Lights on or off when launching?

[CP]

Let’s tell the truth now folks.

[PolarBear]

Lights out except marker lights, as far to the side as possible, in and gone, NO FARTING AROUND ON THE RAMP!!!!!!!

[h20hunter]

I only leave on my fogs....don't need my headlights.....

[Buckmark]

Head lights on high beam, auxiliary 85watt piaas on also, auxiliary backup lights under bumper on, boat headlights on. Doors open and stereo blasting out the latest ballad of what I'm gonna do to my Ho while thumping the bass, back down, then get out and notice i am crooked, pull up and try again, back down, try and launch, realize rear straps still on, pull up, back down again, launch, notice the safety chain is still on, winch up remove chain, launch.
Forget stern rope, tie off bow, have stern blow around, walk 5 ft and tie it off, walk to truck and get all my stuff, load in boat, get boat started, get all pole holders, down riggers, nets, poles, coffee cup in cup holder, idle engine down.
Go and move truck (which has been running, lights all still on with the doors open and the music blasting this whole time), boat is still at the front of the dock, not moved out to the end. park. set alarm, walk away and notice that the lights are till on, go back and turn off lights.
Get in the boat, bitch about some guy who has tied up in front of me, give him the "look" as i go by, cause a wake as i race to the no wake sign....
*
*Parks on only...*

[Thefisherman83]

   Pretty much sums it up. 

[huntnphool]

Parking lights only for me so they can see me and my trailer.

[WSU]

I leave my lights on.  I don't get anything ready until I've backed down the launch.  I stop just above the water, lights on, and move everything from my truck to the boat.  I then organize the boat.  Then I unstrap the boat and put the plug in.  I back down until just barely in the water.  Get out, unhook the chain.  Back down more.  I launch the boat, and tie it to the dock about 10 feet from the ramp.  I then go park, leaving my boat tied up.  When I get back, I start the motors and warm them up for 20 minutes while I rig my fishin' pole.

Seems pretty efficient and is how I've always done it.   

[lostbackpacker]

lights off... the guys that leave the lights on are the same guys that wait until the boat is backed down to load the boat with the coolers, fishing poles and everything else

[huntnphool]

I leave my lights on.  I don't get anything ready until I've backed down the launch.  I stop just above the water, lights on, and move everything from my truck to the boat.  I then organize the boat.  Then I unstrap the boat and put the plug in.  I back down until just barely in the water.  Get out, unhook the chain.  Back down more.  I launch the boat, and tie it to the dock about 10 feet from the ramp.  I then go park, leaving my boat tied up.  When I get back, I start the motors and warm them up for 20 minutes while I rig my fishin' pole.

Seems pretty efficient and is how I've always done it.   

I should have introduced myself the several times I have seen you at the ramp.

[ghosthunter]

I was told by a shop that wired my trailer lights to always have lights off when going in or out of the water.
Save on short outs?

[#Bird_Dog]

Parking lights only, just so others can see my corners and hopefully not hit me.

[mkcj]

Parking lights only, down the middle. Most launches I can go between both sides while others launch. It's nice having sons that can operate the boat and there's no need to use the dock other than to get on and off the boat from the end of dock. What really upsets me is when people pull into the launch lane and then get out to remove the back straps, put out bumpers,  lines and drain plug in.

[crazysccrmd]

I back close to the water, hop out, open the back, pull my boat out and set it on the shore, attach the oars, toss in my gear, park, and start rowing my little 7ft dinghy around while all you rich folk stare and sometimes laugh.

[bknilvr00]

I usually leave my lights on. People like to back right in front of me before they realize I'm sitting there. It's not like I'm there very long anyways. I have all my stuff in the boat by the time I hit the ramp. I just get the back end of the boat wet, hop out of the truck, un hook the chain climb in the boat, start it up, reverse it off the trailer and beach it like a Normandy landing craft. Then run the truck to a parking spot and run back to the boat to get on my way. A riveted Jon boat definitely has its advantages.

Sent from my space modulator.

[WSU]

I leave my lights on.  I don't get anything ready until I've backed down the launch.  I stop just above the water, lights on, and move everything from my truck to the boat.  I then organize the boat.  Then I unstrap the boat and put the plug in.  I back down until just barely in the water.  Get out, unhook the chain.  Back down more.  I launch the boat, and tie it to the dock about 10 feet from the ramp.  I then go park, leaving my boat tied up.  When I get back, I start the motors and warm them up for 20 minutes while I rig my fishin' pole.

Seems pretty efficient and is how I've always done it.   

I should have introduced myself the several times I have seen you at the ramp.

Please do next time you see me.  I'm usually out and about, especially during humpy season!

[lokidog]

Noone else launches here in the dark....     Depending on the circumstances, I would try to be considerate, and I don't want them backing into my grill so it would proibably be parking lights once I was lined up.

[GEARHEAD]

people that leave their head lights on while backing down the ramp and while unloading are basically inconsiderate *censored*s, and that many i believe do it on purpose, to blind everybody.

[mkcj]

I really like leaving lights on with High beams and driving lights when launching at west Seattle launch, That way I can see what the people are doing in the condo's across the street.

[Kuduman]

Always OFF....
If launching with your lights on, on a weekend during the height of the buoy 10 season. you will be told the origin of you,  your family and any friends that you may have with you. 

Kuduman

[Snowgoose1]

mkcj  That's the only way to do it.  Down the middle dump it off and down the middle drive it on.  Sons are a true blessing (at times).  We usually only have a less than 30 second launch or pick up situation.  As for the people who leave their lights on at the launch it's the same people you run in to on a dirt road deer or elk hunting who have no idea how to go around each other. Good topic!

[bear hunter]

My 2000 Chevy light turn on automatic and can't turn them off as I back down but I only take 5 Min's or less to launch and remove not 20 Min's .

[CP]

My 2000 Chevy light turn on automatic and can't turn them off as I back down but I only take 5 Min's or less to launch and remove not 20 Min's .

Try pressing the interior light button off/on 4 times quickly.  That should turn them off.

[bear hunter]

I'll try it. Thanks

[Rick]

My 2000 Chevy light turn on automatic and can't turn them off as I back down but I only take 5 Min's or less to launch and remove not 20 Min's .

Been there with my old Chevy.

Leave your parking brake on a click or two. Not enough to engage the brake,but enough that the lights won't turn on.

[lokidog]

My 2000 Chevy light turn on automatic and can't turn them off as I back down but I only take 5 Min's or less to launch and remove not 20 Min's .

Try pressing the interior light button off/on 4 times quickly.  That should turn them off.

Beat me to it, this disables the auto headlights.  I just checked, it's three clicks of the "dome overide" to disable the auto lights and four clicks to turn them back on.

[bear hunter]

I tried it this morning but nothing happened. Do I push the dome button before I put it in to gear or right after I start her up? I hate the auto lights. LOL The ferry and guards at Banger Naval base always yell at me. I just tell them you show me how and I would love to turn them off. LOL I hope this dome thing works or I will just push a little on the parking brake if that work. Thanks guys

[Smokepole]

When I launch it is a total cluster  @@#$k. I have 50,000,000 candle power halogens & I'm not afraid to use them.  I back down the very middle because i need every bit of space I can get.  My wife can't back up a trailer worth beans and we get in fights a lot at the launch and it takes time.  Sometimes I forget to pay and have to walk over to the machine.  But I don't give a damn.  These things take time people!!!. Got to fiddle with my canvas also.  Light a cig.  It won't come off the trailer for some reason.  Wife is in a bad mood usually and always snaps at me when she backs a trailer.  i don't have to take that crap.  Why can't she do what she's told?  Wife is usually right in the middle of mixing my fuel 50/1 when some jerkwad starts honking his horn, like he wants to back in right next to us and launch.  Yeah right... like there's room for another rig.  The boat doesn't want to break free of the trailer for some reason & I found out my old lady forgot to take the straps off the back.  Figures.  We have to pull out for a minute.  Then the truck dies & I have to dig for the starting fluid.  Finally get the truck running and the boat is loose.  Hot Dang!  But then I find out the wife accidentally mixed 25/1 and the outboard is puffing smoke like Keith Richards.  I guess there are three types of people on this earth.  Those who are good at math, and those that aren't.    

 

[Ridgeratt]

I unplug the trailer so I don't smoke the lights on it and just use the parking lights on the truck to back in. But the boat is also rigged with LED's so I can see what it is doing as well.

[lokidog]

When I launch it is a total cluster  @@#$k. I have 50,000,000 candle power halogens & I'm not afraid to use them.  I back down the very middle because i need every bit of space I can get.  My wife can't back up a trailer worth beans and we get in fights a lot at the launch and it takes time.  Sometimes I forget to pay and have to walk over to the machine.  But I don't give a damn.  These things take time people!!!. Got to fiddle with my canvas also.  Light a cig.  It won't come off the trailer for some reason.  Wife is in a bad mood usually and always snaps at me when she backs a trailer.  i don't have to take that crap.  Why can't she do what she's told?  Wife is usually right in the middle of mixing my fuel 50/1 when some jerkwad starts honking his horn, like he wants to back in right next to us and launch.  Yeah right... like there's room for another rig.  The boat doesn't want to break free of the trailer for some reason & I found out my old lady forgot to take the straps off the back.  Figures.  We have to pull out for a minute.  Then the truck dies & I have to dig for the starting fluid.  Finally get the truck running and the boat is loose.  Hot Dang!  But then I find out the wife accidentally mixed 25/1 and the outboard is puffing smoke like Keith Richards.  I guess there are three types of people on this earth.  Those who are good at math, and those that aren't.    

 

   

Just another day in the Walmart parking lot, er I mean boat ramp.   

[Smokepole]

I bought my outboard from a guy at the Walmart parking lot!

[L-ofalab]

Please help me! My fishing bud has a Ford is there a way to shut off his lights like the Chevy's? I have a Ram and they only come on when I turn them on, the way I like it. I always unplug the trailer lights but still burn out bulbs frequently! I guess I should bite the bullet and get LED lights.

[CP]

Please help me! My fishing bud has a Ford is there a way to shut off his lights like the Chevy's? I have a Ram and they only come on when I turn them on, the way I like it. I always unplug the trailer lights but still burn out bulbs frequently! I guess I should bite the bullet and get LED lights.

There probably is a fuse that can be pulled.  The owner’s manual should tell all, look for DRL (daytime running lights).  Or Google it, ford-trucks.com has a wealth of info.  There is also an organization dedicated to headlight free boat launching (not exactly but close anyway)

http://www.fordf150.net/howto/drl.php

http://www.lightsout.org/disable.html