Boat ramp etiquette question

[sbe2]

I will preface my question by saying that I am like most people and prefer that most people be courteous at boat ramps and be as speedy as possible. Usually when I fish there are 2 people one in the pickup one in the boat to move the process along as quickly as possible however here is my question.

My son who is 5 loves to fish and loves to be in the boat however unless i can find someone else to come with I have hesitate to bring him alone as some people get a little hot at the boat ramp when I put the boat in the water, run to park my vehicle and trailer then run back to the boat and go fish. Am I being a huge jackass by doing this? I don't screw around with tackle and loading and unloading gear at the ramp I just get my pickup parked and then go back to the boat and leave because obviously i don't trust my 5 year old to park my pickup or cruise in the boat by himself.

Thanks for your insight.

 

[H82bogey]

From one lone angler to another. No, you are not doing a thing wrong. I fish by myself quite frequently. I always make sure my boat is ready to launch before backing the trailer down, and that is a big part of it. My other thing is to keep the trailer close to the dock so I can step right in. I have launched on many busy ramps by myself, beaver bay, Kimball bottoms, Pick City and Garrison in the summer. If you are efficient, you can be just as fast, if not faster than many people loading with 2 people. I know, because I have watched many people trying to load/unload a boat before I start to back my trailer down. I can either be back in the boat, or pulling my loaded boat back up the ramp before they do. The big thing is to just set yourself up for success and efficiency before you get there.

Unfortunately there are always a few jack wagons that will complain, it just comes with the territory.

But no, you are not doing anything wrong. Also, don't ever hesitate to bring your son along. Some of my best memories are from fishing with my dad as a kid. Make as many of those as you can!

 

[Ericb]

I do it on a regular basis. As long as your trying to be quick vs messing around i dont think anyone with have a issue. If they do oh well. I would try to avoid the busier ramps at busy times. I try and be curtious and let people go ahead if we shoewup at the same time. On the river i can usually park the boat and drive the truck down in half the time it takes some people to pull there boats on a trailor.

 

[Zogman]

You are NOT a Jackass. You are doing fine. They are the Jackasses. When I run across a situation like yours I offer my help. Same with an old couple. Why not help out?? For sure keep bringing your son.:;:thumbsup

 

[Vollmers]

ABSOLUTELY NOT! I do the same thing with my six year old son frequently. You have just as much of a right to use the ramp as anyone else. Plus, most of the time I'm faster by myself than 80% of the 'tandem" crews.

I will preface my question by saying that I am like most people and prefer that most people be courteous at boat ramps and be as speedy as possible. Usually when I fish there are 2 people one in the pickup one in the boat to move the process along as quickly as possible however here is my question.

My son who is 5 loves to fish and loves to be in the boat however unless i can find someone else to come with I have hesitate to bring him alone as some people get a little hot at the boat ramp when I put the boat in the water, run to park my vehicle and trailer then run back to the boat and go fish. Am I being a huge jackass by doing this? I don't screw around with tackle and loading and unloading gear at the ramp I just get my pickup parked and then go back to the boat and leave because obviously i don't trust my 5 year old to park my pickup or cruise in the boat by himself.

Thanks for your insight.

 

[Up Y'oars]

There are times where you cannot leave your boat tied to the dock with a line of boats sitting at the Ready Line, especially on a busy day at the State Park ramp. It's a long hike up the hill and possible over a couple of rows to get your truck parked. Just move the boat over to the dirt and anchor it. However, most knuckleheads don't realize there can be three lanes to launch from, two with the dock and one smack dab in the middle for any tandem parties.

I fish a bunch on Audubon by myself, but I get there before 8am and don't have much of a problem. Even at this spot, there's nowhere to move your boat to because of the rip-rap shoreline. My fiberglass boat isn't going near that. I tie my boat up on the same side of the ramp and drive my truck up to a parking spot. I jog back down just as the next truck/boat is backing down the ramp getting ready for the launch. My engine is already running as I get it and I'm off of there with a double-lane of ramp moving on a continual basis.

I've already undressed and jumped in to screw-in my damn plug already this year, too! Gawd, I hate that new law.... ;:;banghead Only had to get the red skivvies wet that day. Climbed back in the boat and put my shirt/pants back on.

 

[3Roosters]

You aren't doing anything wrong by going by yourself or your 5 yr old. In fact, it's probably a teachable moment. It would go something like this...."son, see that person over there who was agitated and yelling because it took him an extra 30 seconds to launch his boat and couldn't keep his temper...that there is a jackwagon" " As you grow older you may come across these individuals often. My advice to you would be just to ignore them and possibly feel sorry for them for they have not come to realize that a person shouldn't sweat the small stuff". So, son or daughter, my lesson for you ,is in the grand scheme of life, having to wait in line for this..or most anything, is small stuff and not be a jackwagon who isn't able to refrain from being agitated".

 

[johnr]

I tie my boat to the outside of the dock, and get in line to load, then hop in the boat, and pull it around to the trailer. Same as when I am unloading alone. Drop the boat in, put it on the side where the dock is not usable for loading and unloading, and then put the pick up and trailer away.
Never had anyone yell at me for that, and it isn't jamming anyone in the line up.

 

[DirtyMike]

As soon as I had a license, I was the official pickup and trailer parker-guy. Thought it was a pretty sweet gig until I realized that I was the one doing all the running up and down the ramp. Prior to that, I was the official rope holder until my old man made it back to the dock. Wonder if I can get the dog to hold the boat rope....

 

[Kurtr]

I fish with my 10 year old i tie up to the dock and run my ass up and down to not take up time. For the shit show i see on a regular basis i dont feel bad one bit the 4 minutes it takes me

 

[deleted_account]

As soon as I had a license, I was the official pickup and trailer parker-guy. Thought it was a pretty sweet gig until I realized that I was the one doing all the running up and down the ramp. Prior to that, I was the official rope holder until my old man made it back to the dock. Wonder if I can get the dog to hold the boat rope....

she's likely smart enough to be taught that, but she's also smart enough to let go of the rope just to spite you because you didnt let her out of the kennel over lunch that one day last week.

 

[Captain Ahab]

Anybody that gets mad at a guy taking his son/daughter fishing is a douche that doesn't deserve a response.

 

[DirtyMike]

she's likely smart enough to be taught that, but she's also smart enough to let go of the rope just to spite you because you didnt let her out of the kennel over lunch that one day last week.

First she'd drop a deuce right on my seat, and tiller handle. and bow mount remote....

 

[jdinny]

Anybody that gets mad at a guy taking his son/daughter fishing is a douche that doesn't deserve a response.

yep, couldnt agree more

I mentioned that in a post last week. if they are truly taking that long get out and lend a helping hand, instead of adding more frustration to the situation.

 

[martinslanding]

cranking down the lift is easy...it's the up cranking that will get you....