Busy Ramp-no problem

[KDAVID1]

Well I had my first experience with a truly busy ramp yesterday. Is't thing in the morning-before 7AM there were about 8 boats going in the water-two at a time-no problems--waited my turn--put in the water-and even had one of the guys hold my boat for me (i'm by myself) parted the explorer and was ready to go. There was a guy with a new boat to him and I noticed he didn't have a hull protector--I told him I would hold his boat-I just couldn't stand to see him tear it up. He got back to his boat-I got in mine and off I went. Had a pretty good day of fishing-went back to the ramp and low and behold had two trucks unloading jet ski's (and they were fiddling with them on the ramp. I pulled up in between them--had one of the kids actually hold my boat for me (wow) got my explorer, backed down between the tow other trucks (wow--i'm not too good at backing down). The lady asked if I was going to push my boat onto the trailer-I said nope--going to dive it on (no powerload needed--18ft bass boat) pushed off back up a bit--slid onto trailer-hooked up--said thanks--off I went. Both the unloading and loading was a total of about 15 minutes. I was very pleased--and it really built my confidence up.

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: Busy Ramp-no problem

Nothing like a problem free trip to the busy boat ramp. It is usally a hoot just to stand around and watch. My wife often tells me as we are driving away "if you acted like that guy did to his wife you would be single again"
I just laugh "yes honey i know thats why im so patient"

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: Busy Ramp-no problem

Nothing like a problem free trip to the busy boat ramp. It is usally a hoot just to stand around and watch. My wife often tells me as we are driving away "if you acted like that guy did to his wife you would be single again"
I just laugh "yes honey i know thats why im so patient"

Yep I 100% agree. I think it is sometimes a better place to people watch than the mall

 

[lncoop]

Re: Busy Ramp-no problem

Wait a mintute; they use ramps down there in Mississippi? I thought y'all just launched off dirt roads that end in the river.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Busy Ramp-no problem

Yep I 100% agree. I think it is sometimes a better place to people watch than the mall

I've always said you could video a great movie at a busy ramp, call it "Ramp Fever"...hang around a while and you can see some pretty wild stuff! A big issue is folks who don't know or care to load and prepare their boats in the "Staging Area", not down at the ramp!....Lots of new boaters who just don't know what to do! Nothing like a profanity-laced temper tantrum with the boss-lady to ensure you'll be going boating alone next time!

 

[scoyt]

Re: Busy Ramp-no problem

Incoop, I am with you. Ramps??? Since when did they use ramps?? LOL

 

[lncoop]

Re: Busy Ramp-no problem

Incoop, I am with you. Ramps??? Since when did they use ramps?? LOL

I just thought if they wanted to get fancy they came to Ouachita.

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: Busy Ramp-no problem

Ouachita is one of the most beautiful lakes i have ever been on period... but you two from arkansas sure are throwing big rocks for the glass house you reside in! You have more than your share of rednecks and all around ignorant folks there for sure. LOL just sayin!

 

[scoyt]

Re: Busy Ramp-no problem

We do have plenty of rednecks around here. You do know that the toothbrush was invented in Arkansas right? Yep, sure was! Cause if it had been invented anywhere else, it would have been called a teethbrush!

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: Busy Ramp-no problem

Wait a mintute; they use ramps down there in Mississippi? I thought y'all just launched off dirt roads that end in the river.

Haha--The Corp lakes are just the same as the one's in AR (which I used to live there) Although alot of the best fishing you have to launch off the dirt roads into ditches and such. But I can't fish those in my Ranger.

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: Busy Ramp-no problem

Ouachita is one of the most beautiful lakes i have ever been on period... but you two from arkansas sure are throwing big rocks for the glass house you reside in! You have more than your share of rednecks and all around ignorant folks there for sure. LOL just sayin!

Ah--I'm used to it--Born in North Alabama-grew up in Florida and Arkansas--now live in Mississippi--I'm well traveled

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: Busy Ramp-no problem

I just thought if they wanted to get fancy they came to Ouachita.

One of the best weekend's I ever had was on Quachita--we had a group of people with a ski boat, a bass boat, and a sail boat. We camped on an island in the lake and it was the best. We sailed, skied, spear fished, you name it. It is a great lake and they have tarantulas on those islands.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Busy Ramp-no problem

One of the best weekend's I ever had was on Quachita--we had a group of people with a ski boat, a bass boat, and a sail boat. We camped on an island in the lake and it was the best. We sailed, skied, spear fished, you name it. It is a great lake and they have tarantulas on those islands.

I love island camping on Ouachita, and this is the best time to do it. Weather's still nice but the summer crowd is history. If you've never been to Greers Ferry you should check it out some time for a different kind of beauty. Good fishing too.

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: Busy Ramp-no problem

I love island camping on Ouachita, and this is the best time to do it. Weather's still nice but the summer crowd is history. If you've never been to Greers Ferry you should check it out some time for a different kind of beauty. Good fishing too.

Oh yeah--used to live in Batesville too--used to go to Greer all the time--very good fishing.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Busy Ramp-no problem

Oh yeah--used to live in Batesville too--used to go to Greer all the time--very good fishing.

You were a Pioneer? So was my old man.

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: Busy Ramp-no problem

You were a Pioneer? So was my old man.

Cool--Moved there in 1996 from Bryant. AR is a great state--wish I still lived there.

 

[Lakemeadan]

Re: Busy Ramp-no problem

Great for you I think its easier alone sometimes, no distractions. My wife brought her friend along to a busy ramp. The KFC nearer the lake was shut down so we ended up driving further to a El Pollo Loco. Thats when I noticed I lost a Bearing Buddie and hubs were hot. I knew its time for bearings and I'm going back to annual repack, inspect and not worry about it. The old reliable. I'll use a spray bottle and let them cool a bit when I reach the lake. I worried about making it to the lake and back home. Took the back road slow route.

 

[Lakemeadan]

Re: Busy Ramp-no problem

The ramp was super busy everyone was power unloading than picking people up at the dock. I was able to pull right along the ramp dock hand them two ropes and told them to take the boat as far as could down the dock. Went perfect, had a few beers, enough food to feed an army and they had more wine than they should have. I was hoping they would sleep but they didn't it was like boating with a tree full of monkeys with Jazz music, never heard a wave slapping against the boat. Hope I can make it home with the bearings. And it was hot and the bimimi was just enough shade for them. Is it time to go now. The loading didn't go so well.

 

[Lakemeadan]

Re: Busy Ramp-no problem

Time to go he haw. It was busy but I wasn't going to let my wife drive me out this time (wine). Actually found a spot on one side where I could back the trailer up to it. I docked it got the trailer and swung it around along the dock and started backing up. Than I heard stop! A truck that was also backing down about 15 ft beside me was jacking knifing hard in back of me. A guy was instructing his gal how to back up a trailer. She looked as nervous as my wife did for first and last time. I said take your time, I'll wait she is doing perfect. She finnally did well, than I start backing down watching my trailer wheels when all of sudden my boat is between the wheels and dock. My wifes girlfriend decided that she should help (wine). She had jumped out of the boat and started pulling it towards me before the trailer was submerged and another boat had pulled up right behind it. So now I have to go waist deep pushing, pulling and winching little by little as I keep jumping in and out of truck soaking wet to keep backing up to get it on. I usually just trim up enough not to hit the sked when I power load onto trailer, shut it down than trim the rest way up. So when I finally start pulling out the guy that was helping his gal yelled stop again. You're dragging the skeg buddie. Thanks again. No damage to sked and made it home. I'll be ordering bearings soon on this site, great deals. I don't need NASA bearings, just good maintenance.

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: Busy Ramp-no problem

Time to go he haw. It was busy but I wasn't going to let my wife drive me out this time (wine). Actually found a spot on one side where I could back the trailer up to it. I docked it got the trailer and swung it around along the dock and started backing up. Than I heard stop! A truck that was also backing down about 15 ft beside me was jacking knifing hard in back of me. A guy was instructing his gal how to back up a trailer. She looked as nervous as my wife did for first and last time. I said take your time, I'll wait she is doing perfect. She finnally did well, than I start backing down watching my trailer wheels when all of sudden my boat is between the wheels and dock. My wifes girlfriend decided that she should help (wine). She had jumped out of the boat and started pulling it towards me before the trailer was submerged and another boat had pulled up right behind it. So now I have to go waist deep pushing, pulling and winching little by little as I keep jumping in and out of truck soaking wet to keep backing up to get it on. I usually just trim up enough not to hit the sked when I power load onto trailer, shut it down than trim the rest way up. So when I finally start pulling out the guy that was helping his gal yelled stop again. You're dragging the skeg buddie. Thanks again. No damage to sked and made it home. I'll be ordering bearings soon on this site, great deals. I don't need NASA bearings, just good maintenance.

Sounds like you really had fun. This Sunday when I came in I took a little swim. It was pretty windy so when I got the boat on the trailer a bit--it was too far left--so I stepped out onto the trailer to pull the boat over--well the boat just kept coming--so I jumped off of the trailer and didn't realize it was waist deep--and 68 degrees. luckily I had an extra pair of pants to put on or the ride home would not have been fun