Boat Ramp Ettiquette. Important Things

[Fed]

This is where it gets tricky B2B, priority should sort of go to who's turn it is then add some common sense.

Did I mention I hate jet skis, aside from the loop the loops check out where these camel jockeys park.

Even their 18" waves make it hard for my missus trying to hold the boat at the wharf while I get the trailer, our wharf has a horizontal bumper strip which aligns with my gunnel rubber so the up/down movement tries to rip my gunnel rubber off.
Guess I should get some giant tampons but without the knuckleheads the ramp is usually very calm.

[Crunchy]

The whole patience / helping thing is fine when its clear that there are newby's getting to grips with launching or retrieving but then are all too many total c*&kheads who just think they own the place and can do whatever they want, surly regulars, crusty old crabbers....

[Noelm]

All good tips. Because I am new to ramps with pontoons, those comments helped too.

Just a question....

In my mind, priority should go to someone retrieving a boat, so those wanting to launch should wait (unless there are free lanes), so this is what I do. Is this correct?

yes and no, most ramps, the coming and going just sort of get into a "rhythm" and one in, one out and so on, some ramps have a sort of 'system", where those going use one side, those coming back use the other, and mostly both these methods work well... until, someone decides to use the coming back in side to go out, and proceed to get everything ready that should have been done at home, or away from the ramp, that's what causes frazzled nerves and conflict.

[juggernaut]

10. Don't drop your boat on the ramp because you took your winch rope and chain off before backing it down the ramp.

Yep seen it happen!

[JulianDeMarchi]

This is where it gets tricky B2B, priority should sort of go to who's turn it is then add some common sense.

Did I mention I hate jet skis, aside from the loop the loops check out where these camel jockeys park.

Even their 18" waves make it hard for my missus trying to hold the boat at the wharf while I get the trailer, our wharf has a horizontal bumper strip which aligns with my gunnel rubber so the up/down movement tries to rip my gunnel rubber off.
Guess I should get some giant tampons but without the knuckleheads the ramp is usually very calm.

Best bet with this clowns is to chat have a chat to em. They are usually so full of attitude it'll only end in one way. We get em at my local ramp Jacobs Well. I've spoken to a few on the water who are then a tad scared to come back to the ramp afterwards. I use to frequent the ramp with an old fella who first taught me to fish 4 years ago and the waves nearly knocked him over which would be pretty bad as he'll be like a turtle on his back. A quick chase and chat and they never come back while you're there.

[Zippidy]

I don't see the point of taking a chair down to the ramp to watch the afternoon antics.

If you're going to spend the time at the ramp, why not spend it helping people instead...?

[the gecko]

When launching, park your boat on the sand as far away as possible, while you park your car. This leaves room for the incoming boats to park on the sand next to the ramp while they go get thier car.

Then nobody has to be chest high in water trying to get around your boat while they retrieve.

[Crunchy]

Don't help people when they say they would prefer not to have any help - seriously. I pull up to the ramp and this guys says "Ill give you a hand, thanks heaps buddy I appreciate the offer but its OK i'm just going to drive up onto the trailer, OK I'll help, no its all good thanks pal I drive right up to the post anyway, (so he starts pulling the winch rope out and climbing onto the trailer), mate your right in the way there, yeh I'm right OK come on up, hop out of the way mate - please, OK come on up now I got ya......OK then numb nuts......."SPLOSH" as I help him out of the water, I told ya mate, I appreciate the offer but I did tell ya.

[Lucky_Phill]

I take many " novice " deckies out and now have a plan.

I take a hand held UHF in the boat. ( I have a hard wired one in the 4 x 4 ).

.....I can then communicate from the boat to the deckie when to back down. when the trailer is deep enough in the water for launch or retrieve...

and any further instructions for those that are not familiar with boating activities.

LP

[MyWay]

well said LP
We should get the authorities to place signs at enter of the car park just to remind people and one at the ramp as they're approaching ramp with a boat to remind them again

( Would be nice if the sign is 2x2 )

[Flex]

I find pontoon etiquette more annoying than ramp etiquette. If your waiting for your mate to park/retrieve the car don't sit there up against the pontoon. Drive around in circles away from it.

my biggest annoyance is people tying up to the ends of pontoons when there is space further along and other boats waiting. This effectlively blocks other boats from(easily) docking. This is especially bad on low tide with not as much water available.

[ovakil]

I find pontoon etiquette more annoying than ramp etiquette. If your waiting for your mate to park/retrieve the car don't sit there up against the pontoon. Drive around in circles away from it.

my biggest annoyance is people tying up to the ends of pontoons when there is space further along and other boats waiting. This effectlively blocks other boats from(easily) docking. This is especially bad on low tide with not as much water available.

That's fine if you have a mate that can drive. I'll push my boat to end of pontoon (so other's can launch boat ) then park my car. Wife wouldn't be able to drive boat confidently it a tight area. I wouldn't expect her to.

[tunaticer]

I also keep an eye out for people leaving the leg down.

Some of us do not need to raise the outboard for launch, retreive or towing......that comes down to trailer setup for that boat and the agle of ramp and depth of water.

[Feral]

How about dont use the ramp as your rally point for changing skiers/ / swapping over riders on jet skis etc.
Should be a 50m 5 knot limit around ramps.

[Axl]

I have many thoughts, but one keeps popping into my head.

If you have a deckie or two, make sure they know exactly how to assist you launch and retrieve. If your deckie is your wife or GF, help and encourage them to participate in this, don't just " do it all yourself ".

An experience I had once when returning to Manly Boat Harbour and with the %$#@#$$ facilities there, I actually radio'd the Coast Guard and asked if they could back my trailer down so I could drive my boat on as my deckie was " incapacitated ". I pulled up to their pontoon, passed over the car keys and they did the rest..... this was because I was returning at peak hour ( which I normally do not do ) and attempting to leave boat near ramp ( no sand or gravel, just concrete wall ) and get my car to retrieve was going to end in tears.

I like the ' Car Park " practice idea ,

I also do not hang around the pontoon when launching & retrieving , I motor around in circles away a bit until my deckies are ready to board or my trailer is in the water ready to accept my boat ( drive on ) .

Patience is what's needed in large quantities and always remember, there is no cure for stupidity.

cheers LP

You hit the nail on the head there LP, and another one we need to also remember at times is that arguing with an idiot only makes two idiots.....