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| Lets list all the RIGHT things we should do. PLEASE NUMBER THEM
1)Take your turn at the landing.
2)Be ready to lauching when you swing your trailer on the ramp. (not the time to get out the snack, sodas, tackle, net, trolling motor, anchor, life jackets etc) Trust me I see this every every darn day![:bigsmile:] Better to prepare off to the side before you tie up the whole launch.
3)Make sure you know....Backing up a trailer-101
4)Make sure you have your straps off.
5)Make sure you put the plug in.
6)Make sure you leave plenty of room at the dock to the next guy when he launches his boat.
Keep this list going folks.[:bigsmile:] |
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| If luanching solo, get a long bow line and tie it to your trailer, launch the boat, pull your trailer up so you can get to the line, grab the line, reel your boat in and secure it to the dock, park your trailer. |
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| Addendum to Lunch-Box: Move your boat as far back on the dock as possible so that others can use the ramp while your parking or getting your trailer |
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| When your through fishing and after your done pulling your boat out of the water, drive it away from the launch area to make room for someone who wants to launch. Seen a guy last year pull out enough so his trailer was out of the water, then started to empty his boat, wipe off the hull, etc., etc. I was 2nd in line to launch, and was waiting to see who was going to be the first to chuck a Reef Hawg at the dude...the guy in front of me, or the guy waiting next on the water to load...
BigO
daveolson |
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| Also, when you are launching or pulling your boat out of the water in the dark, and there are other people trying to do the same, TURN OFF YOUR DAMN LIGHTS!!! It is impossible to look back and put you trailer in the water when the guy next to you has his lights on blinding you!!
Chad |
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| Be courtious to those around you, offer to help someone that is alone and having problems, they sometimes are not as good at launching as someone that does it everyday.. Ask that they move out of the way to empty or fill their boat etc. Also, always pick up at least one piece of trash at the access that you didn't drop. Pretty soon there will be no trash there at all anymore. Clean the weeds and other debris off your boat and trailer at the launch, not on the next lake. Dont' forget the weeds under your trolling prop and big engine prop, also your livewell or baitwell. One last note, please keep the rough language to a minimum, there are a lot of little ears at the launch these days and we want them to emulate us as fishermen not "trash talkers".
Let Em Go...Let Em Grow.....Mike |
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| My daddy always told me that those coming into the water were to be given right-of-way over those coming out of the water. The folks on the Central boards didn't see it that way so I'll shut up about it.
Be sure not to transmit zebra mussles from one water to another. Clean and drain the boat. How's that? m |
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| I definitely agree that you should help someone who is alone or looks like they are having problems, and BE NICE to dumb people, because they often don't realize they are dumb. They can learn a lot from you, and it helps everything move quicker. They sure don't give much of a training program when you buy a boat, so there's a pile of people who are trying to learn as they go, and without some helpful experience, they may NEVER learn, and be doomed to be launch sloths for the rest of their lives.
re: coming on vs coming off - That takes care of itself in the trailer line order. You park your boat out of the way (if by yourself) or have your buddy circle offshore, and wait your turn for the ramp. Doesn't matter if you are coming or going.
Irritation: people who sit in the boat and block the ramp and wait while their buddy goes and parks. Unless they have NO clue how to drive a boat, there's no excuse for that. Circle and come back to pick him up. |
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| My favorite one...there something called a bathroom 100 feet from the launch, you dont' have to go on the ramp, even if your 80 years old.. |
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| LOL!!! Schuler, you better wait until your 80 years old to say that!!
As far as Chad Cain's pet peeve, I have started to back my boat down into headlights without fear, relying on "IT" and "IT" alone to guide me down the ramp into the unknown abyss. See the trailer, beeeeeeee the trailer.
Further more if you are going to drop things off at the launch, make damn sure they are things worth picking up, like the $35 dollar grappling anchor I picked up last year, stuff like that is ok...[:bigsmile:] |
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| On some new vehicles like mine. The lights are always on. I have a 99 Chevy
Not much a guy can do about that.[;)] [:blackeye:] |
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| When launching alone with roller bunks - don't unhook your boat from the trailer prior to backing it down a hill. The boat has a tendency to fly off of the back of the trailer and drop onto the pavement - OUCH!
When launching alone with any kind of boat - don't unhook your boat prior to backing it into the water without having some other means of keeping it close to the truck or trailer. The momentum of the boat will carry it out into the lake and leave you standing there looking pretty silly!
If you have a sailboat, it is a good idea to take the mast down BEFORE pulling out. You just might take out a couple of tree branches and a power line (I still can't believe I watched that happen).
Don't wait until you get to the launch to find out your motor doesn't work the first time out for the year. Start the thing up at home (with a hose on your water intake) to make sure it works and warm it up before that maiden voyage of the year.
Launching the boat isn't a great time to find out the batteries are dead either. Give them a check before leaving home. Check the gas too, while you are at it. [:bigsmile:] |
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| Oh the ramp edicate, love that one. If you have more to do then unhook the front eye when backing down the ramp you have no business doing so. Last year on the madison chain sen two pleasure baoter pull past three of us fisherman preparing our boats in line to be launched and they took 20min preparing their boats on the ramp.
There was a comment above about the people who are launching should go before the ones pulling out. I have to disagree, if your in line you are in line. I used to think that, almost got into a fight on kinkaid over it but thinking back on it now I was wrong. |
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| Jason, shut your truck off, set the parking brake to the very 1st notch, start her back up and your lights will not come on. You will, however have to put up with the continual beeping of the brake alarm. 2000 and newer I believe can be programed to not come on automatically.
Let Em Go...Let Em Grow.....Mike |
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| One I'd like to add -- load your boat before you launch. It's easier and you don't have to go back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, getting in everyone's way.
Two, when launching by yourself the rope trick mentioned above is great. Back in, watch the boat sail away, drive out, the boat comes back to you. Excellent! Plus you look real cool to the newbies.
Three, don't park on the ramp. I was at a launch, the guy had parked his truck on the best ramp (of two!) and left for the day. I don't care what time of the season it is -- move you're d*(g truck. The other ramp was totally steep and full of pot holes -- I burnt some rubber getting my boat out. And, along with half a dozen other folks, was very tempted to knock the blocks behind his tires out.
Four; watch other people launch and remove. I've learned alot from watching "the pros". |
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| Make sure you remove your transom saver.
I forgot once and and spent some time swimming at the landing to find it. Good thing it wasn't a busy landing. |
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| Make sure you remove your transom saver.
I forgot once and and spent some time swimming at the landing to find it. Good thing it wasn't a busy landing. |
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| Regarding the headlights at the ramps I totally agree on turning them off. As for most trucks with the daytime running lamps, you can put your parking break on 1 click and it will be just fine. I talked with my Chevy dealer on how to turn them off and he said put the parking break on but only 1 notch down, then all is good.
Running_Hot!!!!!! |
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| Another note regarding the daytime running lamps:
We needed to figure out how to turn my dad's off on his 2001 Yukon XL so we could "sneak" through a corn field pre-dawn to get to our deer stands.
We actually had to read the owner's manual, but there is a way to turn them off without hitting the parking brake.
It wasn't too big of a deal, but real goofy that I can't remember. [:p]
The Midge |
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| This does not work on my 2001 Tahoe. Anyone know how to turn them off?
Edited.....
Musky Midget, we were typing at the same time! As I was asking how to turn them off, you were telling us that there is a way. Thanks for the info. I guess I'll have to read my manual!
Brad |
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| All great advise. A tip for a new boat owner, go to a large parking lot and practice, practice, practice. Set up some cones or any thing that can duplicate the width of a loading ramp. Learn to back your vehicle by using the side mirrors. It takes a little practice but is a better method. An 18 wheeler trucker told me that they are taught to watch the drivers side rear wheel of the trailer and steer accordingly.
When you go to the ramp the first time don't do it on opening week end. The pressure will be on and make you nervous. If you can go during the week you can take your time and take the boat in and out a few times. Go through the whole process. Bring an experienced friend with you if you can.
Last but not least, we have all been there, have patience if you see someone having trouble. Ask if you can help.
Good luck, Murph |
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| Regarding the daytime running lights on 2000 and new GM pickups/'Burbs/Yukons. I believe it requires 4 consecutive pushes of the dome lamp overide button located next to the headlight switch. I think you can also choose whether or not the headlights come on automatically or manually via this method. |
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| "DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED"!!!!!!!![:(] |
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| As far as the headlight problems with the Chevys, I can only say one thing. BUY A FORD!!! LOL
Chad |
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| FORD !!! Found On Road Dead or Fix Or Repair Daily or Fu****g Old Rusted Dodge.
You get the picture.
As for my GMC the emergency break turns the daytime running lights off. [:sun:] |
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| Number, um, 95 or so:
When loading your boat by yourself wear hip waders. Walking out in the water is sooo much easier than balancing on the trailer frame. This is especially useful in strong river current or cross winds or both.
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| Always rember to put on emergency brake.0723 |
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| Throw Pay Days + a 6 pack of Coke Colas at the ramp entrance...while the others are fighting over them back your boat down the ramp + LAUNCH![:sun:] |
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| If you really want those day time running lights out, pull the fuse. There is a dedicated fuse for those lights. Very easy to find, and pull. |
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