Ramp etiquette

C

cgpuddles

Member
Joined
Jan 5, 2010
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31926
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82
Ok, this has been bothering me. I need unbiased opinions which I know we get here! Normally I am the one who touts ramp etiquette. I expect others to not enter the launching area until they are ready. This includes being educated on launching and recovering a boat, the boat is ready to go and they have a plan. It should be seamless allowing them to back in, launch, pull out, park and hop in the boat and leave the launching area. This includes lines and bumpers rigged, coolers and items in the boat and crew ready to go. Well this weekend, let me set the stage. Since I don't know how to post a picture, we'll keep it simple. Assume the ramp runs north and south with the water line running east to west. The ramp was listed on the website as having eight lanes but I'd estimate six f-150s and 20' bowriders could fit side-by-side. Anyways, the ramps had a single lane approach road running from east to west. Now here's the story. It wasn't a popular boating day and I was pulling the boat out. I docked at the closest dock to the access road, got the truck and pulled the boat out. Due to the fact that no one was waiting and the (at least) five open launching lanes open I decided to do what I would normally consider a no-no. I pulled the boat up so that my stern was clear of the access road and gave anyone who would have showed up clear access to any of the other ramps. However I was technically still on the ramp. I took the opportunity to pull the plug real quick and take advantage of gravity. So as I bend down to put the transom tie downs on, a guy pulls up, stares me down and then proceeds to pull inches from my boat (and me since I was at the transom) pull even with my truck (despite the many open lanes) and back his boat behind me to launch in the lane I just came from.

Now I know I wasn't 100% right but come on… am I wrong or was this guy an a-hole? 5 open lanes and you launch literally behind me? At times almost hitting me, my truck and my boat. I would never have done this had it been busy, had there not been so many ramps open or even if there was anyone around when it started, but come on. I didn't infringe at all on his ability to comfortably launch and while not proper I don't think it was too inconsiderate. Let's hear the opinions. And I am open to being wrong because (and what boater isn't) I am so critical of others (in my head) that aren't considerate at a congested launch.
 
Frankly, no harm, no foul. Boating is too nice to worry about someone having a bad day.

Would I do what you describe he did? Given a the situation you describe, probably not.

Most ramps have a "local etiquette", which ( since you say you looked it up ) you may have been unaware of and inadvertently violated.

Had I been in your place, I would likely finished my business, and then reached into the cooler ( if anything was left ), and brought one <<something>> over, offered the cool can, and asked if he needed a hand getting started. If he had an issue, he would likely state it, at which point I would likely told him it won't happen again.

In any event, no point trying to read his mind at this point...

imho
 
Ha, love the response, I guess I had the two and a half hour drive back home on my mind and let go of the joy of the lake. Thanks for the input!
 
He may have a preference to that particular ramp due to current, depth, grade or something. Maybe he uses the tree line to back up with. Whatever the case, I'm sure he rationalized it in his mind, and you'll never change his opinion.
I too have stayed at the ramp when pulling the boat out at the end of the year, but that is where the water is to pressure wash the boat. Of course I am usually the last guy out of the docks, the day they turn off the power and water.
 
Im glad this thread was started. I believe in total ramp etiquette. Before I even go near the ramp I pull over to the staging area, and I get the boat ready (as much as I possibly can). I wait my turn for the lane I feel most comfortable with. Once I approach the ramp, and the boat is backed up enough, I get out, set the lines (same ones I use as tie downs), plug the boat, and unhook the front and in the water she goes. Once I make sure the boat is secured to the dock ill move my truck and back to the boat I go. It takes no more then 5 minutes for me to dump the boat, park the truck, and get the motor running and out of that I go..

I see people at the ramps who feel the need wash their boat down at the ramp, there is a whole different section for that (well at the ramp I use there is). If I see someone struggling or looking confused ill go out and give them a hand. Not to hurry them along but alot can go wrong when launching a boat. One guy last summer released the the winch strap too early and the boat slid right off the trailer and got stuck on the ramp, never made it into the water..

excellent thread, Ill be looking forward to what others have to say...
 
If he was single-handing and the lane was nearest the dock, that might be why he wanted to use it. I walked my old boat to the dock, rather than drive it, on occasion.
 
Speedo, that was one of my considerations.... While I was at the dock closest to the access road, there were other docks available. So there were other docks that would have been easier to get to. I too was singlehanding (if you don't count the dogs) a cruiser so I was sure to leave that considerations for others.
 
My 2 cents ... if you had moved clearr of the area there would not have been a problem for either of you.
 
Pete, if the guy had used one of the other 5 spaces, there would have been no problems either... But you are correct, also.
 
I bet he used that space so he could float his boat to the dock easier. He was most likely alone, and saw the wind was pushing to that side of the ram, he would back down float the boat, and while still holding the bow line would walk from the trailer to the dock to tie it up ...all while not getting his feet wet.

I will be honest with you, when I used to trailer I would always launch next to the dock, float my boat, run to the dock tie it up real quick, run back to my truck and park it. I usually was alone, and had it down to about 2 minutes.

A buddy of mine trailers a 33 Formula SS, he gets it in and out alone in about 5 minutes, where as I see guys with 17ft bow riders taking 25 minutes to launch their "Queen Marys".
 
No wind, no current, heck sun was directly overhead so even no shade preference. As I said before there was additional dock space for him. Heck the dock I used was even sagging so there were better docks to use. And I do singlehand most of the time (even with the admiral I feel alone still, not fully trained yet, just a few launches so far for her) so I try to be considerate and my dislike of waiting drives my extreme dislike of loitering on the ramp but in this case I just didn't see the problem. He had plenty of lanes to choose from, dock space and I had pulled well far enough ahead to not bother him. Oh well. I had expected this to draw much more conversation than this ;-)
 
Mike, he doesn't know you, he thinks you're just another guy who stops and messes with his boat on the ramp.Then, just like a guy that pulls out real slow in front of you while you are driving down a highway, and then you pass him but cut in real close to him when you go by, just to show him you don't approve of his discourteous driving. I'm with Psalzer on this one, but, still, no harm no foul and he could have avoided the situation also.
Don't let it spoil the boating, or, the drive home.
 
quote:
Originally posted by cgpuddles

Oh well. I had expected this to draw much more conversation than this ;-)

Click to expand...


Threads are weird things. Sometimes the weirdest question or statement can turn into an 8 page thread, other times its a flash in the pan and its over.

This one is pretty cut & dry. You did what you did, he did what he did.

Maybe he would have done it even if your were not there, maybe that's his favorite lane, who knows.

But its still true, every action creates a reaction.

Imagine that you changed his destiny by being parked there. If you were not there he would have parked differently and maybe launched 1 minute sooner. Since he choose to drive around you the rest of his life is now 1-2 minutes later than if your were not there.

His destiny changed, and now everyone he encounters will be changed because of that.

You changed my destiny by posting your thread, I took the time to respond.

Did my response change my destiny or was it already my destiny to respond to it?
 
quote:
Originally posted by cgpuddles

At times almost hitting me, my truck and my boat.
Click to expand...


For some reason he may have preferred that part of the ramp. There are some people who can back up a trailer and put it where they want it even if there may be a little bit of an obstruction. You may have been a little on edge with him backing up but he may not have even given it a second thought. Your thought is that he should have gone to either side of you. His thoughts were there was more than enough room to back it in.
 
The other guys sounds like a "black and white" boater, meaning he sees the rules and obeys them even if he's the ONLY one there and assumes others should do the same. Gray is OK! I've done the same thing when no one is around, but I'm always ready to move before anything develops. Gravity works all the way home with the plug out! I wouldn't let it bother you at all. No one around to yell at anybody anyway!
 
Maybe he was new to boating.

If there was 5 lanes empty why pull so close to you i would ask him.

And i would have said move that over there your too close to me i don't like it.

There is always one who has to try to ruin your day at a busy ramp and now when it's not busy also.

If this thread keeps going maybe i'll post some of my weird launching and retrieving at the ramp stories.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Chief Alen

If there was 5 lanes empty why pull so close to you i would ask him.

And i would have said move that over there your too close to me i don't like it.

Click to expand...


Then there are the guys who want to mind others business.

So what, the guy backed around you and went into his favorite spot. He did not hit you or flip you the bird, he just adapted to the situation, went through extra trouble to do what he wanted and did it.

Now you want to march down there and tell him to move?

2 wrongs don't make a right, and who says he was wrong? Maybe is is just very particular on his launching methods.

Maybe instead of him getting out and telling YOU to move, he just went around so you could continue prepping your boat for the trip home.

More hugs less slugs.
 
He was a jackasterisc and should be flogged and sent to sea with Geoff and Bob...
 
i too pull my plug at the ramp takes a minute. But i learned my lesson, i was backing down the ramp and a guy came around me backing his boat i almost ran into him and had to wait for him to finish launching he just shrugged when i said thats f--ked up what you just did.

me i back down to the water edge the plugs in and i splash the boat stop and get out to release the bow strap.

I pull out i stop cause most times with the tides i cant bring the bow of the boat to the bow stop its about 12 -15 inchs away. So then i have to pull up till the back of the boat clears the water i walk back pull the plug and walk to the front of the boat hit the electric winch button. It touchs the bow stop i pull my boat clear.

From the minute the boat touchs the trailer till i'm pulled clear of the ramp is 5 minutes tops, if people can't wait tough nuggies.
 
Doesn't general ram etiquette suggest one uses the ramp furthest away from the access road so as not to impede the next vehicle combo loading/unloading in the lot?
 
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