It's that time of year - FishingTN.com Tennessee's Fishing and Boating Community

Heiny57 · #1 04-14-2014, 08:13 PM

that the weekend warriors screw up the ramps. Can't people learn to make sure their boat starts BEFORE they back into the water? Or load the coolers and crap in the boat while waiting in line to launch, or get out of the way when you are out of the water, or back your trailer in enough to get your boat on without full throttle.

Spent 45 minutes Saturday at Elm Hill trying to get out. I need a new ramp.

Rant off.

wormdunker · #2 04-14-2014, 08:54 PM

Nothing has changed in the 30 + years I've been going to Priest. I gave up on Elm Hill on weekends a long time ago. In fact, I don't go out there much at all on weekends in Spring through Fall. Taking your life in your own hands. I guess people are just uneducated about ramp courtesy. Seems like COE or TWRA could make some signs up about it and put them up at ramps. Probably would be a waste of money, though. People just don't seem to care. I put in at Hamilton Creek ramp one day last Spring and someone had actually launched their boat, and left the truck and trailer backed in ON THE RAMP while they were out. I did leave a note on that windshield!

fleschs · #3 04-14-2014, 09:16 PM

I have been here for 10 years but back home in illinois I noticed the docks at the ramps were mostly very large on the corp lakes. I think it made single man launching faster. It was not uncommon to see 6 or 8 boats on each side of the dock on a saturday morning. With a stream of fishermen walking back from the parking lot. I have not noticed that here but like I said I'm a new boat owner so my previous experience is based on being the guy parking the trailer

crosshairy · #4 04-15-2014, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wormdunker

Nothing has changed in the 30 + years I've been going to Priest. I gave up on Elm Hill on weekends a long time ago. In fact, I don't go out there much at all on weekends in Spring through Fall. Taking your life in your own hands. I guess people are just uneducated about ramp courtesy. Seems like COE or TWRA could make some signs up about it and put them up at ramps. Probably would be a waste of money, though. People just don't seem to care. I put in at Hamilton Creek ramp one day last Spring and someone had actually launched their boat, and left the truck and trailer backed in ON THE RAMP while they were out. I did leave a note on that windshield!

Wow...that one really takes the cake. He's lucky a big wake didn't come along and do damage to the truck...

XxthejuicexX · #5 04-15-2014, 09:40 AM

Sunday at Stewarts Creek was like that. First off.... and I may get flamed for this. Guy in a little ( Japanese model, fuel efficient) Car parked on the ramp, took his time unloading his kayak, setting everything up then left the kayak on the ramp while he went and parked. It's plastic he could have moved it to the rocks or gravel bank so someone else could unload a boat. To follow that up the big ski boat, out for the first time ( I heard them talking) without seeing if it would start was backed down........ and then failed to start for long enough that they decided to pull back out of the water and try it in the parking lot. I just can't stand waiting, I get my boat ready before pulling to the ramp to back down to make things smoother for everyone. And for the love of God, don't leave your truck on the ramp while you go out, this happened a month or so ago at fate sanders. If you do this don't be surprised if bad things happen to your vehicle.

Heiny57 · #6 04-15-2014, 10:13 AM

A rig left at the ramp should be towed, or at least heavily vandalized .

Fishbus · #7 04-15-2014, 12:05 PM

I won't flame you for that. I do kayaks, and what's different is that I have to load/unload everything on/off my boats before loading the boats on/off the truck.

However, I only need my truck on the ramp for the actual loading of the boats. Once that's done, I park, get out of people's way and get my boats and gear organized off to the side.

It's just common courtesy. I will also tell people who are waiting for me that I acknowledge them and am trying to hurry up. Goes a long way.

Billy

Quote:

Originally Posted by XxthejuicexX

Sunday at Stewarts Creek was like that. First off.... and I may get flamed for this. Guy in a little ( Japanese model, fuel efficient) Car parked on the ramp, took his time unloading his kayak, setting everything up then left the kayak on the ramp while he went and parked. It's plastic he could have moved it to the rocks or gravel bank so someone else could unload a boat.

Westwindmike · #8 04-15-2014, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XxthejuicexX

Sunday at Stewarts Creek was like that. First off.... and I may get flamed for this. Guy in a little ( Japanese model, fuel efficient) Car parked on the ramp, took his time unloading his kayak, setting everything up then left the kayak on the ramp while he went and parked. It's plastic he could have moved it to the rocks or gravel bank so someone else could unload a boat.

I kayak fish with a friend that does not have a trailer or truck and has to haul his yak on top of his small, Japanese, fuel efficient car. His only option is what you describe. Or, he could park in the lot, rig his yak and hope someone would help him carry it to the ramp(not likely).

And I bet the yak was as far to the side of the ramp as possible. It was probably only taking up 2-3 feet on the side of the ramp. I bet 2 boat trailers could have still used the ramp. And since it's only a plastic yak, he should drag it over on the rocks? The ramp is there for all to use until they come up with a dedicated yak launching ramp.

Saltwaterwalt · #9 04-15-2014, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heiny57

A rig left at the ramp should be towed, or at least heavily vandalized .

LOL... maybe just towed ... into the lake!

On the other hand, boat ramps can be a real source of entertainment if you just go as an observer, pull out your lawn chair and video camera, crack a cold one and watch the fireworks...especially on a holiday weekend.

Slacker · #10 04-15-2014, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saltwaterwalt

LOL... maybe just towed ... into the lake!

On the other hand, boat ramps can be a real source of entertainment if you just go as an observer, pull out your lawn chair and video camera, crack a cold one and watch the fireworks...especially on a holiday weekend.

Lotta divorces get their start at the launch ramp.

XxthejuicexX · #11 04-15-2014, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Westwindmike

I kayak fish with a friend that does not have a trailer or truck and has to haul his yak on top of his small, Japanese, fuel efficient car. His only option is what you describe. Or, he could park in the lot, rig his yak and hope someone would help him carry it to the ramp(not likely).

And I bet the yak was as far to the side of the ramp as possible. It was probably only taking up 2-3 feet on the side of the ramp. I bet 2 boat trailers could have still used the ramp. And since it's only a plastic yak, he should drag it over on the rocks? The ramp is there for all to use until they come up with a dedicated yak launching ramp.

I'm cool with driving to the water to unload one, I have one they get heavy. He left it laying sideways blocking 10'+ of the ramp and yes if it's busy drag it off the ramp so other people can unload/load a boat while you go park, it was really busy and people were having to park way up where you turn into Stewarts creek ramp, so it's a good long walk and a long time to hold up the ramp.

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