*ss****s at the ramp today

[ShaneCarroll]

Re: *ss****s at the ramp today

I consider myself lucky... there is a small ramp only 1 mile from my house. It's pretty shallow. 2 feet at the end of the ramp, and 3 feet as I putter out into the lake. No biggie for me.... but it seems everybody thinks the water is too low this year to use that ramp, and everybody is paying to use the city ramp.

there is no dock. Also not a problem... I gently beach it then push it out to retrieve. It takes 2 mins to launch, and 2 to crank it on...

ANYWAY .... here's the point to my story.

Twice so far this summer, I've had jackholes on the ramp. Non boaters.... Last month, I pulled up to the ramp at 8am, and there's a crappy old beaten car parked RIGHT on the ramp, halfway down it. I go up, can't find anybody... car is empty... I finally discover him, sleeping on the grass 100 feet from the car.... he was mad at me, for needing him to wake up, and move his car.... what the heck??

Last week, I pulled up to the ramp, and as I am pulling in to line up for the ramp, a minivan pulls in, and parks on the ramp... windows down, and i know he saw me, he shifts it into park. Good grief!

I honk my horn, no response, so I get out, and go approach him, he had MCDonalds takeout and was MAD that I needed him to move, unloaded some obscenities at me for needing to use the ramp...

I'm glad I don't use the public ramps, I've watched the mayhem there...

Wow, you are pretty inconsiderate. What were you thinking to wake that dude up from his nap, and interrupt that other dude from his lunch?! I'm just kidding, are you serious though, people were really rude enough to park in front of the ramp? I just get amazed at the IQ levels of most individuals lately, they are somewhere around the negative zone. Do they not notice the boat ramp that they are so conveniently parked in front of?

 

[xxturbowesxx]

Re: *ss****s at the ramp today

Last weekend there was 3 guys who were taking way to long to launch so I got out of my truck and introduced myself to the people waiting and we decided to start a coordinated honk-fest in his direction. 2 min later the ramp was clear lol.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: *ss****s at the ramp today

I've had several run ins with people fishing from the public or even a few pay ramps, most move aside but every so often you get one that thinks they own the dock. A call to the local police usually clears the dock if they're a real problem. The worst thing is having to leave your boat tied up to go get your truck when fishing alone, I've had others untie and move my boat to get ahead in line to load first. I've also seen the types that back in and take the whole ramp, blocking all of the docks by backing in on an angle.

 

[powderhombre]

Re: *ss****s at the ramp today

well I know everyone becomes an expert, after a while, but my perspective is this, I'm a new boater, and everyone on my boat ( at least this time ) is a new boater. But we're not stupid or inconsiderate. Now it's not my fault that the entity that put in the crappy boat ramp with a dock the size of a single bed, made of concrete of all things, and it's not my fault the water here is only 3 feet deep(did'nt know this when we launched). now as it happens we hit a submerged rock and messed up the prop when we were going in' wrecked it pretty bad, But I still took my place in line waiting for my turn. I watched a couple of experts shoot in and drop off people to go get their trucks and watched them pull up and load while I still fought the surf untill they were done. finally when everyone who showd up after me had loaded and gone, I limped into the dock and did a darn fine job of not smashing boat into the concrete dock. I decided then and there I'm not moving this boat untill I put it on the trailer. Now being new again, I don't know how far to back in the trailer, we all have play around with this one, I also was not going to power on with such a shallow enviroment, I'm not doing anymore damage! and it isn't my fault a second wave of experts showd up wanting to drop off people and load. so here I am pulling and winching by hand looking like an inconsiderate boob. But I believe I did it the right way to protect me and mine. the only thing I would have done different was go to another lake with better facilities. but hey I'm new to boating. so my point is, you never know the situation from afar. only a closer look and understading will tell the real story. however I agree no one should deliberately block or cause delays.

 

[salty87]

Re: *ss****s at the ramp today

well I know everyone becomes an expert, after a while, but my perspective is this, I'm a new boater, and everyone on my boat ( at least this time ) is a new boater. But we're not stupid or inconsiderate. Now it's not my fault that the entity that put in the crappy boat ramp with a dock the size of a single bed, made of concrete of all things, and it's not my fault the water here is only 3 feet deep(did'nt know this when we launched). now as it happens we hit a submerged rock and messed up the prop when we were going in' wrecked it pretty bad, But I still took my place in line waiting for my turn. I watched a couple of experts shoot in and drop off people to go get their trucks and watched them pull up and load while I still fought the surf untill they were done. finally when everyone who showd up after me had loaded and gone, I limped into the dock and did a darn fine job of not smashing boat into the concrete dock. I decided then and there I'm not moving this boat untill I put it on the trailer. Now being new again, I don't know how far to back in the trailer, we all have play around with this one, I also was not going to power on with such a shallow enviroment, I'm not doing anymore damage! and it isn't my fault a second wave of experts showd up wanting to drop off people and load. so here I am pulling and winching by hand looking like an inconsiderate boob. But I believe I did it the right way to protect me and mine. the only thing I would have done different was go to another lake with better facilities. but hey I'm new to boating. so my point is, you never know the situation from afar. only a closer look and understading will tell the real story. however I agree no one should deliberately block or cause delays.

everyone has to bust their hump getting it back on the trailer every now and again, it happens. learning happens too. it's how you progress, or not, that matters.

it wouldn't matter too much if people loaded their crap into their boats on the ramp...if they were fast about it at least.

somewhere around the 80's being considerate started to mean 'everybody is special so everyone gets special treatment' instead of 'i'll think of others and not myself'.

 

[xxturbowesxx]

Re: *ss****s at the ramp today

well I know everyone becomes an expert, after a while, but my perspective is this, I'm a new boater, and everyone on my boat ( at least this time ) is a new boater. But we're not stupid or inconsiderate. Now it's not my fault that the entity that put in the crappy boat ramp with a dock the size of a single bed, made of concrete of all things, and it's not my fault the water here is only 3 feet deep(did'nt know this when we launched). now as it happens we hit a submerged rock and messed up the prop when we were going in' wrecked it pretty bad, But I still took my place in line waiting for my turn. I watched a couple of experts shoot in and drop off people to go get their trucks and watched them pull up and load while I still fought the surf untill they were done. finally when everyone who showd up after me had loaded and gone, I limped into the dock and did a darn fine job of not smashing boat into the concrete dock. I decided then and there I'm not moving this boat untill I put it on the trailer. Now being new again, I don't know how far to back in the trailer, we all have play around with this one, I also was not going to power on with such a shallow enviroment, I'm not doing anymore damage! and it isn't my fault a second wave of experts showd up wanting to drop off people and load. so here I am pulling and winching by hand looking like an inconsiderate boob. But I believe I did it the right way to protect me and mine. the only thing I would have done different was go to another lake with better facilities. but hey I'm new to boating. so my point is, you never know the situation from afar. only a closer look and understading will tell the real story. however I agree no one should deliberately block or cause delays.

As long as you load your gear and prep your boat before you back down the ramp I don't have any problems. If I see someone working hard at something I offer help or if I see that I could offer up some advice I will do so after they are finished. Usually if someone is being an Ahole I will have my fiance throw a remark their way(ex. move it buddy) then when they look at me I pretend to be confused by her actions lol.

 

[oceansbreeze]

Re: *ss****s at the ramp today

Wow, you are pretty inconsiderate. What were you thinking to wake that dude up from his nap, and interrupt that other dude from his lunch?! I'm just kidding, are you serious though, people were really rude enough to park in front of the ramp? I just get amazed at the IQ levels of most individuals lately, they are somewhere around the negative zone. Do they not notice the boat ramp that they are so conveniently parked in front of?

yeah, dead serious. it's in a park that is all gravel..... and then, the lovely cement ramp.... smooooth. I also get people who love to play with their dogs here... it seems the ramp is a great place to stand, and throw sticks so the dogs go sprinting behind the trailer in my blind spot WHILE backing down... then I get funny looks like "hey watch out for my dog, he's playing here"... This issue is so frustrating cause there's a whole parking lot to park in.... but the ramp offers an unobstructed view of the lake.... no steel dividers (to keep cars off grass) and no lawn, or kids playing...

 

[zach103]

Re: *ss****s at the ramp today

I'm a downhill skier and I honestly didn't mind when the snow boards came along. Of course, it's a younger crowd so they can be a bit obnoxious at times, head phones on, stepping on your skis, but really try to just enjoy my days on the mountain.​

The river and the ramp are the same for me. Oh, I notice the guy that's po'd cause I have to get my trailer to pull the boat, but nothing I can do about that. I had my wife and kids (3 boys) all get their certificates. So far I'm only comfortable leaving my oldest tooling around while I get the truck. My wife can steer while I'm pulling the anchor, but docking is a ways off.​

My peeve if is the jet ski crowd. I don't mind that they jump my wake, I don't grumble about the nasty sounds those things make, but what I can stand is their ramp etiquette.​

I primarily use two ramps, one on a small lake and one on the Connecticut River. In both case the jetski folks use the ramp like beach. There are 2-3 per jet ski and they pull right in the middle between the two docks, while boats launching and pulling, and change riders, tuck their little cars and trailers between your trucks in stead of waiting in line. They rarely know how to backup so they are always sideways blocking everyone. I know they take the same course the rest of us do...cause my certificate covers jetski's...how come they didn't learn anything?​

gene i know what you mean.. we were in moodus tubing and the guy on the jetski thought it would be fun to jump our wake. WITH A PERSON ON THE TUBE. like how stupid can you be..

 

[JimKW]

Re: *ss****s at the ramp today

I don't understand why people are so impatient at the loading/unloading area. Isn't boating something we do to relax and have some leisure time? It's not like we are comuting to and from work. Everybody is in such a hurry to get out and relax or to get home after being out and relaxing? I just don't get it.

When it's just me an my wife I have no choice but to tie up to take the truck and trailer to the parking lot and to go and get the truck when we come back in. When my son in law is with me we do the drop off and wait and I pick him up at the dock. But my wife is not comfortable doing the boat or the trailer. When we come in I tie up at the dock that is off to the side of the loading area, but when we put the boat in the water, I move the boat back as far as I can with ropes and I tie up and park and get back to the boat as fast as I can.

Sure wish I could find a house on the lake with a private dock, because I really hate the stress that others are causing me when loading and unloading. I'm not trying to be slow and I am going as fast as I can, but sometimes I have to go forward and back once or twice when backing down the ramp and once I had to back off and restart to get the boat lined up on the trailer.

 

[allpoints360]

Re: *ss****s at the ramp today

Fortunately, boating has fewer inconsiderate people than say, the freeways.

I see more on the golf course, lately, too. But maybe I'm getting older?

 

[sbbamafan]

Re: *ss****s at the ramp today

Jim -
I minimize the time it takes by doing everything that can be done BEFORE I get to the ramp. I get my Bimini up, life vests on the kids, plug in, master-switch on, blower on, all other 'preflight' checks ahead of time. All I have to do is back into the water and start it up. This is done to minimize my time on the ramp so others can enjoy their day too. If it so wrong to expect others to reciprocate, then I am SO sorry.

To get back on point, though, the point was that these A**h**** blocked three sides of the dock with one boat resulting from pure inconsideration for others and acting like they owned the park. Subsequent to me leaving to get the car after asking nicely and respectfully, they let loose on my wife, then they had the balls to block the exit to prevent ANYONE else from even leaving the park. THEY ARE A**HO****!!!

 

[xxturbowesxx]

Re: *ss****s at the ramp today

I don't understand why people are so impatient at the loading/unloading area. Isn't boating something we do to relax and have some leisure time? It's not like we are comuting to and from work. Everybody is in such a hurry to get out and relax or to get home after being out and relaxing? I just don't get it.

When it's just me an my wife I have no choice but to tie up to take the truck and trailer to the parking lot and to go and get the truck when we come back in. When my son in law is with me we do the drop off and wait and I pick him up at the dock. But my wife is not comfortable doing the boat or the trailer. When we come in I tie up at the dock that is off to the side of the loading area, but when we put the boat in the water, I move the boat back as far as I can with ropes and I tie up and park and get back to the boat as fast as I can.

Sure wish I could find a house on the lake with a private dock, because I really hate the stress that others are causing me when loading and unloading. I'm not trying to be slow and I am going as fast as I can, but sometimes I have to go forward and back once or twice when backing down the ramp and once I had to back off and restart to get the boat lined up on the trailer.

No biggie and I doubt anyone gets annoyed at someone struggling to back the boat in. Its the jackhole that backs down the ramp proceeds to air up his inflatables,load up his fishing gear,jackets,coolers and all gear while taking up the ramp. once launched he may put it in park and have a chat with his buddy while he cracks one open.

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: *ss****s at the ramp today

To get back on point, though, the point was that these A**h**** blocked three sides of the dock with one boat resulting from pure inconsideration for others and acting like they owned the park. Subsequent to me leaving to get the car after asking nicely and respectfully, they let loose on my wife, then they had the balls to block the exit to prevent ANYONE else from even leaving the park. THEY ARE A**HO****!!!

I hear what your saying, I am glad that I don't deal with alot of what you guys deal with(YET) Alot of times when I pull up there might be people swimming and jumping off the dock, Primative camping/boat dock, They see me pull up and turn truck ant boat around ready to back her in, Then I get out put the plug in and take off strap around the lower, as soon as everything is ready I just kind of look at them and give them a nod and they know what I am ready to do, I jump in put it in reverse and back her in. By the time the stern is in the water they have done moved out of my way, I do what I need to do, tie her off and then pull the truck up and park it while the wife is walking the dogs the whole time I am getting everything ready, lauched, tied up and started, and truck parked, I guess we all have kind of a silent code, I am ready and they move out of my way and let me do what I need to do. No problems, I feel for you guys and am very glad I don't have to deal with all that (YET)

 

[JimKW]

Re: *ss****s at the ramp today

I did not mean to imply that the guys taking up three sides of the dock was anything but what you called them. The other day I watched a couple with a jet ski tie up the actual ramp for the longest time and I could not figure out what they were doing. They were there when I backed mine down, and was still there after I parked my truck and got back to the boat to leave. They were doing something with the jet ski on the ramp and the trailer was not even in the water.

When I back down the ramp, my boat is ready to go. When I get back to the boat everybody is on board and I start it up and we go. If nobody else is tied up at the dock I get my boat back far enough that another boat can come down the ramp and get in the water. But one time there was a fishing boat tied up and I could not get my boat back very far at all. Then another boat backed down the ramp and could not get in far enough to unload because my boat was in the way and I could not get back any further because the fishing boat was still there and seemed to have no intention of moving.

So now I am between two boats that are both very close to me and one is waiting for me to move so they can finish backing into the water. We did not know excactly what to do in this case, so we just manually pushed the boat out far enough for me to back out. I have no idea why the fishing boat was just sitting there with a guy in the boat. But I don't think the other people should have backed down the ramp and get that close to my boat. I think my wife said something to them about it too and they just ignored her.

 

[swatkinz]

Re: *ss****s at the ramp today

I think the majority of frustrations at ramps are for 2 reasons:
Ignorance
Inexperience
My experience has been that most people simply don't know any better. I have friends that are new boaters that get so worked up about the anxiety created by the experienced boater crowd that I can't enjoy myself around them when we are on the lake (especially the launch ramp). However, these same friends are unwilling to take the necessary time to practice at simple things like:
Backing a boat trailer in an empty parking lot.
Teaching a spouse how to operate the boat AND trailer.
These two things are essential to make everyone's experience safer AND more enjoyable.
I just don't understand it when I see a guy at the ramp who has to back the trailer into the water, secure it to the dock, and then park the vehicle/trailer while his family/friends wait/watch for him to do all of this and then sit in the boat (tied at the dock) while he sweats his ***** off doing all the work.
This isn't rocket science. It isnt' necessary to be a USCG captain to be able to load/unload and use proper etiquette at the ramp, but I think if there's more than one adult or mature person there, then someone else should be able to handle either the boat or vehicle (preferrably both).
Boaters owe it to themselves, loved ones and fellow boaters to be able to do the minimum for safe boating. What is the family going to do when the husband has an injury and is unable to get the boat back to the dock? Inexperience is to be expected of all new boaters and that's ok, but educate yourself, get experience, be knowledgeable and be courteous.

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: *ss****s at the ramp today

I just don't understand it when I see a guy at the ramp who has to back the trailer into the water, secure it to the dock, and then park the vehicle/trailer while his family/friends wait/watch for him to do all of this and then sit in the boat (tied at the dock) while he sweats his ***** off doing all the work.

Honestly?? Just speaking for myself, I get done alot faster doing it myself and I know everything is done right. Sure I can double check behind them or my wife, but I do get it done alot quicker "just to do it" Sometimes we pull out of the way first and load the boat before the launch and I put the plug in and take the strap off sterndrive, Then launch it, start her up, and tie her off while she walks the dogs. It's just quicker, believe me.

 

[ShaneCarroll]

Re: *ss****s at the ramp today

Honestly?? Just speaking for myself, I get done alot faster doing it myself and I know everything is done right. Sure I can double check behind them or my wife, but I do get it done alot quicker "just to do it" Sometimes we pull out of the way first and load the boat before the launch and I put the plug in and take the strap off sterndrive, Then launch it, start her up, and tie her off while she walks the dogs. It's just quicker, believe me.

I agree 110% with that. I have a very good system running: cooler, towels, purses, etc. is in the boat before we leave the house. Stop to get gas, put ice in cooler, get food and put it in the boat then. So when I get to the ramp, I park in the prepping area, remove the stern strap, and put the plug in. I also seat the children in the bow with their life jackets on (they actually sit still after I threaten to not bring them on the boat anymore) and proceed to back down the ramp. Once the trailer tires touch the water, I unhook the bow strap and get in the boat. The fiancee finishes backing it down and I drive it off the trailer and putt around while she parks the truck. After she parks, I pick her up at the dock, no dock space wasted, and all is done in a matter of minutes.