Boat

[mustang1200]

People that say boats are expensive are living beyond their means, and can't afford to own one.

The #1 thing you can do to avoid pissing people of is to be aware of your wake.

x2

[silverranger]

People that say boats are too expensive are living beyond their means, and can't afford to own one. As has been mentioned, it's not an inexpensive hobby, nor should it be considered an "investment," but maintenance isn't that bad.

The #1 thing you can do to avoid pissing people of is to be aware of your wake.

that can piss people off real quick haha, or clogging up the boat ramp trying to back into the water, or taking your sweet ass time putting the plug in, taking the straps off,putting ice chest in, dogs, family etc. Pull up be ready, back up, pull out

[SS Junk]

The #1 thing you can do to avoid pissing people of is to be aware of your wake.

Shit, just be aware of your surroundings.

[ceyko]

that can piss people off real quick haha, or clogging up the boat ramp trying to back into the water, or taking your sweet ass time putting the plug in, taking the straps off,putting ice chest in, dogs, family etc. Pull up be ready, back up, pull out

As far as ramp etiquette, this is the biggest one that is out there to learn. Most of it is common courtesy in my opinion. Although, I'm not going to rush backing up and such - all the other stuff is just what a decent person would do.

What I don't understand though, is why not put the plug in after you get it home as opposed to right before backing down the ramp? I can understand letting it drain on the way home, but at least before you leave for the lake - I'd put it back in unless there is a good reason not to do so.

[silverranger]

As far as ramp etiquette, this is the biggest one that is out there to learn. Most of it is common courtesy in my opinion. Although, I'm not going to rush backing up and such - all the other stuff is just what a decent person would do.

What I don't understand though, is why not put the plug in after you get it home as opposed to right before backing down the ramp? I can understand letting it drain on the way home, but at least before you leave for the lake - I'd put it back in unless there is a good reason not to do so.

100% agree it is common courtesy, but you get some RETARDED people at the boat ramps, that think it is there own private lake. When I was younger we used to go down to the lake for 4th of July, you want to talk about laughing your ass off just sit at the boat ramp. People forgetting to trim up (that was the funniest one to me) or people cursing and yelling at each other.

I don't just because on the ride home what little water is left usually comes out. I will put it in before I head to the lake, when I am checking everything.

[DallasSleeper]

What I don't understand though, is why not put the plug in after you get it home as opposed to right before backing down the ramp? I can understand letting it drain on the way home, but at least before you leave for the lake - I'd put it back in unless there is a good reason not to do so.

If the plug is in at home and the boat is not covered it will fill with rain water.

[Big A]

As far as ramp etiquette, this is the biggest one that is out there to learn. Most of it is common courtesy in my opinion. Although, I'm not going to rush backing up and such - all the other stuff is just what a decent person would do.

What I don't understand though, is why not put the plug in after you get it home as opposed to right before backing down the ramp? I can understand letting it drain on the way home, but at least before you leave for the lake - I'd put it back in unless there is a good reason not to do so.

There's no need to rush if you are prepared, just have as much in the boat as you can before leaving the house, transfer the last-minute little stuff just before you dunk, and you won't be taking "too long." Rushing is the worst thing to do if you are new to backing up with a trailer, it will take twice as long if you allow yourself to get in a hurry and get flustered.

As for the plug, I prefer to put it in before leaving the house for the day, but I do prefer to go ahead and pull it while on the ramp, to allow the angle to make sure that all of the water gets out. It doesn't take but a few seconds, have a specific spot for the wrench, and always keep it there. Regardles of when/where you decide to deal with the plug, have a set system, and stick to that system. Things can get hectic when you have alot of passengers, and you DO NOT want to forget to put that plug in.

It's also good to have a set plan for exactly how and who is doing what when you're at the ramp. It's a whole lot easier if you have one person to man the boat, and another to man the truck/trailer. Hopefully you're wife can be trusted to dock the boat if she's on that end, or park the trailer. You can do it all, but it takes a helluva lot longer that way, and that will get people pissed having to wait. I'd suggest taking some time during the week when it's quiet at the ramp to practice without having to worry about anyone waiting on you, tha way you've got the system down when you're at the ramp on a busy weekend.

[ceyko]

Big A, some great suggestions that I'll use and Id id not think about rain water. Although, I'll have a cover since I don't have anyway to protect it from the sun - that's as good of a reason as any.

[Big A]

Oh, and if you are worried about her driving skills, you can back the boat into the water, get in to get it started and over to the dock, and let her pull out and park it. Almost all parking lots have spots that are pull through, so she won't have to do any reversing. There will be times though, that those spots are full, and the rest require backing in or out, so it's still a good idea to have her practice trailering and driving the boat.

Boats don't have brakes like a car, so it takes a little practice getting used to dealing with the speed and momentum. You have to be thinking well ahead on everything that you do.

[Big A]

Big A, some great suggestions that I'll use and Id id not think about rain water. Although, I'll have a cover since I don't have anyway to protect it from the sun - that's as good of a reason as any.

Be mindful of things that can blow out of the boat at speed, like life jackets and such, and either have them in a cubby or under something heavier, or keep them in the vehicle until you get there.

Boat covers aren't failproof, and rain water will get in the boat. It's not going to completely ruin anything, but if left long enough you'll get mildew/mold, which is a PITA to clean.

[silverranger]

Be mindful of things that can blow out of the boat at speed, like life jackets and such, and either have them in a cubby or under something heavier, or keep them in the vehicle until you get there.

Boat covers aren't failproof, and rain water will get in the boat. It's not going to completely ruin anything, but if left long enough you'll get mildew/mold, which is a PITA to clean.

very true, ours will let a little water in but as soon as the sun comes out, I take it off and wipe everything back down.

[Treybiz]

People that say boats are expensive are living beyond their means, and can't afford to own one.

This x1000.

We grew up with boats as kids, I had one through most of college and had a blast with it on college kid budget, and own one now plus a couple jetflees. I love having a boat and wouldn't want to be without. You don't have to spend a fortune doing it either.

And ramp etiquette has a pretty steep learning curve. I would recommend going the first few times on a non-peak day (mid week) and practice before I used a couple parking cones and an empty field to teach the old lady to back a trailer.

[cde21]

I'm at the lake every weekend, and fish as many tournaments as I can afford. We just picked up a 95 Stratos 201 with a 225 on the back for a little under 7k. It runs like a raped ape, so there are good deals on good boats out there. If you keep up maintenance on them, you shouldn't have many problems, but the maintenance is more with a boat than a car. If you keep up with all the maintenance, and petty little things, you won't have any problems.
I also spend the time I'm not here, over at Texasfishingforum, they have plenty of boat advice/fishing advice. Good people that will answer questions if you have any.

[cde21]

It's also good to have a set plan for exactly how and who is doing what when you're at the ramp. It's a whole lot easier if you have one person to man the boat, and another to man the truck/trailer. Hopefully you're wife can be trusted to dock the boat if she's on that end, or park the trailer. You can do it all, but it takes a helluva lot longer that way, and that will get people pissed having to wait. I'd suggest taking some time during the week when it's quiet at the ramp to practice without having to worry about anyone waiting on you, tha way you've got the system down when you're at the ramp on a busy weekend.

This is one of my biggest annoyances as a bass fisherman! There is always someone with an 80k dollar wakeboard boat that can't drive the boat or can't back the trailer!

[ceyko]

Yeah I tried to logon to THF a few hours ago. Apparently they deleted my account for some reason. Little pissy about that since I'll have to start over if I register again.