How to launch and retrieve your boat without upsetting other boaters
Here is the boatsales.com.au guide to keeping your fellow boaters happy at the boat launching rampRamp rage is a common occurrence during holiday periods. This unpleasantness invariably comes from unwitting and/or inconsiderate boaters taking an inordinate amount of time to launch or retrieve their boats. Boaters having genuine difficulty launching or retrieving will not have issues, but if you de-rig your boat on the launch ramp, you may incur the wrath of other boaters waiting for their turn to use the facilities. So, be smart and remember your manners at the boat ramp.
New to trailer-boating? As well as learning how to tow your new boat and reverse it down the boat ramp, you need to learn the do's and don'ts of boat launching.
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Being smart at the boat ramp and following the correct launch and retrieve procedures will keep things running smoothly and keep your fellow boaters and fishermen happy.
Sadly, you will likely come across boaters and fishermen whom will show complete disregard to proper procedure when launching their boats.
Whether through an uncaring attitude, or just plain inexperience, some boatowners show little thought or manners at the boat ramp.
Interestingly, the culprits are rarely experienced boaters or members of boating and fishing clubs.
At most fishing competitions for example, the launching of anywhere between 30 and 120 odd boats usually goes like clockwork.
Each competitor is aware of his responsibilities before launching and retrieving, so hold-ups on the boat ramp are rare.
Those few irresponsible boat owners are quickly told when they are doing something wrong, and if they choose to ignore the proper procedure, they are rightly shunned and frowned upon by the majority.
Other than when difficulties are experienced (and this is when other boaters usually pitch in to help) while retrieving a boat, there is simply no excuse for hold-ups on the boat ramp.
At the trailerboat game fishing mecca of Bermagui on the NSW South Coast there are just two boat ramps in the entire town.
Even so, during major game fishing competitions when up to 130 boats are launched and retrieved each day, there is rarely more than a 15 to 20 minute wait to launch your boat – even in the afternoon when up to 40 boats can be circling in the small harbour waiting to be retrieved.
The reason for this efficiency is simply that most crews are polite enough to prepare their trailers for launching and retrieving before they back the trailer down the boat ramp.
The violators of launch ramp etiquette are mostly inexperienced boating newbies, but I've still come across some experienced boaters – both young and old – whom either do not think about what they are doing when launching, or who are too selfish to care about assisting others.
Inexperienced boatowners who would like to learn the correct procedure to follow when launching and retrieving a boat should take heed of the following points:
- Never prepare the rig for launching on the ramp, regardless of the number of boats waiting to use it. It is good practice to prepare the rig off the ramp even when there is no-one waiting. Preparing the boat and trailer involves a wide range of things – including taking the covers off, removing the trailer straps, flicking on the battery master switch (having previously ensured the battery is fully charged up), tilting the outboard engine up, putting the bungs in, priming your motor for a quick start, rigging deck lines, putting the aerials and outriggers up, and more. Most launching ramps have a preparation area set aside exclusively for this purpose and some are even sign-posted accordingly.
- Don't jump the queue. During holiday periods and summer weekends you may arrive at the boat ramp to find a line up of boats waiting to launch. Do not be tempted to push-in and jump the queue - or you may find yourself in a stand-up argument with a deservedly disgruntled fellow boatie.
- Never straddle two lanes on a boat ramp when you can occupy one. With half the rig on one lane and half on the other, you are forcing two boat owners to wait until you have launched to use the ramp. Don't be selfish. Instead, try and occupy as little of the boat ramp as possible. When backing down the ramp try and get close to the outside edge. This way there will be ample space for the next boatie to reverse his trailer down beside you.
- Don't leave your boat tied-up to the ramp-side jetty or pontoon for more than 10 minutes or so. Many experienced boaters will drive their boats on, and off the trailer (although this is discouraged by some local councils) but inexperienced boaters and others launching single-handed may need to tie-up to the pontoon after launching so they can drive their car and trailer out to a parking spot.
- When retrieving your boat, the same rules apply as when launching; do not start packing up the boat and trailer while you are parked on the ramp. Once you've winched the boat up on the trailer, secure the boat's winch-post safety chain, and pull the rig off the ramp, leaving it clear for the next person. When you have moved to the preparation/de-rigging bay - or somewhere completely clear of the boat ramp and vehicle manoeuvring area, then you can start de-rigging the boat in preparation for the highway.
- Before moving on the highway and heading for home, it is a good idea to walk around the trailer to make sure everything is secure. Check the lights and brakes are working. Shake the tow bar coupling and the stem of the boat to confirm it is solid and secured. Walk aft to the stern of the boat to make sure the engine is tilted and locked down, etc. This 30-second drill could prevent later problems on the road. Finally, remember to take down the outriggers, radio antennae and fishing rods!
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