Thread: Proper Boat Launch Etiquette

i have been seeing the same stuff down in Alabama. If at all possible i put in before daylite as i normally fish by myself. This normally makes it easier and there is no wait.

I try to get there early myself. Just this weekend I got there just before daylight and had a guy before me back his boat in and leave his truck setting on the ramp with his headlights on while he motored over to the dock. Could'nt see nothing while trying to back down beside him. I always turn my headlights out and just leave my parking lights on.

When i tourney fished, got everything ready unhooked front winch let her slide off loose then parked truck caught ride with next boat in to get to my boat.

Had a guy cut me off while beginning to back in the ramp to p/u the boat. He backed in the middle of the ramp and got out , looked at me with the reverse lights on, and commenced talking with his buddy. After waiting a few minutes and being looked at a few times more and getting ignored some more, I backed in between him and the dock and loaded my boat. Less than 4 inches on either side but not a big deal for me. If looks could kill I wouldn't be writing this now. I tied down, drained, and stowed rods and he never got close to putting his boat in before I left. I hate big attitudes.

Last summer on DHL me an the wife sat in our boat watching this guy trying to launch a 25ft crownline,now this guy was really trying to impress everyone around the area by having several very hot ladies with him. He backed the boat down the ramp,helped everybody in the boat an un hooked the front. Then he backs the boat into the water,gets into the boat tries to back it off the trailer,with no luck.
So my wife suggests that I go give him a hand,by telling him he forgot to remove the back tie down straps,well he starts to tell me he's done this for years an he knows what he's doing so I just step back an smile, after a few more mins I get to laughing at him throwing a fit because he cant get that boat off the trailer, so I finally tell him whats wrong. The next thing he does is pull the boat up the ramp an leaves for the day. Wish I would have had a stupid sign for him.. Boch

a fren of mine watched 4 of the pros launch this morning at Douglas and the 1st put in let it float out, got in boat of 2nd and so on. I wouldn't suggest this but they work together very well.

My routine lately has been to unhook the boat back it into the water. Park the truck and then ask the next person in line to take me to my boat floating several yards out into the lake. Its much quicker that way.

do you get extra time if your a senior ...I am not going to run up the dam ramp cause some young punk wants to launch his boat then wake you when you are trying to fish...

Originally Posted by layingoff

I read somewhere that it should take you no longer than 8 minutes to launch your boat and clear the ramp. I even pre-start my outboard at home before I leave because sometimes my 2-stroke gets grumpy especially when it's cold. Boat ramp stupidity is one reason why I don't fish on the weekends.