Boat Ramp Helpful Hints & Other Pet Peeves

[merc245]

Thought I would start this thread to maybe help the new or younger boaters or even learn a trick or two myself.

Some of my pet peeves are:

Buy a least 2 dock lines. Don't use a piece of old ski rope.

Use both of them when loading and unloading at the ramp

Pack your boat ot home or in the store parking lot.Not on the ramp.

Get a pair of fenders(bumpers) and use them. You don't get a 2nd chance with gelcoat. Yours or others

When coming in off the water to the ramp. Have your lines cletted and your fenders out well in advance.

When docking if at all possiable tie your boat
away from the dock. 4 lines-1 at each corner. If not possiable use your fenders.

learn to use your power right, both forward and reverse. A little power goes along way when around the dock.

When loading with a bunk trailor leaving apx 1 1/2 foot of the inner bunk exposed the boat will line its self on the bunks. Some experminting maybe needed but it will work.

Well those are only some I'm sure theres many others and some good advice
out there.

 

[jkeiper]

Practice backing up your trailer in a empty parking lot. Not at the ramp.

 

[samjr]

That's a big one. If you can't back let someone who can do it for you till you learn.

Another trick is to hold the 6 oclock position on your steering wheel as you back and the motions are reflected correctly in trailer movement.

See you on the water!

 

[bostoncan]

Dont consume major amounts of alcohol ,then decide its time to go boating with all your drunken friends..........

 

[Convincor283]

Tow the boat way out of the way to strap it down to the trailer.

 

[JW]

Start the dang thing up in your yard at home before you hit the ramp...............

 

[175checkmate]

Don't forget the plug.
Make sure your batt. is charged and the engine will run before you leave the trailer.

If you are new to backing up a trailer here is a nice trick. When backing look in the side mirrors. if you can see the trailer even on both sides the trailer is going strieght. If you can see more triler in one side, say the right side then turn right untill the trailer is even. Speed kills when backing up.

 

[mistertoadie]

this thread really hits a nerve for me. I have always prided myself in my ability to launch and load all my boats in record time. I always load supplies at home, start the engine, etc.
People need to act like the ramp is off limits, and they are trying to get in and out as quickly as humanly possible before they get caught. lol. Of course safety is important, but your boat should be ready to launch BEFORE you get on the ramp. Take off the transom straps and put the plug in before you approach the ramp. If you aren't ready to launch, park out of the way and let those who are ready go ahead of you until you are ready. I have never owned a boat that has taken me longer than 5 minutes to launch or load. the ramp is for launching and loading only. covers and straps and packing should be done elsewhere. I watched a guy once trying to launch a 19' bowrider I/O. First, He was standing in the boat, he had his wife trying to back the trailer in the water, which she was not ready to do. He got out of the boat, lined the truck and trailer up with the ramp, then got back in the boat. After She finally got the trailer into the water, He tried to get it started. To no avail. So he pops the hatch and starts tinkering while still backed in on the ramp. Meanwhile, a bass tournament had just ended, and bass boats were piled up in the cove waiting to pull out of the water. Finally the marina owner yells at the guy to clear the ramp, so he tells his wife to pull back out. That's when I noticed that his transom straps were still attached, and the plug was not in. water was pouring out of the bilge drain as she pulled out. If He had gotten it running and managed to get it off the trailer, it probably would have ended up on the bottom of the lake. If you have doubts, ask for help! Learn from someone who knows, before you learn the hard way, at your and possibly someone elses expense. Go to the local ramp and watch people do it for a while before you try it. ASK QUESTIONS!! Most boaters are beyond happy to talk about boating with new boaters. Just look at how I'm rambling now!

 

[merc245]

The ramp manager would me flag up to front of the line to put in. Then all the while he would be shouting, People watch this man he knows what hes doing,Talk about the pressure.Not to say I was perfect, I just hid the mistakes better.Not to say he was a friend but did see him 3-4 times a week thru the summer.

P.s. I did perfect how to go boating for the price of the beer on board.
1st payed boat off early
2nd bought oil off season
3rd have season pass at ramp
4th gas on credit card
5th beer & ice cold hard cash
Thats how you enjoy an evening of boating on $10.00 dollars

 

[85Predictor]

I have a combination now that makes it a challenge to back up. The tow vehicle is a Windstar van which has a fairly long wheelbase. The boat trailer has the axle fairly close to the back.(For proper balance) There always seems to be a delayed reaction between turning the steering wheel and the boat/trailer responding. Have to make many corrections to keep it straight. The people we bought the boat from pulled it with a Rav4. It did not seem to have the same problems.
(Shorter wheelbase)

Best place to practice is not at the ramp.

My 2 cents!

 

[happy]

last season.. watched a fountain pull up to the dock .. the hubby get off the boat... back the trailer in... (not quite far enough).. his wife did an excellent job on the line up.. and eased the boat half way up the trailer.. instead of hubby backing back in a bit further.. he hollered give her some more juice.. and she did..the boat inched up a lil and stopped.. he then cussed her out.. and told her to floor the damn thing.. so she did.. end result.. that fountain beak was thru the back windshield of thier truck..

the moral ??? i guess it would be not to cuss out your significant other.. you may just get what you ask for..

 

[jgreen]

posted by jkeiper:
Practice backing up your trailer in a empty parking lot. Not at the ramp.

There have been more than once when I was at the ramp with friends when they were unloading and the y had no idea how to back up their trailers, so I jump in and get it done.
I have watched lots of people struggle and helped lots of strangers load and unload.

Practice makes perfect!

 

[85Predictor]

I hope they appreciated what you did for them!!
I would say that there should be one of you at every launch!!

Keep up the great work!!

 

[merc245]

I thought I'd bring this thread around again for all to review & practice.

Another is to include family and friends don't let them get a free pass at the ramp, put them to work.

 

[Kelly O]

Some people really are clueless at the launch. Especially if they are stressed over a difficulty. Politely help them out with some logic that is simple to understand and everyone will be better off for it.
My biggest peave is canoe and kayak people parked crossways at the ramp, loading, then strapping on, then admiring the view before leaving the ramp that they do not need to use to begin with.
If you are not in a hurry and have the right frame of mind, there is always amusement to be had at the launch watching couples interact.

 

[Boston Predictor]

lol! I hate when the kayaks are lolligaging at the ramp. Thats not for them.
Also If you are using a pickup truck logic says put the tailgate down before backing up. And always bring a paddle

 

[merc245]

Not to sure about dropping the tailgate, Its to easy to forget if you have a bed cover.I would know.I had the boat hitched up,I was at the marina dropping off my lower unit that I had in back of the truck, Well I dropped the tailgate had my hands full and told myself to put the tailgate up or I'll forget it and 20 minutes later, guess what I did forget sure enough I go to do a sharp turn to get out the place and something didn't feel right it wasn't turning.Instantly I rememberd but did not want to look. About a 10 in. deep dent in the top of tailgate. An $1100 mistake on my part.

 

[JamesP]

Trailer setup

My two cents would be to make your trailer setup work for you. When I first bought my boat I had a hell of a time driving the boat on... in fact I resorted to guiding it on and winching it up. The trailer originally only had two bunks. I added two more bunks to the inside and welded some brackets to the fenders and covered those with carpet. What a difference, I still consider myself a novice but I can drive it on everytime! I plan to add guides as well but havent decided which kind.

 

[Big Block Senator]

Reminds me of the time I hit the brakes and my Checkmate turned my tailgate into a big flat boomerang.

 

[Enticer1]

Major cause of Ramp Rage

Convincor283 brought up the biggest cause of Ramp Rage, please heed his advice.

Thought I would start this thread to maybe help the new or younger boaters or even learn a trick or two myself.

Some of my pet peeves are:

Buy a least 2 dock lines. Don't use a piece of old ski rope.

Use both of them when loading and unloading at the ramp

Pack your boat ot home or in the store parking lot.Not on the ramp.

Get a pair of fenders(bumpers) and use them. You don't get a 2nd chance with gelcoat. Yours or others

When coming in off the water to the ramp. Have your lines cletted and your fenders out well in advance.

When docking if at all possiable tie your boat
away from the dock. 4 lines-1 at each corner. If not possiable use your fenders.

learn to use your power right, both forward and reverse. A little power goes along way when around the dock.

When loading with a bunk trailor leaving apx 1 1/2 foot of the inner bunk exposed the boat will line its self on the bunks. Some experminting maybe needed but it will work.

Well those are only some I'm sure theres many others and some good advice
out there.