Boat launch etiquette

[CP]

It’s that time of year when the launches get crowded.  A little planning and courtesy at the ramp will help everyone get along and spend less time waiting in line.

•   Have your boat ready to go when you get in the launch line.  Don’t expect everyone to wait while you mount your downriggers, kicker motor or whatever else.
•   If you don’t have 4 wheel drive don’t try to launch at places with poor traction.  Blocking the ramp and spraying gravel off your spinning wheels isn’t cool.
•   If it’s a double ramp don’t back right down the middle.
•   Turn your headlights off!
•   Walk your boat down the ramp to give the next boat room to launch.
•   Don’t make other boat maneuver around you after you launch. 

[Special T]

Good luck with that! One of my favorite things to do was watch those new to boating,or thinking, launch at the sammamish state park launch.
My all time favorite is a guy trying to pull his ski boat up the steepest ramp which was wet with his corvette!  That was a hell of a smoke show!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I547 using Tapatalk

[WSU]

Here's what I do:

First, I make sure everything is in my truck (both the back and cab) and NOT my boat when I get to the launch.  I don't want things flying out.  Then, get in line with everyone else.  Once it is my turn, I back halfway down the ramp.  Then, I get out (lights left on and pointing at everyone in line) and load everything into the boat.  I make sure I take the time to get my poles put together and rigged (I travel with them completely broken down) so I don't have to do it on the water.  It just seems easier on the ramp.  Once everything is put away in the boat and all my gear rigged, I back down to the water's edge.  Now, I get out and find the plug for my boat.  I keep it buried in the glove box of the boat.  Then I put the plug in and take the straps off.  Then, I retrieve the bow line and bumpers from truck (again, I don't want them flying out or in the way while I'm rigging things).  I tie them.  Then, I back down and launch my boat.  I tie it off at the closest part of the dock, usually about 1 foot past the end of my trailer.  Then, I go park my truck. 

I have it down to a pretty good science.  It usually only takes me 20 or 25 minutes from when it's my turn until I am done launching.

[Jonathan_S]

Here's what I do:

First, I make sure everything is in my truck (both the back and cab) and NOT my boat when I get to the launch.  I don't want things flying out.  Then, get in line with everyone else.  Once it is my turn, I back halfway down the ramp.  Then, I get out (lights left on and pointing at everyone in line) and load everything into the boat.  I make sure I take the time to get my poles put together and rigged (I travel with them completely broken down) so I don't have to do it on the water.  It just seems easier on the ramp.  Once everything is put away in the boat and all my gear rigged, I back down to the water's edge.  Now, I get out and find the plug for my boat.  I keep it buried in the glove box of the boat.  Then I put the plug in and take the straps off.  Then, I retrieve the bow line and bumpers from truck (again, I don't want them flying out or in the way while I'm rigging things).  I tie them.  Then, I back down and launch my boat.  I tie it off at the closest part of the dock, usually about 1 foot past the end of my trailer.  Then, I go park my truck. 

I have it down to a pretty good science.  It usually only takes me 20 or 25 minutes from when it's my turn until I am done launching.

  love this but hate it in real life

[rtspring]

You got it all wrong.  Drive to the launch with no boat, bring two lawn chairs and a couple twelve packs.  Park your truck in a safe spot, break out the lawn chairs and the beer!  Just sit back and enjoy the idiot show!!

Beats just about any day you could have out on the water

[Hunterman]

I've spent my good hard earn money to launch my boat, and I'm going to use every cent of it..

Hunterman(Tony)

[Timberstalker]

You got it all wrong.  Drive to the launch with no boat, bring two lawn chairs and a couple twelve packs.  Park your truck in a safe spot, break out the lawn chairs and the beer!  Just sit back and enjoy the idiot show!!

Beats just about any day you could have out on the water

Especially fun on Sunday of the Boat Races.  LMAO!

[h20hunter]

No no no no.....all wrong so far

What you do is don't take of your stern straps until you dunk it. Then pull it out, drain the water, and dunk it again minus straps. Then, blow a tire that you should have fixed 20 years ago. Then, try and take it off at the water line, take it off, and strip the heck out of everything doing it. Then, cuss and swear and drag your trailer up the ramp with your axle stub digging in and making an nice little groove behind you. Park it, bring you half rack of beer down, get in the boat, and get going.

True story.

[WSU]

No no no no.....all wrong so far

What you do is don't take of your stern straps until you dunk it. Then pull it out, drain the water, and dunk it again minus straps. Then, blow a tire that you should have fixed 20 years ago. Then, try and take it off at the water line, take it off, and strip the heck out of everything doing it. Then, cuss and swear and drag your trailer up the ramp with your axle stub digging in and making an nice little groove behind you. Park it, bring you half rack of beer down, get in the boat, and get going.

True story.

A few years ago at Everett I watched a guy lose his 40 year old 26 foot glass boat of the trailer when taking out.  He had an equally old electric winch that gave out and hadn't chained it to the trailer (just the strap from the winch was connected).  He got about 15 feet up and you could hear the winch gears as the boat slid of the trailer and came to rest in the middle of the launch.  He and about 100 witnesses (me included) all looked at the situation with a look that said "WTF is he going to do now?"  I actually felt really bad for the guy. 

That is the ultimate way to cork everyone.

[BigGoonTuna]

you forgot the part about waiting to make sure your 1973 mercury still runs, and spending an hour sitting on the boat ramp trying to get that old junker started.

biggest peeve for me is the launch campers.  it's a boat launch, not a bank fishing spot.  i couldn't care less what you do on the ramp when there's nobody launching, but when that time comes, get the hell out of the way!  i'll be dealing with this a lot in the coming weeks on the nisqually.  with no improved launches, and BNSF putting rocks where we used to launch below the trestle, my only option any more is the gravel bar on the ft. lewis side.  lucky if i can maneuver my little trailer through the line of bankies parked right on the rivers edge...i can see why the indians leave their trailers parked in the river there!

[WSU]

you forgot the part about waiting to make sure your 1973 mercury still runs, and spending an hour sitting on the boat ramp trying to get that old junker started.

biggest peeve for me is the launch campers.  it's a boat launch, not a bank fishing spot.  i couldn't care less what you do on the ramp when there's nobody launching, but when that time comes, get the hell out of the way!  i'll be dealing with this a lot in the coming weeks on the nisqually.  with no improved launches, and BNSF putting rocks where we used to launch below the trestle, my only option any more is the gravel bar on the ft. lewis side.  lucky if i can maneuver my little trailer through the line of bankies parked right on the rivers edge...i can see why the indians leave their trailers parked in the river there!

I wouldn't mind hitching a ride with you.  I've haven't fish the nisqually because I can't deal with the bank crowded.  I like to see it from a boat before I head out there on my own.

[Bill W]

I got a bumper sticker that says "I might be slow but I'm ahead of you".

[Rainier10]

Here's what I do:

First, I make sure everything is in my truck (both the back and cab) and NOT my boat when I get to the launch.  I don't want things flying out.  Then, get in line with everyone else.  Once it is my turn, I back halfway down the ramp.  Then, I get out (lights left on and pointing at everyone in line) and load everything into the boat.  I make sure I take the time to get my poles put together and rigged (I travel with them completely broken down) so I don't have to do it on the water.  It just seems easier on the ramp.  Once everything is put away in the boat and all my gear rigged, I back down to the water's edge.  Now, I get out and find the plug for my boat.  I keep it buried in the glove box of the boat.  Then I put the plug in and take the straps off.  Then, I retrieve the bow line and bumpers from truck (again, I don't want them flying out or in the way while I'm rigging things).  I tie them.  Then, I back down and launch my boat.  I tie it off at the closest part of the dock, usually about 1 foot past the end of my trailer.  Then, I go park my truck. 

I have it down to a pretty good science.  It usually only takes me 20 or 25 minutes from when it's my turn until I am done launching.

Pretty sure I see you and actually whoever it is that you are describing at the launch everytime I go. 

Rtspring has the right idea and I always think the same thing when I see the idiot show at the launch, next time I am just going to bring a lawn chair and half rack of beer and enjoy the show.

[doyourtime89]

If you just want to kick back and enjoy a good comedy show, head down to the Redondo boat launch with a chair chill out and a watch the show.  One of the worst set ups for a boat launch to begin with then add HUMPYS and its just great to watch.  I will be there from time to time  (watching of course).....hahaha

[7mmfan]

No no no no.....all wrong so far

What you do is don't take of your stern straps until you dunk it. Then pull it out, drain the water, and dunk it again minus straps. Then, blow a tire that you should have fixed 20 years ago. Then, try and take it off at the water line, take it off, and strip the heck out of everything doing it. Then, cuss and swear and drag your trailer up the ramp with your axle stub digging in and making an nice little groove behind you. Park it, bring you half rack of beer down, get in the boat, and get going.

True story.

   Why let a flat/no tire get in the way of a good day of beer drinking? He'll get the new one on after he backs it back down to pick his boat up at the end of the day.

[7mmfan]

For real though, actually try to figure out how to back your boat trailer up before you  head to the launch. Las humpy season I backed the 2 rigs in front of me in line down for them. The first guy just flat couldn't do it, and I got tired of watching after 10 minutes. I politely asked if he would mind if I did it for him so we could move the line along. 35 seconds later when I pulled back up, the guy right in front of me asked if I would back his down to. Maybe I should start a boat launching service this fall...   

[h20hunter]

It does get interesting. I take pride that I can launch, move the boat, tie it up, and get the rig out of the way solo much faster than 95% of the people doing with with a buddy/wife/gf........

Mukilteo launch is my favorite for people watching. POS launch, right on the point and subject to wind and tides......the perfect storm.

[NRA4LIFE]

RTSpring has it right.  This state is a hoot.

[bhawley76]

Lake Washington and sea fair is pretty hard to beat also.

[Gobble Doc]

Truck/Trailer dictates removal the order at the ramp, not the order of the boats lined up on the dock, right?  Do we all agree on this? 

[lokidog]

Truck/Trailer dictates removal the order at the ramp, not the order of the boats lined up on the dock, right?  Do we all agree on this?

Hell no!  How am I supposed to get my truck/trailer in line while not being able to tie my boat to the dock because all of the aholes with multiple people can just bow drop their buddy to go get the truck? Launching, sure, you are there first and in line but landing it should be order of arrival by boat.  Washington Park is the worst I have launched at for this crap, 45 minute wait with others coming in after me but were able to get their trucks first.

[h20hunter]

 

Boats come out in the order they are on the dock. When one is coming out if you are next you should be in your rig, ready and waiting to back down in place but not blocking anyone else.

[Gobble Doc]

Truck/Trailer dictates removal the order at the ramp, not the order of the boats lined up on the dock, right?  Do we all agree on this?

Hell no!  How am I supposed to get my truck/trailer in line while not being able to tie my boat to the dock because all of the aholes with multiple people can just bow drop their buddy to go get the truck? Launching, sure, you are there first and in line but landing it should be order of arrival by boat.  Washington Park is the worst I have launched at for this crap, 45 minute wait with others coming in after me but were able to get their trucks first.

I'm glad to hear what people think on this.  I've honestly never had much of a problem on this front except at Washington Park last weekend when someone yelled at me for cutting in line and I didn't even have a boat or a trailer!  I just happened to be standing off by myself near the dock.  My impression is that there is no clear cut etiquette on this topic.  In order of avoiding an argument I usually just wait patiently in the boat line on the dock and then leave to get my trailer with my kid in the boat and have him call me on the cell phone so that as soon as my boat gets 1st in line so that I can try to quickly drive right down and get it without cutting anyone off or cutting ahead.  But, I too am thinking about using my boat more on my own and so I may soon run into new situations. 

[lokidog]

Honestly, Washington Park is the only place I have had this issue come up.  Of course, it is also the only crowded ramp I have been to by myself.

[CP]

I agree there is no clear cut answer for this one.  Boat order works until it doesn’t.  If it really busy and there is no dock space what works best is to drop off someone to get the trailer then motor out and wait for the trailer to be backed in.  Of course that does not work for the solo boater.  Solo boaters need to be given some slack.

[Whitpirate]

It does get interesting. I take pride that I can launch, move the boat, tie it up, and get the rig out of the way solo much faster than 95% of the people doing with with a buddy/wife/gf........

Mukilteo launch is my favorite for people watching. POS launch, right on the point and subject to wind and tides......the perfect storm.

I feel like I got a system down and I hate to launch at Mukilteo.  I won't miss the opportunity to just keep on to Everett and spend the 20 minutes steaming across the bay.  That wind on an ebb tide is a bitch.

[h20hunter]

I have never, and will never, launch at Muk. No thanks!

[Gobble Doc]

It does get interesting. I take pride that I can launch, move the boat, tie it up, and get the rig out of the way solo much faster than 95% of the people doing with with a buddy/wife/gf........

Mukilteo launch is my favorite for people watching. POS launch, right on the point and subject to wind and tides......the perfect storm.

My favorite is the ramp in Snohomish.  The ramp is narrow and too short at low tide so that if someone backs in too far their trailer tires too off the edge.  During pink season at dusk the boats begin to congest.  Lots of boats+beer+full bladders+low tide =good entertainment.  Plus all of the pinks that haven't been put on ice and that are just hanging over the boat in the warm water.  Yum. 

[JJB11B]

I love where I fish, of course I don't have a boat right now, but when I do or when I am with someone with a boat the lines are usually moving quickly and rarely more than 4-5 boats on a busy day.

[Angry Perch]

28' cobalt behind an Escalade, and the boat won't start.

12 year old boy: "Dad, is the lanyard connected"

Dad: "What the heck is a lanyard"

$75,000 rig? Check
$100,000 boat? Check
An ounce of common sense? Oh heck no!!

[Rick]

Truck/Trailer dictates removal the order at the ramp, not the order of the boats lined up on the dock, right?  Do we all agree on this?

Of course.

Which is going to run smoother and be faster to retrieve?

A steady line of trucks and trailers going in/out of the water based on who is READY to retrieve.

Or a line of trucks sitting and waiting because one guy thinks since he has the first spot on the dock,everyone needs to wait on him.

[Miles]

When my trailer is in the water, my boat is going on it.  I don't care where anyone is tied up on the dock.  I should video some of the launches down here in California for you guys.  Way to many people...

[Mfowl]

When my trailer is in the water, my boat is going on it.  I don't care where anyone is tied up on the dock.  I should video some of the launches down here in California for you guys.  Way to many people...

  Next trailer in the water is the next boat out of the water!

[DOUBLELUNG]

You got it all wrong.  Drive to the launch with no boat, bring two lawn chairs and a couple twelve packs.  Park your truck in a safe spot, break out the lawn chairs and the beer!  Just sit back and enjoy the idiot show!!

Beats just about any day you could have out on the water

I have purposely eaten lunch at The Lake Stop in Chelan many times, specifically because they have such great seats that overlook the boat launch.  Food and a show!

[The Gobble-stopper]

Last year at the Silver lake boat launch, duck season. We left for a day of hunting, along with 3 or 4 other boats and hunters. When we all came back, at aprox. the same time. We found a ford ranger and boat trailer backed down the ramp and into the water, with no boat and no one around. We hollered, looked around. Waited half an hour.. Now this is a one boat ramp, and no way for us to get out. Many of us were about to do something to the truck, figuring they went hunting and left it on the ramp. Thoughts and talk of shooting the tires out, rolling the truck and trailer into the lake. etc. etc. Well finally someone couldn't take it any longer, as one of the hunters was calling the sheriffs dept. to have it towed. Another broke into the truck and was going to go ahead and take it out of gear and let it sink. Just as he was taking it out of gear the sheriffs dept showed up... They saw what was going on and the line up of people. They just laughed, and told the guy that they should probably turn their back and let them have there fun. Well that calmed things down. And soon a tow truck arrived. They towed the vehicle away along with the trailer. They waited another hour, and after the others left. We stayed and watched. The guys showed up. We couldn't hear it all, but got a hefty fine. And a ride to somewhere??? They had been fishing and drinking, heard them say they thought nobody used the boat launch...

[CP]

Don't be this guy:

[Jonathan_S]

It does get interesting. I take pride that I can launch, move the boat, tie it up, and get the rig out of the way solo much faster than 95% of the people doing with with a buddy/wife/gf........

I am faster alone than with my wife helping