Proper public boat access etiquette

[Fishin4Life]

I would have been rather upset if someones dog jumped in my boat. I know i wouldn't let my own dog do that to someone else. If your dog is going to snap at people I don't think I would have it off a leash either. Some people...

[upnorth]

Most people are understanding if you are just struggling a bit. Everyone has been there at one time or another. Loading at the waters edge or not pulling out far enough for the next person to load or launch really [PoorWordUsage] most people off.

[upnorth]

My dog has did that once when we 1st got her, she is pretty friendly and just wanted to say hi. To say the least I was a bit embarrassed and she got out as soon as I called her.

Last week I was bringing the boat in and there was a guy kneeling down holding his boat when I got to the dock she jumped out of my boat and managed to sneak a little kiss

[icehousebob]

The most amusing launch I ever saw involved a pontoon. The family of about 10 people arrived in an suv and a minivan. The pontoon was backed up til it almost touched the water. Then the people started loading coolers, tubes, food, folding chairs, etc. on board. Then they all boarded after a last visit to the outhouse. The father then backed it into the water but the motor was lowered and there was a looong, horrible grinding sound as the motor scraped on the concrete. A teenaged boy was trying to start the motor which appeared to be locked up as the pontoon drifted away from the launch and toward the creek mouth nearby. None of them spoke English so I don't know what the father was yelling at the kid, but another boater coming in threw them a line and got them back to shore. There was a reverse of the loading process to empty and load the pontoon and they drove away. They had tied up the single launch for about 40 minutes, but it was great entertainment.

[Daze Off]

Saturday on Tonka I got to witness a virtual live replay of that Evinrude V-Tec commercial where the guys with the 4-stroke have forgotten how to back up both the truck and the boat (because, according to the commercial, if you have a 2-stroke it requires much less repair). If it was not so frustrating it would have been funny.

Daze Off

[Ice9]

I'm in favor of speed and efficiency on a ramp, but remember that launching a boat is dangerous. Lots can go wrong. Often it's because of stupidity or carelessness, but speed and haste will increase your risk. I've known several very experienced boaters who have made damaging or dangerous mistakes on a boatramp (including me--hopped out of the car and it popped back into reverse the other morning--lucky I didn't get squashed against the dock or dip the whole rig.) Just because there's a lineup or pressure to get going doesn't mean you should lock your brains in the trunk.

ice

[mdeiley]

Perchking this did not happen at Mille Lacs. I guess my main question is would I have been out of line questioning thier behavier or was the frustration level getting the best of me. Thanks again for the responses!

[TSCTSC]

Bad bad bad. They should not be doing that.

I have once in La Crosse seen a pontoon tied up to the mooring side of the dock at the launch ramp. That was really bad, cos it really held up the boat ramp as some people did not have place to moor while going to get their cars.

[BlackwaterStout]

Last fall I bought my first boat. It was used and did not come with any kind of information on launching, etiquite, etc. I knew the basics but I certainly was no pro. Needless to say I knew enough to prep my boat away from the ramp but during the first few launch attempts I admit was not very smooth at all. Lucky I wasn't launching at peak times and I doubt I ticked too many people off. It was a learning process for sure. Now I feel like an expert and have no problems launching my boat by myself. I feel like I have a pattern and it's pretty darn smooth now. last sunday I had taken the boat out for an evening of flathead fishing and when I pulled back to the dock around midnight we sat there waiting for a fellow who was having trouble trailering his boat. I told my cousin who was with me that he reminded me of us just last fall. We tied off our boat and walked over to assist the guy with his boat. At first he didn't seem too enthused about it but I think he was just embarrassed. After we gave him a few tips he had warmed up to us and thanked us for the help. It was our way of letting the guy know he had some issued with his proceedures without actually telling him that he didn't know what he was doing. I just wish someone would've done that with us last fall. In my case I learned how to successfully launch and trailer my boat from watching others.

[papasoco]

Ok, here goes...I'm a newbie launcher. I admit it. I've always been out with other people on small, little used lakes so I've neer had a problem. We wanted to take 20 minutes to launch or land, it was fine. Nobody else around. Now I have the boat here with me and plan on using it quite often this season. There may be times when I'm going to be out by myself. I'd rather hear from the pro's about what and what not to do so I don't get the evil eyes at the landing. I realize common sense is a huge part of all this, and I think I have the basics down based on said common sense. It's the little things I may not think of I'm worried about. Any tips from the veterans out there?

[BobT]

I like to get everything completely ready to launch before I line up to back my trailer to the water. That includes, releasing the tie downs, arranging my rods, PFDs, and other gear inside, mounting my electric on the bow, installing the drain plug, raising the outboard, etc. So what if someone is a little quicker than I and gets ahead of me. When it's my turn, I'll be ready to go with as little extra dinking around as possible. Don't want someone to wait while I monkey around with anything more than releasing the winch and letting it slide.

When coming out I do likewise. I don't agree with power loading so I make sure I have a rope attached to the front eye and my motor tilted up. When I back my trailer in I load the boat as quickly as I can and then pull it out of the way. I mean way out of the way. I don't want someone else to have to wait for me to tie down my boat, stow my gear, hook up the lights, etc. before they can have access.

I get the impression you have some apprehention after reading this sight. Those posting here are not talking about the ones that do their best to be low impact. They are talking about those that are inconsiderate and thoughtless about the fact that the access is "public" and there just might be others waiting to use it. Having difficulty due to lack of experience or weather conditions is one thing but being just plain ignorant is another. Fact is, chances are that if you are struggling and anyone posting here were nearby, you'd probably find an extra hand of assistance reaching your way.

Bob

[MJBo]

You know of a little used lake? Where is it?

Don't sweat it. It's just like BobT said. People only get mad at the jerks. Unless they're jerks. Then they get mad at everyone..... ANyway. Being nervous just makes you overcrank the wheel when you're backing up and doesn't get you there any faste.

[upnorth]

If possible move your boat to the other side of the dock when you launch and possibly when you land. Just a little courtesy so others aren't stuck waiting while you park or fetch the truck.

[bgmny]

Not really an etiquette question, but a launching question. Just upgraded to a much bigger and heavier boat. While lauching with my old boat, it was light enough to push it off the trailer a little bit, unhook it and let it slide into the water while holding a rope tied to the front to catch it once it came off the trailer. The new boat is too heavy to hold to get the winch strap off once the safety chain is removed. Any suggestions on how to get the winch strap and safety chain removed without letting all of the winch strap out?

[walleyeaddict]

Watched a hispanic family about 10 of them in the boat come flying in to the dock at about 20mph..anyway they hit the ramp and took about 2 inches off the bottom of a fiberglass boat..it immediately started taking on water..the quickly unloaded the herd and managed to get it off the concrete ramp and on the trailer..talk about LMAO!!!!

[setterguy]

I think everyone here would understand a delay if someone is by themselves. I always try to help out guys flying solo, I know its a pain to load or unload alone and it gets the line moving a little quicker. I'm surprised someone hasn't taken a video camera to a Minnetonka launch on the 4th of July, you would have a 10,000.00 video for sure.

[Dave]

Quote:

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The new boat is too heavy to hold to get the winch strap off once the safety chain is removed. Any suggestions on how to get the winch strap and safety chain removed without letting all of the winch strap out?

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My boats, 17'&19', never moved off its roller trailer until I gave 'em a little bump from up front. I back in, unhook the safety chain, unhook the winch strap and give it a bump. I'm having a hard time understanding why your boat would slide off the trailer on its own. Maybe its too far in the water already?

[knoppers]

bgmny

I would think its not backed in far enough, and rolles till it hits the water and floats. the problem with some roller trailers is they sit high, and sometimes its hard to get the boat into the water far enough.

I had the same problems with my last boat. now I have a bunk trailer, and have no problems, since they sit much lower.

[birdswacker]

Saw a moron in the middle of the double launch (with 20ft. pontoon) on north center loading stuff from the suv to the boat. I waited patiently then the motor hood came off on a new mercury I got very upset with him asked to move over so we could launch and he gives me the look like were not moving so I drive around the launch again and slip between his boat and the docks and get my boat in park the truck and walk back to the lake and he calls me a jack??? for not waiting my turn. Go figure

[Griggs]

Minnetonka, Grays Bay.

They have a beautiful set up there. Something like 3 launching docks and 2 others to tie onto while you get your truck.

Well all three launching docks had big boats tied on, and in the way, meanwhile I had a partner with me who always gets dropped off, gets the truck and backs it in so we can make a speedy landing. Well with three boats in the way we just had to wait. I wanted to say something, but I didn't wan to be "that guy" but then again, I don't think those people will ever know if nobody tells them "THEY'RE IN THE WAY."

I know the bright yellow signs say this as well, but "these people" apparently don't read signs.

By the way, The same day, I saw a guy with a Pontoon pull out and be in a diagnal across all the launches, he thought that was a good spot to secure the rest of his boat after pulling out. I just don't get it...