Boat Ramp Tips (the funny and not so funny)

► Make Sure the drain plug is in PRIOR to launching the boat.

► 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.

► Common sense, two people are the minimum for launching a boat unless you are really, really good at doing it solo.

► 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!

► 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.

► Always prepare the boat for launch BEFORE you get to the boat ramp, not on the boat ramp while others are forced to wait.

► 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.

► 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.

► Don’t forget to use your mirrors, they're there for a reason!

► 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.

► 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).

► Slow and steady is better than fast and reckless. And it's DEFINITELY better than drunk and clueless.

► 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.

► 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).

► 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.

► 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...

► 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.

► Two words. Two very, very, very important words. DRAIN PLUG.