05-10-2017, 10:42 PM
Whoa....[shocked] I didn't intend to set of such a firestorm with my original post. I can remember the learning curve I had 13 years ago with my very first ever boat. After a few rather embarrassing moments on ramps in the wind, I added good side guides to my trailer. After backing in and seeing a funny little rooster tail INSIDE my transom and I was still on the trailer, I started my pre launch prep the same way I did aircraft pre flights while I was in the USAF, and my pre trip inspections the same way I did when I was driving 18 wheel rig in Georgia. Start at the same point, and check everything, touch everything, look at everything the exact same way EVERY time. Make it a habit both before launching, and when making the boat road ready after a day on the water.
I fish about 90% of the time alone. So I do leave the truck on the ramp just a bit longer than if I was with someone that could pull up and park for me. But I don't dawdle around on the boat until I'm off the dock, and out on the water out of traffic. Then I set my lines or whatever.
I took the USCG boaters safety course online just for the education of it. Not required here in Utah (I think it should be). And I have watched good and bad boat handling and it was simple to see the difference.
Anytime I want to have some free entertainment, I go to Willard and just watch the ramps. I've always been told,"You can't fix stupid". But there have also been several obviously new boaters that I have made a quiet suggestion to, that have been quite thankful.
And the law of the sea (or the lake, or river) that my Navy and Coast Guard uncles and father taught me long before I ever dreamed of getting the "big hole in the water, you throw $$ into" was, you always offer assistance, cuz you may be in the same situation some day. Even if it is as simple as letting the new boat owning young dad with 3 young'uns in the boat, that his motor support is still connected and that's why his outboard won't trim down. [fishin]
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I fish about 90% of the time alone. So I do leave the truck on the ramp just a bit longer than if I was with someone that could pull up and park for me. But I don't dawdle around on the boat until I'm off the dock, and out on the water out of traffic. Then I set my lines or whatever.
I took the USCG boaters safety course online just for the education of it. Not required here in Utah (I think it should be). And I have watched good and bad boat handling and it was simple to see the difference.
Anytime I want to have some free entertainment, I go to Willard and just watch the ramps. I've always been told,"You can't fix stupid". But there have also been several obviously new boaters that I have made a quiet suggestion to, that have been quite thankful.
And the law of the sea (or the lake, or river) that my Navy and Coast Guard uncles and father taught me long before I ever dreamed of getting the "big hole in the water, you throw $$ into" was, you always offer assistance, cuz you may be in the same situation some day. Even if it is as simple as letting the new boat owning young dad with 3 young'uns in the boat, that his motor support is still connected and that's why his outboard won't trim down. [fishin]
[signature]
"OCD = Obsessive Catfish Disorder "
Or so it says on my license plate holder
Or so it says on my license plate holder