Boat Ramp Courtesy

BrianFD · Aug 2, 2003

OK, so how many of you 'trailer' boaters are guilty of this? At my favorite inland lake, there's a two-lane boat ramp with a ramp dock in between the lanes. Less than 100' away are two floating courtesy docks (both about 25' long). (There's also a 300' "rigging lane" before getting to the ramp.) For some unknown reason, boaters will back down the ramp, float their boat and tie it up to the ramp dock, then move their vehicles to the parking lot. We "good boaters" who've already rigged up, loaded our passengers, started our blowers, and stowed our other 'stuff' (basically getting sea-ready) sit in line, patiently waiting, until the boater gets back to his boat. Then, he loads up passengers, fishing gear, coolers, etc., starts up and pulls away. On several occasions, the boat won't start (of course!!), so we continue to wait while the owner goes back to the parking lot, cuts in to back down the ramp and hauls it back out. This whole thing takes 10 to 15 minutes. If everyone in line did this, and there were only 4 of us in line, it would still take a half hour of waiting just to launch. Now here's how I/we do it: If I'm alone, I pull in to the rigging lane and ready my boat (uncover, start blower, un-strap, mount fenders), then I pull in line to launch. When it's my turn, I back down the ramp, start the boat while it's still on the trailer, unhook the bow and motor to the courtesy ramp. After tying up, I walk back to my vehicle, pull out and park in the lot. I can clear the ramp in two minutes or less. If my wife's aboard, we're even faster... She's already in the boat, we back down the ramp, she starts the boat & lets it warm up (30 seconds or less), pulls off the trailer and circles away from the ramp dock. After I park, she gently noses in to the courtesy dock to pick me up and we're off! I clear the ramp in 1 to 1.5 minutes. Anybody else have this aggravating experience? I know (hope?) they don't do this to intentionally iritate the rest of us... More of an education issue rather than plain rudeness, I suspect. Happy Boating! Brian PS: Sorry this was so long, but after today I just HAD to vent some frustrations....

bobber head · Aug 2, 2003

Re: Boat Ramp Courtesy

The bowl of boat ramp noodles leaves a bad taste in my mouth: not from the heavy salt of self absoption, nor the peppering with a cloud of self importance: but the tepid soup of ignorance - in which the noodles are saturated. Being on the water is one of our more self indulgent moments; a good day fishing, some time on the skis, a day away from the house - one of our few moments of fun in the sun, right? We don't get many, we probably deserve more, so here we are - carpe diem delux. I think some people just have so few of these moments, that when they finally do, they turn into ugly people we wish were off somewhere else, doing something else - like back at home reading "War and Peace" or "The little train that could" according to their reading level. All I have to do is imagine that's me out there screaming at my family in order to have a good time, and then I have so many blessing to count that I'm still counting after they are long gone, with their loaded articles of aquatic joy - and it's me, being honked at from behind, for holding up the line. Bobber

JasonJ · Aug 2, 2003

Re: Boat Ramp Courtesy

At my lake there are no courtesy docks, you have no choice but to leave the boat at the launch while parking the rig. However, the docks are long enough that you can plce the boat down at the end of the dock, leaving enough room so someone could launch in front of you, but I do not do that, I don't want someone launching their boat into mine. The best we can do here is to be prepped and ready, launch, and get our arses back to the boat quickly after parking the rig. Ramp Rage, its a beautiful thing.....

SeaMasterZ@aol.com · Aug 2, 2003

Re: Boat Ramp Courtesy

very eloquent bobber, lol, as a pepperer of self indulgence myself, I like a well turned phrase! I found a sweet ramp down in Millville NJ that is four lanes, lots of pierage, and its got a ton of parking ... and its free, lol, so what if its a half hour run to the bay, its pretty water ... havent made the run yet, but SILVERTON YACHTS is right up the river, so I guess shes navagatable!

Seaboo2 · Aug 3, 2003

Re: Boat Ramp Courtesy

A person can make life SO easy or hard at the ramp. I can not count how may times I've gotten in the make ready lane and had another boat drive right up to the ramp, back down, begain unhooking, unloading, finding out the boat doesn't crank, working on it, pulling it back on the trailer, ect., ect.. I show courtsy and "quickness" regardless if I am launching, retriving a boat or a (gulp) jet ski. I am always ready, and I know my stuff will crank and run. I DO NOT force my wife (that can't back a trailer) to back the boat in the water while I shout and cuss at her (seen it alot). I fo enjoygoing to a ramp and watching people (read idiots) launch/retrive it is some great entertainment.

lakeman1999 · Aug 3, 2003

Re: Boat Ramp Courtesy

I am one, that hates waiting in line, and I think that most are of the same mindset. the problem is most people hate the waiting, whether its a food line, checkout line, boat ramp or what have you, but once they get to the head of the line, they don't care about those behind them, as they have made it. If everyone would just think, not act stupid, and think of the good for all not just think of their own welfare, it would be a great life.

bomar76 · Aug 3, 2003

Re: Boat Ramp Courtesy

Brian FD- What lake is that? I'll guess Buckeye Lake since I can't think of any @ Alum or Indian that fits the description. We see it everyday @ Alum Creek. Usually use Howard or Galena ramps. I think Indian Lake is even worse at the Lakeview ramp. We don't even use that one anymore because of the numbnuts there.

StAugVol · Aug 3, 2003

Re: Boat Ramp Courtesy

Righteous indignation, this also is a sin! Verily, verily, I say unto you, that he who breaks line at the bank, the grocery, or the bait store, committs but a small sin, but he who breaks line twixt me and the fish committs the largest! Alas, a--holes do vex me!

magster65 · Aug 3, 2003

Re: Boat Ramp Courtesy

I've had to wait a few times while I watch clowns performing on the ramp. I don't think any of them are purposely wasting your time, they just can't launch quickly or have no idea what it is they're doing. Some people lack common courtesy as well. I'd rather wait than see some idiot drop his boat on the ramp while trying to hurry. That'd waste even more time.

BrianFD · Aug 3, 2003

Re: Boat Ramp Courtesy

Bomar76, That's the place EXACTLY!! The 79 boat ramp. I used to be a regular at Alum Creek but about 10 years ago it got so stinkin' ugly there that I basically refuse to return. I certainly did not wish to project a "holier-than-thou" attitude, as I admit I still pull some bone-headed mistakes on the water. After all, we're all human... And thanks to all for allowing me the opportunity to vent. I view boating as a (normally) happy, pleasant event. The days of screaming at the wife have long since passed, and we treasure every chance we get to be on the water. Some of the stories I could tell about the ramps (well, you've ALL seen some good ones!) would curl your hair! Thanks again, ALL! I'm really getting to like this website! Happy Boating! Brian

RC · Aug 3, 2003

Re: Boat Ramp Courtesy

Brian, I launch just as you do with the exception I always start my boat the night before to avoid any surprises. The last two times at a lake nearby I've had to wait in line for jetskiers. Each time the husband had launched two jet skis, returned his truck/trailer to the lot all the while his wife sat right in the launch area holding both jet skis waiting for him to return. Each time they easily could have taken them to the courtesy docks and gotten out of the way. I think I got my point across when I backed my boat down as far as I could then stood there waiting for the husband to walk by and get he and his wife out of everyone's way. Can't stand people who can't show common courtesy at the ramp.

BrianFD · Aug 3, 2003

Re: Boat Ramp Courtesy

DeltaR, After discovering a battery problem earlier this year (no, I wasn't on the ramp. In the make-ready area, my blower sounded 'funny' to the wife, so I asked her to bump the starter. Faulty battery was only 3 excursions old...) I now ask my wife to turn the key while we're still in the rigging lane. Good advice to all trailerers, though: Start your boat before you float it off the trailer. Thanks for everyone's replies! Happy Boating! Brian

bomar76 · Aug 3, 2003

Re: Boat Ramp Courtesy

Brian- I read your profile after I sent that message and saw the Buckeye item. Well, at least I guessed right! I didn't get any sense of a "Holier than thou" attitude from your post at all....I get pretty frustrated with the unwashed masses also. We ALWAYS throw the muffs on our boat and fire it up at home before trailering it out. I can't believe these yahoos that take out their boat 3 or 4x a year and never try to start it or even check to see if they have a plug before they launch. I have given away scads of plugs, jump started boats, handed out spare ropes (never thought they would need a rope I guess), and attempted to diagnose and repair every conceivable problem not out of any sense of altruism on my part, just to get them off the freaking ramp!!!! Alum has it's share of looney tunes, but I think Indian Lake is the winner far and away. Never go to Buckeye....I hit enough stumps At Indian Lake as it is.

Link · Aug 3, 2003

Re: Boat Ramp Courtesy

Hey Brian good post How come we are all here on the computers and not in our boats!

Ok you have to mow the grass sometime.. Just from this post alone I think most of us who really boat our boats take a lot of pride in how well we get on and off the ramps. Another thing we do. Since most of the places we launch at are a 30 minute or less drive we pull the boat out, fire it up on the hose and let it run while we pack everything that can into it. Including drain plug which in on key chain

If we are on the ramp more than two minutes we havent done our prep right... Most of the people who have problems on the ramp are your typical once or twice a year boaters. Who would be shocked if someone told them that most of us have a plan when we head out to the lake. Hey the boat worked last time didnt it

Well time to prep the lawn mower (1-900-Whine) Link

pbailey · Aug 4, 2003

Re: Boat Ramp Courtesy

BrianFg, Starting an outboard out of water is a good way to smoke the waterpump. Most peoples mistakes on the boat ramp are due to ignorance of the proper etiquette and not intentional. Sometimes just talking to people can go along way in pointing out that getting ready to launch before tying up the ramp is the proper thing to do. A lake that I frequent in Pa. has a dock master on the weekends and other busy times. When it is your turn to launch, he asks you if you are ready, i.e. gear loaded, plug in, yada yada yada. If you are not, you get sent to the end of the line. One of the best places to see some of the worst in people is the boat ramp at the end of Reagen National Airport in Washington D.C. on the Fourth of July. pbailey

BrianFD · Aug 4, 2003

Re: Boat Ramp Courtesy

Pbailey, Under NO circumstances would I endorse starting an outboard or a raw-water cooled I/O without a water source (muffs, 55-gal drum, etc.) I know too well that that's the quickest way to destroy an impeller. And a dock master sounds like the intelligent way to go. However, this is a state ramp and the 'water cops' are mostly too busy running down the on-water idiots to stay at the ramp for any length of time. Really wish we had one, though. I do try to educate most of the unintentionally rude people out there on the use of the courtesy docks, but occasionally get told where I can go and how to get there, hehehe. Reminds me of a funny that happened last year. One of the neophytes tied up to the ramp dock on a particularly busy afternoon. I was next in line to pick-up. As he passed me, I asked him if he intended to be tied-up there for long. He was under the impression that because his boat was tied-up at the ramp, that he was next. I informed him that should he leave his boat tied up, that those aggravated guys behind me would "kill you!" He asked me what to do, and I told him. He astonishingly asked me, "You mean I have to wait in THAT line?" Happy Boating! Brian

bobber head · Aug 4, 2003

Re: Boat Ramp Courtesy

I smell a money maker in here somewhere. Concept: A humor driven educational show about launching boats. Subject: "Boat Ramp Misdemeanors" A one hour program made for TV (also available to the home market). Content: 1. a smattering of people caught on tape, all over the country, doing really stupid things with their boats that is impossible not to laugh at. 2. Inter-cut interveiws with salty old sea guys, and gals (gotta work the sex angle, right?)(maybe even our very own Ladyfish?!?), explaining a better way (and of course telling their best "wild tale ever"). 3. A short re-interview with the guy who was caught on tape (a redemption moment for him) a short while after the event. (reaction shots with their own commentary) Format: Jungle tactic camera work. Quick pace cuts to the money shot. NO VO! (maybe a bit of Foley) NO laugh tracks! (ABSOLUTELY NONE!) Soundtrack: bit's of All the old surfer classics. (there goes the post shoot budget) Might as well throw in some original music besides just the Theme song. Might be able to work in classic lines from boat movies and tv shows for the nostalgia angle. (till the budget is a few more K in the red for good measure, eh?) I want 1% of total rev (but knowing I'd get squat) Bobberhead. PS. The sequel, "Crimes against the waters", would be a logical extention of similar people doing stupid things "Beyond The Ramp". PPS, I now want 2% of total gross.

pbailey · Aug 4, 2003

Re: Boat Ramp Courtesy

Sorry Brian

reread your post and you did say "start your engine before you float it off the trailer" pbailey

mls2002 · Aug 4, 2003

Re: Boat Ramp Courtesy

Courtesy dock I've got to find a better lake. Yeah you did come across with a bit of an attitude.But we've all had the same experiance to some degree..and one way or another we've all vented

BrianFD · Aug 4, 2003

Re: Boat Ramp Courtesy

Bobberhead, You, my new-found friend, are on to something!! I like the way you think! Pbailey, no prob! MLS, if you detected an attitude, I apologize! Wasn't my intention... Just had to vent and the wife was in no mood to hear it, hehehe. Thanks for all the comebacks! Happy Boating! Brian

Boat Ramp Courtesy

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