Boat Launch Etiquette

There is nothing that I hate worse than those who don't use correct launch ramp etiquette, in fact, I have gone days with out seeing someone who knows the proper way to use a boat ramp.

Here are the rules that I like to follow and that I wish others would follow.


Launching

• One of the biggest problems of the boat ramps are those whos boats don't run.  Do everyone a favor and make sure that your boat is going to start before you come to the boat ramp.  It takes five minutes to start your boat on the muffs at home, it saves lots of embarrassment from those who are waiting to use the ramp.  
• Get your boat ready AWAY from the ramp.  This includes loading coolers, putting the drain plug in, unstrapping the tie downs, getting all systems turned on (battery, lights, etc.), and pulling out lines and fenders for docking.  
• If you have two people, one to drive the boat and one to drive the truck, it should take no more than 90 seconds to launch your boat.  If you are launching alone, it should take no more than two minutes.
• It is easy to tell how many boats can fit on a ramp at once, a avid captain can keep his boat within two feet of the boat next to him, meaning, never leave more than two feet between you and the trailer next to you, especially if there is a rush such as before a storm.  
• Once launched, if you have someone else to drive the tow vehicle, stay off of the courtesy dock until you are going to pick someone up.  
• After loading your passengers, clear the area.  Move away from the dock and away from the marina before you start to get everyone situated.  
• When backing off of the trailer, check for other boats first, in most cases, it takes quite a bit of power to break free from the trailer.  Once you get your momentum up, its not as easy to stop it.  Same with backing away from the dock.  
• Something that really grinds my gears is when people play hot potato with the ropes because they don't want to drive their boats off of the trailer.  The toss the dock lines from one person to another to move the boat by hand. 

Loading

• Check your local rules first, but if its allowed, power load your boat, its much faster than pulling it up onto the trailer by hand.  Some ramps don't allow that due to the engines props moving the dirt below the ramp, but most do.  
• Power loading is the fastest and most efficient process of putting a boat onto a trailer.  All you need to use is your engine.  Back the trailer so that you hit the trailer before the bow roller, trim your engine up to force the bow to rise then slowly add throttle until you move forward and hit the bow roller.  Do not trim up too far, you will actually not move and just make a giant rooster tail with your engine.  ALWAYS CHECK BEHIND YOU BEFORE YOU START TO APPLY THROTTLE.  YOUR WAKE CAN PUSH BOATS OFF COURSE WHO ARE TRYING TO DOCK.  If you are loading with someone standing near the bow to attach the winch, have them hold their hands up in the air, visible to the captain to ensure that no fingers are crushed.  
• Slowly pull up the ramp this not only ensures that the boat is set on the trailer correctly, but it also keeps your wheels from spinning on the wet pavement.  
• Pull AWAY from the ramp to unload your gear and secure the boat for travel.  

WHEN LAUNCHING THE BOAT, NEVER HAVE MORE THAN ONE PERSON IN THE TOW VEHICLE WHILE ON THE RAMP, ESPECIALLY KIDS. THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS.