Boat launch etiquette

[hopedale]

Quick rant -

Load you dang boat before backing down the ramp.

The courtesy dock is not meant to be the spot you set up your boat and rearrange the loose items in your boat. Also, if your friends aren't there when you put in, move out and come back when they get there.

When backing down a two lane ramp, use one lane not both.

If your better half doesn't know how to drive the boat onto the trailer, don't practice on the weekend.

And most important, prior to putting your boat in the water, unstrap it from the trailer. But it was funny watching you try to figure out, why you couldn't back off your trailer.

Ok, rant over.


I know, its summer and the weekend. This type of poor behavior is to be expected.

[Bowtech38]

Well said sir.

[stickman]

I hear you, I get to the ramp around 1.5hrs before daylight to avoid the inevitable summer time cluster. Once I have my boat either unloaded or loaded onto the trailer I sit back and watch the show. There is some funny and very dangerous stuff that happens at our boat ramps down here. Oh, and one more major rant to add...if you are coming up to a no wake zone it is not necessary to run wide open till you hit the sign. Our boats get beat up every weekend while waiting on customers to show in the mornings. People run under the JFK causeway wide open until they hit the no wake zone. I've seen some very heated arguements because of that.

[Texas Grown]

Thoughtfulness of others should be in our daily living. Boat ramp courtesy should be another daily thought.

You pointed out some pretty good ones Hopeedale. Except I'm still trying to figure out that first one. How can I load my boat on the trailer if I haven't backed down the ramp yet.


J/k brother! I know what you ment.

The fish are biting, and there's hogs to be kilt. Gotta go!

[TKK]

I understand your rant - I have been there and seen the same. On the other hand all of us were "rookies" at some point in our lives. Hard to practice on a busy boat ramp. Maybe next time hop out and help the guy out and give him some pointers

[db@100]

well okay, but it sure is fun watching some of those people!

[Radar]

What about the guy that loads his boat and then pulls up to the top of the ramp, gets out and straps down his boat, fiddles around for 20 minutes before he leaves.
Or the guy that cuts in front of you at the ramp and backs down it all crooked then floods his motor out.

Boat ramps get on my nerves quick, we all make a mistake now and then, but some people just wear you out.

I could rant for an hour on this topic

[Traildust]

Never fish on the weekends. Problem solved.

[CRM_95]

If you're not trying to put in, the boat ramp can be a wonderful source of entertainment this time of year.

[Tall Tex]

Let me guess. Aransas pass area? 2 weekends ago I watched a lady try to pull forwards and somehow almost jackknifed the trailer at hamptoms landing

[Ironman]

It comes down to common respect. I don't have a problem with people who can't back a trailer very easy, or who can't load the boat on the trailer first shot. That will come with experience, but everything you mentioned is just lack of respect.

[mikeyb_23]

Watching these idiots aren't fun to me anymore. I won't when go to the lake on the weekend anymore. I don't like waiting for them at the ramp and they fly by way to close at full speed. 90% are pleasure boaters while I'm trying to fish.

[Tall Tex]

If you're not trying to put in, the boat ramp can be a wonderful source of entertainment this time of year.

Froggies in POC is a great spot for that

[d_e_smith]

Just don't show up with jet skis and tie up a ramp at all?

[RascalArms]

If you're not trying to put in, the boat ramp can be a wonderful source of entertainment this time of year.

Yep, some of the best and cheapest entertainment there is available.