During the boating season, public boat ramps are a high traffic area that can be a little intimidating to new lake goers. Frustration usually runs high on the public boat ramp due to long waits and owners wanting to ensure they safely get their boat in and out of the water. If you have someone that doesn’t know what they are doing take up the ramp, it’s going to back up traffic and increase frustration. Today we’re going to go over some guidelines to make sure you have an easy and stress-free launching process.
How to Use A Public Boat Ramp
Using a public boat ramp is actually a simple process once you’ve gotten the hang of it. Most boat ramps are a big parking lot, so there is plenty of room to park somewhere to make sure your boat is ready for the ramp. Check the drain plug and make sure the motor and battery are working before getting to the ramp to help prevent a clog at the ramp.
When ready to launch your boat, back up straight until your boat’s motor is just deep enough in the water for you to back off the trailer into it. It really helps if you have someone with you during this process, but it can be done by yourself. Once you’re all set in the water, tie off to an area out of the way while you go park your vehicle.
Pulling your boat out of water is a bit more difficult than getting it in, but the process is very similar. Back your trailer into the water where the boat will be able to drive up onto it. On your boat, slowly throttle forward until you are pulled up on the trailer and your motor is barely in the water. Strap your boat down then crank up the winch to pull it out of the water the rest of the way.
Proper Public Boat Ramp Etiquette
There are a few things to keep in mind while using the boat ramp to be mindful of others. As stated earlier, tempers usually run hot at the boat ramp so do what you can to avoid an unnecessary confrontation. Some things to make sure you do while using the ramp include:
- Make sure your boat is running properly before putting it in the water.
- Stay in your lane to avoid hogging the boat ramp all to yourself. Remember others are using it too.
- Don’t take all day getting set and prepared at the ramp. Quickly use it to launch your boat and secure it.
If you are respectful of those around you, everything should be fine. It doesn’t matter if you take a little time or not as long as others have a chance to get their boat in and out of the water and they aren’t affected by you.
By keeping this information about using a boat ramp in mind, your trips to the lake will go smoothly! If you’re interested in EZ Dock feel free to contact us, or give us a call at (800) 654-8168. Our team of dock experts will work with you to design the perfect solution for your needs.