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Poll

Do you turn your headlights off when launching your boat in the dark?

Yes, I turn them off so the guy launching next to me can see to back down.
56 (80%)
No, I leave them on.
8 (11.4%)
Not only do I leave my lights on but I back down the middle of a dual ramp so no one can launch next to me and I take at least 20 minutes to get my boat off the trailer.
6 (8.6%)

Total Members Voted: 70

Author Topic: Lights on or off when launching?  (Read 5544 times)

Offline CP

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Lights on or off when launching?
« on: August 26, 2013, 09:19:35 AM »
Let’s tell the truth now folks.

Offline PolarBear

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Re: Lights on or off when launching?
« Reply #1 on: August 26, 2013, 09:23:32 AM »
Lights out except marker lights, as far to the side as possible, in and gone, NO FARTING AROUND ON THE RAMP!!!!!!!

Offline h20hunter

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Re: Lights on or off when launching?
« Reply #2 on: August 26, 2013, 09:33:52 AM »
I only leave on my fogs....don't need my headlights.....

Offline Buckmark

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Re: Lights on or off when launching?
« Reply #3 on: August 26, 2013, 10:03:37 AM »
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....
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*Parks on only...*
« Last Edit: August 26, 2013, 10:15:52 AM by Buckmark »
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Offline Thefisherman83

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Re: Lights on or off when launching?
« Reply #4 on: August 26, 2013, 10:05:27 AM »
 :yeah:  Pretty much sums it up.  :chuckle: :chuckle:
Hunting and Fishing are not matters of life or death... THEY ARE WAY MORE IMPORTANT!!!

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Poles are for skiing, Rods are for fishing!
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Offline huntnphool

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Re: Lights on or off when launching?
« Reply #5 on: August 26, 2013, 10:14:03 AM »
Parking lights only for me so they can see me and my trailer.
The things that come to those who wait, may be the things left by those who got there first!

Offline WSU

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Re: Lights on or off when launching?
« Reply #6 on: August 26, 2013, 11:59:06 AM »
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.   :dunno:

Offline lostbackpacker

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Re: Lights on or off when launching?
« Reply #7 on: August 26, 2013, 12:02:48 PM »
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
It is what you meant it to be...

Offline huntnphool

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Re: Lights on or off when launching?
« Reply #8 on: August 26, 2013, 12:29:14 PM »
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.   :dunno:
I should have introduced myself the several times I have seen you at the ramp. :chuckle:
The things that come to those who wait, may be the things left by those who got there first!

Offline ghosthunter

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Re: Lights on or off when launching?
« Reply #9 on: August 26, 2013, 12:35:06 PM »
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????
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Offline #Bird_Dog

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Re: Lights on or off when launching?
« Reply #10 on: August 27, 2013, 12:32:00 AM »
Parking lights only, just so others can see my corners and hopefully not hit me.

Offline mkcj

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Re: Lights on or off when launching?
« Reply #11 on: August 27, 2013, 12:59:49 AM »
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. :bash:

Offline crazysccrmd

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Re: Lights on or off when launching?
« Reply #12 on: August 27, 2013, 01:41:54 AM »
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.
"Republicans NEED to find a salesman! They couldn't sell a hooker on a troop ship full of 10,000 marines!" - thanks Special T

Offline bknilvr00

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Re: Lights on or off when launching?
« Reply #13 on: August 27, 2013, 05:36:56 AM »
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.


Offline WSU

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Re: Lights on or off when launching?
« Reply #14 on: August 27, 2013, 09:34:50 AM »
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.   :dunno:
I should have introduced myself the several times I have seen you at the ramp. :chuckle:

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

 


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