Idiocracy at the launch

[Jlawsen]

Re: Idiocracy at the launch

The three jack method is pretty easy.
1. Lower the front of the trailer all the way down.
2. Take two jack stands or similar style supports and place them under each side at the transom.
3. Raise the trailer up
4. Place the third jack stand under the keel.
The boat is now off the trailer but you will likely need to raise and lower it a couple of times so you can move the keel stand and clear the axle(s).


Oldjeep - "Stop Sign" --- argue with that.

 

[Brewman61]

Re: Idiocracy at the launch

Public ramp? First come, first served. Period, except maybe for a rescue or something.
Launch, move out, and park. Let others have use of the ramp. Wonder how much this guy obstructing the launch area would have howled if someone hit his rig because it was incorrectly parked? Plenty loud, I'd bet.
Nobody needs to justify their use of a public facility for any legitimate use, swapping trailers, especially on a slower day sounds like a legitimate to me. Things like this are why I'm so glad to pay for my slip, the public accesses on my lake are frustrating beyond belief, unless you're just watching the show, in which case the entertainment factor can't be beat. Lawn chair and a cooler and some snacks, makes for a very amusing afternoon.

 

[Wind dog]

Re: Idiocracy at the launch

Seems every time I go to launch I have to deal with this, I've decided that I'm just lucky they let me exist in "their world"

The worst thing I've seen is a couple weeks ago I pulled into the local gas station, there I see a salmon fisherman draining his live well (bloody fishy water) on to the ground at the pumps.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Idiocracy at the launch

God must have a special love for idots , beause he made so many of them.

 

[emoney]

Re: Idiocracy at the launch

They're like rabbits and keep breeding, I'm afraid. Starting to look like the movie, "Idiocracy" was more prophecy than parody.

 

[81_chapparel194]

Re: Idiocracy at the launch

well sometimes it takes me a few minutes to launch as i 99.9% of the time have to launch and retrieve all by my lonesome.. my wife refuses to drive the truck while the trailer is hooked to it... and she refuses to drive the boat on or off the trailer.. however my 13 yo son will grab a launch line and and pull it over to the dock while i pull away. but he is not always available to help me. so i have to launch and tie to dock then park truck and go back to get in boat.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Idiocracy at the launch

Don't be caught cold, expect idiocy every time you go to the launch... it makes it a lot easier.

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: Idiocracy at the launch

It's a dealer doing a demo. I'm surprised that he didn't leave the trailer in the water, ready for the drive on demonstration.

You're out there messing around; he's working, trying to sell a boat. Should not the guy working get priority?


Around these parts, Tuesday is considered a work day.

Don't know why you would say such a thing. Many of us here on the forum work non-traditional hours as well as rotating shifts. IMHO, day of the week has no bearing on rudeness.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Idiocracy at the launch

It's a dealer doing a demo. I'm surprised that he didn't leave the trailer in the water, ready for the drive on demonstration.

You're out there messing around; he's working, trying to sell a boat. Should not the guy working get priority?


Around these parts, Tuesday is considered a work day.

How long does it take to pull a truck and trailer up the ramp and park it?... and how long to back it back down? The "salesman" is out playing and lolly-gagging as much as he is working, no sense in being rude.

 

[saxrulez]

Re: Idiocracy at the launch

I always read these threads in amazement. I boat a few times a week always trailered. I have been very fortunate that I never have ramps that busy. It is rare for the 3 lame ramp I usually launch at to have more than one boat launching at a time.

 

[RedMan1973]

Re: Idiocracy at the launch

I would tell you how we deal with idiots like this in MS/LA, but will refrain considering I am new to this forum and will wait till I start to comment on knuckleheaded moves like this :facepalm:

 

[catfish58]

Re: Idiocracy at the launch

I wonder how the salesman would have felt if someone had the ramp blocked when he arrived for his demo.

 

[bgc]

Re: Idiocracy at the launch

Don't be caught cold, expect idiocy every time you go to the launch... it makes it a lot easier.

I just smile... but its still frustrating.

 

[rtkman]

Re: Idiocracy at the launch

I would have taken the info off the truck and called the dealership to complain. I usually let people know what they are doing is wrong. (meaning people loading stuff / being generally slow on the ramp) Don't forget common sense isn't that common! You can't fix stupid but maybe they will think a bit more next time. If not at least I got it off my chest.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Idiocracy at the launch

How long does it take to pull a truck and trailer up the ramp and park it?... and how long to back it back down? The "salesman" is out playing and lolly-gagging as much as he is working, no sense in being rude.

And to go along with that, the customer riding along is learning some REALLY bad habits... He might think that is normal, you just park there so you are closer when you are done. (yes, people have done that!)

 

[rtkman]

Re: Idiocracy at the launch

And to go along with that, the customer riding along is learning some REALLY bad habits... He might think that is normal, you just park there so you are closer when you are done. (yes, people have done that!)

Hopefully the customer doesn't also have his head up his you know what. If he knows anything about anything he'll know the salesman is a idiot.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Idiocracy at the launch

I can understand if I was borrowing a dealer's or marina's ramp, I'd have all the patience in the world to stay out of the way of their working. But this is a public, city owned ramp, and there's no place for that.

Public, City Owned Ramp!! .... Call the owner! A.K.A. Local Police.

Report an abandoned vehicle blocking the public ramp, and casually include the phrase "Possible Violence/Property Damage" somewhere in the report.
If he isn't towed before he gets back, he will get a parking ticket at least.

I always let MY homies (Police) handle my domestic disputes!

 

[89Donzi]

Re: Idiocracy at the launch

I honestly think most people are just out of brain cells. Plain and simple...how else can you explain their extreme disregard for intelligence?

My boat ramp also has a prep lane right before the ramps...couple weekends ago 3 of us pull in to the boat ramp together and follow each other around to the prep lane. The guy in front of me and myself get out and install plug, remove straps and secure launch line. Guy behind me watches all this and does nothing. Me and the guy in front of me launch our boats quickly and effectively and go park. As I'm walking back to my boat, the guy that was behind me has moved into the ramp position. He proceeds to backup halfway down the ramp and then stops. He and his wife get out and proceed to "prep" their boat...I couldn't believe it. So as I'm walking past I said to them "You know, thats why they have a prep lane" They both stop and looked at me with such bewilderment that I knew any further conversation would be wasteful LoL

Last Sunday there was several trailers double parked due to guys not being competent with a trailer...there were also several vehicles without trailers parked in the truck/trailer parking. (Which my ramp has plenty of non trailer vehicle parking) So you can imagine my relief when we got back later that day to find the Sheriff writing tickets

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Idiocracy at the launch

My boat ramp also has a prep lane right before the ramps...

Just curious, is the ready/prep lane marked as such, or do you "have to know" that's what the lane is for? (I can see beginner's not knowing, but when they see others in front of them prepping boats, one would think they would get a clue... :)

The marina I go to most often just went under a $20 million rebuild and there are stripes and lines all over the parking lots now, but they FAILED to mark the ready and wipe-down lanes. Kind of ironic as the old marina had them marked clear as day, huge letters painted on the pavement.

Guess I need to do a midnight project, 5 gallons of Sears WeatherBeater paint, 4" roller and mark it up, like it used to be. OF course I'd have to add in something personal...

READY
LANE

THIS
MEANS
YOU!




WIPE
DOWN
LANE

THIS
MEANS
YOU!




LAUNCH
RAMP

LAUNCHING
ONLY

NO LOADING
NO UNLOADING
NO FISHING
NO PARKING

GET
YOUR
FRIGGIN
RIG
IN - OUT
ASAP



That might be a little busy looking though...............

 

[BonairII]

Re: Idiocracy at the launch

It would be funny to make a "Ramp Manifesto" flyer stating proper etiquette while launching/loading (including the things that are frowned on). On the bottom of the flyer....IN BOLD LETTERS.....put

THIS IS YOUR FIRST.....AND LAST WARNING

If you witness an idiot launching at the ramp, make sure to find his/her vehicle in the parking lot and put one of the flyers on his/her car.

Some would ignore it, but I'd bet that a good majority of the offenders would be a bit more courteous the next time they were on the ramp.