Once the boat was down the ramp, a guy got out of the vehicle and began un-strapping the boat. Then he made a number of trips back and forth from his vehicle to the boat unloading all kinds of gear, putting it into his boat. After the gear was all in the boat, he then got on board and began arranging it all. In the meantime, his vehicle and trailer, with boat still on it, was still on the ramp blocking all others who might like to launch or get out. A total of 20 minutes lapsed before he finally launched his boat into the water, pulled it up onto the launch ramp and then proceeded to park his vehicle and trailer. But, I still had to wait for him to start up and clear the ramp before I could consider launching my canoe. It took an additional 10 minutes before the guy finally shoved off from the ramp and I could have my turn to launch, which took less than 2 minutes.  Had this person had the foresight to use a little courtesy and thoughtfulness, he could have also pulled over to the roadside and prepared his boat and gear for launching as I did. Instead, he tied up the launch site for 30 unnecessary minutes. It was a chore that shouldn’t have taken him more than two minutes at the most.  And, this isn’t the only scenario of thoughtlessness I have run into at boat launch sites around the state.

Unfortunately, there are some New Hampshire lakes and ponds that are not blessed with a separate area for boat launching preparations. Sometimes, you have to make your own, like pulling over to the side of the road near the launch site.  When I take my big boat (16 foot Sea Nymph Fishing Machine) to Lake Wentworth, in Wolfeboro, I launch out of Crescent Lake at Mast Landing.  However, to prepare my boat for launching, I pull into a shopping center parking lot to prep my boat and put all my gear into it.  Then I drive the last ½ mile to the launch site and put the boat in, tie it up to the dock, and I’m out of the way of the next person.  No fuss, no muss, no wait.  Being totally prepared in advance to reaching the launch ramp saves time and total aggravation for yourself and other boaters who would like to launch or take their boat out of the waters.

In the June 2005 issue of Boat U.S.’s Trailering Magazine, Chapman’s Boating Etiquette author, Pat Piper, offers the following ten tips for a happier boating experience:

1. Prior to backing down the ramp, have everything that needs to be transferred from the tow vehicle placed in the boat. Trailer boaters who wait until their boats are on the ramp or in the water before preparing cause delays and get nasty stares.
2. Concrete and fiberglass don’t mix. Unhook the boat from the winch after the boat is in the water, not before. Once the boat is in, have someone secure it to dock or pull it to the side of the launch site while you park your vehicle and trailer, leaving the ramp open for the next person to launch.
3. Don’t make others wait while you’re having a discussion with your friend on where to go, or those waiting in line behind you will happily offer suggestions.
4. Offer assistance if someone needs help launching. If you have never backed down a ramp before, practice this in a large parking lot prior to making any attempts at launching.
5. If you are on the ramp and would like help, be succinct. This is not the time to ask questions about bleeding the brakes or to debate the advantages of bias ply tires.
6. Trailer parking spaces are for tow vehicles and trailers only. Guests should park elsewhere.
7. Get into a routine at the ramp and use a check list. It will make your life easier.
8. When returning to the ramp, drop off the person who will get the tow vehicle and trailer from the parking lot first and wait for them in an out-of-the-way location while they retrieve the vehicle. If alone, tie up to the dock or beach the boat off to the side of the ramp while you retrieve the vehicle. 
9. Once the boat is on the trailer, secure the safety chain to the bow eye and move well off and away from the ramp. Now, secure the remaining tie-downs and transfer stuff back into the tow vehicle, leaving the ramp clear for others.
10. If you like to talk to other boaters about launch ramp etiquette, your experiences at boat ramps, or other related issues, go to the Boat U.S. message boards at www.BoatUS.com.
    
    
    Let’s keep our boating and fishing experiences happy and memorable events by being thoughtful and courteous at the boat ramp.
    
    
    
    Bob Harris can be reached via e-mail at: outwriter2@aol.com