Ramp/dock etiquette

[Tennessee Boy]

There are some ramps that just aren’t an option on the weekends in the summer.  That one looks pretty bad.  If it’s your only option then I feel your pain.  I live a mile from a lake that fills up with crazy drunks every weekend during the summer.  I go to a ramp that has limited parking.  Fishermen fill the parking lot before the drunks even get out of bed.  Trailering happen slowly as the fishermen come in so the two ramps are usually not that crowded when I come in.  If someone is waiting to launch they’re usually thrilled that I’m freeing up a good parking space.  
 

A few other tips that also might help you.
The best tip I’ve ever got on this site was to wear Crocs while fishing in the summer.  They are comfortable and water proof.  The most dangerous things I’ve done at a boat ramp were done to keep my shoes from getting wet.  Now I just wade in as needed.  No more climbing into the truck and walking across the trailer tongue to get to the boat or trying to jump from the boat across 4 ft of water on to a slippery wet ramp.

 

Another great tool is a remote control trolling motor with spot lock.  If there’s no room at the dock or if I’m worried someone on the dock might help themselves to what’s on the deck of my boat,  I just spot lock it out a little ways from shore while I go get the truck.

[David 7]

Man that sounds stressful, stress and fishing shouldn’t go together. I’d pick a different spot or change up the time and/ or day.

[Cyclones]

37 minutes ago, Tennessee Boy said:

There are some ramps that just aren’t an option on the weekends in the summer.  That one looks pretty bad.  If it’s your only option then I feel your pain.  I live a mile from a lake that fills up with crazy drunks every weekend during the summer.  I go to a ramp that has limited parking.  Fishermen fill the parking lot before the drunks even get out of bed.  Trailering happen slowly as the fishermen come in so the two ramps are usually not that crowded when I come in.  If someone is waiting to launch they’re usually thrilled that I’m freeing up a good parking space.  
 

A few other tips that also might help you.
The best tip I’ve ever got on this site was to wear Crocs while fishing in the summer.  They are comfortable and water proof.  The most dangerous things I’ve done at a boat ramp were done to keep my shoes from getting wet.  Now I just wade in as needed.  No more climbing into the truck and walking across the trailer tongue to get to the boat or trying to jump from the boat across 4 ft of water on to a slippery wet ramp.

 

Another great tool is a remote control trolling motor with spot lock.  If there’s no room at the dock or if I’m worried someone on the dock might help themselves to what’s on the deck of my boat,  I just spot lock it out a little ways from shore while I go get the truck.

I have spotlock…..but using it while I go get the truck scares me a little.  I’ve never heard of anyone losing connection while walking away to get the truck…but I’d be the first one it happens to!

[Tennessee Boy]

1 minute ago, Cyclones said:

I have spotlock…..but using it while I go get the truck scares me a little.  I’ve never heard of anyone losing connection while walking away to get the truck…but I’d be the first one it happens to!

Once the TM is locked on a location,  I don't think it will matter if your remote goes out of range as long as it's reconnects when you get back in range.  I can't say that I've tested this.  I don't use spotlock often while trailering but I've never had a problem when I did.  There are some places where I would not try it.  I always ask myself what's the worst case if spotlock disengages.  The places I've used it I could wade to or swim to the boat if necessary.

[Deephaven]

16 hours ago, gimruis said:

You’d think under normal circumstances. I’ve asked people if they needed help and they completely blow up. I think they take it as taking too long and being disorganized when there’s 10 others waiting. Plus you never know when you might run into a hot head. So now I don’t offer. Plus some people are very anal about their rigs too.

 

A-Jays solution is still the best one. Avoid it.

Interesting.  I've backed in at least 20 other peoples vehicles for them and they have all been ecstatic.  Although I was trailering a 30' Sundancer when I did most of them.  Reminds me of a priceless launch.  There were two newcomers to boating launching on the two outer spots of a very narrow 3 up ramp in North Arm.  I asked if they wanted help and both refused so I dumped the 30'er in between them.  They both stopped everything they were doing and s#&% themselves as I backed in, my roomate fired up the boat and backed it off and I pulled out.  They had been there for a good 10min screwing things up and we were in and out in less than a minute.

[TOXIC]

Hold up here…..First, you have just as much right to dock space as someone launching or any 2 person boat.  I would bet you could tie off towards the end of the dock or on the very end of the dock since it’s a single lane which would still allow others to launch.  I’m all for being respectful to other boaters but I’m sure as heck not going to wait until everybody else launches and loads to do either myself.  From the picture you posted, I would tie off to the end of the dock or to the opposite side of the launch lane. 

[TnRiver46]

2 hours ago, Tennessee Boy said:

There are some ramps that just aren’t an option on the weekends in the summer.  That one looks pretty bad.  If it’s your only option then I feel your pain.  I live a mile from a lake that fills up with crazy drunks every weekend during the summer.  I go to a ramp that has limited parking.  Fishermen fill the parking lot before the drunks even get out of bed.  Trailering happen slowly as the fishermen come in so the two ramps are usually not that crowded when I come in.  If someone is waiting to launch they’re usually thrilled that I’m freeing up a good parking space.  
 

A few other tips that also might help you.
The best tip I’ve ever got on this site was to wear Crocs while fishing in the summer.  They are comfortable and water proof.  The most dangerous things I’ve done at a boat ramp were done to keep my shoes from getting wet.  Now I just wade in as needed.  No more climbing into the truck and walking across the trailer tongue to get to the boat or trying to jump from the boat across 4 ft of water on to a slippery wet ramp.

 

Another great tool is a remote control trolling motor with spot lock.  If there’s no room at the dock or if I’m worried someone on the dock might help themselves to what’s on the deck of my boat,  I just spot lock it out a little ways from shore while I go get the truck.

Wearing crocs on a wet boat launch is ice skating 

[Tennessee Boy]

4 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

Wearing crocs on a wet boat launch is ice skating 

You have to get the All-Terrain Crocs and they have to be in the camo color so the fish can't see your feet. ?

 

https://www.crocs.com/p/classic-all-terrain-veil-whitetail-clog/206467.html?cgid=men&cid=260#&origin=category&start=59&sz=91

[TnRiver46]

Just now, Tennessee Boy said:

You have to get the All-Terrain Crocs and they have to be in the camo color so the fish can't see your feet. ?

 

https://www.crocs.com/p/classic-all-terrain-veil-whitetail-clog/206467.html?cgid=men&cid=260#&origin=category&start=59&sz=91

Haha! I’ve always worn them down to racing slicks very quickly 

[gim]

3 hours ago, TOXIC said:

Hold up here…..First, you have just as much right to dock space as someone launching or any 2 person boat.  I would bet you could tie off towards the end of the dock or on the very end of the dock since it’s a single lane which would still allow others to launch.  I’m all for being respectful to other boaters but I’m sure as heck not going to wait until everybody else launches and loads to do either myself.

 

Yes, but the problem is that the line is not in the water, its on shore.  So if there's 10 vehicles waiting, and you tie your boat up in the access point, you prevent them from using the access.  And then you get in your truck and become the 11th person in line.  No one can do anything at this point now.

 

Tying up on the other side of the dock, yes, if possible.

[flyfisher]

21 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

First person in the truck gets first dibs from what I’ve always heard/seen, but I’ve been cut in line before and let hurried looking people go before me as well. So if you come back and there’s a line, tie off somewhere (dock, rock, whatever) and get in the truck. Then you are ready for when it’s your turn. If there’s 15 people either get in line and be number 16 or fish around until it clears out. I’ve been know to just fish around the ramp when I see someone trying to load up 8 kayaks while filming an outro and blocking the launch 

Uggh...kayaks are some of the worst for sure and I am a kayak angler too but not a ramp clogger for sure.

[Cyclones]

57 minutes ago, gimruis said:

 

Yes, but the problem is that the line is not in the water, its on shore.  So if there's 10 vehicles waiting, and you tie your boat up in the access point, you prevent them from using the access.  And then you get in your truck and become the 11th person in line.  No one can do anything at this point now.

 

Tying up on the other side of the dock, yes, if possible.

This is exactly the problem I’m referring to and wanting to know the answer.  The two lakes I’m on most are like this, two lane ramp split by a short dock.  

[A-Jay]

28 minutes ago, Cyclones said:

This is exactly the problem I’m referring to and wanting to know the answer.  The two lakes I’m on most are like this, two lane ramp split by a short dock.  

Sort of thinking that there IS NO answer ~

Because not everyone plays by "The Same Rules".

I'm also pretty sure that a decent portion of the boating public up this way

doesn't know that there ARE any rules.

Except for the ones that they make up as they go along.

Good Times . . . .

?

A-Jay

[E-rude dude]

If there is an extra dock park there. Then go get the truck/trailer. Or if it’s safe to beach the bow on shore. Otherwise people will just have to be patient. You will have to wait for them too. 

[newbiedmv]

I get it, I go out alone and in a lake crowded with kayaks often. They don't seem to get it (plus 3/4 don't speak english or even a common language). I've asked them to move, no luck. So I just go now very slow but deliberate. THEY MOVE REAL FAST(I also have pepper spray for the occasional ahole or drunk)

with other trailered boats it's very rarely an issue. In fact many have helped me load in high current and crosswind situations.  Just talk to them to get what's going on.. Oh take A Jay's advice, go slow, I ripped off a bunkboard by being to fast and lazy. I'm running a 17' bass/crappie.

[newbiedmv]

 

Also keep in mind no matter how much they might complain, they don't have to do the repairs if it's wrong.

Edited June 23, 2021 by newbiedmv
Repeat

[WRB]

The problem looks like low water has eliminated the main ramp and the secondary ramp everyone is using the right  side. They also need to move the dock out so it’s full length is usable. A simple sign to use the and right and left lane to launch and right lane to recover would help reduce congestion and tempers.

Just be safe from the crazy’s and don’t make eye contact or argue. 

Tom

 

[slonezp]

First come first served. When launching, have everything in the boat before backing down the ramp. Gear, coolers and whatnot. When loading, tie up the boat, if possible, out of the way of those launching. Then grab the tow vehicle and wait in line. Sometimes it sucks. Once you load the boat and verify it's on the trailer straight, pull out of the way to a staging area or wherever and get the boat packed up. 

[galyonj]

19 hours ago, Tennessee Boy said:

You have to get the All-Terrain Crocs and they have to be in the camo color so the fish can't see your feet. ?

 

https://www.crocs.com/p/classic-all-terrain-veil-whitetail-clog/206467.html?cgid=men&cid=260#&origin=category&start=59&sz=91

 

Ooooh dang. I'm gonna launch a line of fluorocarbon crocs.

[galyonj]

This thread is timely and resonates with me. Even though I grew up around boating and on the water, this is also my first season owning a boat and dealing with all the things that entails.

 

This includes, of course, ramp etiquette (or the lack thereof), loading, and unloading.

 

Jean-Paul Sartre wasn't talking about the boat ramp when he wrote, in Huis Clos, that "hell is other people," but he may as well have been.

 

So here are some things that I've learned that apply to ramp activities (and, honestly, a lot of other situations I've found myself in):

1. @A-Jay is 100% right when he says not to do anything quickly. When you rush, things get broken, and people get killed.
2. Be methodical. Plan out an order of operations for launching and loading. Grind that plan into your brain, and the whole process becomes a whole lot safer, and a whole lot less stressful.
3. There are an awful lot of people in this world that are just determined to find reasons to be an *******, like the guy that shouted you down for going to get your truck so you could load up and clear the ramp. Don't sweat it, and try to be kind if you bother to engage with them at all. DO NOT let those people rush you. Stick to your plan.
4. Absent an emergency of some sort, remember that you have every bit as much right to be there and to do what you need to do as every other person at that ramp. Do. Not. Rush.
5. Other posters too numerous to mention have made suggestions for what to do if there's a line and you find yourself stuck in your boat waiting for a spot. At some point, you're going to have to assert yourself and claim a spot. If that doesn't sit right with you, you're gonna have to pick ramps or times that aren't as popular.

[TOXIC]

Bottom line is this….everybody takes a turn.  Everybody gets in line for their turn whether you are launching or recovering.  That’s the only rule.  If you have to tie up because you are a single boater then “try” to do it so that you can allow others to launch.  In your picture, that is possible either at the end of the dock or on the side opposite the launch.  So, you tie off the boat and go get your truck/trailer and get in line and wait for your turn.  Load up and go.  Now if there happens to be a ramp where it is impossible to dock and you would hold up a line of those launching, I would wait until the numbers were low and time it so that there were fewer in line.  That doesn’t change the fact that the rule still stands that you have a right to get in line and recover your boat.  If there was only 3 or 4 waiting to launch I would politely ask/tell them you are recovering and would like to get out of their way ASAP and don’t want to tie up the ramp any longer than you have to.  Personally, I have never been to a ramp where you can’t tie off either launching or recovering to allow others to launch when you are a single boater.  For others recovering that need to tie off (single boaters) then they have to wait their turn and get in line behind you.  

[gim]

1 hour ago, TOXIC said:

So, you tie off the boat and go get your truck/trailer and get in line and wait for your turn.  Load up and go.  Now if there happens to be a ramp where it is impossible to dock and you would hold up a line of those launching, I would wait until the numbers were low and time it so that there were fewer in line.

 

I wasn't in disagreement with this in my earlier post @TOXIC.  I think the OP is stating that there is literally no place to tie up without putting the boat right in the access point.  And that's a big problem because no one can do anything if there's a boat there and a line of vehicles waiting.

 

1 hour ago, TOXIC said:

Personally, I have never been to a ramp where you can’t tie off either launching or recovering to allow others to launch when you are a single boater. 

 

Neither have I!  There is always the other side of the dock, a beach area, or another dock to tie up while you wait your turn in the vehicle where I fish.

 

[Miabucman]

Take a look at the Southwest ramp. It is just North of the Bridge, on the west side. Disclaimer--I haven't used it in a couple of years. Cherry Glen is a nightmare and I avoid that one unless I want to see people taking 20 minutes to get a jet ski on a trailer. 

 

I have avoided Saylorville due to the amount of traffic and being a solo boater myself. Big Creek is not too bad but the amount of people have made it more difficult also.  

 

If you are up for a little more driving, check out Rock Creek Lake or Hawthorne, to the East.  Hawthorne has been on fire after they did the "remodel".  The Pine Lake Twins (Upper and Lower) are smaller but have good size bass. Brushy Creek Lake is one of the top producers in the state.

 

 

 

 

 

[Skunkmaster-k]

Summertime is not really the best season to learn launching and loading. Just don’t panic . Show up early and leave before the wave of people hits. 

[TOXIC]

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

 

I wasn't in disagreement with this in my earlier post @TOXIC.  I think the OP is stating that there is literally no place to tie up without putting the boat right in the access point.  And that's a big problem because no one can do anything if there's a boat there and a line of vehicles waiting.

Sorry, didn’t imply you were disagreeing if that’s the way it came off.  I was looking at the picture he posted of the ramp and it looks to me like there are options.