why ????????

[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..