re: Its time! Boating etiquette (edited title)

I'm usually the one backing the boat in.

Just back in till it starts to float, leaving the front hooked up of course. Then unhook and back off. '
How in the hell do you have a boat and not know this?

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Just back in till it starts to float, leaving the front hooked up of course. Then unhook and back off. '
How in the hell do you have a boat and not know this?

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I haven't gone fishing without my father n law. I "know" but don't have the comfort level built up enough.

some how this seemed appropriate:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjcEFw4CaEA

as did this:

LINK

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Just back in till it starts to float, leaving the front hooked up of course. Then unhook and back off. '

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I have to do a little acrobatic tire to bed to bumper move because once the boats in my tailgate usually hangs over the water.

I live 100 yards from a public launch and enjoy watching from my porch. I have everything ready in my boat before I go to the launch. Even start the motor (mudboat) at my house and have it warmed up ready to drive off the trailer.

I LOVE watching people at the boat ramp. It doesn't take long until 'that guy' appears.

When we launch sailboats it's a huge freaking deal with raising the mast, putting the motor on, extending the tongue, running rigging, and a million other little tasks that have to be done before the mast goes up. It takes up to an hour on some boats and then you have to get lined up, extend the tongue, back in. There's just nothing we can do about it once we've got the boat ready, we have to line it up, block it, extend tongue, back down, and hope the ramp is deep enough to float it. And even with all that, we still don't take up but half the ramp for maybe five minutes.

But while we're doing all that getting ready to line it up we get to watch all the power boaters and I swear half those people are functionally retarded. My favorite is when they forget the straps and the guy in the drivers seat starts punching it thinking he just needs to get more power on the issue and the truck starts sliding back. The flurry of cursing going both directions is just pure comedy.

I put a half hitch the rope to a handle on the tongue of the trailer, back off til it floats or I can easily push it, then I push it off, untie and walk to the dock drag the boat around and tie off. I've never had to do it alone somewhere without a dock directly beside the ramp, or somewhere crowded. Usually I'm the only one launching at the time.

I'm a certified retard so it takes me a little longer. I have no problem launching the boat..takes all of 2mins. Getting the boat back on...might take a little time(5min?). I cannot back the fricking trailer up without the boat on it for some reason. Just doesn't work.

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Park away from the ramp and have all your business done. Get your bait, ice, groceries and situate them. Unstrap and be prepared so when it is your turn you will not inconvenience others

When others are waiting to load or unload, now is not the time to teach your kid, wife, slam piece, or 90 year old dad to back the trailer down.

If its dark, turn your headlights off

Always assume a launch can fit more than one boat. Walk down, inspect the launch if you are not familiar with it and have a plan. Watch others! You can learn a lot

If the pier is crowded be mindful when you tie up. Consider wind and wave action. If you must cross another's boat, be respectful.

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This is incredibly true. My dad is usually in the truck and I'm in the boat, as soon as its off the trailer, I put it into gear and slowly make my way out into the channel so others can use the launch quickly.

The worst is when you come back to the launch. I've been both on the boat and in the truck at this point. I'll wait until the boat is back in the ramp area before backing down, but I've had people literally cut me off as I'm backing down and proceed to wait 20 more minutes to get the boat situated on the trailer. While in the boat, I've also had numerous people cut me off. Often times, locals that know us will wave me in first, but people do need to learn common courtesy when it comes to a launch. Yes, we've all been on the water all day, yes we want to get home, but seriously, is it worth fighting over?

On the rare occasion that I go out on the water alone, I use the hoist.