This past week the largest king mackerel tournament in the world was held out of Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia. Boats could check out and leave from three different inlets: St Augustine, Mayport (St Johns River) or St Marys River (Georgia). The two day event draws from 700 to over 900 boats from many different locations. Professionals and amateurs alike participate for some nice prizes.
The boat ramps – saltwater – around Northeast Florida become a zoo for these two days. Probably ninety percent of the entries are trailered boats, some up to thirty-seven feet in length or more. In an already overtaxed boat ramp area, that means big crowds lined up to launch their boats. Tempers flair, and words are exchanged at every boat ramp beginning around 3am each morning – then again around 6pm as anglers head home.
While it can be frustrating, it could go a lot smoother if people would follow some very simple, common sense rules at the ramp:
Be Prepared
- Make sure you have everything that goes in the boat in the boat before you get to the ramp
- Use the time waiting in line to put equipment in the boat
- Don’t wait until you back the boat down to the water to unstrap and untie
Headlights
One of the most frustrating issues is backing a boat to the water at a multi-boat facility when the vehicles already there have their headlights glaring at you while they launch.
- Turn your headlights to parking lights while you are in line
- No one can see to back a boat when bright lights are in their rearview mirror
- Turn the lights back on only after you drive the trailer out of the water and head for a parking place.
Docking
Once your boat is in the water, let your partner move it away from the dock to await your return from parking the vehicle. Most docks are small and tying up only blocks other boats.
- Retrieve your partner from the dock and move away. Allow others the same courtesy
- Do not tie up to the dock to spend time tying leaders, preparing tackle, etc. Again – the dock space is limited.
Backing the Trailer
It may be embarrassing to allow people to see that you can’t back a trailer straight enough to get it into a small opening. It is more embarrassing when others are waiting behind you as you make multiple attempts at backing your boat.
- Learn to back a trailer! Take a day off and practice in a remote parking lot somewhere!
- Ask for help! It is far less embarrassing to ask a fellow angler to back you down, and people are more than willing to help because it only speeds things up.
- Let another angler back you down, and you can then drive out to park after the boat is launched.
- If you are fishing alone, ask for help. Launching a boat alone means your vehicle will take up launch space for an extended period while you tie your boat and return.
Bottom Line
On any given summer weekend, tens of thousands of boats are launched at myriad boat ramps around the country. Even without a tournament, tempers can still flair. Take the time to practice some common boat ramp courtesy. You will be much happier, and those around you will thank you for it.
