumps in front of me. They proceed to unhook their boat ON THE RAMP. Unbelievable! Stuff like this used to drive me nuts, now I just shake my head and laugh it off.

[Dakota]

I hear ya fellas. No matter what we all will run into someone who has no respect for others on the ramp. I do the same just shake my head and dont let it ruin the day. Also keep an eye on the boaters who are respectful, but maybe have never been helped at a ramp and are having troubles, Just from inexperience. You can make their day and yours with a helping hand. Maybe show them a few things that you've learned over the years. Just always be aware and safe on the ramp and the water. Happy waters!!

[Jdkxtreme]

We were all Rookies at one time. I still consider myself one. I do the best I can. If I tie the ramp up more than the 3 minutes as stated below so be it...I do the best I can. Not everyone that owns a boat knows how to back a trailer.. Did anyone offer to help said guy with the orange boat? Or just watch him? He may have been as nervous as all get out. I get that way at a crowded ramp. It makes me nervous since I am a rookie boat owner. I can however back a trailer.. Just remember before we throw stones we all suck at something and can all learn from others. Sometimes we just need someone to ask..

[TroutFiend]

X2...

[Brian37075]

It's that time of year for newbie boaters. I was at station camp a few years ago and the wife finally got it on the trailer. However she didn't realize you should turn the boat off once you landed safely on the trailer. Husband hooked the boat pulled the boat out. I bet that thing ran 5 minutes before the husband realized it was still running. He freaked out and ran and shut it down. I bet she knows where the key was after that.

[YumDinger]

Good point guys...No I didn't help, and now I feel like a jerk for not doing so. Sometimes I want to get out into the water so quickly, that I overlook helping someone and that's probably one of my flaws. I'll try to do better in the future. Good Point!

[tkwalker]

Give and take here ... I hear both sides ... Educate .. Latin for teaching and Learning ...

Check list ...

1. Pre prep your boat before entering the launch ramp..
2. This means .. release the Transom straps and motor toter. Raise motor with trim or manual lock up ... Put drain plug in ..
3. Vent fuel tank where applicable and pump up fuel primer bulb.
4. make sure everything you want to leave the ramp with, is In the boat... Tackle, bait,ice chest etc.
.... Now do this in an area that is not blocking the ramp !! ...

5. Now if you are not experienced at backing a trailer...(The ramp is no place to hold school !!!) What are you doing there !!!... That is what Walmart parking areas are for around the garden center (you know where the 18 wheelers spend the night) or High school parking lots on the weekends ...

It is called practice ... get some cat litter pales or buckets and practice backing a trailer .... I taught my wife how to do this with out screwing everyone's day up at a launching ramp ... Fortunately I don't have to fish anymore on weekends ...

Also if you are going to drive the boat off of the trailer with someone backing you up ... good ... If not ..tie a rope to the boat back it in until it floats and rope your boat to the dock or bank ...

Now for those who want to help out at the ramps ... Please do and assist ... Also make copies of this post and hand this to them for future reference ...

<'TK>< :)

[MNfisher]

Also make copies of this post and hand this to them for future reference ...

<'TK>< :)

LOL!!

I always used to joke that when buying a boat, they should make you learn how to back a trailer and load and unload before you can leave the lot with it.

[blink]

There is a big difference between being a douche at the ramp because you think you are the only person in that matters in the world, and just being a novice boater.

[Headhunter]

definitely not being mean but a spelling lesson or a dictionary wouldn't hurt either.

[90titans89]

We were all Rookies at one time. I still consider myself one. I do the best I can. If I tie the ramp up more than the 3 minutes as stated below so be it...I do the best I can. Not everyone that owns a boat knows how to back a trailer.. Did anyone offer to help said guy with the orange boat? Or just watch him? He may have been as nervous as all get out. I get that way at a crowded ramp. It makes me nervous since I am a rookie boat owner. I can however back a trailer.. Just remember before we throw stones we all suck at something and can all learn from others. Sometimes we just need someone to ask..

Years ago the first time my wife and I took our new runabout to Center Hill. She pulled the boat on the trailer and I hooked it up. I heard her raise the motor but forgot to ask her to hit the "trailer" button. You could see the mark my lower unit left from the bottom of Floating Mill ramp to the top. She always did it correctly and looked at me funny everytime I asked after that day. :o Hope I didn't misspell TWO many things.

[j19bill]

Hope I didn't misspell TWO many things.

WAIT!!! :sly: I see what you did there...

Sent from my Droid Bionic complete with typos and sarcasm.

[Reel Tune]

Lots of great advice. Even though I don't have a boat, I trailer kayaks a lot of the time. I try to unload off to the side then remove my vehicle and trailer from the ramp as quickly as possible, if if it's busy carry the kayaks and gear down to the water. Then setup the kayak, or kayaks, just don't run over me. There were a couple of us a few weeks ago up in Kentucky, and a guy and his wife were having a tough time with a trailer so a buddy helped them out. If you see someone having trouble, or by themselves, please offer a little help. Karma's a bitch and if you are upset with someone at a ramp that you could help out it is just as much your fault.
Jeremy

[Headhunter]

is it "edicate" or etiquette? yeah, that is funny right there. Maybe edicate is another term for educate.

[nomad60]

I still consider myself a rookie/novice and that's one of the reasons I don't even think about launching by myself on weekends. The local marina is too darned crowded and I don't want to be "that guy." So I try to take a day vacation during the week when I know I'll be the only one at the ramp and I can take my time. If I have someone with me, I don't mind weekends too much because one of us can park the vehicle/trailer while the other is moving the boat out of the way and at the end of the day, one of us can back the trailer down the ramp while the other one maneuvers the boat.

[bigun]

very well said T.K.now if we can get every one to do that.

[MPD816]

I have a gripe about parking. I just wish more people would understand that those real long parking spaces at a boat ramp aren't for Volkswagen Jetta's.

[Saltwaterwalt]

I have a gripe about parking. I just wish more people would understand that those real long parking spaces at a boat ramp aren't for Volkswagen Jetta's.

Man, I hear you on that. I live a mile from Shutes Landing on O.H. and that happens constantly. And what really ticks me, is that there's short spaces for those trailerless cars right beside the long ones...duh.

And second gripe are the boat ramp fishermen who park right on the ramp to fish, yep, no one else matters, its all about them. :D