Boat Ramp Etiquette.

[LegattoAD]

A little help can might shave 10 minutes off the wait and even prepare you for your turn.

+1

[MuskieJunkie]

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".

Great idea, and thanks for doing that. You don't want to be doing it for the first time at 11am on a saturday at lake minnetonka. Practicing backing up in an empty parking lot helps a lot also.

Tying the boat (or better yet having the wife hold it) to the dock on the ramp side and blocking it when there are open docks to tie up - then the guy disapears to go park/get the truck is always a good one. I use to let it get under my skin, now I just offer advice and/or sit back and enjoy the show.

[Eelpout08]

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

Not sure i agree with this one, it certainly isnt going to do the impeller any good. but the rest are very good points. If you have any doubts that your motor is going to run, either wait for the guys that are prepared to load/unload or go to a slow lake to do your troubleshooting

[Koepper08]

Here's one about waiting your turn...

Waiting to get off a lake so I stopped well shy of two guys fishing walleyes near the access because another boat was coming in the lake. Then, these guys pack up and cut us off and land their boat. It was obvious that we were leaving and I was just giving them room to fish. Just crazy how some people act...

[sled59]

It sure seems like its really bad near the metro. I don't think people understand how to take turns. Its everyone for themselves. We try to fish away from the metro area as much as possible to avoid the Blanks.

[deets22]

when flying solo on the water i bring the hip waders so that when it is my turn i can ensure everything is propper for launching or putting her back on. i am also never afraid to offer a hand it just helps everyone.

[PropsterII]

Another etiquette suggestion that nobody seems to think of, is when they are backed into the water on a double ramp at night and they leave their headlights on while you're trying to back up next to them. Your rearviews and sidewiews are pretty much worthless. I turn mine off and just leave the running lights on so I can see the trailer lights, that way I'm not blinding the guy trying to back up in front of me. And for those of you who would like to dim your lights but have auto headlights, most will go off if you depress the parking brake just a notch. Thanks for any of you already turning off your lights, makes things a whole lot easier!

[whitebassman]

Regarding the power loading.

I do some of it myself, just enough to load the boat onto the roller trailer, then winch up the remaining 3 ft.

But last weekend, on a double ramp, someone had their prop out too much, and upon gunning the motor, it sprayed water everywhere! There was a person on the other side of the dock holding onto the dock and their boat, and got very soaked. I could see how PO'ed she was, and nearly let go of the boat to give the other guy a piece of her mind!

Though I must confess, to me and my buddy sitting and waiting 100 feet behind this, it was very hilarious!

[TooTallTom]

Thanks for the tip about the parking break, PropsterII, I've never heard of/ tried that before. I'm gonna test it out the next time I'm in my truck.

I've been planning on wiring in an override switch to take care of the auto headlights. There are times when I just don't want them on.

[marshmallow]

Yeah.. I Observe All The Impatient.. Expert ..Hats On BackWards .. Boat Launchers .. Often.. To Do Things Smoothly.. Happy .. Content .. We Need Some Deserved Calmness At The Launches.. Is A Few Minutes Going To Ruin Their Guide Performance ..

[Boar]

Very good read, all the ramps ive use are very user freindly an easy to read on how to line up, Im the guy thats drives the truck while my buddy sits idle an waits for to enter the ramp. Works great with two people no doubt. My concern is that its my buddys boat an very well might buy it in the spring, its a heavy fiberglass inboard/outboard with a roller bunk. He powerloads it an i back in the trailer till the rear most rollers are just sticking out of the water, then of course the roller turns over an I have to pull forward an realign the roller, think on attaching a counter weight so it dosent do this. Well if i buy the boat then im the loader an then my wife is the backer upper. Wen me an my bud go again im gonna have to start practicing on the loading part. Very good read tho. Good tips.