Boat launch etiquette

[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!!