Tips To Avoid Stress And Delays At The Boat Ramp

PIERRE, S.D. - When launching a boat at the ramp, does it seem like the whole world is watching your every move? Game, Fish and Parks and BoatU.S. offer ten tips to help your time at the ramp go smoothly:

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 vessel is in the water cause delays and get nasty stares.

2. Unhook the boat from the winch after the vessel is in the water, not
before. Once your boat is splashed, secure it to the dock while you park
your tow vehicle and trailer, leaving the ramp open for the next launch.

3. Don't make others wait while you're having a discussion with others on
where to go or else those waiting in line behind you will happily offer
suggestions.

4. Offer assistance if someone needs help. If you have never backed down a
ramp, practice in a large parking lot prior to launching.

5. If you're 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 checklist. It will make your
life easier.

8. When returning to a 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.

9. Once the boat is on the trailer, secure the safety chain to the bow eye
and move up the ramp. Secure the remaining tie downs and transfer stuff back to the tow
vehicle when you get to the parking lot - not on the ramp.

10. If you'd like to talk to other boaters about launch ramp etiquette, your
experiences at boat ramps or other boating related issues, go to the
messages boards at BoatUS.com.

BoatU.S. - Boat Owners Association of The United States - is the nation's leading advocate for recreational boaters providing its 600,000 members with a wide array of consumer services. For membership information visit online
at <http://www.boatus.com/> www.BoatUS.com.