Boat Ramp Tips (the funny and not so funny)
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Make Sure the drain plug is in PRIOR to
launching the boat.
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Saturday morning at a crowded boat ramp is NOT
the time to learn how to back down and launch.
If you are new, practice during off-peak times.
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Common sense, two people are the minimum for
launching a boat unless you are really, really
good at doing it solo.
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Just like tricky inlets, scout out the ramp to
see how good the traction is, how steep the
incline is, are there any drop-offs etc. You
don’t want any surprises!
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Learning to launch can put a strain marriages
and relationships. It’s better to have a buddy
who wants to go fishing help you learn – after
all, he HAS to be nice or he doesn’t get to go
fishing.
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Always prepare the boat for launch BEFORE you
get to the boat ramp, not on the boat ramp while
others are forced to wait.
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Go through your pre-launch mechanical checklist
away from the boat ramp. Check boat bilge pumps,
engine blowers, battery switch settings and
other items prior to launch.
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When backing up with your trailer, put your hand
on the bottom of the steering wheel. Move your
hand in the direction you want (and pray) the
trailer to go. Occasionally the trailer will go
in the desired direction.
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Don’t forget to use your mirrors, they're there for
a reason!
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Remove / take off all tie-downs except the winch
hook which should be attached to the bow eye.
That should be the last tie-down removed.
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Always have at least one mooring line attached
to the bow. It is preferable to use two lines,
one to the bow and one to the stern (having to
dive in and swim for your boat is considered bad
boat ramp etiquette).
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Slow and steady is better than fast and
reckless. And it's DEFINITELY better than drunk
and clueless.
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Only submerge the trailer and boat as little as
is necessary to float the boat off (unless you
want to see how an Escalade works as a submarine
– not well). Remember, boats generally float.
Trucks and trailers generally do not.
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Once you’ve backed the trailer down the boat
ramp to the appropriate spot, ALWAYS put on the
parking break (having to dive in and swim after
your boat AND truck is a serious faux pas in the
boat ramp culture).
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Never block the boat ramp with an unattended
vehicle or boat, both for safety reasons and as
a favor to others waiting to launch their boats.
However, in the event your boat actually sinks
AT THE RAMP, you will be given a 30 minute
"courtesy exemption" before the cursing and
yelling starts.
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The line at the ramp is formed by cars and
trucks with trailers, not by boats already in
the water waiting to be retrieved. Unless a boat
in the water was launched without a drain plug,
in which case said boat moves up in the
retrieval priority...
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Oh yeah, lower your outriggers before leaving
the dock. We used to live across the street from
the SE15TH ramp. You can’t believe how loud it
is when an outrigger strikes a tree branch at 25
mph. Assuming it‘s not YOUR outrigger, or YOUR
tree, it’s also pretty damn funny.
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Two words. Two very, very, very important words.
DRAIN PLUG.
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