Week 2 Rant!

It’s going to be a busy weekend so I decided to post Week 2 a few days early.

Boat Ramp Etiquette or Ramp Rage!

If you are a tournament angler you know the importance of ramp Etiquette!
Teams seem to have unloading and loading their boats down to a science. On tournament mornings you can see trucks and boats lined up as far as the eye can see, but in no time at all they are all unloaded and ready for take-off.
Tournaments that are held in areas with high recreational boats tend to take a little longer due to lack of ramp etiquette.

Don’t get me wrong, if you’re having a hard time backing up your trailer we all understand. It might not be your truck or you’re new to backing up a trailer. It could be windy, fast current or even a steep ramp. We all have to start somewhere and we do tend to spend most of our summer towing, unloading and loading our boat more the average boater.

People have been waiting all work week to get back on their favorite body of water, or have had a long day on the water and just want to get on their way home. Chances are there will be an inconsiderate boater holding everyone up at the ramp. Some have a tendency to lose their cool (or as some people call it RAMP RAGE). It seems to be a bigger problem at the end of the day staying patient due to the long hours on the water, the heat or even hunger.

You watch the line getting longer and longer in the summer heat. You see a person back down the ramp; pull their boat just out of the water. They put the truck in park and start loading their truck, strapping down the boat etc.
Do they KNOW the proper ramp Etiquette? Or is it that they just don’t care? Should we go over to remind them? Maybe it’s their first year boating and was never told the proper way? If you notice someone loading their boat by themselves ask them if you need a hand. If we are in the line waiting or already loaded your boat I think WE as fisher people need to lend a hand where possible.
Here are some helpful tips that should help your boat ramp experience be more enjoyable. The sooner people can get in and out on the water the happier it is for all!

If you are fairly new to boating or going to a new lake or river, one quick tip is to try to get to the ramp early to check the condition of the ramp. If you get a chance talk to some of the other boaters, ask them the safest route to back your boat in. This tip could save you a lot of time and money.
First of all, remember that a boat ramp is for two things only. Launching and retrieving a boat (not a packing zone). Do not move onto the ramp until you are ready to Launch or Retrieve your boat. Before you get on the ramp, find a quiet part of the parking lot and get your stuff sorted out. This is the best place to check the oil, gas wires and remove straps etc. Be sure to check the trolling motor, to make you have at least one motor that works so you can move out of the way so the next boat can load or unload. Completely load the boat in the parking lot, not on the ramp.
Make sure the plug is in the "hole". It only has to happen once and you will never forget again!
On steep inclines it is recommended to leave your winch strap hooked - just to make sure you don't lose your boat backing down the ramp. Losing your boat on the ramp is a perfect way to wreck your weekend!
A dock is a place for boaters to tie their boats too while they park or get their tow vehicle or picking up and dropping off passengers.
If you notice that someone is having trouble, help them. You will meet someone new and also shorten the wait time for you and the rest of the people behind you. For the more experienced boaters they should try to give some of the newer boater a few pointers on quicker ways to back up a trailer.
*** Before I end my Rant, I would pass on an observation I have seen a lot over the last few weekends. I have seen ladies hang over the side of the boats holding on dear to their husbands boat so it won’t hit the dock and have seen women holding on to a rope for dear life that the cruiser doesn’t float away. Finally I have witnessed women out pass their waist holding their boat out in deeper water so it won’t get scratched. Men, these lovely ladies can help you out more than just being a boat holder. They can save you a lot of time if you’re willing to help them learn. I am sure they would much rather feel useful than being used as a leash holder. If they enjoy the water as much as we do then we should be asking them if would like to help. Teach them to back up the trailer, it saves so much time at loading time! Tammy was backing the trailer down and I hear from my eight year old daughter “Dad do you feel jealous that Tammy can back the trailer up better than you’’? I told her not all, because she had a great teacher. I am still trying to find her Teacher!
Maybe the ramp owners should post rules on Ramp Etiquette so we don’t end up with Ramp Rage!

I hope these tips help you have a safer and more enjoyable boat ramp experience

Thanks
Jason