Courtesy on the Boat Ramp

If you are new to towing and backing a trailer, practice backing at an empty parking lot, until you are confident that you can back into a launch ramp in a timely manner.

Begin your launching experience by parking your vehicle and trailer at the parking or staging area away from the ramp.

If you are new to launching at this site, walk down to the ramp area and watch other boaters launch. Pay close attention as to how far they back their trailers into the water. Check for signs showing how to launch, separate launch and retrieval lanes, underwater dangers at the ramp, conditions or laws for the body of water, etc.

If you have other persons in your party, assign them tasks to help you launch, one can direct and watch the boat while you are backing it into the water, one can operate the trailer winch or unhook the boat or PWC and remove it from the trailer. If you don't have sufficient people, ask for help in launching or retrieving your boat from others at the launch ramp if needed. This will expedite and reduce your time on the ramp.

Before launching, and retrieving your vessel, remove all gear that you can easily carry so that the boat is lighter. This will allow the boat to launch and be recovered in shallower water. This transfer of gear can be done in the staging area prior to launch, and while you are waiting to retrieve you boat. This will also prevent anything from tipping or spilling while backing down or pulling out of the ramp.

It is a good idea to make a ramp checklist to use when launching or removing your boat from the water, so you are not embarrassed by forgetting to put the drain plug in or having the outboard motor tilted, or have the trailer lights fail to work because you left them plugged in when the trailer is in the water, or not locking the winch and attaching the safety chain, and having the boat roll off the trailer on to the launch ramp.

REMEMBER - DON'T LOOSE YOUR COOL! You can be in a hurry to get out on the water on a sunny day, or be tired from boating all day in the sun, but being courteous at the ramp is a necessary part of having a memorable, fun, safe day boating.