Boat ramp etiquette is something that most people understand. However, you see a handful of people at the lake every weekend that have no clue about the unwritten laws of the boat ramp. So, we decided to put those unwritten laws into writing so you won’t be “that guy” at the boat ramp next weekend. You do not want to have scorn heaped upon you from your fellow boaters who are hoping to get on and off the water quickly and them wishing you were doing the same. A little courtesy and a lot of common sense will help you keep peace with your fellow man at the boat launch.
Boat Prep:
I can’t tell you how many times I have seen people block other boats from getting in and out of the lake because they were doing last minute prep before launch. Maybe they forgot to undo a trailer hold down strap, put the drain plug in, or get the drink cooler out of their car, and they hold up everything and everyone while correcting the issue. Most decent boat ramps have lanes specifically designated for prepping your watercraft. If there is not a dedicated lane, find a section of the parking lot out of the way of others or stop before you pull into the parking lot (out of the way of traffic) and get ready. The best way to prep your watercraft is by having a system for doing so that moves from the front to the back of the boat. Unhook your trailer winch hook first. Organize your gear in the center of the boat so you are ready to roll when you launch, move to the back and remove the straps, install the plug, and trim the motor if necessary to the proper position. If you have someone helping you like a fishing buddy, make sure they are on the same page with the process and double check with each other to make sure it is all complete. When you are confident you are ready to launch, get in line to launch.
TRAILER BACKING:
Last summer I watched an older man cuss an onlooker and then his own wife like a dog because he was not able to back his own trailer down the ramp. Both were trying to help guide him but the more they tried the more mad he became. I finally stepped in and coached him down the ramp because he was holding up a crowd. Some people have a gift for backing trailers while some people have to work at it. If backing a trailer is not one of your spiritual gifts, practice backing your trailer somewhere other than the boat ramp until you can get it right. The time to learn trailer backing is not on the boat ramp. The biggest mistake people make is making big corrections with the steering wheel. Boat trailers cut fast. You should never turn left or right on the wheel past 10 or 2 oclock. If you are hitting 9 and 3 oclock on the wheel, you’ve already jackknifed and you might as well pull up and try again. You also need to learn to use your mirrors. If your vehicle does not have good convex mirrors for seeing your trailer tires, install a set of convex mirrors so you can see them. Visibility of the trailer wheels in your mirrors is key.
BOAT LAUNCH:
There is a video on our YouTube channel on How to Launch a Boat Solo but launching a boat is always easier with two people. You can quickly get your boat in the water and clear the ramp for the next boater and the person driving the boat can get out of the way of other boats on the water trying to load. You would think it would go without saying, but make sure your buddy is fully launched and clear of the trailer before pulling the trailer out. Social media is full of boat fails from boats being dragged back out of the water because they were never fully clear of the trailer. Also, if you launch alone, try whenever possible to get your boat tied off as far away from the ramp on the dock and as far out of the way as possible while you park and return to your boat.
BOAT LOADING:
Boat loading can be a bit tricky with new boats. A general rule of thumb is to get the bunkboards about 3/4 of the way submerged with the other 1/4 sticking out of the water. This typically allows enough clearance for the trailer to center up the boat while loading without overshooting the bow roller in the front. Typically you will be just a hair short of the roller and giving the motor a little throttle will easily snug the boat up to the roller. This whole process is best done with two people also. The driver can hook the winch to the boat and pull it out and the boat pilot can stay put in the boat. Lastly, if loading or unloading at night, make sure to turn your headlights are off when sitting the ramp. Leaving you headlights on will literally blind other boaters when they are trying to back down the ramp. It’s not only a courtesy but also a safety issue.
Once again, these are just some simple tips that will keep you in the good graces with your fellow boaters on the weekend and make you look like a seasoned pro on the loading ramp even if you are just beginning. If you have found them helpful, share them with a friend!
