c'mon people!!!!!!!

Was out at the crappie contest on Saturday and got on the lake before 6:00am without a problem. It was trying to get off the lake that really made my blood boil. I was parked at a landing that had three ramps for use however as I sat about 6 cars back in line I was paying attention to the two outside ramps and couldn’t believe my eyes. On ramp #1 I watched a woman back her trailer into the water then her and her boyfriend both walked a couple of docks over to their boat and both got in and drove the boat back over to the over to the trailer. While this was going on two older guys had backed their boat down ramp #3 and one guy sat in the boat while the other stood on the dock holding a rope. I looked at ramp # 2 and boats were coming off the water one after the other.

Back to ramp #1 and both people were still in the boat as the woman drove the boat up the trailer and the guy just sat in the front seat. She must have told him to move because he finally got off his rear to hook the boat up. Then something caught my eye, the two older guys. They must have been wearing their cement shoes because they were in the same position. Back to ramp #1 now and both the woman and guy are sitting in the boat with no one outside in the water to crank the boat up onto the trailer. My head is just spinning!!

Now I have moved 3 spaces in line and I look at ramp #3. Still stationary so I focus on ramp #1. I start to shake my head in disbelief. In the last 15 minutes this couple had managed to drive the boat up on the trailer. Finally someone gets out of the boat. Now they are both in the water trying to make sure the boat gets on the trailer evenly. Ramp #2 still moving so I move up to next in line.

5 minutes later with no movement on ramp #1 or ramp #3 it is finally my turn back down ramp #2. I back down the ramp and go to the back of the vehicle to wait for my fishing partner to drive my boat up the trailer. I look at ramp #3 and watch the guy finally start his boat and back it off the trailer. I turn to ramp #1 and they are just finishing getting the boat on the trailer and pull up the ramp. My boat comes to my trailer, I hook it up and drive up the ramp.

So after about 25 minutes of waiting for ramp #2 to open up I got my boat off the lake. I won’t go into details now about what the people checking the boats told me about the spiny tick fleas but watch out for these guys. Good grief! Those evasive species just jump up and bite you in the ass. (ha/ha)

People, learn to get off the lake!!!!!!!!!

Any public access you will see the same thing. Not worth getting worked up over it. if I have the option to go to a private access rather than public I will pay every time to reduce the headache.

You can’t pick a worse lake then Minnetonka.

31lifer wrote:

People, learn to get off the lake!!!!!!!!!

Takes practice. Would have been easier if SOMEONE offered to help.

Believe it or not lots of people want to get out in a boat but never had a chance to learn from others nor get advice from experts. I’d suggest having volunteers at the boat landings the first few weekends of the boating season to offer advice and assist when needed.

I’d bet if you started a boat trailering class you’d get people signing up but useful stuff like that doesn’t seem to exist. Hopefully more people remember their first time backing a trailer and loading a boat – wasn’t all that easy was it? Heck, I just put a ding in the roof of my new car trying to relearn how to best top my 80# canoe – learned the hard way and now I know how to load it much easier. I sure wish I had someone to help when I made my first attempt and my new car would still be flawless.

I can’t wait to get a boat. I’m one of those guys who feels the pressure, real or imagined, of all eyes on me.

So the lesson is old people and women shouldn’t be boating ?

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,The courage to change the things I can,And the wisdom to know the difference.

It sure can be frustrating watching and waiting but its going to happen even on the best of days.
On a day like Saturday one should expect this to happen and be prepaired to wait and keep yourself self occupied. Fixating on a situation on a problem you can’t control only makes it fester. Try striking up a conversation with the boat next you about something other than whats happening on the landing, organize and clean the boat, throw a line in the water say the sernity prayer,

Point is keep enjoying the day dont let the small things get to you.

Hope you did well in the contest and had fun.

How about this jackhole? Have I ever said I hate sail boats? This dude tried launching his boat about noon on the walleye opener in Hudson on the Croix. The weather was nice so the lot was full with fishing boats and pleasure boats. We went in for lunch at noon and he was stuck. We came back an hour and half later and he was still stuck. At least when he was stuck on the landing he wasn’t able to run over my lines and tell me I have to yield the right of way to him.

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Nice bluebird sky !!!

understand your frustration but you are talking about lake minnetonka during a fishing tournament on a saturday on the nicest day of the year so far. I think you were lucky to got off of that launch in 25 minutes

I waited 15 min for 3 guys to load one boat on pool 2 last week and it was on a 2 trailer launch. I think they thought the 2 white lines that separated the 2 launches was what you lined the trailer up as they were exactly in the middle.

Had a interesting show while I killed the time with a jig and watched.

LOL! We see inexperience at Everts frequently.

I’ve seen River Rat Randy set down his brandy (back when he was drinking) to go help people struggling. Actually I’ve witness most of the campers help out at one time or other.

Few years ago I was warned about one fella that was frequenting their launch with a group. “He was all over backing up” I was told. When I saw him, well he certainly was all over…on and off the ramp trying to back his empty trailer up.

I asked if he wanted a hand? He smiled and started getting out of his truck. It wasn’t busy at the ramps…so I told him “no, I’ll help you learn to back straighter.”

By placing your hands on the bottom of the steering wheel, the trailer will go the way you want it to. In moments he was doing an awesome job of backing.

Teach a person how to fish….

I’ve never understood people who lose their temper at the ramp. What does that solve? Like others have said, lend a hand if possible, give people constructive advice so they are aware for the next time. I know I’ve seen plenty of crazy things on boat ramps as well, but it’s just part of the game. Deal with it using a cool head and move on. I’ve seen guys verbally harass a dad trying to load a boat with young kids and wife, they were probably new at it and were struggling. Made me feel bad for him.

Andy Fiolka wrote:

I’ve never understood people who lose their temper at the ramp. What does that solve? Like others have said, lend a hand if possible, give people constructive advice so they are aware for the next time. I know I’ve seen plenty of crazy things on boat ramps as well, but it’s just part of the game. Deal with it using a cool head and move on. I’ve seen guys verbally harass a dad trying to load a boat with young kids and wife, they were probably new at it and were struggling. Made me feel bad for him.

same kind of people that freak out at their kids sporting events and pull guns on people during road rage episodes. I think part of the problem is that we tease eachother about having or not having the skill to backup a boat. Your friends either brag that they are better or they tease the person that is not so good. there is a “manliness” aspect to the whole deal, so when they see someone that sucks at it the whole macho crap kicks in and they feel the need to belittle the person and become angry rather than recognize that its a skill that takes time to develop and not everyone is going to be accomplished at it.

@hawgon31

Wake up before the amatuers and fish until after they’re gone.
In my experience, no landing is busy between the hours of 9pm and 6am.

I destination fish quite often – meaning drive an hour+ to go fishing.
Happens that these landings would be impossible to find a parking spot during peak hours….So, in order to be able to park my trailer – i go when the going’s good – and i’m guaranteed a spot and also a quick launch/load process.

One thing i’ve learned, is that if you show up to any landing outside of 9pm to 6am – you had better bring your patience.

Bzzsaw,

We left the Croix at 10:30 am on Sat and that sailboat was in the parking lot, putting the sails and whatever else you gotta rig on a sailboat. Right behind a bunch of trailers, two ladders out, all the while yelling at his kid who was trying to help him.

I’m sure glad he got stuck, I could see that problem a mile away.

Then as we’re hooking up the boat to pull out, we notice a pleasure boat going in and the guy was screaming at his teenager who had no idea what he was doing, but trying to help.

People, stop yelling at your kids for your issues at the boat launch. Teach them what you need them to do. I was embarrassed for these two dads.

ET

About thirty years ago my dad and I went to Mankato to pick up an old tri-hull he bought from a buddy. I had never driven anything with a trailer before. Dads buddy drove the boat to the access while I drove the trailer. The make this ordeal even more fun it was Friday on Memorial Day weekend. I had that trailer just about everywhere but the water! At one point I had a pretty good view of it out of the passenger window. By this point I was drenched with sweat and the line of anxious boaters was growing. There was a guy leaning against a tree about 15′ that said “Think you’ll get it done before the sun goes down?” Finally a guy came over and said calm down, we’ll get this. After some tips we got the boat loaded and the good samariten showed me where to drive to and then gave a cold beer and showed us how to strap it down and secure it for travel. He was a great guy. The whole thing only lasted about fifteen minutes but felt like an hour!

The oppurtunity doesn’t arise much but if I can help someone out I gladly will while staying calm and being happy to own a boat.

There’s a difference between a newbie that hasn’t mastered it yet and the guy that just doesn’t care/get it and has to strap it down, unload stuff into the truck etc…all right on the ramp. So help out when possible and enjoy the karma that comes your way.

Amen

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We had our crappie tourney on Saturday also (New Prague sportsman’s club) I was working one of the landings helping people launch their boats, and I found myself helping out more this year than I have in the past 10 combined. Beautiful day, tourney, a few single person boaters all adds up to a very busy morning. I held boats off the tail end of the dock to keep both lanes going, reminded some that its easier to put the plug in before launching, mentioned the straps should not be attached to the trailer, unless you wanted to get upset with yourself. One in particular may have been his first time backing up a trailer, I could see what was happening, offered him some trailering tips and he did finally get it done. I politely mentioned when He had some time, go to an empty parking lot to practice, he was more than grateful. All in all, no almost no one was pizzed off, and everybody had a good day.

And here I always thought yur username just meant you were from MN and had an affinity for frozen water

I say … Good show ol chap

desperado wrote:

And here I always thought yur username just meant you were from MN and had an affinity for frozen water

That is the real reason behind the username.

I fished this past weekend in Chamberlain, SD and watched one guy really struggling at the Marina in town to get what appeared to be a brand new ranger back on the trailer. At one point the boat was wedged sideways on the trailer with the bow on the dock and the motor hitting the pontoon launching on the ramp next to it. He then turned it and was now backwards on the side of the trailer, the prop was not raised at all had to have been in 1″ of water. It didn’t look like the prop ever hit the concrete but man it had to be close, he was only a couple feet away from dry land on the ramp. I did not see how it ended though as I left once we were out.

I do remember my first times backing down a trailer later on in HS and the first couple times in college, and it was a real struggle. Enough so, that sometimes it made me not want to fish for a short period of time. Eventually through repetition & practice it becomes no big deal. But I remember people yelling or staring at me, and yes, that definitely made me more nervous and worse at it at the time.

I think the boat ramp manners come into play with everything at boat ramps from yelling at each other to being ready to launch. I was over to sturgeon bay wi this week end. Went to a couple of 4 lane launching sites. Very nice. We launch and waiting for driver. Here comes a big ranger with two dogs. Pulls up to the ramp not the dock. Throws his two dogs in. The run up and crap right in front of a nice bench over looking the launch. I said ” you are going to pick that up right?” He looked the other way. Sad thing his ranger is wrapped in Thorne Bros decal. Like I said just plain courtesys go a long way.

Fishspike

Brian Klawitter wrote:

By placing your hands on the bottom of the steering wheel, the trailer will go the way you want it to. In moments he was doing an awesome job of backing.

This is the way that I was taught as well, unfortunately if was after having some issues with backing a trailer. Another excellent piece of advice for a noob, is “take your time”. If you take your time and get it in the water the correctly the first back-in, that’s a heck of a lot better and quicker than having to re-try 4-5 times. I see it so many times where they get a little out of alignment, then turn the wheel and hit the gas. Now they are really sideways, and have to start over.

If you are new to launching/loading a boat, please take the time to brush up on launch etiquette. I am sure there are a number of threads on this site with all the rules. If you are doing all that right, and are still kind of slow, that’s OK, you will learn and get better each time.

No where did I ever mention that they were having problems backing their trailer into the water. The two older guys had the trailer in the water with the boat still hooked up to it and then after 25 minutes of standing around they decided to release it from the trailer. The other couple had their trailer in the water it is how stupid they went about their business that got me shaking my head.

I know it happens but if people would have a game plan before backing into the water things would run much smoother and the wait time would decrease.

This afternoon waiting to load, my buddy asks the guy with the ramp blocked, to pull ahead a little ,his comment is”I’ll be out of here in a few minuets” he has a bass tournament in 2 weeks, I said no wonder us bass guys take so much flack from people with attitudes like that! we pulled to the top of the hill out of the way, for the pontoon waiting to unload and the next guy coming in not, to difficult to figure out.
Stan

Oh this thread is kind of funny. But in all honesty if you have no practice it can be tough at the launch. That being said I learned how to back up a trailer working at a golf course. A walk behind greens mower on a 5′ trailer behind a gas golf cart. Think about this, golf carts do not feather the throttle more of a on or off thing. Then take your pivot point and shrink it about 3-4 times smaller than your average boat trailer. Let me tell you comedy ensues. The frustration level of the set up was driving me crazy. The up note? Bought my first boat 3 years ago, got to the launch and backed it in boom no problem. Thank you little nightmarish trailer, thank you.

tonkaiceman wrote:

Oh this thread is kind of funny. But in all honesty if you have no practice it can be tough at the launch. That being said I learned how to back up a trailer working at a golf course. A walk behind greens mower on a 5′ trailer behind a gas golf cart. Think about this, golf carts do not feather the throttle more of a on or off thing. Then take your pivot point and shrink it about 3-4 times smaller than your average boat trailer. Let me tell you comedy ensues. The frustration level of the set up was driving me crazy. The up note? Bought my first boat 3 years ago, got to the launch and backed it in boom no problem. Thank you little nightmarish trailer, thank you.

It was the Tractor, Bailor, Wagon, Wagon, Wagon that i learned on. Still haven’t figured that one out, but dad could back that mess up. I could do Tractor, Bailor, Wagon, Wagon though.

Luckily on the farm few people are watching, and nobody’s waiting in line

Sometimes it’s not bad manners or inexperience, sometimes it’s good ol’fashioned man stupidity. A few years back a buddy and I, both with over 30 years of putting boats in water, were preparing to launch on the Chippewa Flowage. He was backing up the rig and I was walking alongside holding the rope. I had unhooked the winch rope assuming he was going all the way into the water… As he applied the brakes on the ramp, you can imagine what happened next. Fortunately, the skeg broke the boats fall. We still laugh at ourselves every year over that story, and the fact that we hadn’t even been drinking yet.