why ????????

[HiDefFisherman]

James,

It sounds almost like I could have been that guy you are describing. You see I have a 21 foot Triton TR21, I bought it new in 2002. The trailer is one made by EZ Loader trailers. Triton quit using them in 2003, because of loading problems, according to the Triton rep I spoke to. Anyway, the bow eye on my model boat is just a little too far down the hull. I can get my boat on the trailer very easily, if I power on at a higher than safe speed. In fact, the trailer has had structual problems where the winch is connected to the trailer. I was out of fishing for a one summer. I had to do everything I could, just short of filing a civil suit, before I got the EZ LOader company to repair the trailer. From what I have been told by metal workers is that whoever welded my winch assembly on the trailer, over heated the metal, weakening it. It in turn tore. Once I got EZ Loader to agree to foot the bill, I had the trailer repaired. Still, I am a little hesitant to bring the boat on at a speed that will push it all the way to the eye on the bow. When I am by myself, I do a lot like what you describe. I get the boat on as much as possible, then back the trailer on down to winch it all the way up. If I have someone with me, and I trust them, and they trust themselves--which is not always the way it is-- I let them winch the boat up, then back the truck back down some and finish the winching.

I know I take a little longer. So I make sure if I am in a tournament, I get there early, and launch before everyone else, and I don't stop or hold anyone up. Also at the end of the day, I make sure I let anyone else who is ready at the same time go first. Sometimes some folks come in quickly, after I have began the process. Fortunately for me, the rudest folks I meet on the water are in fact on the water and not at the ramp.

If by chance I have provided fodder for any one to make fun, then I am happy to have provided them the chuckles. I have pretty wide shoulders...LOL and I figure if they are talking about me, then others are being left alone.

Now don't let me sound Holier Than THou.. I am not. I have a lot of very funny ramp stories. The funniest, in my opinion was an older couple launching. The husband got the boat ready, yes on the ramp, and I was waiting to load. This was several years ago when I had a much smaller boat, but it did load easier. Anyway, this couple was having a terrible time, and the husband was taking out all his frustration on his wife. He had the boat backed pretty far down the ramp, and was about to have water come over the transom. he kept hollering at his wife to back it off, yelling for her to gun it. She would and it would just lunge then pull back in place. I tried to offer him some help, but he yelled at me...LOL. I just walked to the bow of the boat, and suggested to his wife that she kill the motor, have him pull her out of the water, disconnect the safety straps, then try again. He got very upset that I was giving her advice, he jumped out of the vehicle and I headed back to mine. He yelled at her, wanting to know what I had said. I guess she told him, because the pulled the boat out, unhooked the straps, then launched very easily.

It's easy to make a mistake. It has taken me a long time to learn to give others the same slack I want, but fail to give myself. As a result I have had to deal with hypertension, and that is what the fishing is supposed to combat. Finally, I am learning. Lots of years, lots of ignored lessons, but I am finally getting there.

Tightlines Friend....

HDF

[creeker]

Where can a person learn about ramp etiquette? I see people doing things all the time that I would think with a little common sense you wouldn't do. We just bought a boat this year and luckily I work with enough boaters that I was able to get a few to go out with me early in the year before the ramps got crowded to give me pointers. Between that and common sense, I feel like I have most of it figured out. But I don't consider myself an expert.

Two questions I have about ramps:

At a ramp (like Settlers Trace at T'ville) where there are two lanes to prep your boat are both lanes to be used whether putting in or pulling out? Or are they designated specifically for one or the other? I've always thought that you are free to use either. I came to this conclusion on two reasons: One, I figured it was better to use both lanes rather than keep backing the traffic up the hill. And two, inevitably, I find someone in one of the lanes that's loading like 10 people, some of whom came in a separate vehicle and have to park in the far lot; and trying to inflate their tube. Am I correct?

The second situation I encountered was at Wax on Nolin. We were getting ready to pull our boat out when I noticed that the next guy in line facing the ramp had pulled too far down the ramp to make the turn to get the trailer to the water without waiting for the ramp to empty--basically the other people loading and unloading were in his way. Coming out of the parking lot, I saw there was an open lane and knew that I could get turned around correctly and back all the way down with no issues. Thats what I did. Was taking the next open spot the correct thing to do, or should I have waited behind this guy (not that the end justifies the means, but I was in and out before he had the opportunity to get turned around-and no, I didn't impede his opportunity)?

[HURRICANEBOB]

Where can a person learn about ramp etiquette?

BASSPRO'S WEBSITE HAS A GOOD ARTICLE:http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...0001&langId=-1

Here's the Huirricane Bob Rule of Thumb: If it is something that would offend me if someone else did it on the ramp, I don't do it. And when in doubt, I just walk over to the other boater, tell him what I'm think of doing and ask if that would cause him a problem. Most times, you'll get a polite smile and a head nod. And if you do happen on a jerk, at least you'll have a clear conscience knowing you did the mature, reasonable thing.

(Besides, walking over to talk to the other guy gives my wife time to load the shot gun)

[gocards40]

I don't care how good you are now at loading and unloading a boat we have all at one time had trouble or at least anticipated trouble that did not happen. I am sure that the way I load and unload my boat is a little different than the way my Dad would do it or many of you guys on here. But it works for me and I get it right every time when I am by myself. I have more trouble loading my boat when I have someone else with me trying to help or give me pointers.

I have found that most fisherman seem to be able to get the boat in and out in a timely matter. We are for the most part courtious to the other boaters and get in and out. Not all of us but most. But we don't have much patience with the other boaters or other fisherman for that matter.

A little story about a vacation I took. It was supposed to be a 3 day trip to Kentucky lake. Plans fell through and I ended up at a lake closer to home. A friend has a place close to the water and they were nice enough to offer it to us for the 3 days. But they wanted to come down the first of the 3 days with us.

I thought I could deal with this but there is just a big difference between what I go to the lake for and they do. One full day watching them drive a Jet ski, riding the ski and sitting in the sun for like 8 hrs without wetting a line just killed my soul. But watching them back the truck, load and unload everything made it much worse. I would bet at least 3 hours was wasted between loading and unloading the boats. It took me just minutes to unload and load mine up.

I would never say anything to hurt their feelings but it was just obvious to me the difference between how I approach going to the lake and they do. I want to get in and out of the ramp and soon as possible but they took their time....alot of time doing what I could do by myself in just minutes.

I was so frustrated after one day it ruined my whole vacation. That is not their fault but mine for allowing it to bother me. They had no idea and had a great time themselves.

My point is we should all probably just try and enjoy the ride. Watch them, giggle a little inside then come back here to tell the story or vent. It's not worth ruining a perfectly good vacation day getting upset over something we can't really control. Just wish I could listen to my own advice.

[HiDefFisherman]

hey gocards... AMEN!!

I was trying, though obviously not as elequently as you, to say much of the same thing. I think it was Zig Ziglar I once heard say, why let someone in traffic tee you off... they make you mad.. you fester, get angry, and they drive happily ever after off. You are the one that suffers... (paraphrased, as I don't remember word for word the quote)

It's taken me a long time to get to this point, and I hope others travail the growth much more quickly.

Now here's the really HUGE thing.... a Wildcat fan and a Card fan in 100% agreement!!! LOL

Tight lines,

HDF

[gocards40]

HDF

Don't feel bad! My best friend and fishing partner is a Cats fan. We only disagree on two things. The Cards and Cats!

Go Cards

[Duayne]

Even if you required a license or certificate, it's not gonna replace experience and time on the water. Most of the stupid stuff we see are from the below average group that only visit a lake a few times a year. They simply are not on the water enough to know and you aren't going to teach them "ramp rules" in a class. So if you require something, it's going to have to cover the very simple and basic stuff that can eliminate harm or death on the water. The old, "keep it simple stupid" rule MUST be applied here. The idea would be to save lives, not time on the ramp..

[jamesdenson]

James,

It sounds almost like I could have been that guy you are describing. You see I have a 21 foot Triton TR21, I bought it new in 2002. The trailer is one made by EZ Loader trailers. Triton quit using them in 2003, because of loading problems, according to the Triton rep I spoke to. Anyway, the bow eye on my model boat is just a little too far down the hull. I can get my boat on the trailer very easily, if I power on at a higher than safe speed. In fact, the trailer has had structual problems where the winch is connected to the trailer. I was out of fishing for a one summer. I had to do everything I could, just short of filing a civil suit, before I got the EZ LOader company to repair the trailer. From what I have been told by metal workers is that whoever welded my winch assembly on the trailer, over heated the metal, weakening it. It in turn tore. Once I got EZ Loader to agree to foot the bill, I had the trailer repaired. Still, I am a little hesitant to bring the boat on at a speed that will push it all the way to the eye on the bow. When I am by myself, I do a lot like what you describe. I get the boat on as much as possible, then back the trailer on down to winch it all the way up. If I have someone with me, and I trust them, and they trust themselves--which is not always the way it is-- I let them winch the boat up, then back the truck back down some and finish the winching.

I know I take a little longer. So I make sure if I am in a tournament, I get there early, and launch before everyone else, and I don't stop or hold anyone up. Also at the end of the day, I make sure I let anyone else who is ready at the same time go first. Sometimes some folks come in quickly, after I have began the process. Fortunately for me, the rudest folks I meet on the water are in fact on the water and not at the ramp.

If by chance I have provided fodder for any one to make fun, then I am happy to have provided them the chuckles. I have pretty wide shoulders...LOL and I figure if they are talking about me, then others are being left alone.

Now don't let me sound Holier Than THou.. I am not. I have a lot of very funny ramp stories. The funniest, in my opinion was an older couple launching. The husband got the boat ready, yes on the ramp, and I was waiting to load. This was several years ago when I had a much smaller boat, but it did load easier. Anyway, this couple was having a terrible time, and the husband was taking out all his frustration on his wife. He had the boat backed pretty far down the ramp, and was about to have water come over the transom. he kept hollering at his wife to back it off, yelling for her to gun it. She would and it would just lunge then pull back in place. I tried to offer him some help, but he yelled at me...LOL. I just walked to the bow of the boat, and suggested to his wife that she kill the motor, have him pull her out of the water, disconnect the safety straps, then try again. He got very upset that I was giving her advice, he jumped out of the vehicle and I headed back to mine. He yelled at her, wanting to know what I had said. I guess she told him, because the pulled the boat out, unhooked the straps, then launched very easily.

It's easy to make a mistake. It has taken me a long time to learn to give others the same slack I want, but fail to give myself. As a result I have had to deal with hypertension, and that is what the fishing is supposed to combat. Finally, I am learning. Lots of years, lots of ignored lessons, but I am finally getting there.

Tightlines Friend....

HDF

no you could tell this guy just got the boat he pulled out without any straps or transom saver on. but i didnt mind waiting on him i got a few good laughs just hope he didnt tear the transome off when hitting the big pot holes on the way out the lake road lol