Boat-Ramp Etiquette--What's That?

This and all other photos used with this article
were taken 8/4/2013 at West Neck Marina.

If you're one of those people who has to ask that question, you're among the target audience for this article. I hope you'll take a few minutes to read and learn some of the do's and don'ts about launching and recovering boats at any ramp. If everybody would get on the same page, we would see improved safety, shorter launch/recovery times, and fewer confrontations.

While researching this article, I found a person who said he felt that anyone buying a watercraft of any kind for the first time should have to take and pass a boating-courtesy course before being allowed to take their "toy" home. From where I sit, that wouldn't be a bad idea--if based on nothing more than those SNAFUs I observed in about 45 minutes today.

Launching
 

Boat-ramp etiquette starts before you get to the ramp. Load all your gear, or as much as possible, into the boat before you leave home. Take care of all the last-minute stuff in the boat-preparation area of the marina--NOT at the ramp. At West Neck, that's the area when you first pull into the parking lot.
 

This boater wheeled up to the ramp today with motor-toter and
straps still in place, and he had to install the boat plug yet, too.

Every boat will have its own unique boat-preparation list. Whether you prep your boat fore to aft, or aft to fore, do it exactly the same way every time, because that reduces the chances of forgetting something. If you're a new boater, using a checklist is a good idea.

Here is a sample prep list; your boat may have more or fewer items:

     * Install drain plug.

     * Remove the tie-down straps.

     * Remove motor supports/transom saver.

     * Trim motor up and quickly check that steering and fuel lines are connected properly. This also is a good time to prime the fuel bulb.

     * Check/turn on main power and electrical accessories.

     * Attach any necessary dock/handling lines.
     * Unplug trailer lights, except usually in cases of trailers with hydraulic brakes.
 

Entering the launch lane. Once your boat preparations are complete and you're ready to enter the launch lane, understand you probably will have to wait in a line. Stay in that line and don't cut in front of anyone ahead of you. If someone ahead of you appears to have a problem, or is causing delays, ask before proceeding around him/her. Communication is key to avoiding confrontations.



Here's another boater who waited until he reached the ramp
to remove his tie-down straps. After he had launched his boat
and started to pull back up the ramp, his right trailer wheel
locked up, and he snapped two U-bolts before he got stopped.

Backing down the ramp and launching the boat. When it's your turn, pull forward and slowly and carefully back down the ramp. Depending on your situation, there are different variations for launching. If you're alone, you'll need to attach a dock line from your boat to the trailer or your

tow vehicle to prevent it from drifting away. If you have help, now is the time to give those dock lines to those who are helping, or you might have someone already in the boat who can power launch the boat for you.

In any case, know how you're going to launch your boat and have everything in place before putting your boat in the water. Once it's off the trailer, promptly move it out of the way. Never leave it tied directly in the launch/recovery lanes unless you have absolutely no other choice.

And, remember, the ramp isn't the place to practice backing. Take your boat to the parking lot at a local supermarket or shopping mall if you don't feel comfortable backing down a ramp. Also, during times of low light, such as early morning or at night, douse your headlights and only use running lights to launch or recover at the ramp. The glare from your headlights can blind others as they back their boats down the ramp.
 

Recovering
 

At the end of a day on the water, most folks are tired and ready to go home. The last thing they want to see is a crowded ramp area full of discourteous boaters making an unpleasant situation even worse by their rude behavior.
 

Approaching the dock for loading. Don't approach the launch/recovery area until it's your turn and your trailer is in the water. If you need to drop off someone to get your tow vehicle, or you need to tie up and get it yourself, use a courtesy dock or the outside lane of the launch/recovery dock. And before heading to the docks, stow all your gear and pick up trash to avoid tripping over something.
 

Wait your turn. Just because you're ready to recover your boat doesn't give you the right to jump in front of others waiting in line. As with launching, stay in line and don't cut in front of those ahead of you. Be courteous and use common sense. If someone ahead of you appears to have a problem, or is causing delays, ask before going around them.
 

Proceeding onto the ramp. As before, pull forward and slowly and carefully back down the ramp. Make sure your trailer is in deep enough to allow the guides/bunks to align your boat properly on the trailer. If you're in too deep, you hull won't touch the guides. If you're in too shallow, your boat will get stuck before it's completely on the trailer. Set the parking brake on your tow vehicle when your trailer is submerged and you're ready to load.
 

Loading your boat onto the trailer. This operation shouldn't take but a few minutes under normal conditions. If your rig is designed for power loading (e.g., using the gas motor to drive the boat onto the trailer), by all means do so. Only apply enough power to get the job done. Once the boat is fully on the trailer, check both sides to make sure the boat is aligned and square on the trailer. Use the winch to tighten the boat against the bow stop. Once secure, you can attach the safety chain, then cut power to the motor and trim the motor up to trailering position. You're now ready to exit the ramp.
 

Pulling your boat up the ramp. Make certain your motor is trimmed up before proceeding up the ramp. Slowly pull forward, checking to be sure the boat is settled squarely on the trailer. Control the throttle of your tow vehicle so that you quickly clear the ramp without spinning your tires.
 

Clearing the ramp area after loading and packing up for home. Be sure to completely leave the ramp area before stopping. As with launch preparations, have a system in place to make sure everything is put away and your boat is ready for the trip home. Work front-to-back or vice versa and reconnect your tie-down straps, motor support, trailer wiring, and kill main power to the boat.
 

In closing, please take a look at all the wasted space between vehicles that I found parked at the West Neck Marina ramp area when I was there today:

I can accept the fact that some of the wasted space you see in these photos likely was a result of folks coming and going today, but some of it undoubtedly is the result of folks simply being in too much of a hurry and/or just not caring whether others had a place to park or not. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that parking at West Neck Marina on most summer weekends is at a premium to start with. Surely, we can do better than this.

While I was at West Neck today, Steve came riding around on the marina's golf cart and saw all of the same stuff I've portrayed in these photos. I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't start asking all of us to  cooperate in cleaning up our acts when we're on his premises. It's just a matter of displaying common-sense courtesy for others.

 

 

 

It isn't just the summer weekends when things happen...

Skip went fishing at West Neck today (Monday, Aug. 5, 2013) and fished from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. His only reward was this 2-lb. bass. Unfortunately, he had to deal with more of the same things I saw happening yesterday when he returned to the ramp, intent on recovering his boat. I'll sum it up this way: The evolution took a lot longer than necessary, thanks again to a lack of courtesy.