No Clue Boater

[swnoel]

Originally Posted by MikeF-NH

I think I posted my worst ramp story on this forum before but a quick refresher: I was approaching Sheps after the Derby a few years back to take out my boat. I was inside the docking area and had dropped by buddy to grab the truck and trailer and get in line. a guy was just putting in a clearly brand new 24-27 foot gorgeous boat. It took him 5 minutes to line up then he got in the water and started pushing only to realize after a few minutes that he didn't release his winch. A few more minutes of pushing he released he didn't back up enough. Between attempts he walked to his truck and had "a few minutes" of conversation with him wife. I would say it was a good 20 minutes before his boat floated off the trailer. Took him another 5 to get it to the dock and tied. I thought "new guy...it takes time...he's got it now and the ramp is about to clear". Nope...(with truck and trailer still on the ramp) he gets into his boat and begins unwrapping all his gear still in plastic wrap...bumpers ropes...you name it...everything. All the while I am clearly waiting not 20 yards from him. Since we were approaching FORTY MINUTES and I now had two other boats behind me...I motored over, suppressed my frustration and said to him "excuse me...could you move your truck off the ramp so other boats can get to the ramp?". While he didn't snap back...he also never said "sorry" or gave a "oh I didn't realize that" look back...he just stared at me blankly and without saying a word moved slowly to his vehicle and moved the truck.

For weeks after that I was angry just thinking about it but now years removed...I realize that I SHOULD have recognized the new boater and after a few struggles...I should have tied up and walked over to him and without asking...just started helping after introducing myself to both educate and provide friendly assistance. Clearly this guy lacked common sense but there was opportunity to educate and assist here that would have benefited everyone.

Captain clueless in the first story of this thread...clearly needs education. I no longer think that floating at the ramp in patient silence is the best approach. Given what I read, I probably would have approached and said something like: "Excuse me...do you mind if I get to the ramp so I can take out? These ramps can get pretty busy in summer can't they?" If the guy was a jerk after that...well - its on! Point being, clueless people don't pick up on "patiently waiting" people at the ramp - they just don't have awareness of anything past their bow and stern. One good educational moment can pay it forward for the dozens of other people this person will inconvenience each season.

Really... should it matter whether you're a new boater of not! Only an imbecile couldn't figure out there was only one launch and everyone else had to use the same one! Sounds more like someone that hasn't a care about anyone else! Sorry if I offend some, but some people in this country are starting to show their true colors, it's appalling, and I won't make excuses for them!

[noreast]

Originally Posted by swnoel

Really... should it matter whether you're a new boater of not! Only an imbecile couldn't figure out there was only one launch and everyone else had to use the same one! Sounds more like someone that hasn't a care about anyone else! Sorry if I offend some, but some people in this country are starting to show their true colors, it's appalling, and I won't make excuses for them!

Right, being a inconsiderate jerk at the launch has nothing to do with being a new boater. It's also a major portion of any certificate course. You can tell when someones new and needs a hand vs being an arrogant pr...

[SAMIAM]

Just for the fun of it I like to go to the other extreme. Wanted to set the worlds record for the fastest launch. My 26" Hurricane was on a twin axle trailer with rollers, As I approached the ramp I would unhook the chain, winch and have one person on the bow line. All I had to do was touch the brakes and the boat would slide right in and I'd drive away. Total launch time under two minutes.

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by SAMIAM

Just for the fun of it I like to go to the other extreme. Wanted to set the worlds record for the fastest launch. My 26" Hurricane was on a twin axle trailer with rollers, As I approached the ramp I would unhook the chain, winch and have one person on the bow line. All I had to do was touch the brakes and the boat would slide right in and I'd drive away. Total launch time under two minutes.

But if you want to be really quick (30 seconds) and not tie up the dock at the ramp you disconnect the boat and have someone in the boat who starts the boat as you are backing, and puts it in reverse as soon as the stern hits the water. No bow line needed. That requires two people with at least a little talent.

[noreast]

Or, the gps/remote on an expensive trolling motor. You'll look like a genius. I saw a guy do It, sent his boat out a bit, Parked the truck, then recalled the boat. I think it was Bat Man.

[Winnisquamer]

Originally Posted by noreast

Or, the gps/remote on an expensive trolling motor. You'll look like a genius. I saw a guy do It, sent his boat out a bit, Parked the truck, then recalled the boat. I think it was Bat Man.

Seen that on Ship Shape tv. How cool is that!

[4Fun]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

But if you want to be really quick (30 seconds) and not tie up the dock at the ramp you disconnect the boat and have someone in the boat who starts the boat as you are backing, and puts it in reverse as soon as the stern hits the water. No bow line needed. That requires two people with at least a little talent.

This is our method. 60 sec launch. Back in with wife in boat. When stern is in the water I stop get out and unhook the winch line, she starts the boat and gives me a thumbs up that it's running fine. I then bump her off the trailer and pull away. It can be done without talking let alone yelling.

Retrieve may be 2 min, Back the trailer in and she drives the boat on at 2-3 mph, as soon as it hits the bunks she turns off the engine and trims up. I winch it the rest of the way and pull away. No power loading etc. Just be consistent with your trailer depth and it works every time.

A little practice and anyone can do it. It gets tough when only 1 person can drive the car and boat.

[NoBozo]

Originally Posted by 4Fun

Just be consistent with your trailer depth and it works every time.

I am a launch ramp junkie. I now enjoy watching the newbies at the ramp. I have used the ramps over the years and know how to launch a boat. Yes..3 minutes, single handed. Retrieve: The same.

Anyone can dump the boat in the water. THE KEY to a successful Retrieval is... How Deep to put the trailer in the water.

ADVICE: Back the trailer in so the TOP of the FENDERS of the trailer are "just above" (say an inch or two)..the surface of the water. It works.

During Retrieval, The biggest error I see is people put the trailer into the water TOO Deep and now the boat is "Swimming" all over the place and can't find the center of the trailer. NB

[Hillcountry]

Originally Posted by NoBozo

I am a launch ramp junkie. I now enjoy watching the newbies at the ramp. I have used the ramps over the years and know how to launch a boat. Yes..3 minutes, single handed. Retrieve: The same.

Anyone can dump the boat in the water. THE KEY to a successful Retrieval is... How Deep to put the trailer in the water.

ADVICE: Back the trailer in so the TOP of the FENDERS of the trailer are "just above" (say an inch or two)..the surface of the water. It works.

During Retrieval, The biggest error I see is people put the trailer into the water TOO Deep and now the boat is "Swimming" all over the place and can't find the center of the trailer. NB

I think it's something called "common sense" of which there seems to be a void of nowadays...

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by NoBozo

ADVICE: Back the trailer in so the TOP of the FENDERS of the trailer are "just above" (say an inch or two)..the surface of the water. It works.

During Retrieval, The biggest error I see is people put the trailer into the water TOO Deep and now the boat is "Swimming" all over the place and can't find the center of the trailer. NB

I agree that the most common mistake is backing in too deep, but proper trailer depth can vary widely. For instance, if any part of my fenders are above water at most ramps, I would barely get the bow on the last 5 feet of the trailer. My fenders need to be quite deep (like 2 feet at the back) to get the boat on the trailer unless the ramp is really steep. "Flat" ramps are a problem for me.

My advice is to start shallow and get the boat winched as far as is possible without over-straining the winch, then back the trailer in a few feet, as needed, to get the boat all the way to the bow stop.

The ramp mistake that bothers me the most is when people leave their kids in the tow vehicle during the launching/retrieving process, That's a recipe for a needless tragedy. One simple mistake (which is especially easy to make when you are stressing out about the process itself) with the shift lever, gas pedal, or parking brake and the tow vehicle can easily be rapidly dragged underwater. Get everyone out and roll down the window(s) before launching and retrieving.