On average how long does it take you...at the boat ramp?

Jmass03 · Outlaw Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 239 City: OrLaNdO

On average how long does it take you to unload and load your boat off its trailer at the boat ramp. I've been spoiled and have been fortunate enough to have my boat sit on a boat lift in my backyard, but because my family is renovating the dock I'm forced to put it on the trailer, and the only way to get out on the lake is to take it to the ramp...I'm relatively new to it, and I'm fine with driving, backing up, etc, just all the various precautions, haha having your boat plug in etc.

Jonathan

pooser · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 4738

on the actual ramp, less than two minutes. ive never really timed myself taking off the straps, putting in the plugs, and doing all other pre/post launch preparations. but im sure i could do it in about five minutes max in the parking lot.

Chad H · Posted: May 29, 2005 1:18 pm Post subject:

10 minutes including puttin straps on off, transom saver on (we have an outboard), plug in, loading everything and dropping it in the water.

03Belmont · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 19 Aug 2003 Posts: 4656

3 minutes puttin in... 3 taking out... just back it in... put the plug in while its being backed and take off the strap...

Mobe789 · Posted: May 29, 2005 1:52 pm Post subject:

about two minutes..put it in, turn it on, unstrap the front, and back it off..

snooks · Soul Rider Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 313 City: Calgary

less then two minutes...were pretty prepared...and including putting on straps about 5 minutes

wakeboarder89 · Addict Joined: 15 Jun 2003 Posts: 637

about 2 mintues we load everything up before we leave for the boat ramp

blairpoelman · Addict Joined: 12 Aug 2004 Posts: 595

less than 1 minute on the way in or out. It's amazing to see people take 15-20 minutes to put their boat on their trailer... There should really be a course for new boat owners to teach them how to back their boat, un-load, then load back up efficiently.
________
Honda Cbx750 Specifications

BoardinDan · Posted: May 29, 2005 4:05 pm Post subject:

less then 5 minutes, we get everything ready while waiting for other people to do their stuff

Bruky · Guest

What's everyone's hurry? Yes, in the rare occassion there are multiple adults on the boat, and it's taking 10 plus minutes to load up, it can get frustrating, but ussually there is a single adult and multiple kids on the boat. What are they to do except use the dock and pull the boat onto the trailer with a rope?

pooser · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 4738

Bruky, there are occasional excuses but when there is a line at the ramp and people are taking up a space where i could be launching while they are taking off straps, putting in the plug, loading people, etc. there is no excuse. and it is possible to put the trailer in the water then drive the boat onto the trailer

chilly willy · Criminal Joined: 25 Mar 2003 Posts: 93 City: Vancouver

Jmass03, your avatar pic is so RAD!! thats from the claymation rudolph video, isnt it! dont lie, i own it in like, 8 different versions. haha, no only 4. but yeah man, long live the abomnidable!! wow that was hard to type.

Bruky · Guest

The Headless Chicken, I was only talking about loading. Doing last minute prep in a launch area is rude, and preventable by anyone.

patoloco · Posted: May 29, 2005 7:21 pm Post subject:

Here are my rules of thumb for timing....

If your trailer is actually touching water, during loading or unloading for more than two or three minutes, on average, you need get some tips from someone who knows what they are doing.....some obvious exceptions apply...but very few that I can think of.

If your rig stops anywhere near the ramp...and you are doing something like loading/unloading coolers, putting on straps, toweling the boat etc........then....take your boat to the lake...tie off the steering wheel, throttle all the way down and aim it for the dam....jump out before it hits if you want..but I'm guessing the people that do that stuff aren't smart enough to jump out. Razz

CHiLi DaWg · Posted: May 29, 2005 7:24 pm Post subject:

Less than 5 minutes. We load up while we wait in line.

Bruky, One thing I get mad about, is when someone is parked on the ramp, and stops to BS with their buddy in the next vehicle over. That stuff ticks me off. BS in the parking area, and have some respect for those who are waiting their turn. OK I'm done ranting now Cool

cwaker4 · Soul Rider Joined: 09 Dec 2004 Posts: 465 City: Gilroy

we do it pretty quick, we have the whole situatuion dialed and down to a science id say a couple minutes from back down to pull out, but there hasnt been anyone in line at the ramp lately so we havent been rushed.

MrCool32 · Soul Rider Joined: 03 Sep 2003 Posts: 306

I can understand the lack of respect issue, but to those who are talking about being patient...makes sense to me as well, there will ALWAYS be those who aren't as experienced or as well prepared for the boating experience. No sense in getting bent out of shape to begin your day right? The end of the day, I would imagine people are tired and all the sun exposure can make people a lil bit cranky...so I can see some getting impatient and irritated easily then.

redrocket · Criminal Joined: 15 Sep 2004 Posts: 53 City: Great Falls

They started charging at the local ramp so we take are time now. Its rarely busy though.

fuel · Outlaw Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Posts: 110 City: Gatesville

Hmm, I guess none of ya'll have older boats.

Usually, it takes about 5-10 minutes. It doesn't take but a few seconds to put the boat in the lake, but I have to let my boat warm up. Usually it is closer to 5 minutes, but once in a while it's more like 10. Whenever you have a carbuerated engine, it takes a while to get it to start and to let it warm up. Sometimes, I'll jump in, pump the gas three times, and it cranks right up, but even then, I need to let the engine warm up some before putting it in gear.

If I had a brand new fuel injected Super Air, it would take 1-3 minutes tops, but then again if I that much mad cash I would be living at the lake with the boat in a slip! Laughing

btcarro · Posted: May 30, 2005 7:45 am Post subject:

Depending on how busy the Az. lakes are, could be as little as two minutes or perhaps fifteen. We have several ramps the one I use is ten lanes, Sometimes I wish it had eleven!

ridinaz · Soul Rider Joined: 12 Jan 2005 Posts: 257 City: Scottsdale

btcarro, ten lanes? Where is that? I must be goin to the wrong dock.

Launching is rarely a problem. We go very early to get good water and usually nobody is around. Loading is a different story. From back down to pull out is a consistent 2 minutes. I do find it frustrating when people take excessive time on the ramp. Saguaro only has 2 docks with three lanes each, at the end of the day on a Sat. or Sun. I have had to wait in line for 45 minutes or more to get my turn, my buddy has even had to help people get their trailer backed in because they just couldn't seem to get it. When its not busy, by all means take your time. When their is a line 15 people deep, get the hell in & out.

Ledmech · Criminal Joined: 25 Jun 2004 Posts: 69 City: Gainesville

There was a guy last week at my ramp who backed his pontoon half-way down, stopped and loaded all his deck furniture. About 10 or 15 lawnchairs. One at a time of course Mad

The only reason I get mad is down here in Georgia there's only a few hours a day when the sun is actually out. The rest its raining Sad

ChrisG · Posted: May 30, 2005 12:54 pm Post subject:

2-3 minutes...gotta love the boat buddy

harenheadpaul · Posted: May 30, 2005 3:57 pm Post subject:

we are pretty quick on the ramp. today there was a car and trailer at the ramp for a very long time. i dropped my dad off at the dock, he waited in lilne to pull the boat out, with like 5 people in line in front of him and 2 on the ramp, its a 3 lane ramp with the forementioned car being there. so we waited in line, pulled the boat out, put the straps on, and left. the car was still on the ramp. some people do need to learn what they are doing.

matt1808 · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 05 Feb 2004 Posts: 1981

when it is me and my dad only about 2 min.
by myself about 5-10 min.- the dock to tie up isn't on the ramp- gotta back down, launch the boat, take it over to the dock and tie up, then go park the truck and trailer

Dees · Posted: May 31, 2005 10:15 am Post subject:

depends if there wallys in the way or not. Less then 1 min or as fast as I can back down or pull out.

Hockeyplayer · Posted: May 31, 2005 10:55 am Post subject:

There is usually a line for to launch so we will uaually get it completely prepared prior to backing up. Once our turn comes up all I have to do is back up and once the wheel wells are submerged I hit the brakes and pull out. Depending on the water level and length of the lauch its usually less than 45 seconds.

Junkee · Posted: May 31, 2005 11:20 am Post subject:

btcarro, i agree. the Ten lane at pleasant sometimes needs to be bigger. or atleast have less morons using it.

however it does have the nice "Make Ready" area to add/remove straps, check the plug, etc. that way you can just drive down back it in and be ready to go.

wkebrd3 · Posted: May 31, 2005 1:01 pm Post subject:

It usually takes me around 30 minutes since I have no idea what I'm doing...

No, really only a couple minutes here too.

Efox · Outlaw Joined: 11 Oct 2004 Posts: 238 City: Lawrenceburg

I'm with fuel...carburated motor. Mine takes about 5 max, once the wife gets done pitching a fit about the motor not running, and me jumping in and starting it, letting rev at about 1200 for a little then jumping out, dumping her and taking the truck to the lot. However, we just put a lift in so now I will spend about 10 minutes a year at the launch!

Eric

Leggester · Posted: May 31, 2005 2:21 pm Post subject:

I dislike people that feel they need to use the ramp to prep their boats.

Do that in the parking lot. Straps, plug, load... ... Then just drive down to load/unload the boat.

ChrisG · Posted: May 31, 2005 3:01 pm Post subject:

blairpoelman · Addict Joined: 12 Aug 2004 Posts: 595

I always feel bad for that guy who is having his wife back the boat in - she obviously has no clue what she's doing, and she's getting yelled at in front of a crowd of people - gotta love that guy.
________
GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD

DavidHoff · Posted: May 31, 2005 8:12 pm Post subject:

We don't want to wait at the launch, so we don't make others wait. We load everything up away from the ramp. Less than 2 minutes. Dad backs down, Unhooks boat, I reverse, He parks the trailer, we meet at the dock, and were out on the lake. Sometimes It's a rush, but It's worth the extra 10-15 minutes of riding.

patoloco · Posted: May 31, 2005 8:35 pm Post subject:

Thought of this thread and timed it for real yesterday.

Launching (carbed motor) , 1 minute from the time the trailer hit the water. Loading was 30-45 seconds

I always tell people if your there for more than 2 or 3 minutes your doing it wrong, but in reality my pi$$edoff-o-meter doesn't starting going off unitl you've been there over 10.

Other than the obvious a couple of things people might not think of...

1.) Truck driver stays in the truck...on most boats I've loaded..the boat driver can hook the boat and tighten it up himself.

2.) Drive it on...all the way to the bow stops or rollers..most straps are not really made for major winching. If you can ease the boat within inches of a dock you can do this without slamming it onto the trailer

3.) If you master the fast boat load don't get too cocky...thats how you screw up and become one of the tards....we've all been there at least once.
Embarassed