Ramp etiquette ( in general)

[TiltonBB]

If you have the right people (and that's a big if) the launch can be very quick.

In the early 70's we would launch 2 or 3 boats almost every Saturday morning at Downings in Alton Bay. There was usually a line of 4 or 5 boats and you just knew that would take a minimum of 10 minutes per boat as all the things people in this thread have mentioned happened to delay the launch. And, that is assuming someone in their group could successfully back up a trailer.

When our turn came, the boat would already be disconnected, no dock line, no fenders, just a driver in the boat with the blower on. A quick back down the ramp, the motor started just as the drive hits the water, shift into reverse, and the car driver hits the brakes and the boat slides off. Back the boat out of the way and come back in to pick up your friends when they are ready at the dock. A total of less than a minute and the dock is clear for the next person.

People would be surprised at the speed of the launch and some of the regulars would wave us around them in line because they knew we wouldn't delay them at all.

[SAMIAM]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

If you have the right people (and that's a big if) the launch can be very quick.

In the early 70's we would launch 2 or 3 boats almost every Saturday morning at Downings in Alton Bay. There was usually a line of 4 or 5 boats and you just knew that would take a minimum of 10 minutes per boat as all the things people in this thread have mentioned happened to delay the launch. And, that is assuming someone in their group could successfully back up a trailer.

When our turn came, the boat would already be disconnected, no dock line, no fenders, just a driver in the boat with the blower on. A quick back down the ramp, the motor started just as the drive hits the water, shift into reverse, and the car driver hits the brakes and the boat slides off. Back the boat out of the way and come back in to pick up your friends when they are ready at the dock. A total of less than a minute and the dock is clear for the next person.

People would be surprised at the speed of the launch and some of the regulars would wave us around them in line because they knew we wouldn't delay them at all.

You and I could have had a contest..... I had a 26' Hurricane and the trailer had rollers instead of pads.
I would untie all the lines and back down rapidly,The wheels barely got wet as the boat slid off into the water with a huge splash.Funny to watch.....took about 30seconds.
Didn't have a driver in the boat,just someone holding the bow line to walk it away from the ramp.

[HellRaZoR004]

I cringe reading the last two posts. What happens if a little kid were to run behind the trailer as you were backing down the ramp. You'd have to hit the brakes and hope the boat stayed on the trailer...

[Phantom]

I'll join in on the contest !

Pretty much our standard launch process ....
(1) undo transom straps & uncover in parking lot (away from ramp area)
(2) Load wife into boat
(3) partially drive down ramp
(4) stop for one moment to get out and unhook bow strap
(5) proceed down ramp
(6) hit brake / launch

caveat: you cannot be on a steep ramp or you'll find your boat on cement not water



Done properly -- Whole process takes under 3-4 minutes


HellRaZoR004 ... in my case, unless the kid is swimming he isn't getting behind me, my rear trailer wheels are "wet"



.

[Grandpa Redneck]

Our procedure is similar,
pull into staging area,
I remove the transom straps, while the wife and passengers climb onboard
then I back down the ramp till the motor is in the water,
I get out and disconnect the bow strap while the wife starts the motor
I then get back in the tow rig and punch it in reverse, then hit the breaks,
the boat shoots off the trailer, and I pull out and park the tow rig and trailer while the wife pulls back in to shore to pick me up

[Dave R]

It's good to have a routine. Here's my method:

1. Pull into ramp parking lot in such a way that I block anyone else from entering.
2. Inquire if I can cut in line. Argue with anyone that says no and lose.
3. Once at the ramp, I remove the boat cover, install the biminis, fill the fridge and repack my trailer wheel bearings.
4. I usually get the boat in the water on the 7th try at backing down the ramp.
5. Pull the boat back up the ramp and remove the straps.
6. Get the boat in the water after only 5 attempts.
7. Pull boat back out, wait for water to drain, then install the garboard plug and back in on the 3rd attempt.
8. Yell for help as boat drifts away with no lines attached.
9. Tie boat to ramp docks in such a way that no one else can use the ramp, then start inquiring if anyone has jumper cables.
10. Get boats started due to the kindness of strangers, then let it run at high idle through my open exhaust for 20 minutes until my crew arrives, parks the minivan in the trailer only spots, and gets all their gear aboard.
11. Crack open my third beer, and hit full throttle as soon as I clear the dock.

Only takes 45 minutes or so.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by Dave R

It's good to have a routine. Here's my method:

1. Pull into ramp parking lot in such a way that I block anyone else from entering.
2. Inquire if I can cut in line. Argue with anyone that says no and lose.
3. Once at the ramp, I remove the boat cover, install the biminis, fill the fridge and repack my trailer wheel bearings.
4. I usually get the boat in the water on the 7th try at backing down the ramp.
5. Pull the boat back up the ramp and remove the straps.
6. Get the boat in the water after only 5 attempts.
7. Pull boat back out, wait for water to drain, then install the garboard plug and back in on the 3rd attempt.
8. Yell for help as boat drifts away with no lines attached.
9. Tie boat to ramp docks in such a way that no one else can use the ramp, then start inquiring if anyone has jumper cables.
10. Get boats started due to the kindness of strangers, then let it run at high idle through my open exhaust for 20 minutes until my crew arrives, parks the minivan in the trailer only spots, and gets all their gear aboard.
11. Crack open my third beer, and hit full throttle as soon as I clear the dock.

Only takes 45 minutes or so.

Now that's funny right there!!

Good job!!

Dan

[Phantom]

Dave -- You had me in stiches !!

Sadly -- I think I have seen that before a few times ...... Was that YOU ?


.

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by Phantom

Dave -- You had me in stiches !!

Sadly -- I think I have seen that before a few times ...... Was that YOU ?


.

Really glad to say I have never done any of those things. I read Chapman's before I ever went to the ramp for the first time and was already quite capable of backing a trailer from other experience. I have been a trailer boater for 19 years now and have made several hundred trips down and up ramps all over the north east. The scariest was one in Saugerties, NY that had a 17 foot drop off at the end. You don't want to drop the wheels of that one...

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by Dave R

Really glad to say I have never done any of those things. I read Chapman's before I ever went to the ramp for the first time and was already quite capable of backing a trailer from other experience. I have been a trailer boater for 19 years now and have made several hundred trips down and up ramps all over the north east. The scariest was one in Saugerties, NY that had a 17 foot drop off at the end. You don't want to drop the wheels of that one...

I dropped the trailer off the end of a ramp in the Danvers River. I didn't know the precast stopped and suddenly the trailer was sitting on the frame. It is really hard to get it back up! In my first attempt someone with a 4X4 attached a 5/8 braided line to the front of my vehicle and the line broke before my vehicle moved. Long ugly story. (Lake reference: Never saw a ramp this tough on Winnipesaukee)

One time my vehicle sat spinning the wheels and not moving up. I got back in the boat, dropped the drive 1/2 way, and pushed the vehicle and trailer half way up the ramp to drier ground while someone else was behind the wheel of the towing vehicle spinning the tires. (Lake reference: It was nice to get back to Winnipesaukee and easier ramps)

[Happy Gourmand]

Originally Posted by Dave R

It's good to have a routine. Here's my method:

1. Pull into ramp parking lot in such a way that I block anyone else from entering.
2. Inquire if I can cut in line. Argue with anyone that says no and lose.
3. Once at the ramp, I remove the boat cover, install the biminis, fill the fridge and repack my trailer wheel bearings.
4. I usually get the boat in the water on the 7th try at backing down the ramp.
5. Pull the boat back up the ramp and remove the straps.
6. Get the boat in the water after only 5 attempts.
7. Pull boat back out, wait for water to drain, then install the garboard plug and back in on the 3rd attempt.
8. Yell for help as boat drifts away with no lines attached.
9. Tie boat to ramp docks in such a way that no one else can use the ramp, then start inquiring if anyone has jumper cables.
10. Get boats started due to the kindness of strangers, then let it run at high idle through my open exhaust for 20 minutes until my crew arrives, parks the minivan in the trailer only spots, and gets all their gear aboard.
11. Crack open my third beer, and hit full throttle as soon as I clear the dock.

Only takes 45 minutes or so.

HA, good to know I'm not the only one bored at work on a Friday afternoon. That's funny.

[VitaBene]

Originally Posted by Dave R

It's good to have a routine. Here's my method:

1. Pull into ramp parking lot in such a way that I block anyone else from entering.
2. Inquire if I can cut in line. Argue with anyone that says no and lose.
3. Once at the ramp, I remove the boat cover, install the biminis, fill the fridge and repack my trailer wheel bearings.
4. I usually get the boat in the water on the 7th try at backing down the ramp.
5. Pull the boat back up the ramp and remove the straps.
6. Get the boat in the water after only 5 attempts.
7. Pull boat back out, wait for water to drain, then install the garboard plug and back in on the 3rd attempt.
8. Yell for help as boat drifts away with no lines attached.
9. Tie boat to ramp docks in such a way that no one else can use the ramp, then start inquiring if anyone has jumper cables.
10. Get boats started due to the kindness of strangers, then let it run at high idle through my open exhaust for 20 minutes until my crew arrives, parks the minivan in the trailer only spots, and gets all their gear aboard.
11. Crack open my third beer, and hit full throttle as soon as I clear the dock.

Only takes 45 minutes or so.

You forgot to yell at your wife!

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by VitaBene

You forgot to yell at your wife!

Knew I forgot something...

[SAMIAM]

Originally Posted by HellRaZoR004

I cringe reading the last two posts. What happens if a little kid were to run behind the trailer as you were backing down the ramp. You'd have to hit the brakes and hope the boat stayed on the trailer...

Oh,come on....isn't that a little far fetched.......a kid darting accross the bottom of a boat ramp at the last moment before launching....pu-leeze

[jrc]

My Dad taught me DaveR methods, that's why I never bought a trailer for my boat. I couldn't back a trailer to save my life.

My Mom told me the three biggest causes of boating divorce: Launching, docking and anchoring.

[HellRaZoR004]

Originally Posted by SAMIAM

Oh,come on....isn't that a little far fetched.......a kid darting accross the bottom of a boat ramp at the last moment before launching....pu-leeze

Not at all actually. Saw idiots dart across lanes of a ramp 2x in one day at the public launch on Sunapee. Go witness boat ramp antics for yourself (or just youtube it).

But seriously, why risk having the boat slide off the bunks (or worse rollers)?

[SAMIAM]

Originally Posted by HellRaZoR004

Not at all actually. Saw idiots dart across lanes of a ramp 2x in one day at the public launch on Sunapee. Go witness boat ramp antics for yourself (or just youtube it).

But seriously, why risk having the boat slide off the bunks (or worse rollers)?

Fair enough......definately some thing to think about.I'm always preaching safety to the kids and grandkids ,so I
Think I'll take your advice andkeep the strap onuntil we hit the water.

[wynndog]

Originally Posted by SAMIAM

Oh,come on....isn't that a little far fetched.......a kid darting accross the bottom of a boat ramp at the last moment before launching....pu-leeze

Well I put in at Downings Friday. There where 2 WP people, 2 white vans, & about 12 kids under 16 fishing. I'm backing in, 2 kids w/ hand lines weren't moving even after wife tell them 2x that BOAT IS COMING!!
No markings on van, no brains in head.??

[8gv]

A friend of mine had an Ebbtide on a roller trailer. He disconnected the winch strap and safety chain on the flat upper level of the ramp lot. He then started backing down the steep ramp.

Need I finish the story?

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by SAMIAM

You and I could have had a contest..... I had a 26' Hurricane and the trailer had rollers instead of pads.
I would untie all the lines and back down rapidly,The wheels barely got wet as the boat slid off into the water with a huge splash.Funny to watch.....took about 30seconds.
Didn't have a driver in the boat,just someone holding the bow line to walk it away from the ramp.

I might have to spot you some points. I have a Class A CDL and drove tractor trailers over 1,000,000 miles. I usually back up the Tahoe and trailer at about 30 MPH just for sport. (I do watch for little kids, though)

You would have to be really good in the launch phase to make up time.