Boat Launch Etiquette In 5 Simple Steps
Spending a beautiful, sunny, warm spring day in a boat is one of life’s great pleasures. The rush of wind on your face, the exhilaration of racing down the lake, the peace of finding a quiet area to float along with the rhythm of the waves, and the thrill of landing the big fish. All of these are great reasons to head for the lake. However, a great day on the water can quickly turn into frustration when people tie up boat ramps, block docks, and make the entire boat launching and loading process take far longer than required.
Here are a few simple rules of boat launch etiquette that will make a day on the water more enjoyable for you and other boaters.
Step 1: Get your boat ready before heading to the ramp. When you arrive at your destination the first thing you should do is pull off to the side, into the parking lot, or into a designated boat prep area, and get your boat ready for launching. This is where you take the tie downs off, remove boat covers, unhook the boat, attach ropes, and load your gear for the day. Your boat should be ready to launch before you leave this area. Never back down the ramp without having your boat completely ready to launch. People who get ready while their boat is on the ramp cause major headaches for every other boater and waste valuable time.
Step 2: Wait your turn. Boat ramps are busy places. Remain patient and wait for a clear lane at the ramp before launching your boat.
Step 3: Stay to one side of the ramp. It can be hard to back up a boat trailer, but it is important to keep your boat as close to the dock as possible, especially in situations where there are two lanes at the ramp. Practice backing up the trailer at home or in a parking lot until you feel more comfortable. I have seen trailers come down the middle of the ramp and launch their boat into another boat that was already waiting there.
Step 4: Pull your boat out of the way while waiting. While the person in the launch vehicle is finding a parking spot, move your boat out of the way of the ramp so other boaters can continue to load and unload. If you can drive the boat, move away from the docks and only go back in when the other person is ready to be picked up. If you cannot drive the boat, pull it around to the opposite side of the dock, or the end of the dock, so it is not blocking the ramp. When loading, only bring your boat around to the ramp side of the dock when your trailer is at the ramp.
Step 5: Leave the ramp quickly. After a great day on the water and a successful go at loading the boat, leave the ramp promptly. Packing up, attaching tie downs, and getting the boat ready for the trip back home should all be done away from the ramp.
When these five steps are followed, a boat launch can operate smoothly and boaters will spend no more than a few minutes waiting to get in and out of the water. Do your part and make the day more enjoyable for everyone.
For other resources regarding boat launch etiquette, please refer to our previous post, Grow A Brain – Boat Launch Etiquette.
argosgirl
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