Public Access Blunders

[Tates]

I am in need of some mid-winter humor. I am looking for some stories about some public access braincramps people have witnessed or committed to lighten my spirit. I personally have seen some $30,000 dollar rigs sitting on pavement before, as well as some lesser expensive boats. Matter of fact, one day while waiting to unload I witnessed a husband and wife back their trailer in only to have it roll off onto the pavement while the wife held the rope. Husband proceded to cuss her out, and yell why didn't she do something. Seems to me he should have left he safety chain attached. Luckily they had a boat small enough to crank back on! I have also seen prop wash completely drench some boaters waiting in line to load up. Please share any bits of humor you may have! I have also heard of a fishing party unhooking their trailer at Millacs and procede to motor away ever so slowly, with of course the trailer still attached to the boat!

Remember, hook sets are free!

[DarrenB]

I just got my first boat this past late-summer, and my stepson and I naturally made fools of ourselves the first time we tried to launch it on a busy Saturday morning. After letting the more-experienced go ahead of us, we finally backed the trailer into the water during a slow period, right before more would be boaters arrived at the launch. So I back 'er up, unhooked the boat from the trailer and it wont slide off. I push and he pushes and it still wont slide off. ??????

So I jump in the truck, back the boat in even further down the ramp completely submerging the trailer tires and we try it again. Boat still wont come off the trailer. Even with me in the back of the boat thing and the stepson pushing from the beam. What the @!?!?!$#!, right? After lots of pushing trying to get the boat off the trailer, a couple of older gentleman came along and reminded me that the boat wasn't sliding off because I probably left the transom straps attached.

Oh...um, hehe! :)

Well at least I know not to do that again. I can only imagine what I'll end up doing next month when I take it out of storage.

[stevefellegy]

You might want to search this past week's posts. This just was laughed through, recently. However, I DID forget one I did, myself, a few years back.
I put the boat in, tied the boat to the ramp dock, and parked the truck....came back nine hours later to still find the truck running. Got good pretty good mileage though.....

[david anderson]

Most of the stuff I see at boat landings is more frustrating than funny. I am sure I have provided good entertainment on at least 1 occasion. Launch my boat in the fall, just above the Coon Rapids Dam on the Mississippi River. Unhooked everything (bunk trailer) and left a 20 foot rope hanging off the side. Backed down alittle too fast and it slid off the trailer, and shot past the end of the rope. There is a slight current heading for the dam and the rope was out of reach, my boat was slowly leaving the launch area. The water was too cold to swim after it. 2 guys had just loaded and were leaving when I asked for help. Unbelieveable but they didn't want to relaunch. I quick talked them into letting me use one of their fishing rods and a daredevil. A few casts and I snagged the carpet. Fortunately the line held and I slowly reeled in the boat. Secure to the shore, my day and boat were saved as there was absolutely no one else around. To this day, when by myself, I always tie that rope to the trailer.

[stevefellegy]

Hey Dave,
I did the same thing with a muskie outfit two years ago at a ramp at Mille Lacs.lol I had someone holding the rope and they let go!
When I'm alone, I hold the rope right in the truck as I back down. When the boat goes off the trailor, I put her in park, jump out and walk back up onto the dock with the boat under control. This way the rope isn't catching on the trailor or whatever.
I've done several seminars on boat launching. As you say, times can be frustrating at the ramp. There should be more launching advice/demonstrations out there. Anyone in the area of a PWT or RCL should make it a point to be at the boat ramp in the early morning or late afternoon to watch and learn. Amazing how 150 boats launch or load in only 90 minutes.
Keep on makin' those casts!