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.