Boating is an enjoyable hobby that can be very rewarding so long as you have the right training and equipment for it.
Though boating can be a solo venture just as much as it can be a way to enjoy time with family and friends, this hobby requires some specific decorum when sharing the water with other boaters.
There are a few pieces of etiquette that boaters should keep in mind, and some of the most important involves the loading and unloading of vessels at the boat ramp, a process that can be dangerous to all involved.
You risk damage to your boat and other equipment if done incorrectly, not to mention the fact that it can put the safety of other boaters on the water at risk.
If you’re looking to read up on some of the most important details of loading and unloading etiquette, a trusted boat dealer in South Florida is the best place to seek this information.
Let’s take a look at a few of the most important details to keep in mind when loading and unloading at a boat ramp to ensure optimal safety.
Some boat etiquette is more focused on showing courtesy toward other boaters rather than tackling safety issues, and the importance of being prepared is one of these instances.
If you approach the ramp and only then start readying your vessel for launch by loading in your gear (preferably from your favorite South Florida boat dealer), preparing the lines, and installing your drain plug, you could be blocking other boats that are already prepared to launch.
The respectful thing to do is to make sure your boat is completely ready for launch before you get onto the ramp. Depending on where you take your boat, there might be a designated area for launch preparations.
More than one person is needed to successfully launch a boat from a ramp into the water. Specifically, there will need to be one person driving the boat and one person driving the towing vehicle.
In order to ensure a safe and successful launch, both drivers should be practiced in their roles and know the intricacies of driving each vehicle. Knowing how to smoothly reverse a boat and tow a vehicle can be tricky, which is why practicing beforehand in a large open space like a parking lot is recommended.
When you’re returning back to the ramp after your time on the water, your first approach should be to drop off the driver of your tow vehicle and any other passengers with you. Don’t approach the ramp again until your tow vehicle is ready, as you could be in the way of other boaters who are fully prepared to make their return up the ramp.
Once your tow vehicle driver is ready, try to be as efficient with your movements as possible to prevent a poor launch, especially if other boaters are waiting behind you. Still, it’s important to avoid attaching your boat to the tow vehicle in a spot that’s too shallow since you’ll have to apply throttle to get the hull to move, subsequently damaging the ramp.
Just as you shouldn’t get in the way of boats ready to launch as you’re preparing, you stay out of the launch area once you’ve made your way back up the ramp and are unloading your gear. It’s only polite to other boaters and will help to avoid danger near the ramp.
