Take Six...
04-04-2006, 01:47 PM
For those of you who may be new to this sport and are just starting out...
Here's the scenario; You've just arrived at the ramp. You're life jackets are still in plastic bags, your canvas is neatly folded and stowed, you haven't spilled any two cycle oil or buss bedding on your clean carpet yet, the inventory lot tag is still hanging from your keychain, you can still see folds in your new gortex jacket from Cabella's and you're going to put on your best show for your first time out with your family or friends.
For me, if my guests ever make a comment about their day on the water with me for the first time, more times than not, they will comment how fast I can drop a boat in and retrieve it at the end of the trip. And I'll tell you what, there's not a greater professional gesture you can offer to your fellow fisherman or boater than to know how to drop and retrieve a boat at the ramp. Its not about how well you can or cannot back down a trailer but about being prepared before you drop or retrieve. I don't know about everyone else but this is what I do.
Pull over into the staging lane or clearing before your in the ramp lane.
Disconnect your straps and as long as you don't have a roller trailer, unhook your bow strap.
Remove the transom saver from your outboard if you have one.
Either assemble or stow any canvas which is on your boat.
Load and stow any tackle, clothing, coolers or anything that your taking out on the water.
Have a dock line set on either side of the boat or come with a dock line already on both sides.
Have your guests make their last trips to the restroom before you leave the staging lane.
Either get in line with youur rig or choose a ramp and have your guests standing on the dock and wait.
In the last three boats I've owned, I generally back the trailer into the water till my wheel fenders are barely under the surface. The rear end is floating but the bow is still resting on the forward bunk.
Tie the boat off at the ramp and park your vehicle.
Hop in your boat, lower your engine if needed and get it fired up.
While you double check what you've stowed, ask you passengers to board.
Once your guests are seated and a final safety scan is made, back out of the lane. THERE SHOULD BE NO REASON TO SPEND ANOTHER SECOND AT THE RAMP. Unless you have engine problems and everyone understands that happens.
After coming off the lack you have about 15 minutes before you reach the ramp. Use this time to stow and secure anything yuou pulled out while out on the water. Rods, skiis, coolers etc.. Make sure those dock lines are ready and you know your car keys are in your front pocket.
Pick your lane and place in line and be sure as soon as the guy in fromt of you has left the ramp, your there right after him. Pull up and tie off. If you need help, ask a guest to be ready with line, don't allow them to be your brake.
Tie off the boat and head for your car, have everyone meet you at the staging area while your gettinng your vehicle unless you need help.
Back the trailer into the water at about the same spot you unloaded it from. It will take less time and you'll only have to crank the winch a dozen times at most.
Pull the boat out into the staging area and take all the time you need to prep the boat for your return trip.
Only because I have a lot a practice of going out by myself, I usually ask my guests to just step back till I ask for them. However, I do have a few friends that know the program and we work well together.
The bottom line? Do everything you can to minimize the number of seconds you occupy that ramp lane. I appreciate it and I'll guarantee you everyone around you will be impressed and glad they picked your lane to follow!
Here's the scenario; You've just arrived at the ramp. You're life jackets are still in plastic bags, your canvas is neatly folded and stowed, you haven't spilled any two cycle oil or buss bedding on your clean carpet yet, the inventory lot tag is still hanging from your keychain, you can still see folds in your new gortex jacket from Cabella's and you're going to put on your best show for your first time out with your family or friends.
For me, if my guests ever make a comment about their day on the water with me for the first time, more times than not, they will comment how fast I can drop a boat in and retrieve it at the end of the trip. And I'll tell you what, there's not a greater professional gesture you can offer to your fellow fisherman or boater than to know how to drop and retrieve a boat at the ramp. Its not about how well you can or cannot back down a trailer but about being prepared before you drop or retrieve. I don't know about everyone else but this is what I do.
Pull over into the staging lane or clearing before your in the ramp lane.
Disconnect your straps and as long as you don't have a roller trailer, unhook your bow strap.
Remove the transom saver from your outboard if you have one.
Either assemble or stow any canvas which is on your boat.
Load and stow any tackle, clothing, coolers or anything that your taking out on the water.
Have a dock line set on either side of the boat or come with a dock line already on both sides.
Have your guests make their last trips to the restroom before you leave the staging lane.
Either get in line with youur rig or choose a ramp and have your guests standing on the dock and wait.
In the last three boats I've owned, I generally back the trailer into the water till my wheel fenders are barely under the surface. The rear end is floating but the bow is still resting on the forward bunk.
Tie the boat off at the ramp and park your vehicle.
Hop in your boat, lower your engine if needed and get it fired up.
While you double check what you've stowed, ask you passengers to board.
Once your guests are seated and a final safety scan is made, back out of the lane. THERE SHOULD BE NO REASON TO SPEND ANOTHER SECOND AT THE RAMP. Unless you have engine problems and everyone understands that happens.
After coming off the lack you have about 15 minutes before you reach the ramp. Use this time to stow and secure anything yuou pulled out while out on the water. Rods, skiis, coolers etc.. Make sure those dock lines are ready and you know your car keys are in your front pocket.
Pick your lane and place in line and be sure as soon as the guy in fromt of you has left the ramp, your there right after him. Pull up and tie off. If you need help, ask a guest to be ready with line, don't allow them to be your brake.
Tie off the boat and head for your car, have everyone meet you at the staging area while your gettinng your vehicle unless you need help.
Back the trailer into the water at about the same spot you unloaded it from. It will take less time and you'll only have to crank the winch a dozen times at most.
Pull the boat out into the staging area and take all the time you need to prep the boat for your return trip.
Only because I have a lot a practice of going out by myself, I usually ask my guests to just step back till I ask for them. However, I do have a few friends that know the program and we work well together.
The bottom line? Do everything you can to minimize the number of seconds you occupy that ramp lane. I appreciate it and I'll guarantee you everyone around you will be impressed and glad they picked your lane to follow!