Ramp manners

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Mar-27-06 AT 06:32PM (EST)[/font][p]>It's actually pretty funny to watch
>someone that forgot to unhook
>the back straps if they
>have a light trailer. You
>ever seen that? They unhook
>the front strap, the boat
>floats the trailer up with
>it and the person in
>the boat wonders why the
>boat won't back off the
>trailer.What a hoot. Yeah it tickled the living daylights out of me the first time I seen it happen!It just happened to be my brother and his family that were launching. It was also funny the second time I seen it happen. I should have unhooked them before I backed down the ramp.It sure isn't hard to figure out why a boat that you've launched a hundred times won't come off the trailer!!!

I ran accross a very similiar situation a few years ago at Cumberland. After 15 minutes of watching this family load what seemed to be all of their earthly possessions into the back of their Ford Excursion, they still made no effort to hurry up and get away from the waters edge to clear a lane so that we could launch. So I decided to offer to help them. I walked right up to the man of the family and said " need any help?" He gazed right at me and seemed to be stunned. "No," he replied. "Sure you do," I said as I procceded to pick up a bag of sun-suplies and beach towel and put them in the back of the vehicle. "I think me and my family can handle it," he said. "I don't mind at all to help you sir," I said sarcassticly. "Stop touching our stuff," he replied! "Stop coming to our lakes and blocking our ramps that our taxes paid for!" (he was not of Kentucky origin) He soon got the whole family back into the car and drove to the top of the parking lot and finished packing. Did he cuss at me, oh yes he did. Did I make my point, OH YES I DID!

remember... eatsleepfish

Fishgurl - As for the entertainment value...If I had more time I would take me a lawn chair AND a video camera and do just what you said, because I know sooner or later I'd have a shot at that $10,000.00 dollars on America's Funniest Home Video's...

On a more serious note I have seen parents let their kids play and swim on the ramps while people were trying to launch. If it were my kid I would have never let them be around someone backing a boat or on the ramp to start with. And on a less serious note Paul Harvey told of a couple that bought there first boat and when it wouldn't plane out they went to the nearest dock to find out that they had the trailer still attached to the boat. I wouldn't believe it if it hadn't been Paul Harvey telling it. Still hard to believe.

I remember the first time I heard that story, except it was a "blonde story". I remember laughing my rear end off. Then I got to thinking - wouldn't the person have to disconnect the trailer hitch and lights in order to do that? Of course they would! It's still a funny story though.

Wait till the jet skiers get out in full force or some poor guy that his wife won't help him load the pontoon. I also love the guys who forget their plug, i have done this so I can lagh all I want. Your at the mercy of the people waiting to put in.I will let a guy in front of me if he forgot his plug. Another thing i have witnessed is in the winter,have you ever saw a boat froze to a trailer it can happen.

I have to agree with alot of these stories but some of thes people actually dont know the ramp laws. For some they are not born with these abilities and when they get their first boat they just dont know. I myself was getting a little edgy 1 day watching a person on a 2 lane ramp trying to get his boat to the water. Had no idea that the trailer goes opposite the direction ya cut the wheels. Finally I got out and offered assistance. I taught him how to get as straight as he could at the top of the ramp and which way to turn his wheels when backing. This man offered me a 20 dollar bill for my help. No I didnt take his money but now he knows the laws of the ramp and how to get his boat in and out.

After reading these posts, I've thought, "Man, I better have someone with me that knows what they're doin' for the first few times whenever I get a boat!" This is a good thread though not only for you fellas and gals that know what you're doin' - but also for someone like me that doesn't own a boat (and may be a while) to learn from.

Just do exactly what you did when you got that first baitcaster, practice at home!! I do that still. I am one of the ones that just can't back a trailer using my mirrors. I practice and practice, just can't seem to get it. No, I am not secretly blonde. LOL

Now I can turn and look over my shoulder and put the boat trailer just about anywhere I want it. Especially when no one else is there to witness it... LMAO

The best advice is, besides talking to others, such as the tips in this thread, but the best advice is to use common sense. Just put yourself in the shoes of someone waiting. What would you want the guy you are waiting on to do?

Danny

Yep... will do!

Also, I drove a forklift (rear wheels are the ones that turn) for a few years, and I can drive backwards like nobody's business, LOL! :) So maybe that'll help, if even a little bit.

Anyways, it'll probably be a long time before I can afford my own boat - then again, maybe I'll win one from a giveaway contest!!! Wishful thinkin' there...

I drove one all my adult life and I can back a trailer in spots that would make most butts pucker ... goes with the territory
Rodney
Tight lines
It is easier to build a child than it is to repair an adult. GOD BLESS

I practiced with a 12 foot 4 wheeler trailer since I was 12. If you can back something that short a boat is easy.