It’s a problem that dates back as long as boats have been trailored- ignorance at the boat ramps. It seems as if there would be a proactive movement by wardens or park rangers to educate people on the proper way to utilize a public ramp. In all my boating days, I have never seen any public official helping people understand that a ramp is not a make ready or tie down area; it is to launch or load your boat. In my opinion, there should be a 5 minute max. for time blocking a ramp. This to me is very liberal, and takes into consideration a lone boater. If you have a partner of driving age, you should not block a ramp for more than 1 minute. All it would take is about 1 year of officials being at the ramps on the busiest days of the year to make consideration at ramps the norm and not the exception.
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Originally posted by edisto-fisherIs this your first Memorial Day weekend on the island?
I gave up fishing on memorial day, labor day, 4th of july, and most of shrimp season down there for that very reason.
I used to have a guy on big bay creek that would let me use his private launch,he up and died on me two years ago.
The nerve of some people!! 
“Miss Amanda”
-KeyWest
-Bluewater 2020CC
-Yammy F-150God is GOOD!! ALL the time!!</font id=“blue”>
I won’t let the morons keep me off the water, but my frustration is more with the wardens and rangers. Most people don’t try to be inconsiderate. They just don’t know any better (usually). Why won’t the same wardens that give checks at the landing assist and educate those that are newbies?
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Originally posted by edisto-fisherIs this your first Memorial Day weekend on the island?
I gave up fishing on memorial day, labor day, 4th of july, and most of shrimp season down there for that very reason.
I used to have a guy on big bay creek that would let me use his private launch,he up and died on me two years ago.
New to Boating???
Woodfloats?
I asked a DNR warden about that on Saturday and he said that he does not see anyone blocking the ramp very often, even as a women was dogwalking a boat off a trailer and proceded to leave it in the slip while her husband went and parked the truck. I dont get it ?
CCPRC boat landing rules say that blocking a make ready or launching lane over 15 minutes is prohibited. So up to that point they are doing no wrong in the eyes of the law. It is up to us good citizens to educate, lend a hand, and sometimes offer a little bit of enthusiatic encouragement to these boaters who lack the skill and/or desire to launch in a timely manner.
Iain Pelto
Edgewater 185CC “Jumpin’ Bean II”
I would like to know why you had to be in the water so fast what is it you were you going to miss…
A lone boater cannot unload a boat, tie it off to a different dock (away from the landing and out of the way) in less than 5 minutes. Even those who have a driving capable person with them doesn’t mean they can pull a trailer into a crowded lot without possibly hitting someone. Not every driver has experience pulling a 17’+ trailer. Courtesy is one thing, impatience in those around us is another. While we can help educate those around us, we should also be tolerant of others that wish to use public landings. This past Saturday I was in line to load my boat at Shem Creek. I backed away from the dock to allow those putting in room. While I waited a boater pulled in front of me to wait 10 minutes on the remainder of his party. I mentioned that I was waiting in “line” only to be dismissed. What do you do. @ssholes will be @ssholes no mater what we do. Just don’t let a dumb@ss ruin your day on the water.
21’ Sea-Pro w/Yamaha 150
2008 Dodge Ram Mega-Cab 4x4 6.7 Cummins
Unfortunately I fish alone alot. I can generally back in, off the trailer, tie up and pull the truck out of the way to park in about 5 minutes. It is not rocket surgery. ( 17’ Whaler)
B.G.
Practicing for an Everstart tournament on Sam Rayburn, I backed down the ramp, with my boat cut loose, hit the brakes, and slid the boat into the darkness of the cove (with my running lights on), fully expecting to catch a ride with one of the many competitors, putting in, to my boat. Imagine my surprise, after parking my truck, when I saw two catfishermen towing their “prize” to the ramp. I thanked them, got in my boat, and left. I don’t think they got it (by the dumbfounded looks on their faces).
Bob Sanders
FishingWithBob
Edisto Inshore Charters
Big Fork Farms LLC
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Originally posted by bgfUnfortunately I fish alone alot. I can generally back in, off the trailer, tie up and pull the truck out of the way to park in about 5 minutes. It is not rocket surgery. ( 17’ Whaler)
launching and retrieving a boat is exactly as easy or difficult as you care to make it
quote:Actually, I was waiting to take out along with 3 other boats. There was a storm approaching and 2 men backed their boat in the middle of a split ramp and proceded to work on a frozen steering cable before they launched as we all watched in astonishment. Oblivious is the word that comes to mind. I very nicely asked them to move after about 10 minutes and they nicely said they would and did. It was just hard for me to believe they had no thought for us 3 waiting to get out and a young man and his wife waitng to launch.
Originally posted by applianceJOEI would like to know why you had to be in the water so fast what is it you were you going to miss…
Rad your preaching to the choir.
Edumacating them folks is all you can do.
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Originally posted by Hoppyquote:
Originally posted by bgfUnfortunately I fish alone alot. I can generally back in, off the trailer, tie up and pull the truck out of the way to park in about 5 minutes. It is not rocket surgery. ( 17’ Whaler)
launching and retrieving a boat is exactly as easy or difficult as you care to make it
True.
I would rather wait on someone than make them rush and something bad happens.
I don’t mind helping but that is a touchy subjet for some people.
Hey next time wave at me with all your fingers.
speaking form experience 5 minutes is plenty for a lone person to back in, pull the boat off of the trailer, secure it to the dock, and pull the truck out of the loading area so someone else can start to put in…2 minutes tops with my 20’ with myself in the boat and friend driving the truck and less than a minute for my friend in his 16’ john boat and myself driving the truck. straps and rope (ect.) are to be taken care of while waiting in line not when on the ramp
20’ Proline Sport
depending on how far away you have to park the truck
quote:When you are parking the truck, you are NOT blocking the ramp unless the dock is situated in the middle of the launch site. I have never seen a ramp site like that.
Originally posted by SLACK_LINEdepending on how far away you have to park the truck
Let me open up by saying I’ve had my fair share of frustration with folks that lack proper ramp etiquette; hell I could comfortably say I’ve seen it all, twice! That being said, depending on the level of dumba$$ you’re dealing with, I agree with Hairball. I’ll never forget a few years ago I went with a buddy that was pretty green in general to boating and we ended up on the Shem ramp filling up the oil tank in the 'ol two stroke spitter. Guys were lined up visibly pissed and I was doing all I could to move it along, mind you, we had only been there 5 mins or so. The guys from Moncks Corner Marine pulled up on the ramp beside us and politely asked if we needed any help and said in the future you may want to… and gave my buddy a pointer or two while I got her fired up. Needless to say they were respectful and assertive and I never forgot that courtesy. To all you pros, bare in mind that it’s not necessarily common knowledge and we were all there once, a small tip in a respectful manner can go a long way. Okay… I feel better after getting that out, but I’m still human; the knuckleheads still piss me off! Tight lines fellas -
Fish to live.
quote:That's a great post and you are absolutely right. I will go back to my original comment though. Why do wardens, rangers, and marina owners not try to help educate and help those that need it? I will always try to help constuctively, but the burden should not be entirely on avid boaters.
Originally posted by DeltaOneMateLet me open up by saying I’ve had my fair share of frustration with folks that lack proper ramp etiquette; hell I could comfortably say I’ve seen it all, twice! That being said, depending on the level of dumba$$ you’re dealing with, I agree with Hairball. I’ll never forget a few years ago I went with a buddy that was pretty green in general to boating and we ended up on the Shem ramp filling up the oil tank in the 'ol two stroke spitter. Guys were lined up visibly pissed and I was doing all I could to move it along, mind you, we had only been there 5 mins or so. The guys from Moncks Corner Marine pulled up on the ramp beside us and politely asked if we needed any help and said in the future you may want to… and gave my buddy a pointer or two while I got her fired up. Needless to say they were respectful and assertive and I never forgot that courtesy. To all you pros, bare in mind that it’s not necessarily common knowledge and we were all there once, a small tip in a respectful manner can go a long way. Okay… I feel better after getting that out, but I’m still human; the knuckleheads still piss me off! Tight lines fellas -
Fish to live.
being rushed at a boat ramp is not really a good thing for some -about a month ago i and my 10 yr old son came back to the ramp to a major traffic jam-after waiting in linefor about 30 min.(at 11:30 pm)i finally got my trailer in the water-rushed over to drive my boat over only to watch another guy pull up on my trailer and begin to hook the boat up --(alcohol was obvioulsly involved!!) it took a few minutes for him to understand that he was on the wrong trailer -everybody but him got a good laugh out of it -moral of the story – dont be afraid to offer help if you see they need it -a lot of times being rushed makes people do stupid things