Post by: CP on August 05, 2015, 09:41:13 AM
• 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.
Post by: Special T on August 05, 2015, 09:47:46 AM
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
Post by: WSU on August 05, 2015, 09:48:21 AM
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.
Post by: Jonathan_S on August 05, 2015, 09:54:42 AM
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.
:chuckle: love this but hate it in real life
Post by: rtspring on August 05, 2015, 09:54:50 AM
Beats just about any day you could have out on the water :chuckle:
Post by: Hunterman on August 05, 2015, 10:01:53 AM
Hunterman(Tony)
Post by: Timberstalker on August 05, 2015, 10:04:36 AM
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 :chuckle:
Especially fun on Sunday of the Boat Races. LMAO!
Post by: h20hunter on August 05, 2015, 10:10:16 AM
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.
Post by: WSU on August 05, 2015, 10:22:32 AM
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.
Post by: BigGoonTuna on August 05, 2015, 10:24:41 AM
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!
Post by: WSU on August 05, 2015, 11:13:56 AM
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. :chuckle:
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.
Post by: Bill W on August 05, 2015, 11:14:47 AM
Post by: Rainier10 on August 05, 2015, 11:46:18 AM
Here's what I do:Pretty sure I see you and actually whoever it is that you are describing at the launch everytime I go. :chuckle:
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.
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.
Post by: doyourtime89 on August 05, 2015, 11:49:26 AM
Post by: 7mmfan on August 05, 2015, 12:08:24 PM
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.
:chuckle: 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.
Post by: 7mmfan on August 05, 2015, 12:11:22 PM
Post by: h20hunter on August 05, 2015, 12:13:27 PM
Mukilteo launch is my favorite for people watching. POS launch, right on the point and subject to wind and tides......the perfect storm.
Post by: NRA4LIFE on August 05, 2015, 12:13:43 PM
Post by: bhawley76 on August 05, 2015, 12:29:56 PM
Post by: Gobble Doc on August 05, 2015, 01:33:10 PM
Post by: lokidog on August 05, 2015, 01:50:10 PM
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.
Post by: h20hunter on August 05, 2015, 02:01:02 PM
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.
Post by: Gobble Doc on August 05, 2015, 02:02:55 PM
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.
Post by: lokidog on August 05, 2015, 02:16:00 PM
Post by: CP on August 05, 2015, 02:23:30 PM
Post by: Whitpirate on August 05, 2015, 02:31:09 PM
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.
Post by: h20hunter on August 05, 2015, 02:55:55 PM
Post by: Gobble Doc on August 05, 2015, 03:07:41 PM
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.
Post by: JJB11B on August 05, 2015, 03:10:16 PM
Post by: Angry Perch on August 05, 2015, 04:19:20 PM
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!!
Post by: Rick on August 05, 2015, 04:24:12 PM
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.
Post by: Miles on August 05, 2015, 04:27:53 PM
Post by: Mfowl on August 05, 2015, 04:57:52 PM
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...
:yeah: Next trailer in the water is the next boat out of the water!
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on August 05, 2015, 05:24:20 PM
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!!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!
Beats just about any day you could have out on the water :chuckle:
Post by: The Gobble-stopper on August 05, 2015, 10:37:37 PM
Post by: CP on August 06, 2015, 09:22:38 AM
Post by: Jonathan_S on August 06, 2015, 09:25:57 AM
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 :chuckle: