| 01 July 2011
There is a better way to keep cool at the ramp - it just takes a little consideration and planning.
Boat ramps provide an opportunity for anglers to come in close proximity and ethical behavior is needed to keep everyone from overheating in the Florida sun. Many of Florida's public ramps consist of only a couple of slots for launching and first come first serve is law of the land.
Respectful boaters should do all they can to keep congestion around these limited facilities to a minimum. Use common sense to avoid “ramp rage” and conflict with other boaters. It’s not just fishermen trying to get on and off the water, it’s also all the recreational boaters who use the same facilities.
Good manners at the dock require that your boat be prepared for launching in a staging area away from the actual ramp. This procedure should include loading your gear and tackle, attaching your dock lines, turning on your battery switch, finding your ignition key, and removing all tie downs from the boat to the trailer except for the hook on the bow.
Prepare for crowded conditions on and off the water..When you back down
to the ramp the only thing you should need to do is unhook the bow and proceed
to launch the boat.
If you have help you should board the boat and have your helper back the remaining way down into the water. Start the engine and move the boat away from the ramp to a secure location while your helper parks the tow vehicle and trailer before returning to the boat. Time is of the essence when other boaters are lined up to use the ramp so complete the process of launching as quickly as possible. When you get back at the end of your trip simply reverse the procedures and clear the ramp for others to use.
If you fish from a boat and you trailer that boat to different locations you need to practice backing the trailer, unloading the boat, and loading the boat under different ramp conditions.
Learning to back your trailer is especially important when you first purchase a boat. I’ve seen the comedy of errors that happens too often at the ramp when the weekend warriors show up to launch. Backing a trailer is not a naturally acquired skill. You have to practice.
The best place to practice is in an abandoned parking lot with lots of room to maneuver. If you can find one with painted stripes for the parking spaces they can be used to measure your success. A couple of cardboard boxes can also be used to set up a target at which to aim.
Find an empty parking lot or boat ramp where you can practice.The reason that backing is difficult for many people is that
the trailer will go in the opposite direction of the tow vehicle when backed.
This being the case, an easy method of backing can be learned where you use the
rear and side-view mirrors instead of turning around and looking out the back
to see where the trailer is going.
Using this method you simply put the forefinger of your right hand on the bottom of the steering wheel and view the trailer in the side view mirror. Then simply point your finger in the direction you want the trailer to go as you view it in the mirror. Rotate the steering wheel in the direction you finger is pointing and the trailer will move in the direction you want. It sounds simple and it really is, but you still must practice to perfect the backing maneuver so that you place the trailer in the water where you want it.
This is where the parking lot and the cardboard boxes come in. Practice in the lot until you are comfortable with the procedure and then go try it at the ramp. I also suggest you pick an off time, a weekday if possible, so the ramp is not congested enough to add pressure to your backing experience. Remember, you are intentionally practicing your backing maneuver so don’t just back down and launch the boat. Back it into the water and then drive it out and come around again for another practice run. Repetition is what will make you a “champ at the ramp.”
Become familiar with how your car handles when loaded with a trailer on a slick surface.Launching the Boat
When it comes to launching your boat you should become completely familiar with your trailer and any devices that secure the boat in place on the trailer. Ramp etiquette requires you to stop at a place near the ramp that does not impede others from using the ramp while you prepare your boat for launch.
Remove all tie-down devices, motor supports, and safety chains, except for the winch strap. Secure a bowline and a stern line to the boat for use in tying the boat to the dock once you are floating in the water.
Make sure your plug is in the boat. Line up the trailer with the ramp and back it carefully into the water. When you use a new ramp ask someone about the ramp and if there are any hazards to avoid. Sometimes the ramps are short and you have to be careful not to run your tires off the end of the ramp. There can also be underwater obstacles including rocks or holes that are unseen to the eye. Local knowledge may be needed.
Plan for a smooth departure by getting your boat loaded and ready to launch in an area away from the ramp.All boats float off the trailer at different positions, so
make a mental note of where your trailer fenders are in relation to the water
when the boat begins to float and pull away from the bow roller. Making this
notation will help you the next time you launch.
If you have help, one or two persons can hold the lines as the boat floats off the trailer. If you don’t have help attach the bowline to the trailer and back into the water until the boat floats. Set the parking brake, remove the line from the trailer and tie it to the dock. Once the boat is secured, return to the tow vehicle and pull the trailer out of the water and to a parking spot.
If you have another experienced driver the boat can be launched without ropes. This is the best and most convenient situation of all. One person drives the tow vehicle and the other drives the boat off the trailer and waits in open water. Once the vehicle is parked the boat can be driven close enough to the dock to be boarded and you are on your way. Always be mindful of other boaters and clear the ramp as soon as possible so others may use it.
get Capt Ron's "Secrets of Florida's Master Anglers" click hereLoading the Boat
Loading the boat back onto the trailer is essentially the opposite of launching it. You must first motor slowly up to the dock and secure the boat to the dock with lines. Retrieve the tow vehicle and back the trailer into the water. All this is eliminated if you have a buddy to drive the boat or retrieve the tow vehicle.
Practice will dictate how far to place the trailer into the water. The ideal position of the trailer will likely be a little less than when you launched. Remember where those fenders were when the boat started to float off the trailer when you launched and keep them out a little more when you load.
With the trailer in position return to the boat, untie the lines and motor up to the trailer. Most trailers have guides that will assist you in lining the boat up and positioning it on the trailer. Use the boat’s engine to drive the boat forward to the bow roller or hook the winch strap to the boat and winch the boat until the bow sits firmly on the roller.
Trim the engine to its towing position, replace the safety chain on the bow hook and pull the boat and trailer to an area where you can complete the process without impeding other boaters from using the ramp. Especially on weekends, boat ramps can be very busy and a little simple courtesy goes a long ways in making everyone’s boating and fishing experience better.
Once an appropriate parking place has been found, replace all tie downs and engine supports and reload your vehicle with the personal items you want out of your boat. Be sure your hitch is secure and your trailer lights are working. It is a good idea to have spare light bulbs and fuses available just in case they are needed. A little pre-planning can help avoid a costly traffic ticket for defective brake lights or turn signals.
Drive home or to the nearest carwash and clean the boat before storing it. Saltwater will take a toll, especially on metal parts, and the sooner you remove salt spray and residue from your boat the better.
Oh yes, don’t forget to log you catch online for the Angler Action Program.
