Wired2Cruze
Member
- Jun 11, 2010
- 122
- Boat Info
- 1996 Sundancer 250, Garmin 431S GPS, towed by 2006 Dodge durango
- Engines
- 5.7L Merc w/BravoIII
I've been a "Trailer Sailor" for my entire boating experience; it's what you do when you boat on an inland lake with not a lot of available dockage. I pride myself on always extending courtesy to my fellow boaters, and minimizing the amount of time I actually spend on the boat ramp or ramp dock.
My wife is not skilled at docking or backing, so I'm pretty much handling both of those tasks, while she usually tends the lines & keeps our dogs under control, if we take them with us.
The other weekend we're out at our local lake with another couple on a Sunday afternoon/evening, enjoying some food & beverages.
The conversation was fun, so we got back to the ramp a little late, it was basically dark when we got back to the ramp.
Now this time of the evening 98% of the boats are either off the lake, or docked /anchored for the night.
So the ramp was basically deserted, except for one guy tied up at the courtesy dock next to the ramp.
Now the ramp has 4 lanes; the 2 inner are the better lanes, with docks extending easily 65ft out, plenty of room. We tied up at the very end of one side of the dock, which is our habit if the courtesy dock is full, or it's late at night, and I'm not worried about blocking a lane.
Between the time it took for me to walk up to get my truck and come around, the guy who owns the other boat had backed down in my lane to load his boat in front of mine.
This is with my wife & the other couple on the end of the dock, clearly visible tending lines & dogs, etc.
His lights are dimmed to parking lights, but as I came across the top, he turned his headlights back on, and his friend drove his boat around ours to get it to the trailer.
He kept his lights on, so I couldn't back down the other side of the dock, so I just had to wait 10 minutes while he got loaded.
Now I understand ramp etiquette- the next guy in line gets his pick of the available ramps.
I'm normally good with that, but that guy had another empty ramp to use (just on the other side of the dock!), and he had initially dimmed to his parking lights, until he saw me coming. I think he just wanted to "show" me that I was inconsiderate by not using the courtesy dock, and he was going to use the ramp where I had tied up!
I waited until he came up, and he pulled over nearby to tie down, etc.
I mentioned to him & his buddy that it seemed kind of small to pull the stunt he just did, and I may have compared his behaviour to that of the wrong end of a horse.
They pulled way to the other end of the lot to finish their tie down, while we loaded my boat.
By the time we were up & out (7 min), they were gone, which is probably a good thing, as I felt I had made my point, and he basically had no response, other than the friend asking "Are you talking to me?", and I responded:"I'm talking to the guy with the truck".
I guess I could have used the other side of the courtesy dock (as he did), but that time of night there is not a lot going on. If he had tied up to the ramp dock, I would have tied up to the other side, and we both would have gone our merry ways. If both docks were taken, I would have used the courtesy dock.
Anyway, I thought I'd vent a little bit, but also ask the question: Does anyone think it is a breach of etiquette to utilize the dock in the manner I did, considering the hour & circumstances?
I like to think I can always learn, so I'd be interested in anyone's opinion, even if it means I owe this guy a beer or something ;>)
My wife is not skilled at docking or backing, so I'm pretty much handling both of those tasks, while she usually tends the lines & keeps our dogs under control, if we take them with us.
The other weekend we're out at our local lake with another couple on a Sunday afternoon/evening, enjoying some food & beverages.
The conversation was fun, so we got back to the ramp a little late, it was basically dark when we got back to the ramp.
Now this time of the evening 98% of the boats are either off the lake, or docked /anchored for the night.
So the ramp was basically deserted, except for one guy tied up at the courtesy dock next to the ramp.
Now the ramp has 4 lanes; the 2 inner are the better lanes, with docks extending easily 65ft out, plenty of room. We tied up at the very end of one side of the dock, which is our habit if the courtesy dock is full, or it's late at night, and I'm not worried about blocking a lane.
Between the time it took for me to walk up to get my truck and come around, the guy who owns the other boat had backed down in my lane to load his boat in front of mine.
This is with my wife & the other couple on the end of the dock, clearly visible tending lines & dogs, etc.
His lights are dimmed to parking lights, but as I came across the top, he turned his headlights back on, and his friend drove his boat around ours to get it to the trailer.
He kept his lights on, so I couldn't back down the other side of the dock, so I just had to wait 10 minutes while he got loaded.
Now I understand ramp etiquette- the next guy in line gets his pick of the available ramps.
I'm normally good with that, but that guy had another empty ramp to use (just on the other side of the dock!), and he had initially dimmed to his parking lights, until he saw me coming. I think he just wanted to "show" me that I was inconsiderate by not using the courtesy dock, and he was going to use the ramp where I had tied up!
I waited until he came up, and he pulled over nearby to tie down, etc.
I mentioned to him & his buddy that it seemed kind of small to pull the stunt he just did, and I may have compared his behaviour to that of the wrong end of a horse.
They pulled way to the other end of the lot to finish their tie down, while we loaded my boat.
By the time we were up & out (7 min), they were gone, which is probably a good thing, as I felt I had made my point, and he basically had no response, other than the friend asking "Are you talking to me?", and I responded:"I'm talking to the guy with the truck".
I guess I could have used the other side of the courtesy dock (as he did), but that time of night there is not a lot going on. If he had tied up to the ramp dock, I would have tied up to the other side, and we both would have gone our merry ways. If both docks were taken, I would have used the courtesy dock.
Anyway, I thought I'd vent a little bit, but also ask the question: Does anyone think it is a breach of etiquette to utilize the dock in the manner I did, considering the hour & circumstances?
I like to think I can always learn, so I'd be interested in anyone's opinion, even if it means I owe this guy a beer or something ;>)
