Boat Ramp Etiquette.

[LegattoAD]

I had the boat on a lift last year so I'm a little rusty on boat ramps in general, and frankly, a newbie at it when putting in and pulling out by myself. That said, this weekend, I was getting ready to pull out and had just pulled up to the dock when another guy pulled around the corner to back his trailer in. This is a two lane ramp and I saw his boat was running on the other side of the dock so I thought he was parking his trailer rather than pulling his rig out. Anyway, I backed out again so he could land his boat. No harm, no foul. Most of the lakes I fish are small with single lane ramps so I tie up on the side opposite the ramp or beach it if I can't tie up.

It's no big deal, I was just wondering if this is a common practice by solo fisherfolks on a busy ramp or just common practice for this fellow..? Thanks!

[LoonASea]

I have always been under the impression that the line at boat ramps starts in the parking area ( or in other words those in line to load or launch have right of way) ,,I fish solo a lot and it can be tough at busy landings so I make sure Im out of the way till Im ready to back my trailer in the water to load my boat

Im sure others will post their opinions also

LAS

[Tator2k]

I agree. The bigger picture is when the lot is at cap. and you have two lines launch and recovery.

[JimBuck]

I've always been under the impression that the real line starts with the trailers in the lot. When I fish solo I'll either beach it up or out of the way somewhere so when I'm getting my trailer it's no big deal. It may take a few seconds more time to load but you'll get the process down.

[Deitz Dittrich]

I think what you get is this world is full of people who think their time is more valuable than others. I think the same people who get all fired up and rude at boat landings are the same people who dont "Zipper Merge". They are just uptight people to begin with.

Myself, I'm like you for the most part. I've more than once offered to help back a person in. The only time I get a little peeved is when a person will block the landing when they are loading the boat. IE getting coolers and putting them in the boat ect.. Do that up in the parking lot.. only go down to the actual landing when ready for the water please.

[fatcat45]

I'm with you..

[Rugbyguy]

Myself, I'm like you for the most part. I've more than once offered to help back a person in. The only time I get a little peeved is when a person will block the landing when they are loading the boat. IE getting coolers and putting them in the boat ect.. Do that up in the parking lot.. only go down to the actual landing when ready for the water please.

Couldn't agree more, Deitz.

[Sonicrunch]

The only time I get a little peeved is when a person will block the landing when they are loading the boat. IE getting coolers and putting them in the boat ect.. Do that up in the parking lot.. only go down to the actual landing when ready for the water please.

This is good advice. Access should have a sign posted stating this. Many may be unaware.

[Ed Carlson]

Common sense manners rules.

*Prep to launch/fish in the lot before you approach the ramp either going in, or leaving the ramp. Also key is to Prep on the water to approach the launch as much as you can before ever approaching the ramp to load. This is just as important on busy ramps to reduce congestion.

*Wait your turn. It is first come first serve...load and unload when it's your turn. If you not ready wave the next guy/gal to go ahead of you. Don't make people wait because your unprepared.

*Pull out and away fully as to allow all incoming and outgoing boats and trailers to do so safely.

*Pull to far end of lot or to any designated inspection station and inspect your boat and trailer for weeds and drain everything..ect..ect.

*Do not park your vehicle and trailer in front of the ramp as to block access for others, leave that forward lanes free. If you want to become real unpopular real quick...park in front of the ramp so everyone has to dink around to try to get an angle on the ramp...Not a popular choice and bad things can happen when this occurs by short tempered folks.

If you expect or anticipate difficulties wait tell the ramp is clear and ask for help if someone is free and willing to assist you, most people will gladly help.

Watch and learn, as you can pick up a lot of tricks on launching and loading from others. Your never to smart as to not be able to pick up a new trick.

[nine-tiner]

pet peeve

waiting to load back up when done fishing, just idling out from the launch, several boats deep when others decide they just can't wait in line and head to the dock

when 3-4 boats are all 'sitting still' within 100 yards or less of most busy landings it is a sign they are WAITING their turn to leave

having 4-5 boats tied off launching and loading around a dock at a single lane landing causes more delays

If those 3 minutes you have to wait coming or going are to much...don't go to the lake...

[BassNut33]

I agree with all of you, I too have had problems when I am out by myself. I try to avoid busy lakes on the weekend, it is frustrating to have deal with a bunch on in-considerate people at the landing. I had a guy tell me that he lives on the lake and therefore he should be using this side of the launch and I needed to move. I told him in so many words to get bent.

[Whopper Stopper]

I get a kick out of having to work around people that are fishing off the dock. They never offer any help and just look at you as if you are cutting into their time. Not sure if I will make it all summer or not without bruising somebody’s berries when they grunt at me for using the dock for its intended purpose. Hopefully the classes I was ordered to take will help.

WS

[Tator2k]

Watched some of the entertainment unfold on Crystal right before dark tonight.

[auggie78]

I think before you get your fishing license you should have to sign an affidavit that you are capable of backing up a trailer.

[goblueM]

right, because no anglers fish exclusively from shore, or from watercraft that do not require a trailer

[scott b]

I think he did every thing right. Do you feel like he should have waited for you given that you were still in your boat? I think you'll come to find that that's how it goes when you're solo.

[fishgutz77]

Most of the problems I've ever encountered can be chalked up to inexpierence.

I also find it amazing that when I fly solo and have to deal with a 20FT rig that people on the dock seem put out that I need to tie up and not just beach a big dollar boat while I get the truck off the ramp.

One of these days I'll just lower the 250 to the required depth and put about 300 gallons of water on the dock in about 1.5 seconds, just to wash it off of course.

I do appreciate it when someone jumps in the truck and pulls it ahead to speed things up when its busy. and 98% of people are really patient.

The thing I love is the guy who cant get the rig on the trailer right and takes 15mn. Take the time to figure this all out at an isloated ramp that isn't busy and get it down. This way you will save you wife or whoever the embarrasment that will ensue.

[LegattoAD]

Thanks for your input, everyone. I usually try to stay out of the way as much as possible, maybe to a fault. I just wanted to get other perspectives on the situation.

Thanks again!

[LegattoAD]

I think he did every thing right. Do you feel like he should have waited for you given that you were still in your boat? I think you'll come to find that that's how it goes when you're solo.

Not at all, he was there first. The part that threw me off was that he left the engine running so I thought he was parking the trailer rather than getting ready to pull his rig out.

[Kyhl]

Most of the problems I've ever encountered can be chalked up to inexpierence.

I'd say it's a mixture of both. I can handle the inexperience people. Everyone was inexperienced at some point. It's the inconsiderate ones that irk me.

Sunday I was the only one waiting for a parking spot at the ramp on a busy metro lake. Go figure. One guy comes off. I'm thinking, sweet, I'm next. As he loads another comes up to load.

No problem, I'm not in a hurry, so I let him by to load in front of me. Clearing two parking spaces.

He proceeds to put the trailer way into the water, walk the winch to the boat then winch the boat to the tip of the trailer.

Gets back in his truck, and pulls forward a few feet, centers the boat and winches some more.

Pulls forward some more, centers the boat again, then winches the rest of the way.

Then proceeds to organize the boat, moving coolers, checking live well, and storing gear.

10 minutes later he finally clears the ramp. By then there are two boats behind me and two waiting to trailer their boats. The waiting to dock boats fill the dock and I'm stuck loading my 18 footer solo with no where to put it.

[Chris Barlage]

I also would agree hat it is first in line with your truck to either land or launch. I also find it funny that people dont really get how to get into line, more so when landing the boat. They dont understand that the dock has 2 sides one side to tie up to to get your truck and one side to get the boat on and off the trailor. Nothing fires me up more when people tie up to the side used for landing and launching while they are the 4th truck in line.

[SpecialK]

I also would agree hat it is first in line with your truck to either land or launch. I also find it funny that people dont really get how to get into line, more so when landing the boat. They dont understand that the dock has 2 sides one side to tie up to to get your truck and one side to get the boat on and off the trailor. Nothing fires me up more when people tie up to the side used for landing and launching while they are the 4th truck in line.

+1

If you see folks idling around the docks, they are waiting their turn. Don't jump in front of them. Tie off to the opposite side of the dock if you are solo so others can load or unload while you get your truck.

[chaffmj]

Quote:

Not sure if I will make it all summer or not without bruising somebody’s berries when they grunt at me for using the dock for its intended purpose. Hopefully the classes I was ordered to take will help.

Hahaha, the classes might help a little they worked for awhile with me!

[WyoChris]

When I bought my first boat, I went to a small vacant boat launch and practiced putting my boat in and out... I didn't want to be "that guy".

There will always be inexperienced people at the launch.... we were all there at one point. The only time I got a little aggrivated was when one guy backed his trailer to about 3 feet from the water, then got out and started loading all his tackle and equipment into the boat, unstrapped his boat, and the backed it in. Once in the water, his motor wouldn't start... and that started another 10 minutes process of trying to start his motor until he put it back on the trailer and pulled it back into the parking lot.

My advice is:

- Ensure all your gear is in the boat prior to launching such as mounting range finders, putting your bait in the boat, loading life jackets and tackle, etc.

- Start your motor prior to launch to ensure it is working. Running your motor for 2 seconds dry will not cause any damage.

- If you have a new boat/trailer, go to a boat launch when it is not busy and practice putting it in the water so you don't look like an [PoorWordUsage] when you do it on a busy saturday.

- If someone is having trouble, offer your assistance instead of giving them a hard time.

-

[5crows]

A little help can might shave 10 minutes off the wait and even prepare you for your turn. Good advice on the practice too.