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After seeing that way too many boaters at Strawberry on the Soldier Creek Side that don't know the purpose of the Courtesy Dock and me not wanting to tell people their business as everyone is a professional boater (grain of salt) - I thought I would at least try to spread some knowledge of proper boat Launching and Loading.......
Launching: After you launch your boat proceed to the courtesy dock to pick up your vehicle driver - then go on your way.... I realize that not everyone can drive the boat to the courtesy docks but you should at least not block the ramp slot while you wait for your vehicle driver. Use a rope lead to pull it to the side or over to the courtesy dock. Or in my case, I back the boat into the waters edge and then swap places with my wife and she back me in the last 15'. We even have walkie-talkies to communicate with each other - takes the yelling out of the equation.
Loading: - ALWAYS GO TO the courtesy dock and drop off you vehicle driver to bring it down to the ramp. In my case, I let my wife hold the boat on the Courtesy dock while I get the truck & trailer and back it in the slot. I then swap places with my wife and she drives the truck and I load the boat. She drives the truck & boat up the ramp to get ready for the road trip home.
DON"T PARK YOUR BOAT on the main ramp boat docks - this blocks all ramp usage of that slot until your vehicle comes down and you complete loading -- this is BAD form & causes people to lose their patience when your driver takes way to long to get the vehicle.
I know circumstances sometimes require a boater to use the ramp dock - for example this past weekend the boater forgot his plug and the boat was taking on water. They had to get the boat on the trailer ASAP.
I'm just trying to improve everyone's boating experience.
My #1 boating rule is "DON"T GET IN A HURRY - take your time".
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Well said. However, I just want to point out that solo boaters will need to park their boat at the dock while they park their vehicles or go retrieve them. If there is a boat operator staying with the boat, we will drop the person off and go idle around out of the way while we wait.
Remember: courtesy dock. Something we need more of in this world.
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Flaming gorge gets bad to,
When using the other courtesy dock (the ones away from the ramp itself)
I wish people would drop off the drive and idle out away from there so that other boaters can do the same,rather then come in park & stay there while waiting for there truck/trailer. this weekend I sat waiting for 15-20 minutes before I could even get our boat in to drop my dad off to get the truck.
there was even one guy that sat there talking and slowly getting all his fishing stuff all nice and neatly put away, washing down the deck ect before even going and getting his truck.
(obviously solo boaters or boats that one 1 person that can comfortably/safely operate should just wait)
along with that I wish people with smaller boats and PWC'S would use the inside spots where they can easly fit/maneuver around rather then hang out on the outside.
our gorge boat is a 32' bayliner cabin cruiser so trying to squeeze into the smaller shallow spots between the dock and shore isn't ideal either
that's just my $0.02
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Thanks for the post, you use the exact same procedure the wife and I do.
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Also it is bad form to back your boat down to the water and then finish taking the cover off, loading coolers and all the miss. things you should have done up in the preparation area. When you get to the water you should be ready to launch and get out of the way for the next guy.
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[quote wyoguy]Also it is bad form to back your boat down to the water and then finish taking the cover off, loading coolers and all the miss. things you should have done up in the preparation area. When you get to the water you should be ready to launch and get out of the way for the next guy.[/quote]
agreed, see this far to often at Lucernes ramp.
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Well said. While you are at it, courtesy docks are not a place to leave one's boat for several hours at a time. I have launched at Strawberry before, early in the morning, and there weren't hardly any spaces available on the courtesy docks because several had chosen to tie their boats up there and leave them overnight.
I remember once coming in to trailer my boat at Lincoln Beach only to find where someone had left their tow vehicle parked on the ramp, with the trailer still in the water ready to trailer their boat when they got ready to leave. Only problem was their boat was nowhere in sight. I couldn't believe that anyone would be that rude. It left one space, next to their vehicle, for the rest of us to launch or retrieve our boats.
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Marina's do this all the time and I guess they think because they are just going to go out and test a boat out, it isn't a big deal but I'm sure it isn't legal. Seen this happen earlier this year at Willard, the guy was coming back in as I was launching and I told him as much about leaving his tow vehicle and trailer on the ramp but he just gave me a funny look, like that doesn't apply to me[crazy].
Lundman- The other thing is people that use the docks for fishing or catching crawfish, it happens all the time at SC and the Berry but you rarely have anyone say anything about it.
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When I have another person with me, I agree 100%, how ever I am solo most of the time, so I have to launch, go to the dock, tie up, come back to the truck, move it to the parking area, then back to the boat. It usually takes me 10-15 mins max, even going up and down those ramps. What I find interesting is that I can launch by myself and get moving out of the harbor before some people, who were at the ramp before me, are still getting the unit off the trailer.
Years ago, when I ran a Team Tournament circuit, I could launch or recover 20 boats in less time than it took most people to launch. It is sometimes just fun to watch people trying to recover their craft. I have seen people crank their rigs onto the trailer because they don't want to get the hubs on the trailer in the water. You point out to them that the hubs are designed to get wet, but they ignore it.
Never a dull on on the ramp!!
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That happened in front of me yesterday at the Willard Bay North Marina as I was headed down the ramp to load my boat. They were speaking a foreign language which sounded like Russian but not sure, at least their motor started which is not always the case and once they got everything prepped for launch it only took a couple minutes. [:/]
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It really is amusing to watch people, especially on a boat ramp. This weekend on the SC ramp there was a tooner who had his truck parked side ways on the busy ramp. Strange folks.
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I must be lucky. My wife loads and unloads the boat because she can't back up the truck and Trailor. I just wish my 11 year old could reach the clutch and or drive the boat when I just take my three young boys out. Just kidding that would just be scary having my kids do either.
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I have to back the boat up on the ramp then switch out with my wife and pretty much the same when trailering it too.[:/] Another reason I want a new lighter boat.
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You guys that have your wife go with you. Are very lucky. My wife get sick just driving down the canyon. Let alone on a boat. So I am a solo fisherman 90% of the time. Unless the grandkids are with me. Of course if I want to catch a lot of fish I make my wife get on the boat. She is the best cummer I know. And when she is over the side and we have corn the night before the fishing is hot. Just teasing honey.....Love you!!!!
[fishin]
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The Gorge can be bad for sure. Last weekend a guy was at sheep creek launch. He loaded his boat in one spot, the next spot his buddy backed his pickup truck to, they loaded a personal watercraft in the bed. The first spot they had the boat out of the water, but blocking the spot. The third spot a guy was having some minor issues with his boat sitting right on his trailer (been there) which had him re-dunking the boat a few times, no big deal. The first party I finally asked if they could pull one of their vehicles out of the way so the rest of the lake could use the docks. They looked a little put out that I'd ask. I mean they were busy putting a cover on their PWC and BS'ng while the dock was staked full of boats staring at him. He replied after he finishes loading his boat with everything, they'll move it. The dumb ran deep with this group.
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[quote My #1 boating rule is "DON"T GET IN A HURRY - take your time".[/quote]
This is great advise. A little sense of urgency at a crowded ramp is called for, but sometimes you have to slow down to go fast. Every buffoonerous experience I've had at a ramp (and yeah, I've had a few...) was a result of my violating this rule.
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+1
There is on other courtesy you have missed, TURN YOUR STEREO DOWN, not everyone wants to here whoop dog and would like to be able to hear whats going on while loading, its mostly a cool dude warm weather issue[mad]. When the wife goes we will use cell phones, she will put it on speaker and I will tell here which way to turn the wheel while I am floating in the harbor, she's ok unless there are a lot of people at the ramp, the I back it in and we switch places, its not that hard to be courteous but it does seem to be very difficult for too many people that are unaware of anything in the world but them selves and how cool there boat is. sorry for the rant.[fishin]
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[quote wyoguy]Also it is bad form to back your boat down to the water and then finish taking the cover off, loading coolers and all the miss. things you should have done up in the preparation area. When you get to the water you should be ready to launch and get out of the way for the next guy.[/quote]
+1 That is one of my biggest pet peeves
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[quote fsh4fun05][quote wyoguy]Also it is bad form to back your boat down to the water and then finish taking the cover off, loading coolers and all the miss. things you should have done up in the preparation area. When you get to the water you should be ready to launch and get out of the way for the next guy.[/quote]
+1 That is one of my biggest pet peeves[/quote]
Agreed, that is why there is a boat prep area to begin with.[crazy] Once prepped then get in line to launch.
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I cant figure out what this post means about your wife..? the best What? I'm misisng something here obviously. not sure i'm following
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