I don't get it...

axeslinger1957

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 28, 2008
Messages
157
I don't consider myself to be particularly thin-skinned. I have thrived for more than twenty-five years in an industry that produces an awful lot of individuals who Stephen King referred to as "twenty pounds of BS in a ten pound bag". And yet...

I see a startling number of instances in various sub-fora here of what I can only describe as bigotry -- directed at those who do not have perfect launch and retrieval skills. Why is that?
 

jakebrake

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 22, 2008
Messages
286
Re: I don't get it...

we are viewed as floating cholesterol clogging the arteries of boat ramps...(yes, i admittedly put myself in this category...hey, i'm a newbie...remember?)

because we aren't as preoficient, we are ruining the boating experience, i guess. some people are singled out because, let's be honest, the tow vehicle does not go in first. when the boat is in the water is not the time to put in the boat plug, or load your gear...i get that.

however, if you see a newbie who need guidance, offer a word of advice (not a four letter word either). who knows? you guys may end up having a beer at the white house.

but hey, what do i know? i'd rather show someone how. that's just me. one opinion. patience is a virtue...or something like that.
 

MushCreek

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 20, 2009
Messages
150
Re: I don't get it...

Everybody was a newbie at one time or another. I know that when I have a new rig, I go at off-peak times, or to ramps that are less crowded until I'm comfortable backing, launching, and retrieving the new rig. That way, I'm not pressured, and the more experienced boaters aren't inconvenienced. I'm testing a new (to me) boat out tomorrow afternoon, and I haven't launched a boat in nearly twenty years, plus I need some 'quiet time' to tinker with it. I wouldn't dream of trying it on a Saturday!
 

Rocky_Road

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Oct 8, 2008
Messages
1,798
Re: I don't get it...

I don't consider myself to be particularly thin-skinned. I have thrived for more than twenty-five years in an industry that produces an awful lot of individuals who Stephen King referred to as "twenty pounds of BS in a ten pound bag". And yet...

I see a startling number of instances in various sub-fora here of what I can only describe as bigotry -- directed at those who do not have perfect launch and retrieval skills. Why is that?

Is there an anecdote that goes with this?

At first read I could not figure out if you were mad at someone on this forum for something they posted...or what?

Tell us what happened...you will feel better for it! :)
 

Boss Hawg

Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 9, 2009
Messages
1,433
Re: I don't get it...

Is there an anecdote that goes with this?

At first read I could not figure out if you were mad at someone on this forum for something they posted...or what?

Tell us what happened...you will feel better for it! :)

Yeah- give a example or for instance :confused:
For the most part i think those of us that have learned the hard way get to make fun of them that have yet to learn :p
 
Joined
Oct 22, 2007
Messages
2,598
Re: I don't get it...

It's kinda like the fraternity thing. When we were neophytes the senior brothers all made fun of us. Now that we have more seniority, we get to boost our self esteem by making fun of the current neophytes. Oh, and there might be one or two amongst us that don't need the self esteem boost provided by ragging on the fraternity pledges, those are the really good guys that will go out of their way to help out the neophytes instead of laughing at them.
 

Numlaar

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 9, 2009
Messages
633
Re: I don't get it...

I have to admit, we all probably have made fun of at least one person at a ramp at sometime in our respective lives... (I Know I have hehe :D)

Personally for me, I don't get upset at the "newbie". In fact I usually try to be generous and help out if I think they could benefit from a little kindly worded instruction...

I think where all the "ramp rage" comes into play is with the inconsiderate people out there...

Often times the ramp is backed up with a line of boaters who want to get on the water "now" to get the most from their day... when people start getting angry, at least for me, is when I see the guy doing all of the pre-launch prep that should have been done before he backed down, at the tie down area, or while in line, etc.

You should not be on the ramp, loading coolers, filling ice, taking off straps, putting in water skis, tubes, or any other crap that could have easily been loaded prior to backing down. Fiddling with the radio or ipod, and a whole host of other mish-mosh stuff that should be done elsewhere. the Ramp is to load and unload your boat and passengers, and thats pretty much it!

When its your turn to back down and offload, then you should be ready to do so, and only occupy the ramp for a minimum amount of time!

As for the newbies, if it takes them a couple shots of backing to undo their jack knife, or a couple shots to hit the trailer right when loading, so what!

Often times they are going to be loaded and gone, long before the "inconsiderate" one doing all his prep while sitting on the ramp.

At least for me thats how I see things.
 

Hitech

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 22, 2006
Messages
290
Re: I don't get it...

Often times the ramp is backed up with a line of boaters... is when I see the guy doing all of the pre-launch prep that should have been done before he backed down, at the tie down area, or while in line, etc.

You should not be on the ramp, loading coolers, filling ice, taking off straps, putting in water skis, tubes, or any other crap that could have easily been loaded prior to backing down. Fiddling with the radio or ipod, and a whole host of other mish-mosh stuff that should be done elsewhere. the Ramp is to load and unload your boat and passengers, and thats pretty much it!

Or unload the boat with the wife and kids and LEAVE it tied to the dock, blocking the ramp, until you return, 15 minutes later, from parking the truck. There was PLENTY of space to move the boat to on the dock, but he just left it there... :(
 

a70eliminator

Captain
Joined
Sep 9, 2007
Messages
3,762
Re: I don't get it...

there's a BIG difference between a newby and an all out idiot, the newby at least tries to do the right things and has shame, the idiot has no shame and seems oblivious to whats actually going on, those are the ones I stay far away from and don't even think twice about it.
 

seven up

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 4, 2006
Messages
275
Re: I don't get it...

bigotry -- directed at those who do not have perfect launch and retrieval skills. Why is that?


It's been going on now for a while. Putting the other guy down puts me higher. Maybe something to do with competition. You know. Or, do you know what I am trying to describe. Lie down here on the sofa and we'll talk.
 

scoutabout

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Oct 14, 2006
Messages
1,568
Re: I don't get it...

I've all the patience in the world for someone who is learning. Sure, a little (or a lot) of practice in an empty parking lot before you tackle the ramp on a Saturday is a good thing, but if I see someone who has problems backing up or getting a boat on a trailer -- I'm on it in a flash with some friendly signalling, or suggestions. Of course not everyone is terribly receptive. Sometimes the big man in the family is not keen to be
"taught" in front of said family. You pick up that vibe real quick, shrug, and back off.

It's the guy who leaves his offshore poker-running beast half on and half off the trailer while he fiddles with the idle on his twin 454s that needs a smack. He knows he's clogging up the works so we can all hear the glory of his thru hull exhaust, admire his mechanical prowess and the size of his wallet (if not the size of his brain...).

It's the rude SOB who jumps the queue only to demonstrate he really can't a) dock a boat, b) back a trailer, or c) fill in the blank with anything you like - and thus inconveniences everyone else.

It's the knob who comes and goes half on plane, bow pointing at the sky, monster swells out behind, in well marked no wake zones and near beaches and docks...

For these types -- yeah, I'm afraid it's open season.

What keeps me humble is that boating is the great equalizer. No matter how long you've been doing any of these things you WILL have that odd gawdawful day at the ramp or fudge a landing or mess up any of a hundred little acts of nautification (yep, new word :p). And usually in front of a standing-room only crowd.

Really tho, I've been hanging here a couple of years and see a mostly good group ready to offer all sorts of advice in a well-meaning way.
 

22E6441

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 29, 2008
Messages
376
Re: I don't get it...

You know, I don't think much of the perceived bashing that goes on here really means anything. We're among peers, and we're all here to learn and help one another get better at boating. If we feel the need to vent among our peers, I don't take that as snobbery or anything like that. the longer you stick around the boards the more you start to understand the subtle tones. Nobody really means to harsh on someone that is new. Previous posters summed up the bad boaters quite well....I say bash and vent away about them, because talking to them is either usless or dangerous and this place is safe. :)
 

WAVENBYE2

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Apr 28, 2007
Messages
1,636
Re: I don't get it...

I guess I am lucky that I don't have the busy and the crowded boat ramps that I have read about, WOW i guess I never realized, Humm.. Just a bunch of country boys who lend a hand to each other. The ramp that I use is really for smaller boats. Jon-20'. only about 6 trucks and trailers here on our busy day, week day only 2 of us. If some one needs a hand we help each other out and enjoy doing so. I might be a City boy, but I'm country at heart(now)
 

642mx

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Apr 19, 2008
Messages
1,588
Re: I don't get it...

I have no problem with newbie's or other inexperienced boaters at the ramps.... what I can't stand is ignorant people who cut in line, prep on the ramp, and the always loved 'dock hogs'. People should learn that the world doesn't revolve around them and there are others who would like to load there boat and go home.
 

jdlough

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 15, 2006
Messages
824
Re: I don't get it...

Yo, axeslinger....

Just tell the knuckleheads your iboats name. They'll get outta your way, if they know what's good for them.

But yeah, you're right. This is a posting board. By it's nature there are a lot of folks posting their whines on this board. Happy people don't post - they're out boating! No mater what the subject, there are more whiny posts than helpful posts.

Ignore responses from people with less than 200 posts (like me!) and just lurk for a while. You'll soon see and begin to recognize posts from the helpful folks. (I'm purposefully not mentioning their names, so you'll quickly find them on your own)

Jim
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: I don't get it...

this is what really gets to me. i was at the ramp yesterday. 1st the guy stopped in the prep area, to remove straps. $50,000 boat. all the people stay in the tow vehicle. he them pulls down to the ramp (nicely designed for 2 boats). he backs in on an angle, both lanes and stops before the water. everyone piles out of the vehicle. Mom and Grandma, have to put their purses in the boat. the cooler comes out of the back of the SUV. finally, the boat gets to the water. all these people, and no one to take the vehicle and trailer, to park it. Boat gets to dock, everyone boards, then the vehicle is moved. it took them 12 minutes to clear the ramp. there was just me and them at the ramp.

1st all things get in the boat at home. Mom and Grandma, get your ID, and put it in your pocket. what are you going to do with that 20 lb purse on the water. when in prep area everyone gets out, and goes to the dock to wait to board. and for goodness sake, have someone pull the vehicle out of the ramp.

this also happens on busy days, also.
 

LIQUID PROZAC

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 19, 2009
Messages
307
Re: I don't get it...

what happened axeslinger--you created a few rants and raves but where did it stem from? i always tell people if i was in a hurry i would have left home sooner and then help out:D
 

indy440

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 15, 2009
Messages
400
Re: I don't get it...

oh man... I'll be at a busy ramp on a busy lake on this coming busy saturday morning for the first time with a new rig...

maybe I can read about myself on iboats monday morning... haha...
 

CAVU V

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Feb 28, 2008
Messages
108
Re: I don't get it...

There is a difference between newbie's and people who are inconsiderate.
 
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