www.iFourWinns.com

I have only been boating on my own for 4 years now (I'm 25 and first year with a FW). It seems to be more common with people to get ready to launch in the launch lane. I always get ready in the parking lot that way I can get in and out of the boat launch, and don't slow up anyone else. Most people do the same but there just seems to be more and more people that go to the boat launch to get ready and take 10 minutes to get their boat in the water. The other thing that gets to me is people hogging up the dock for long periods of time. Why can't people just drop off someone to get the truck and back away and let someone else use the dock ( I do know there are families out there where only one person knows how to back up the trailer and drive the boat) but it seems like some of these people are not in any kind of hurry to get their vehicle so they can get there boat away from the dock and out of the water. I'm just venting, but its starting to get old and it seems like its getting worse. I was also just wondering how many other people are running into the same thing.

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2008 F450 TOW VEHICLE
2001 Four Winns 215 Sundowner

You are right. It is getting worse.
I am fortunate. My GF learned, and has become very good at backing the trailer in, freeing me up to putter around and keep the dock clear for others. I have also noticed this year more than others in the past.... People tying up on the "ramp-side" of the dock, vice the opposite side. This reduces the lane for others to launch, and is a peeve for me!

I politely told someone using the ramp they should get there boat ready in the parking lot, keeping the ramp free for others. He spit back with profanity, and such; spent another 5 minutes making sure the tubes were properly inflated, boards ready to go, and ropes secure; backed his boat in, started the engine, shut the engine off; pulled the boat out of the water; put the plug in.... yes, this really happened... I laughed loud enough for him to hear!

I feel better now.

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Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

That was you?

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

I ran into this problem just yesterday. I am one of those family men who has to drive the boat as well as drive the truck. I tied up my boat and literally ran up to get the Suburban. As soon as I start the engine here come 3 trucks and trailers zooming up waiting in line to pick up boats that were waiting for trucks. This blocked me in for 20 minutes because some chick couldn't back up a trailer to save her life. There are 3 ramps at this landing, and for some reason there was about 6 inches of seaweed on 2 of them, and only one clean ramp. Well I knew I was going to be a few minutes at least since I am a one man show, so I took one of the slimy ramps, and everyone else decided to use the one good ramp completely clogging up the parking lot.

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1989 205 Sundowner
5.0 HO OMC Cobra

Sounds like the same FW owner that I ran into when I politely asked to tie up on a non-launch pier so I could retrieve my boat. His response was that he was there first, like we were in 2nd grade.

I've had others offer to move when recognizing they are in the way also, so I guess for every bad, there is a good. It doesn't take too much common sense to be courteous to others and do your best to move things along and be out of the way.

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-Rob.


Current boat: 2011 Yamaha AR210
Previous boat: 1998 Horizon RX 4.3GL SX

As my old man says: "God created more a$$holes than people".

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Current Boat: 2000 Four Winns 298 Vista
Previous Boat: 2000 Carver 406MY

I have to admit I am one of the lucky ones. My wife can either take the boat or back the truck down the ramp, although she prefers to stay on the boat and drive it on / off the trailer.

I also had a run in about a month ago when I was waiting to get the boat out of the water. There was a family a head of me trying to get a pontoon boat out of the water and was having a hard time, the trailer was in way to far and every time they tried to pull out the boat would not sit right. I politely (he did have younger kids with him) mentioned that the trailer might be in to far. He told me to mind my own business and worry about my own boat. So after a few more failed attempts he pulled the trailer out a little more and winched the boat up and it sat even and he pulled it right out. I never did say anything else. It isn't worth it when little kids are around.

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2008 F450 TOW VEHICLE
2001 Four Winns 215 Sundowner

I can understand, forgive, or be patient when someone has a problem backing a trailer in, or has a problem launching or retrieving, (those skills take time to develop and sometimes you just have a bad day), but getting prepped on the ramp really ticks me off. I do agree it's a growing problem When I trailer (normally my boat is slipped) I take alot of time to prep before launch, but when I'm ready for the ramp it's a quick launch. I am amazed at while I'm prepping, how many boaters go past the prep area, straight to the ramp and do the same thing I'm doing ON THE RAMP....

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'90 Horizon 220 5.8

Yeah ......

I will typically not say anything, I will offer help if someone seems to be having trouble (can be met with positive or negative). However, with the standard ramp squatter, I used to just sit and stew, and mutter, or stand there watching (after I've prepped our boat prior to the ramp, and just need to drop it in). When it happens, they usually drive by me, as I'm prepping the boat. My wife would work on calming me down and then I let go and just smile and wave a thank-you, as they go by. It's just part of the deal, I have pretty much gotten to where I just wait patiently. Steaming does nothing to improve things. Until we have every launch manned by an attendant, that informs, teaches and then enforces this and other ramp issues (which may not be what you really want, in the end), this will be an occasional issue to seal with. How sweet would it be, though, to see one of these guys sent back to the end of the line, when he is not ready to launch when he gets to the ramp? Not the new guy that has never done this before ... we're talking "the other guy".

You've got the two groups (in general), just like left-lane squatters:

1) Oblivious - Has no idea that they are doing anything wrong, just in their own world. Of course, you can argue that there is no excuse for this as any thinking person would shortly realize what's going on. A polite mention to these ones can result in a sheepish "oh, woops, sorry ... and thank you" ... or the standard bully response.

2) Bully - I was here first, it's my turn, get lost. The same Bully from school ....... and don't forget the 50-qt cooler full of Bud Light.

Ok, I'm done.

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Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

2003 268 Vista ..................................................................Prior: 97 245 Sundowner

Actually Gordon, I seen exactly that one time a couple years ago, there were about 5 boats in line to launch, at a busy ramp with 4 slots, they use 2 for launching and 2 for retrieving, with a DNR guy there enforcing the rules. I'm the next one to launch, prepped and ready to go and the next thing I know here comes this jacka** right past the line of boats waiting to launch and of all things pulls into the retrieving side of the ramp. Starts prepping his boat. The DNR guy was hot, went right over there and told him that was the retrieving side, so the guy was gonna move over I piped in that he just cut in front of all of us, the DNR guy made him go toe the back of the line, and the best part is like 5 more boats came and got in line while all of this went down. It was very sweet to see someone like that to get what he deserved.....

OK know I'm done..

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Jeff

'14 Cruisers 380 Express "Simon Sez"
Merc 8.2 Mag MPI 380
DTS B3X, (x2) Axius Premier


(SOLD)
'08 V318
Merc 350 Mag MPI 300
DTS Seacore, B3 (x2)

Is it evil, that I can't stop chuckling?

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Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

2003 268 Vista ..................................................................Prior: 97 245 Sundowner

We were just discussing this last weekend at Patoka Lake. There were lots of nice, well maintained boats, with nice trailer vehicles, and it was relatively busy at the launch ramp. There was plenty of space though in the parking lot to park and prep, which we did, as did many others. However it seemed that at least every other boat I saw launch (and, retrieve at the end of the day) did their prep (or cleanup) on the ramp, or in some way blocking the road to the lot. I think most were just oblivious, rather than jerks who knew better but didn't give a damn, but it still is annoying. I am not sure if it is better to say something politely, make a scene, or just try to ignore it. I am beginning to think that ignoring this behavior will only legitimize it, and tend to allow it to become the norm.

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2005 Horizon 250