Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Pet Peeve at boat launches....


Recommended Posts

I've seen a boat and trailer come unhitched at the big landing at Buffalo & go flying down the hill into the lake. Luckilly there were no no "Redneck Kids" using it as a beach at the time!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 171
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • dwag70

    5

  • Dan Thiem

    5

  • Shorelunch

    4

  • The Grebe

    4

We helped a guy put his aluminum boat, with 25 hp, back on his trailer, but it was'nt at any boat landing...it was on a dirt road out by Sugar lake in Wright county!

The guy was flying down the washboard and I don't know how the he11 he had that boat fastened, but all of a sudden it was airborn and just as suddenly it was skidding down the road! Ouch!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well....I have had an old boat with a trailer and I have had experienced problems with loading and also starting. Fortunately, there has not been a major queue when these things happen. In any case, I am quite understanding when these things happen to other people.

I have a question tho' - what is the correct etiquette when it comes to waiting your turn on a ramp to load your boat?

For example, if it is a 2 boat ramp, and both are being used at that time to load boats, and there is one boat waiting out on the water. There is a dock for each ramp. Is it OK for someone who comes later, to go straight to the dock to unload one person, so that he can collect the truck altho the boat ahead of him is not doing that?

It does not seem to be an issue of jumping queue but more of trying to maximise time efficiency.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A little time in a parking lot would help most people learn to back their trailer but the grade on the ramp always tends to complicate things. I have two suggestions. One: if you are a real hot shot at backing a trailer, offer to take the wheel when it looks like someone is having trouble. Two: If you are having trouble and somone offers to help, let them. It's a lot less embarising to thank someone for their help than to keep trying to do it yourself and know you are holding everyone up.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote:

I've seen a boat and trailer come unhitched at the big landing at Buffalo & go flying down the hill into the lake. Luckilly there were no no "Redneck Kids" using it as a beach at the time!


LOL, got a good chuckle outta this one

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What I don't like is when someone launches the boat before starting the motor. Then they just sit there in the water at the launch. I had one time where I couldn't start the motor, cranked for maybe 2 minutes. So I pulled out of the water. Parked in the lot, after about 15 minutes I discovered the problem. Yes I had to wait in line all over again, but it was the right thing to do.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I got one from last night on Medicine.

Some jet skiiers has some engine troubles or whatever so they put the ski on the trailer and pull it out of the water but still stay in the launch lane and try to fix it. They could've went to the parking lot. confused.gif

I am still amazed on how many people pull the strap to the end of the trailer and wind the boat all the way up. shocked.gif

Or how the person doesn't know how to back up and takes up two lanes. His truck is at a 45 degree angle on the ramp, but hey the trailer is in the water. Get a clue! mad.gif

Sorry had to vent.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This one takes the cake. I pulled into road leading to the small landing on a metro lake, and there was a truck and trailer taking up the ramp space with no boat, or human, in sight. I squinted accross the lake and saw several anchored boats, and then comes the yahoo racing around this island. It seemed like looked at me and the waiting rig, but proceeded to go around the island again! Not only that, he finally slowed his boat down and sat in the water adjusting something about 200 yards from the landing with my not so subtle girlfreind waving and yelling the whole time. So half an hour later, with this guys rig taking up the landing, he finally comes in. He had the nerve to say, "sorry, just got a new boat and was fine tuning the equipent". As if that's an excuse to leave his trailer in the water. Well I didn't need to say anything cause the girlfreind took care of it. The arse is lucky he didn't leave his keys in the truck. Seemed like another case of I got a new 19' skeeter w/250 hp on it so I don't have to trouble with the lesser folks. Had a "W" sticker on the back window too.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've got several funny ones but here's my all time favorite.

Three of my buddies and I had fished the Mississippi down by Red Wing, we had just come off the river and put our boats on the trailers. We hear this boat coming in to load and they were hooting and hollering, obviously quite drunk. Since there was quite a bit of current we decided this would be fun to watch these guys load their boat. The three of them were all in their late teens to early twenties and running a brand new Ford F150 and a brand new Tuffy, so I'm guessing they were using Daddies stuff. They got the trailer backed in okay, but with the current, the guy trying to drive the boat onto the trailer was having a heck of a time. All of a sudden he yells out, "get out of the way, I'll get er on this time". He motors out into the river and cranks the throttle, not only did he get it onto the trailer, he went all the way into the back of the truck!! Yup, he drove the winch through the bow and the bow went all the way into the tailgate and topper. After he picked himself off the floor of the boat he says, "there, she's on the trailer now"!! Can you imaging what Daddy had to say when he got home??

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ya. I have a pet peeve at boat launches. Particularly the new grays bay launch. They have 5,000,000,000 spots for boats and trailers (it's a launch, I understand that), but only 5 or 6 spots for vehicles without trailers. Don't tell me I'm part of only a small # of people that might be in a situation where I want to go out quick after work and make plans to be picked up at the launch.

This was the situation the other night. I make plans to drive there after work, and get picked up at Grays Bay. All "vehicle without trailer" spots are full. The kid working says "you can park over there in the old launch lot by the bridge or the parking garage in Wayzata"

WHAT!?!? The old launch by the bridge was full and it's only 3 hour parking. So now, I have to battle back into traffic, park in Wayzata, and walk to the lake with my gear. I was not happy.

They should have more spots for vehicles without trailers.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote:

Had a "W" sticker on the back window too.


At least he had one redeeming value... tongue.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote:

Had a "W" sticker on the back window too.


The people with the Kerry/Edwards stickers are too busy hogging up the passing lane of the freeway to be launching boats. wink.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote:

I am still amazed on how many people pull the strap to the end of the trailer and wind the boat all the way up.
shocked.gif


how about the people who power load when the access clearly states "NO POWER LOADING" I have no problem with this one what so ever. I can wait 15-30 seconds for someone who doesn't feel comfortable power loading their boat. Better to be safe than try and hurry too much when you aren't comfortable.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

well, I'm one of those guys that still pull the strap to the back of the trailer. I can still load my 1600 lund exploerer faster than most guys that try to drive theirs on. Grant it, I don't have the biggest boat at the access. Seems like the guys I ever see try this end up makeing two or three trys before getting it wright, plus my boat is always on the trailer straight and it takes me only one try.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

How about we all video a boat launch on any given week end and put it on a dvd. Add a little music and we would all be millionares.......like the time MY boat fell off the trailer right at the edge of the water. Half on and half off and all we could think of is "Hurry up before some one comes" Minor damage....Now it is funny!!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

fishingbuddy,

That is a great idea!!!

I think that would be a prize winner. Including that other weekend when I was unloading the boat myself. ( I feel that I have it pretty much down pat) but my rope broke and I was watching my boat floating by itself in the lake. I had to wade out to it and grab the remainder of the rope and pull it in. The look on my face face would have been priceless!

"hooks"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

my dad and I have had a system working for years if u do it as a team and stick to the same job all the time it seems like nothing. my dad has always backed the trailer in and i have always drove the boat on. ill tell u tho we have done that for years and just last week my dad tried to drive the boat on the trailer and i couldnt stop laughing but on the other hand me backing the trailer up is a hole nother ball game. once u have found a system and stick to it it isnt all that hard. team work goes along way. being out by your self is alot of work if u see someone loading there boat on there own give them a hand.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I witnessed a couple great moments in boat launching. One was the result of not setting the truck brakes after backing the boat down. Only the top of the cab was visible.

The second was a large family with a new pontoon. They backed it down the ramp and before it hit the water they had to load eight people and a pile of gear. Then the father backed it into the water, but the motor was in the down position and there was a long, drawnout grinding sound. The pontoon floated into the lake, the son couldn't start what was left of the motor, and the father was yelling. I don't know what was said because it wasn't in English. Someone finally got them back to shore, they loaded the pontoon on the trailer and off-loaded the people and gear and drove away. All told, they tied up the launch for over half an hour, but it was great entertainment.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'll GLADLY wait for the guy/gal who pulls the strap/rope out to winch up the boat.

1) Most likely, they get the boat on straight the first time, and don't have to keep backing the boat in to re-float.

2) They aren't contributing to the destruction of another ramp. No powerloading "hole" at the bottom of the ramp, no rock and sand ledge at the far side of the hole, the cement slabs don't start to drop in the middle due to the sand being sucked out from below.

Thank you for not powerloading.

Tim

Quote:

Quote:

I am still amazed on how many people pull the strap to the end of the trailer and wind the boat all the way up.
shocked.gif


how about the people who power load when the access clearly states "NO POWER LOADING" I have no problem with this one what so ever. I can wait 15-30 seconds for someone who doesn't feel comfortable power loading their boat. Better to be safe than try and hurry too much when you aren't comfortable.


Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well thanks guys !!! grin.gif After reding this thread, I was so dam nervous at the landing this weekend. I managed to do the following:

1. Forgot to put plug in.

2. Forgot to undo the crank strap.

3. Missed the rollers 3 times.

Yee Haaaaa

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, I have a good one from last night. I was fishing with my bro-in-law on a small local lake in the evening. We trolled acroos the lake to the access to load the boat and head home. When we got close it, there was somebody launching a boat and another guy with a young girl launching a canoe so we just parked and through out a line for a minute to wait for the access to clear. When they were done we proceeded to the dock to get off the lake. Another boat comes barrelling down to try and beat us (we were only 20 yards away, they came across the lake). So we are in no hurry and let them get to the dock. They are going so fast the guy runs to the front of the boat to grab the dock, loses his footing and goes sliding face first onto the public access dock. He gets up and grumbles and my bro-in-law says "nice move" and he just grumbles a little and proceeds to run up the ramp to beat us to the truck to back in. It only takes him about 20 tries to get the trailer in the water, and that is at a 45 degree angle. After ten minutes of trying to get the boat on the trailer he finaly jumps in the water in his jeans and guides it on. they pull out and we were loaded and gone in less then five minutes total. Some guys are just brilliant! Made for good entertainement though. grin.gifconfused.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote:

Or on the flip side, those who take their boat out of the water, then leave it in place blocking the ramp while they secure the boat for land travel. I go bonkers.


Oh yeah, we had this one yesterday! There were 4 boats hovering around the landing on a small local lake here in the West Metro. This couple pulls up to the dock, begin's to unload everything BUT the kitchen sink out onto the dock, tie up the boat with 2 lines to the dock, and they both proceed to start hauling the stuff up to their truck. They get it all loaded into the truck, then he decides it's time to back the trailer into the water. But first, he has to stop by the Porta-Potty! Then, the twit has to move his boat to the other side of the dock so he can get his trailer in the water, and can his other half hold the boat? Nooo, we gotta tie it up again to finish getting the trailer in! Okay, so we're finally getting the boat on the trailer, again, and, again, and AGAIN! He backed off of the trailer 3 times before he got it on straight! In the mean time, 2 more boats have showed up and are waiting. He finally pulls the boat 10 feet out of the water, stop, and he and his other beging to put the straps on, and they both grabbed towels and began to wipe down the boat and the trailer! I pulled up to the dock and politely asked them if they could pull up a little so we could back in and get out of the way. He looked at me and not so kindly told me to **** Off, we'll be done in a minute! His spouse looked at us and muttered "The nerve." I have nerve? I wasn't the one tying up the ramp for the last 20 min!

One a deeze days Alice! Pow!!!!! Ta da moon!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote:

I'll GLADLY wait for the guy/gal who pulls the strap/rope out to winch up the boat.

1) Most likely, they get the boat on straight the first time, and don't have to keep backing the boat in to re-float.

2) They aren't contributing to the destruction of another ramp. No powerloading "hole" at the bottom of the ramp, no rock and sand ledge at the far side of the hole, the cement slabs don't start to drop in the middle due to the sand being sucked out from below.

Thank you for not powerloading.

Tim


Not to attack your post or anything, but is power loading a real problem? I have never really seen any accesses that I have noticed a problem? I power load my boat, but if it is damaging the lake I may have to change my ways. I live on a lake that has a 3 accesses. One of them has 30+ parking spots for trucks/trailers that is always full and almost everyone power loads and there is no signs of damage at all. Your post just made me think. Is it a real problem?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Power loading damage varies by the type and depth of the launch, AFAIK. On a shallower launch, its a lot easier to dig a hole behind the landing. I've been to a few landings that have lost concrete due to the sand getting prop-washed out, but many are deep enough to handle it fine. Many of the landings that are susceptible, are signed "no power loading" and everyone should pay attention to it.

On the flip side, there was a landing on the MN river that was so silted over that it wasn't really useable until a nice guy came in with a riverpro and blasted the whole thing clear for us smile.gif

-rus-

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Maybe a sign would be helpful by the staging area. Make sure plug is in, load all equipment in boat, strap off, etc.

Just a thought.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The propwash can pull the sand out from underneath the cement pad, which will make usually make one corner drop more than the other, and thus make the ramp a PITA to use.

I'm on the access to Forest Lake 1 a couple times a week. It's a shallow ramp with a short pad, very susceptible to damage - and it's already messed up. It just makes those who have a hard time getting their boat aligned on the trailer take longer.

Really, it's not the guy/gal who dips the bunks first and is able to just idle up to the stop - with maybe a quick boost at the end. It's guy's that ROOOOAAAARR up the dry trailer where the tires are barely wet. You can see it churning the (*&&(* out of the bottom, and that pulls sand out from underneath the pad.

Tim

Quote:

Quote:

I'll GLADLY wait for the guy/gal who pulls the strap/rope out to winch up the boat.

1) Most likely, they get the boat on straight the first time, and don't have to keep backing the boat in to re-float.

2) They aren't contributing to the destruction of another ramp. No powerloading "hole" at the bottom of the ramp, no rock and sand ledge at the far side of the hole, the cement slabs don't start to drop in the middle due to the sand being sucked out from below.

Thank you for not powerloading.

Tim


Not to attack your post or anything, but is power loading a real problem? I have never really seen any accesses that I have noticed a problem? I power load my boat, but if it is damaging the lake I may have to change my ways. I live on a lake that has a 3 accesses. One of them has 30+ parking spots for trucks/trailers that is always full and almost everyone power loads and there is no signs of damage at all. Your post just made me think. Is it a real problem?


Link to comment
Share on other sites

Maybe he was not trying to beat you. If you have a line out near the dock, he might think that you are not waiting to land?

Funny story in any case.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That man really had the nerve to say that to you ? Incredible. Some people really are simply unaware. What do you do with them?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.



  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • leech~~
      Thanks Mike.  I've been looking at bags of it for years but never wanted to chance wasting good meat on it.  I have a gas and charcoal grills, but really love the flavor of charcoal over gas. Most of the time it's if we have time to use one or the other.  
    • leech~~
      Facebook?  
    • rundrave
      Leech is missed
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big open water, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  The bays and tributaries of LOW such as Zippel Bay, Bostic Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  The lake is in good shape for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. The many bays and backwaters of the lake have been receiving attention from spring pike anglers.  Some pike have already entered the bays, spawned and gone back out to the lake, but there are still a pile of fish to be had.   The pike season on LOW is open year round. The limit is 3 pike per day with one fish allowed more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. On the Rainy River...  Another great week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  The bite has been very good and lots of fish of all sizes are being boated.     Sturgeon are being caught from Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River all the way to Birchdale, about 42 miles.  There are many boat ramps along the river to make life easy.  Starting from the east going west...   -Nelson Park at Birchdale (About 30 miles east of Baudette) -Frontier (9 miles west of Birchdale) -Vidas (Near Clementson Rapids) -Timbermill Park (East Baudette) -Peace Park (International Drive, Baudette) -Wheeler's Point (mouth of Rainy River)  The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Up at the NW Angle...  The Angle is ice free.  Resorts are gearing up for the fishing opener which is expected to be excellent.  The late ice bite was very good and the walleyes are in good numbers amongst the islands area of the NW Angle.  
    • smurfy
      oh you know where i mean..........where all your friends are!!!!!!!🤗
    • Mike89
      Charcoal Briquettes are great for low and slow cooking as they produce long-lasting heat. Lump Charcoal burns hotter and adds more flavour to your food; therefore is great for hot and fast cooking.
    • leech~~
      Back page?  I've been on here for years, did I miss that page?  
    • Big V Bobcat
      Fake News Alert. Head East 😝
    • SkunkedAgain
      This was posted in the Timberjay this week, and should be in the upcoming LVA publication. Great news for those of us on the west end.      https://www.timberjay.com/stories/west-end-is-suddenly-hot,21403   LAKE VERMILION— How things have changed on Lake Vermilion’s west end. Not that many years ago, resort owners on the lake’s western half were bemoaning low numbers of walleye, particularly fish smaller than the protective slot limit. Those complaints aren’t likely to be heard this year, at least based on the results of the DNR’s fall fish survey, the results of which were released last week, averaged 22.1 walleye per net, the highest number of walleye ever recorded in the western basin. Those strong numbers helped keep the lakewide average walleye catch rate at 16.7 fish per net, according to the report issued by Matt Hennen, large lake specialist with the DNR’s Tower area fisheries office. It was the fourth year in a row of above-average walleye numbers and was virtually unchanged from last year. The eastern basin, which has long been the go-to for walleye anglers, walleye numbers averaged somewhat below the long-term mean, at 13.1 fish per net. That’s in the bottom 25th percentile historically for that basin. As usual, the populations continue to be driven by recent moderate to strong year-classes in 2018 and 2021. But a weak year class in 2022 appears to be responsible for the decline in total walleye numbers, particularly in the eastern basin. But that decline is unlikely to be noticeable to anglers this summer, as the prospects for angler success remain high. “Overall, decent numbers of fish can be found from 13 to 20 inches, which is generally the size range anglers prefer to harvest,” notes Hennen in his report. “Additionally, above average numbers of small fish from 10 to 13 inches were present in the population last fall. These fish will grow throughout the 2024 fishing season and provide ample catch and harvest opportunities in 2024 and beyond. High numbers of fish 20 inches and larger will continue to provide memorable catch opportunities throughout the lake.” While the average walleye count on the eastern basin was relatively low for Vermilion, it was still exceptionally high for most lakes in Minnesota, reflecting the remarkably productive fishery that Lake Vermilion represents. According to Hennen, Vermilion’s walleye population is heavily dependent on the strength of individual year-classes, which have tended toward boom and bust in recent years. The lake experienced strong year-classes in 2016 and 2018, while preliminary estimates point to 2021 as another strong year-class. By contrast, the 2017 and 2020 year-classes were weak, and 2022 appears to also be weak. The outlook for the 2023 year-class, however, looks hopeful. As part of the DNR’s annual survey on Lake Vermilion, fisheries staff conduct electrofishing to detect young fish too small to capture in nets and the results from that effort offer the first glimpse at the strength of that year’s reproduction. According to the report, the electrofishing tallied 118.3 fish per hour, which was on track with the long-term average, suggesting that 2023 will, at least, be a moderate year-class. The fish samples averaged 5.6 inches in length, which was slightly above normal. That can bode well for the percentage of young walleye that survive the winter. Yellow perch Anglers on Vermilion should find plenty of perch this year as well, including many large enough to harvest. “The 2023 lakewide gill net catch rate of 30.0 fish per net was slightly above average compared to previous surveys,” noted Hennen’s report. “The average size of those fish was fairly large with notable numbers over 10 inches and even some fish over 12 inches.” As with walleye, the perch results showed differences between the lake’s two basins. The western basin’s catch rate of 38.5 fish per net was impressive, but more of those perch were small— more a nuisance than a harvest prospect. On the east end, the perch numbers were lower at 24.3 fish per net, but many more larger perch were found there. And even though the numbers were lower on the east end, the results still showed perch numbers above the long-term average for the basin. Northern pike The northern pike population in Vermilion continues to show a declining trend and in the 2023 survey, the DNR caught just 12 northerns, or an average of 0.6 fish per net, ranging in size from 25 to 39 inches. The decline in overall pike numbers coincides with a shift in the population toward larger fish due in part to the protective slot limit, which has been in place since 2003. Panfish The DNR conducted spring trap netting of both crappies and bluegills in 2023 and found sufficient numbers to justify targeting these species, even though Vermilion tends to hold fewer panfish than many other Minnesota lakes. The trap netting found higher numbers of both species on the lake’s west end. The survey found an average crappie size of 10 inches, with multiple fish over 13 inches sampled from both basins. Anglers looking for bluegills would do best focusing on the lake’s west end. Bluegills captured averaged six inches in length, with fish over nine inches found on both ends of the lake. Muskie The DNR did not conduct an assessment of the lake’s muskie population in 2023. The muskie population was established via a stocking program that began in the late 1980s with the goal of providing a low-density, high-quality fishery. During the most recent targeted assessment conducted in 2019, muskies averaged 44.7 inches with over 40 percent of fish measuring 45 inches or larger. Additionally, about 11 percent of the fish sampled were 50 inches or larger. Assessment options for obtaining adult population estimates along with evaluating recent stocking strategies and natural reproduction are being considered for the future. Fisheries management As one of the state’s largest lakes and a popular fishery, the DNR conducts fish surveys annually as part of the agency’s management efforts. In addition to fish surveys, the DNR conducts regular creel surveys, water quality monitoring on Vermilion along with fish contaminant and disease inspections, zooplankton surveys, and aquatic invasive species surveillance. The DNR is reminding anglers that special regulations exists for walleyes where all fish from 20 to 26 inches must be immediately released. There is a possession limit of four walleyes with only one fish over 26 inches allowed. Anglers are also reminded that since 2019, northern pike have been managed under the Northeast Zone regulations requiring immediate release of all angled fish between 30 and 40 inches with only one over 40 inches allowed in a two fish possession limit. Separate regulations exist for dark house spearing which allows spearers to have two pike in possession but only one may be over 26 inches. All other fish species are managed under current statewide fishing regulations.
    • smurfy
      Never tried it. Pretty happy with the Kingsford     There's all kinds of food threads on the back page1🤗
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.