Emily Post at the ramp?

Boat-launching etiquette is largely preparation

During the boat and fishing shows over the winter, I had the opportunity to talk with a lot of readers, and one topic that I heard a lot about was proper behavior and manners at launching ramps. With Memorial Day weekend, the largest boating event of the spring, on the horizon, it might be a good idea to go over them.

Let me start by saying I don’t believe that not being prepared and taking lots of time on the ramp is intentional. I believe that many folks don’t understand the dynamics of ramps, especially busy ones, and just don’t think or know any better. Hopefully, those of you who read this will take it to heart and strive to be better patrons at the ramp. It really isn’t difficult; it just involves a little forethought. Fishing and boating are supposed to be relaxing, so there is no need to begin or end the day by raising your blood pressure.

Because we have to launch our boats to begin a day on the water, I’ll begin there. This is as simple as having your boat and equipment prepared and ready to launch when it is your turn on the ramp. As ramps have become busier, many ramps have added an area to pull over and make your boat ready. If your ramp has one of these areas, use it.

The make-ready area is the place to remove the tie-downs and be sure the plug is in. This is also where you should remove any motor braces used for trail-ering. It’s only a few more yards to the ramp, and they will be at idle speed, so the straps and braces are no longer needed.

The make-ready area is the place to load any extra coolers, fishing tackle, rods and reels, lunch or whatever into the boat. If there is not a make-ready area, stop at the entrance to the ramp and do this before you get in line. Some experienced fishermen make their boats ready as they move through the line, and that is fine as long as you are ready to launch when the vehicle in front of you clears the ramp.

On boats with two or more people, someone can already be on board and start the motor once the water pickup is in the water. Once the motor is started, the boat can be backed off the trailer and moved out of the way as the tow-vehicle driver parks. When the tow-vehicle driver comes to the dock at the ramp, a quick pass to pick him up is all that is needed.

Many of the ramps being renovated by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission have floating piers adjacent to ramps to make things easy for boaters and fishermen who are alone. When launching, the boat can be moved from the ramp to a spot out of the way while the tow vehicle and trailer are parked. Upon returning, the boat can be tied to the floating dock beside the ramp until the trailer is backed into the water, so the ramp is not blocked by a boat while someone walks to get their tow vehicle and trailer and works their way through the line.

The boat has to be loaded back onto the trailer at the end of the day, and it’s also important to be prepared there. Boats with multiple fishermen will do well to bring the tow vehicle driver to the ramp dock and then back away once he is on the dock. It will take a couple of minutes for him to walk to the tow vehicle and come through the line to back down the ramp. Once the trailer is positioned, the boat can be motored into the ramp slip and eased onto it.

As soon as the boat is secure on the trailer, the entire rig should be pulled up the ramp and out of the way before preparing it for the trip home. Don’t stop while still on or blocking the ramp to unload. Move those few yards to get out of the way of those waiting to use the ramp. Once out of the way, it’s the time to move coolers and fishing gear to the truck, pull the plug, strap down the boat, install the motor brace and whatever else needs to be done before traveling home. Many ramps have several spaces designated just for this.

Another thing many people do not think about when using boat ramps is their vehicle lights. Most newer vehicles have automatic lights, so we aren’t as used to turning lights on and off as we once were. The problem is that when launching before daybreak and loading after sunset, headlights are on and are often blinding other drivers around the ramp. Once beyond the make-ready area and until preparing to leave the area for strapping back down, vehicle headlights should be switched to parking lights only for maneuvering around the ramp.

Even low-beam headlights shining through a windshield or reflecting in a mirror can blind another driver. Parking lights will create enough illumination to move at the walking pace that is the appropriate speed for maneuvering around the ramp. Even at the parking-lights setting, backup lights will still operate when in reverse and give a little more light for backing. All that is needed at a ramp is enough illumination for others to see you. Headlights do not help when backing and may blind others.

As a final point, let me emphasize the need to know how to back your trailer! A crowded ramp on a busy Saturday morning is not the time to learn to back a trailer. Practice that in your driveway or an open parking lot and be comfortable doing it before heading to the ramp in a crowd. The anxiety of messing up raises the stress level and takes a lot away from what should be a pleasant boating or fishing experience.

There isn’t an Amy Vanderbilt or Emily Post book of launching-ramp manners, but it wouldn’t be a bad idea. After more than 50 years of boating, I’ve seen a lot of unusual happenings around ramps, but I am continually reminded I haven’t yet seen it all. Please consider the suggestions from this column as a starting point for a ramp manners book. Not only will following them make it easier to use launching ramps, but it should also help lower blood pressure and the stress of launching, which should allow us to live a little longer and continue enjoying our boating and fishing.