Idiots at the launch!

[Thajeffski]

Re: Idiots at the launch!

I just smile when things go wrong.....

 

[JimKW]

Re: Idiots at the launch!

Went out again today, it was really packed at the launch area, but I didn't see any idiots today. Kind of bummed me out cause I was looking for some entertainment. My son was supposed to be there when I got there to help me load and unload, but the road he uses was closed so he was not there. I let two people cut in front of me and then finally said what the heck I've done it twice by myself so I just went for it.

I honestly look like I really know what I'm dong, but I still really stress out cause I don't want to be one of the idiots you guys are talking about. The only thing I screwed up (just a little) today was when I got the boat off the trailer and was ready to back out and take it over to the courtesy dock, I forgot to untie the boat from the trailer. So I grabbe the rope and pulled myself as close as I could get to the area under the winch where I had it tied. Could not get close enough to reach it easily damnit. So I lean way out over and got it untied. Then I back it out and pulled it over to the courtesy dock, docked pretty well, then walked over and got my truck and trailer up off the loading ramp. There is no way I can do this by myself really fast, but nobody seemed upset since I was not doing anything wrong or being an idiot. It just takes time when you are doing it by yourself. After parking the truck and tailer and I walked back to the boat there was my son sitting in the boat with his two boys ready to go.

Kids and Grandkids had a great day out on the lake today with Papa Jim though.

 

[86 century]

Re: Idiots at the launch!

I was on the lake most of the day today. We sat near the ramp(out of the way) and had lunch with a show.

 

[BTMCB]

Re: Idiots at the launch!

Kids and Grandkids had a great day out on the lake today with Papa Jim though.

And THAT is what it is all about!

 

[Bluegills Unlimited]

Re: Idiots at the launch!

I don't know why, but I get stressed out, I wish I didn't, just have to learn to relax. But what made my blood boil was Labor Day Sunday last summer where we were waiting to land the boat at about 6 or 7pm, had waited in line at the two-ramp launch on the chain, I was next in line, and there were 5 or 6 boats behind me, and from out of nowhere, a Malibu ski boat comes flying in (in a slow-no wake channel) and cuts in front of me. When I confronted them, he simply flipped me the bird....so so mad

 

[milmat1]

Re: Idiots at the launch!

I just smile when things go wrong.....

YEP!!.....................

I don't know why, but I get stressed out, I wish I didn't, just have to learn to relax. But what made my blood boil was Labor Day Sunday last summer where we were waiting to land the boat at about 6 or 7pm, had waited in line at the two-ramp launch on the chain, I was next in line, and there were 5 or 6 boats behind me, and from out of nowhere, a Malibu ski boat comes flying in (in a slow-no wake channel) and cuts in front of me. When I confronted them, he simply flipped me the bird....so so mad

People like that just need a friendl refresher lesson in Respect. If that doesn't work then they need a lesson in how to load a boat that is SINKING...!

 

[KeyWestSkipper]

Re: Idiots at the launch!

I wonder if there is a relationship between the cost of the ramp and the average load times and glitch frequencies. Some ramps are free, and some cost money. My closest costs 10 bills each time, and you don't see too many shenanigans there, people pretty much in and out and not hard to get a hand if you need it. Not that 10 is all that much, but by the time you're spending that particular 10 bucks, you've already dropped far more on gas, food, drinks, bait, etc. So chances are you've given it a little thought by this point and have some kind of launch sequence in mind. Maybe the free ramps end up being more of an afterthought because they're free, and so boaters arrive less well prepared.

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: Idiots at the launch!

Ovrdrive, you risk being one on of those who are mocked at at the ramp.
You said you unhook your boat at the top of the ramp. You are asking for a accident. I have seen several guys who do this and their boat ends up on the ramp before they make it to the water.
These where with bunk trailers not roller trailers.
You might want to tweek your proceedure.

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: Idiots at the launch!

The ramp by us can get busy at times, but they have a nice dock with several spaces for boats. Plus it double wide ramp. So 2 can launch at the same time.

But only problems we have around here are the "Bass Boat Bullies" (An no I'm not lumping them all in there, some are very nice), and those who have boats that seem to cost more then house. These are the ones that get pissed if you take too long at the ramp, cut in front of you. and get pissed if you are 200 feet from them and their tuber or skier wipes out. But yet they are the 1st to zip past you at 40 while you are fishing..

 

[rrkyle]

Re: Idiots at the launch!

Yesterday I drove home and went out on my "new" boat with my dad and family for some kneeboarding.

When going to launch my dad asked me why i didnt just unhook before i backed it down!

I said i dont want my boat to fall off and he said thats never happened to him. I laughed and said it would probably happen to me the first time i did it!

 

[sierrak9s]

Re: Idiots at the launch!

Ovrdrive, you risk being one on of those who are mocked at at the ramp.
You said you unhook your boat at the top of the ramp. You are asking for a accident. I have seen several guys who do this and their boat ends up on the ramp before they make it to the water.
These where with bunk trailers not roller trailers.
You might want to tweek your proceedure.

Okay, I'm not just being hypercautious then! Good!

I am nervous even taking off the transom straps in the prep area, and I always double check the bow chain and winch just before I leave the prep area to make sure they're secure, because now that's all that's keeping the boat on the trailer.

My routine:
Prep and load the boat in the prep area
Back the boat into the water
Climb in over the bow, handing truck keys to spouse
Run blower
Lower outdrive
Pump lever twice
Start boat
THEN nod to spouse that it's okay to unhook the bow chain and winch
Back off trailer and wait while spouse parks truck

Yesterday I was in line at the ramp behind a couple -- she climbed into the boat in the prep area, he unhooked the boat. Back the boat and trailer, she starts the boat, out she goes, he's parking the trailer, all in the space of MAYBE 45 seconds. It was such a smooth clockwork operation, and I was jealous! But I won't unhook that winch until the boat is running and in the water. Nope.

 

[skargo]

Re: Idiots at the launch!

I wonder if there is a relationship between the cost of the ramp and the average load times and glitch frequencies. Some ramps are free, and some cost money. My closest costs 10 bills each time, and you don't see too many shenanigans there, people pretty much in and out and not hard to get a hand if you need it. Not that 10 is all that much, but by the time you're spending that particular 10 bucks, you've already dropped far more on gas, food, drinks, bait, etc. So chances are you've given it a little thought by this point and have some kind of launch sequence in mind. Maybe the free ramps end up being more of an afterthought because they're free, and so boaters arrive less well prepared.

I made this same observation last year, because I've seen it, and experienced it. I caught quite a raft of kaakaa from guys here too for saying it hahaha
IN MY EXPERIENCE and in this area(Upper Chesapeake) I find free ramps are full of yahoos and idiots. Not all of them by any means. My usual ramp is a $10 charge or a park pass, and 95% of the people there are respectful, knowledgeable folk.
My ramp is being renovated, so i use a marina ramp right now, I only had to wait for a jet ski one time so far this season.

Have fun, we are there to relax, and enjoy the water. Seems some think it's an excuse to get s-faced drunk and act like bozos though...

 

[ovrrdrive]

Re: Idiots at the launch!

Ovrdrive, you risk being one on of those who are mocked at at the ramp.
You said you unhook your boat at the top of the ramp. You are asking for a accident. I have seen several guys who do this and their boat ends up on the ramp before they make it to the water.
These where with bunk trailers not roller trailers.
You might want to tweek your proceedure.

I guess different ramps and different techniques require different tactics. I've been doing it that way for almost 10 years and haven't even had the boat bounce. I guess I hate to brag but I'm pretty good with the truck and don't even worry the slightest bit about slinging the boat off the trailer. When its unhooked I know its unhooked.

Of course now that you said something... :lol:

I always hook the chain before pulling the boat out of the water but my loading routine is sound for the ramps I use.

 

[Lrider]

Re: Idiots at the launch!

It's the hard stop that would worry me - what do you do when the idiot on the jet ski decides where you are going is where he wants to be at 70 mph

 

[skargo]

Re: Idiots at the launch!

I guess different ramps and different techniques require different tactics. I've been doing it that way for almost 10 years and haven't even had the boat bounce. I guess I hate to brag but I'm pretty good with the truck and don't even worry the slightest bit about slinging the boat off the trailer. When its unhooked I know its unhooked.

Of course now that you said something... :lol:

I always hook the chain before pulling the boat out of the water but my loading routine is sound for the ramps I use.

I'm sure that's what all the guys think before their boat hits the ramp. I hate to brag but I am an expert with towing and handling multiple trailers, yet I still never unhook until the stern is over water.

See you in SHT someday One little kid runs out behind you and one stab of the brakes is all it takes.

 

[Bluegills Unlimited]

Re: Idiots at the launch!

I guess different ramps and different techniques require different tactics. I've been doing it that way for almost 10 years and haven't even had the boat bounce. I guess I hate to brag but I'm pretty good with the truck and don't even worry the slightest bit about slinging the boat off the trailer. When its unhooked I know its unhooked.

Of course now that you said something... :lol:

I always hook the chain before pulling the boat out of the water but my loading routine is sound for the ramps I use.

I don't doubt your experience, but as a previous poster stated, it would probably happen to him his first try. I am "in the same boat' if you will.

Rather be safe than sorry, I guess. I take the transom straps off, but leave the winch and safety chain hooked...the risk it not worth it for me. Maybe thats why I don't gamble????

 

[TMoNeE]

Re: Idiots at the launch!

I plan on picking up my first boat pretty soon and im going to be crazy nervous the first time I take it out... I do NOT want to be the cause of one of these rant posts.

 

[Bayliner175xt]

Re: Idiots at the launch!

Well after reading some of the story's about the idiots on and around boat ramps.
I'm lucky i live in Australia and the dam where we go only seems to get a very small number of boats even in the middle of summer.

No....... I'm not telling where it is either LMAO

 

[ovrrdrive]

Re: Idiots at the launch!

Even when the boat is in the water it takes more than one little stab to get it to come off the trailer. I don't know how some of your boats sit on your trailer but mine doesn't come off very easily. I can understand being careful but I think sometimes people go a little overboard. What I do works and I'm 100% confident in my setup and where I launch that it is completely safe. Some of you need to boat more and worry less.

Skargo, find a pic of me with my boat on the ground and I'll buy you lunch.

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: Idiots at the launch!

I'll share my story: First time boat owner, got 97% on the Pa. boater safety course, & did my first launch & retrieve last weekend. It was at a very small lake & almost no one was at the ramp so I was happy about that. I had my 14yo son to help as well. Got everything ready & loaded well before the launch line(1 guy was there), Launch was perfect, backed in, floated the boat, kid held the boat at the dock while I parked. Got out for the test ride, had a small issue with the plug wire coming off one cylinder, but no big deal, had a good ride. Well getting the boat back on the trailer was kind of hard for me as I've never done it before & I was so worried about screwing up that I forgot what the heck I was doing. I backed in too far so I had a problem gatting it lined up & keeping it there. I did get it after a few try's, didn't hold anyone up thank God, but guy came over & told me I was in too far, nice guy about it. Next day I went back to same ramp, after fixing plug wire, to give it another go. Well everything went smooth this time & I remembered what I was told about getting in too deep with the trailer & drove it right up nice & straight & was out of there in 3 1/2 min.'s total time (I timed myself), not too bad for a new guy by myself I must say. I just hope it go's that smooth everytime. Just my "first timer" story. MAXX