Spring at the ramp

[EWS]

The ramp was at a standstill for about 30 mins this morning. One poor guy didn't put in his drain plug in, and about lost his boat. When he got it pulled out the water, it looked like his frame was going to snap at the front of the leaf spring from all the weight. Once we were able to launch, my ever helpful four-year-old let him know he had a lot of water in his boat. He quipped, "That's how you wash the inside of an old boat." Turned out to be a real nice guy having a bad start to the year.

The ramp was at a standstill this afternoon too. Some fools had pulled full size pontoon with a Dakota. They were stuck on the ramp between getting the truck wet or reversing at speed to launch the pontoon into the water. He finally combined both, and got it off the trailer. Then he full-throttled the pontoon back onto one side of the ramp. I backed my trailer in and went to load my boat. Once his friend got the truck parked, they got the pontoon unbleached from the ramp. He went off full throttle backwards towards the dock. So he went full throttle forward, and sideswiped the dock and pontoon on his way, and missed my trailer by about three feet. He continued at full throttle out the marina like he couldn't be found. The marina employees and onlookers stared in amazement.

[Quackrstackr]

One of these days I'm taking a cooler and a lawn chair just to sit at the ramp for the entertainment.

[bandchaser]

One of these days I'm taking a cooler and a lawn chair just to sit at the ramp for the entertainment.

That would be the same as the Old Man bench at Walmart! Lol

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[quadlee]

I actually know a guy in East Tennessee that him and 4 or 5 guys and women go and set up a mini camp sight at the boat ramp on Memorial Day Weekend every year and they video the ramp all day lol. They make signs and everything. Like " My wife can back a trailer better than you " Its hilarious he broadcast-ed some of it live on Facebook. lol

[Tsnell]

One of these days I'm taking a cooler and a lawn chair just to sit at the ramp for the entertainment.

Quacker, I'll bring the grill and we'll have dinner and a show!!

[Dutch552]

Used to spend Memorial Day at the Lone Valley ramp at Green River Lake watching the chaos. Knuckleheads like that are why I refuse to launch on a holiday weekend. More novice boaters should spend a busy weekend day watching the flow of the ramp before attempting to launch/retrieve a boat of their own.

[BIGBADDAD]

One of these days I'm taking a cooler and a lawn chair just to sit at the ramp for the entertainment.

Memorial day, 4th of July and Labor day!! Thank God I keep my boat on the water. Had a really old couple launch their jon boat with two Dodge Caravan seats up front to rig from and a third as the driver seat for his tiller motor....you guessed it. Right down the middle for about 20 minutes!!

[M R Dux]

I had a heated conversation with a northern tourist last year on the ramp I use. He backed his bass boat right down the middle of the 2 lane ramp, got his tool box out, and proceeded to start working on his outboard. I asked him if he realized he was keeping a line of fishermen from launching? He blew me off then started mouthing things that would get his arse kicked in most situations. I just shoe-horned my trailer within inches of his and launched my boat. After I parked, I let him know how stupid and inconsiderate he was. By that time he kept his mouth shut because the line of upset boaters had grown to several who were now standing on the ramp.

He was still in the same spot when I left the marina with clients. Some folks think the world revolves around them.

[kycreek]

Stupid people do stupid things. I've pulled some dumb stunts in my lifetime but boat ramp etiquette should be common sense.

[ET Fish]

I had a heated conversation with a northern tourist last year on the ramp I use. He backed his bass boat right down the middle of the 2 lane ramp, got his tool box out, and proceeded to start working on his outboard. I asked him if he realized he was keeping a line of fishermen from launching? He blew me off then started mouthing things that would get his arse kicked in most situations. I just shoe-horned my trailer within inches of his and launched my boat. After I parked, I let him know how stupid and inconsiderate he was. By that time he kept his mouth shut because the line of upset boaters had grown to several who were now standing on the ramp.

He was still in the same spot when I left the marina with clients. Some folks think the world revolves around them.

You know, I’ve always wondered where this mentality comes from. We can blame parents, feeling privileged, etc. However, staying on task with this conversation, you see others launching while respecting others. Wouldn’t you just conform? I mean, I would think no one would want to look like an idiot!? Even those who feel superior would nullify that appearance by looking like they don’t know what they’re doing. I’ve had problems at the ramp, and I’m working like a madman to avoid inconveniencing others. If I don’t understand a process, I’m going to watch others from a respectable distance to see how it’s done. Maybe even ask a few questions. I can make friends with a stump, and I have usually found that others are willing to offer friendly advice, and usually assist me. Especially here in my beloved South! I once had my motor stick in the downward tilt position, and a stranger got in the water with me to assist. He got wet, but seemed happy to help. Another time, my boat got loose, and a guy who had just finished loading a pontoon, re launched to take me to it. In turn, I have assisted others having problems or lack of knowledge. All this being said, where did we learn this behavior? IMO, it takes an incredible amount of privileged stupidity to act like this! I still don’t get it!