Great Lakes Bass Fishing Forum

Bass Fishing => Bass Fishing Tips, Techniques & General Discussion => Topic started by: Waterfoul on August 08, 2013, 09:37:34 AM

Title: Boat ramp rant!
Post by: Waterfoul on August 08, 2013, 09:37:34 AM
At our Wed. night club tourney last night this guy with his buddies in his big aluminum "lake Michigan" style boat backs up, hits my trailer, says nothing to Marc who is in my truck, then proceeds to cut off at least 3 other people waiting in line because his boat is tied to the dock (and very in the way).  OK, fine be a jerk.  But then he pulls it out and stops at the top of the ramp to do his business of tying it down etc.  Are you kidding me?

I hope you read this.  You have no business owning a boat if that's the kind of courtesy you extend to your fellow boaters and fishermen.  By the way, my trailer is fine, you hit a fender I want to replace anyway.  Jerk!!

AAGGHH!!!  >:(  >:(  (where is the screeming emoticon when you need it!)
Title: Re: Boat ramp rant!
Post by: Genie on August 08, 2013, 09:49:23 AM
Did you tell him this?  He's probably not going to read this.  It's like walking by trash on the side walk ... many of us complain that it is there and just keep walking.  Stop and pick it up and throw it away. 
Title: Re: Boat ramp rant!
Post by: Waterfoul on August 08, 2013, 10:40:02 AM
Come on Doug, do you think I actually watched all this and didn't say a thing?  LOL!!! 
Title: Re: Boat ramp rant!
Post by: Skulley on August 08, 2013, 10:43:54 AM
We have to face the facts Waterfoul that some people are just "Baffoons". You should have approached him politely, however he may have reacted negatively. You were probably better off leaving it alone and taking the high road as you did. That's very admirable. If he had damaged your trailer, then you have to approach Mr. Baffoon. When picking battles, pick the ones you know you can win. Just my 3 cents.  


BD.                 ;D
Title: Re: Boat ramp rant!
Post by: JBASS on August 08, 2013, 12:26:04 PM
Running tournaments for years and fishing them since the beginning of the 80ties this has always been a topic...
I remember one year on the Grand in a 200 or so boat tournament a drunk dude coming down to the ramp in the AM and chewing everyone out because of all the noise that was being made from the loud speaker the directors was a using...
Well he may have had a point?

You have to remember that when an organized group is at a ramp fishing a tournament we stick out like a sore thumb and it is common that we block or slow a ramp...I know we launch better than the 99%..

I am not defending the guy by anymeans and I am sure he was in the wrong for you but the tournament before you may have given the guy an attitude?..Still no reason for his action as you put it..

Anyone every been a fun fishing and pull into a small ramp and not be able to finding a parking spot because of a tournament.
In this case...I think you are on muskegon? the ramp and parking spots are huge.....Just saying...Just my 2 Jay
Title: Re: Boat ramp rant!
Post by: fasttrack on August 08, 2013, 12:46:47 PM
Mike, he did actually pull over and come over to apologize and make sure nothing was broke. And he did seem sincere and felt bad. But you're right, that doesnt excuse him from cutting in line in the first place, tying up 1 of only 2 spots to launch/retrieve, and then parking there to strap down (quite slowly I might add).
Title: Re: Boat ramp rant!
Post by: Team houston on August 08, 2013, 01:05:56 PM
I would have for sure politely pointed him to the tie down lanes and explained to him why they are called that.
Title: Re: Boat ramp rant!
Post by: gmetime24 on August 08, 2013, 01:17:18 PM
Some people need to take some type of boat ramp behavior class. It's insane the amount of idiots you see with nice boats at the ramps. 
Title: Re: Boat ramp rant!
Post by: Waterfoul on August 08, 2013, 01:40:14 PM
Quote from: fasttrack on August 08, 2013, 12:46:47 PM
Mike, he did actually pull over and come over to apologize and make sure nothing was broke. And he did seem sincere and felt bad. But you're right, that doesnt excuse him from cutting in line in the first place, tying up 1 of only 2 spots to launch/retrieve, and then parking there to strap down (quite slowly I might add).

Yup, he was a baffoon!! 
Title: Re: Boat ramp rant!
Post by: Waterfoul on August 08, 2013, 01:42:44 PM
Quote from: Team houston on August 08, 2013, 01:05:56 PM
I would have for sure politely pointed him to the tie down lanes and explained to him why they are called that.

I did see someone point this out to him, he did not move.  Besides, he was litterally parked right at the top of the ramp, making it very difficult for anyone else to retrieve their boat.  He needs lessons for sure!
Title: Re: Boat ramp rant!
Post by: Waterfoul on August 08, 2013, 01:44:13 PM
Also, I think somewhere on my trailer is says "hit me."  This marks the 4th time it's been hit at a ramp in 4 years, and that deer last year should have known better!!!
Title: Re: Boat ramp rant!
Post by: motocross269 on August 08, 2013, 04:17:44 PM
Sounds like a normal weekend on the LSC ramps.... ;D.........I think you could start a reality TV show with hidden cameras and make a fortune at Harley, Selfridge and Crocker...
Title: Re: Boat ramp rant!
Post by: djkimmel on August 09, 2013, 12:45:42 AM
You could make a fortune at just about ANY boat ramp... it is on my todo list so don't steal my idea... ;D

Meanwhile, he never will read your comments on here 99% for sure. I have a 'selfish jerk plugin' that automatically blocks some people from signing up. Works pretty good almost all of the time.

They did a study of human behavior years ago using pay phone booths. They found out in multiple locations that the average phone call in a booth when no one was waiting lasted just over 1 minute WHILE the average phone call in a booth when someone else was waiting to use the same phone lasted over 2 1/2 minutes. It's genetic apparently.
Title: Re: Boat ramp rant!
Post by: Manxfishing on August 09, 2013, 05:44:26 AM
Mike,

There's a thought in life that things happen for a reason.

Maybe you need to cut back on the caffeine intake and learn to take time and
smell the roses

You already admitted you need to replace the fender and he help to remind you of this

We've all been there and bought the T-shirt, mug and hoddie.
It's just part of life if you're using a public ramp. Rather then raise the blood pressure
I just watch it all and try and make bets on long it's going to take them
And thank God I'm not the Baffon

Sorry you ran into my Uncle from the west side. LOL


Title: Re: Boat ramp rant!
Post by: t-bone on August 09, 2013, 09:54:10 AM
If someone is doing crap like this - I walk over and offer to help him out. That way I can explain some of the proper etiquette and try to avoid some conflict. I can offer to hold his boat or back in his trailer while explaining to him that there are a lot of people waiting.

I've seen a lot of guys that are jerks at ramps or they just don't do it often enough to know what they should do. Sometimes when we push them to move faster, they panic and forget stuff then they end up damaging their boat/motor or trailer. I've seen that and feel sorry for the guy. It would be better to slow down and offer the guy some help while imparting a suggestion or two at the same time.
Some are just jerks, others really don't know...
Title: Re: Boat ramp rant!
Post by: Mike S. on August 09, 2013, 10:44:04 AM
At least he wasn't stealing gear off of boats during your weigh in like the jerk at Fisherman's last night. A poor kid lost 4 rods off of his boat during the weigh in. That takes real bravery there. Can you believe someone would have the stones to steal gear with almost 50 guys standing around?
Title: Re: Boat ramp rant!
Post by: djkimmel on August 09, 2013, 02:21:26 PM
Great suggestions t-bone!
Title: Re: Boat ramp rant!
Post by: Eric on August 15, 2013, 12:41:37 PM
The most entertaining places in the world are boat ramps and gas station parking lots.
Title: Re: Boat ramp rant!
Post by: dartag on August 15, 2013, 01:13:35 PM
I live.near.the union lake ramp.  The wife.and.I used to walk to dairy queen and get.lunch. walk back to the.ramp and.watch the.show. cheapest entertainment in town.   The wife.holding the rope getting pulled in the water is my.favorite.  makes.them crabby
Title: Re: Boat ramp rant!
Post by: Got Fish?? on August 15, 2013, 04:47:28 PM
Not  being there, was he at the dock and tied up before you backed your trailer down? Not to defend him but. A P.O. would give him the right of way. If that was true.
Title: Re: Boat ramp rant!
Post by: djkimmel on August 15, 2013, 08:25:41 PM
I used to always hear incoming has the right of way (meaning coming in to the dock from the lake) but I'm not sure now where that comes from and what weight it holds. I guess ramp requirements and etiquette will always make for a good article.

Ramp video will probably always make for entertaining viewing.
Title: Re: Boat ramp rant!
Post by: Rangerman on August 18, 2013, 11:45:36 AM
Sad to say but there are jerks in every state that use boat ramps that do not have a clue of the correct way to load and unload a boat. Most of them just don't know. Even the free ones that you can power load on :D :D :D
Title: Re: Boat ramp rant!
Post by: Rodz on August 19, 2013, 01:11:16 PM
I try to keep my cool at the ramp. I don't mind a reasonable wait. Last week end some jerk pushed my buttons too far. There were some guys backed into the water at the ramp with a jet ski. They were taking turns driving it. One would pull in and hand the life jacket to another. They did this several times. I was waiting and there were two others behind me waiting. I finally had enough and I blew up on him. He still wouldn't move his truck. When the other side of the dock opened up I backed in. With others still waiting, the idiot was still tying it up as I pulled away. >:(
Title: Re: Boat ramp rant!
Post by: djkimmel on August 20, 2013, 03:43:55 AM
Had people do things like that at the boat ramp here in Lansing too. I call it 'the only person on Earth' syndrome. I think there is a 'cure' but it might be a felony... ;D
Title: Re: Boat ramp rant!
Post by: LipRip on August 20, 2013, 01:00:41 PM
Whoops!!........i accidentally dropped a pack of #2 treble hooks in from of your tires  ;)
Title: Re: Boat ramp rant!
Post by: djkimmel on August 20, 2013, 03:28:27 PM
At least that's not a felony. I don't think?