Boat Loading/Unloading?

[kaptain]

Putting into wersphann wasn't bad yesterday…now taking out…that was a joke. Some guys backed there boat down….then proceeded to get all of their rods, tackle boxes, and bait out of the pickup while the boat sat on the trailer in the water. So they loaded the boat with fishing stuff, coolers, seats, etc…for a good 10 minutes before releasing the boat. I often fish by myself, and what I'll do is just beach the boat off to the side, as the water is easily deep enough to allow it. That way I'm not taking up dock space, etc, and can get my rig in and out of the water and out of people's way asap. It should never take more than 3 minutes or so to put the boat in and take it out…for most boats around this area. One thing that would help out a ton…would be a floating dock of some sort 20-30 yards away from the ramps…where you can motor to and tie up to for those who have to do it all themselves and don't want to beach it. I've seen this method in several of the neighboring states, but haven't seen it in the metro yet.

[Scott Eveland]

I don't have anything in electronic format I can C&P at the moment, but here's the gist of it:

• Prepare your vessel away from the ramp (cover off, load supplies, insert plug, make sure it will start, disconnect trailer lights, etc.).
• Remove tie downs but leave the winch line attached until in the water.
• Use two people whenever possible, but also give extra time to those who are going alone.
• Practice backing elsewhere (IE and empty parking lot) if you are not familiar or comfortable with backing down a ramp.
• Boat docks are for short term loading and unloading--not for long term parking while you get lunch, etc. Use the side away from the ramp when possible.
• When retrieving, don't power load--use your winch if necessary.
• Once secure on the trailer, pull away from the ramp and inspect your vessel for aquatic hitchikers before leaving the waterway.
• Reconnect trailer lights and tie downs before hitting the road.

[OldBaldGuy]

Originally Posted by Bad Boy

"...Make sure you don't unhook the wench hook until everything is a go..."

What do one of those hooks cost? Where can I buy one? Are they barbless if you want to go "catch & release"?

[Alex T.]

"Don't power load your vessel." Watched a guy with his new boat do this last year and just about towed it home in the back of his truck. Then,he was at the same lake I was the next day and just about did it again. BWHAHAHAHA Even made Brandon crack a smile as he said..."Wasn't that the same guy from yesterday that just about went thru his truck's back window?"

Alex

[Bad Boy]

Wench hook, isn't that what old guys use to lure unsuspecting ladies when out on the town?

True story and I will not say names to protect those involved (uneducated). I had just finished launching at Dodge Park, when a guy pulls in with a new Boston Whaler. About a 22"er with a full roller deck trailer. You guessed it. He unhooked everything and backed down the ramp. When he hit the brakes off came the boat - on to the ramp... Ouch. We were heading up river, but when we came back he was gone. Don't know how it got back on the trailer...

[Scott Eveland]

Forgive the profanity in the URL (if it is a violation, please remove).

Here is a picture of a similar scenario. A few other good ones if you back out and see the whole gallery on this site.

http://www.omahariverfront.com/artic...s/oh****17.htm

[MrPike]

I always thought the unwritten rule when dealing with docks was one boat goes in, then one boat comes out, then one boat comes in etc.

This is of course offset by your position in the line of trailers, but if there is room for 1 boat at the dock, I won't wait for a line of 5 boats to all load, before I drop mine in the water. If someone gives you a dirty look, and says Hey you cut in line, just tell them you were following the One in, One out policy.

[crestliner 1]

Guess what,the idiots are even up here.The ramp we go to is real busy now because of the walleyes on the flats, there were at least 200 trailers in the parking lot.I watched 3 guys in a Lund back down with there new suberbun and park unload all there stuff into the boat then stand around taking off straps at least 20 mins.we started backing down a ramp next to them and they started backing right into my ramp and they werent going to stop,one guy even walked the whole way down right next to the trailer and right in front of me.not much you can do about these people because they dont have a clue or dont care cause they think there better than us., .

[houghty26]

Sherman. God bless them, 2 grumpy old men stop right in front of me, they are next in line, and very, very, slowly start untarping the boat, getting their 10 stanley coffee thermoses in the boat, then the tackle box, then the pole, then the next pole, then plug the gas line in, then take a break. I finally had to go around waving peacefully the whole time. Hope I make it to that age. Moving gear fine, untarping the boat at the ramp, deserves a .40 caliber in the head. Unless boater is over 70. Amazes me at the people who don't want to waste 5 minutes outside the ramp prepping the boat b/c they are in a hurry to "get it in the water!". They aren't saving any time. UGHHHHH.

[maverick101]

Originally Posted by fishhunter44

If you want a hassle-free launching/loading experience, here are the things I pay attention to:

1. Get your boat ready to go BEFORE you back it down.
2. Be proficient at backing a trailer.
3. Be organized.

It really doesn't get any simpler than that. Follow those simple 'rules', and you'll be a rock star at the ramp.

Dont forget #4. Go durning the week when everyone else is at work. LOL

[drfish]

One rule, I learned the hard way with my I/O Be efficient but not hasty. ALWAYS make sure the lower unit is UP. Fortunately I only had to fix the prop.

[MrGadget]

Originally Posted by MrPike

I always thought the unwritten rule when dealing with docks was one boat goes in, then one boat comes out, then one boat comes in etc.

If someone gives you a dirty look, and says Hey you cut in line, just tell them you were following the One in, One out policy.

Been boating for 40 years, including a stint as coxswain of the Captain's Gig while stationed at Fleet ASW, S.D. Never heard of such a thing! A queue is queue. Bucking the line is rude... period. JMHO, Gadget

[BellevueBassAngler]

Originally Posted by MrGadget

Bucking the line is rude... period.

I've never heard of a one in/one out policy. Yeah, it can be irritating waiting for someone to launch their sailboat for the first time, but we've all launched a boat for the first time. Just be patient. The rules, as I understand them, are:

1. Get in line (after everything is ready)
2. Wait in line
3. Wait a little longer (listen to the radio, drink something, put on the A/C, take a cat nap)
4. When you get to the ramp, you EITHER put in your boat or take your boat out
5. Get off the ramp and out of the street that everyone else will have to use
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[south of 41]

I go solo quite often so i will pull into shore away frow the loading dock and get my trailer to load. No need to take up loading space while getting the truck.

If i can share a tip with new boat owners the most common problem i see is people back their trailers too deep in the water making it harder to load.

Most trailers should have the wheel wells slightly above water when loading.

A good one I saw last year at BO was a guy and his wife in front of us got the boat in the water but could not get it to fire. Being the selfish flathead hunter i was getting pissed this guy was cutting into my time on the water so i hopped out to give them a hand.

First thing the guy says is he just came from the repair shop and it started just fine. A quick look see and i see the problem he had not hooked his gas line to the motor.


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[fishman]

I'm usually alone so I make sure everything is ready when the boat hits the water. I have the rope hanging towards the front, off floats the boat, I run back, grab it and tie to the dock. As quickly as I can, I move the truck and try to jog back to my boat and get it out of the way. The older I get though, the slower my jog gets! My anxiety level goes up everytime I put or take the boat out of the water, mainly because I don't want to block the ramp for much time.
I remember last spring coming off Lake Mac during a storm. Lots of people were at the dock helping people like me, I threw someone my keys and they backed my truck in for me as I tried to stay afloat. Large waves were heading right into the ramp area, one of those times where they were lifting the boat right over the trailer. It was kind of a timing deal, you had to use the wave to get the boat on the trailer. I always appreciated the people in the water helping and the guy who backed my truck in. Other people were not that lucky that day.

[Scott Eveland]

LINCOLN, Neb. – Memorial Day weekend, the first major outdoor holiday of the year, is rapidly approaching and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission urges everyone using the water to exercise some courtesy and patience at boat ramps.

Hot or otherwise uncomfortable weather, short tempers and crowded boat ramps often combine to make for heated confrontations as people flock to the water for various forms of recreation, but a little courtesy can go a long way toward ensuring an enjoyable outing for everyone.

One of the most common problems occurs when someone ties up a boat ramp while several other boaters are waiting to get their craft into or out of the water. To avoid problems, people should put all of their gear into the boat, hookup the gas tank, and otherwise get their craft ready before pulling onto the ramp. The same holds true when removing the boat from the water. Load the boat onto the trailer and then, instead of blocking the ramp, drive into the parking lot before wiping the boat down or transferring gear from the boat to the vehicle.

[OutdoorProf]

Originally Posted by nedyarb

Is there a general rule as far as what side of the dock a boater should use when putting in or taking out boat. Was at Wherspahn today and about 8 boats were either coming in or going out. Is one side of dock assigned to loading/unloading. Would seem to be much easier if people unload on the left and load on the right. Also would like to say I was waiting my turn int the water to load boat for the day. When someone in a Tracker pulls in front of me and drops his buddy off so he can go get the trailer. Then his buddy backs the trailer right in front of me when I pull in. Just want to vent and say to all a little respect for others would be great. I waited for 20 min with the kids to get spot on the dock, and nimrod races in and leaves without waiting like the rest of us.

Rob

Same thing happened to me yesterday. Three boats (I'm not kidding), three boats prepping in the pull-ahead in front of the docks while I got my boat ready in the parking lot. I figured, to hell with them, I pulled my boat behind them while they we're getting ready, backed down, and launched. If that's the way they want to play, fine.

I just want to fish and I'm tired of stupid games people want to play. I'm just going to go on doing that. If someone says something, I'll politely mention their faux paux and be on my way.

Personally, I don't think boaters should be required to take the boating course, but I do think they should be able to pass the exam when they go in to register their boats!

Deas

[Chad]

The next time some idiot cause you grief while waiting to load or unload, think about how fortunate you are to have the annoyance. Take a look down the bank and find the poor sap sitting on his 5-gallon bucket, swatting away the mosquitoes and picking off tics.

There are good problems and bad problems in life...

I've always felt that swatting at mosquitoes and picking off tics while fishing was a "good problem." So, it's little wonder that I view all of you spoiled fishermen's simple inconveniences at the boat dock to be excellent life problems.

[MrGadget]

Originally Posted by DeasNutz

Same thing happened to me yesterday. Three boats (I'm not kidding), three boats prepping in the pull-ahead in front of the docks while I got my boat ready in the parking lot. I figured, to hell with them, I pulled my boat behind them while they we're getting ready, backed down, and launched. If that's the way they want to play, fine.

Deas

Don't get me wrong, if someone has chosen to prep in line (done it myself; untarp... pull ahead... release tie downs and transom saver... pull ahead... hook up fuel line, check plug... pull ahead... etc. ) However, if the guy next up is still prepping when it's his turn to back down the ramp, I have asked (politely of course) if he woulod mind if I went around him.

This happened just last Sunday at B.O. A fella with a new Tracker was next up, but still doing a little prep work prior to launch. I asked if he minded if I put in ahead of him... No problem! I was down the ramp and off the trailer in all of about 3 minutes.

I DO take exception to guys that wait to prep until they are "on the ramp" leaving everybody else no choice but to wait and watch.

I've also watched as someone was having problems backing, or maybe loading his launch in a cross wind. I've offerred to help and more often than not, the offer is accepted. Gotta figure, he's more than likely pretty embarrassed and frustrated too!

A little courtesy goes a LONG way... Gadget

[Meat Stick]

If anyone wants to witness more these stories first hand just go to B.O. this weekend, sit in the marina trailer parking lot with a six pack and enjoy the carnage.
Already this year I have seen a guy back his fishing boat into the water and unhook every thing, then pull the trailer out of the with the boat still on it.....until it was completely out of the water then BANG...boat on the concrete ramp.
Next was the guy who had his brother with him who was either drunk or just being a pain in the butt; he was sitting in the drivers seat of the boat on the ramp (not in the water) and kept starting up the outboard and revving it up, until his brother got out of the truck and yelled at him to not start it out of the water. He replied with "...oh I thought we were on the water.".
Then there was the guy who backed his nice ski boat in the water with his girlfriend who had never driven a boat, in the drivers seat (you can see where this is going)he peals out in his truck to go park the trailer and she proceeds to almost hit every boat in the marina. She would have T-boned a nice brand new ski boat that was half on its trailer if the inhabitants had'nt sacrificed their bodies for the cause (amazing that no one was hurt).
These are just a few stories from this year so far, I could write a 3 page post on what I've seen there in the past.
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