NH_boater
08-03-2007, 11:09 AM
Interesting day at Meredith launch, for sure.
Newbie arrived at Meredith launch
Parked in front of the ramp and walked around, in an out of their truck for ~ 5 min, confused about what to do next. We instructed him what to do. He told me this is his second time doing this.
I knew this was going to take a while when he pulled into the ramp turn-around space too far left, with no room bring it around.
Up over the very high curb with front and back tires, multiple times, scraping sigh against mirror, the drivers door, then positioned front tire against ramp sign, now spinning the rear tires multiple times (wondering why he is not backing up). He almost blocked himself in, irreversibly between the steel sigh post and the stone borders of the ramp. This took 10 minutes or more.
Finally moved over enough to clear the sign with the tire, but proceeded to rip the bumper cover off the bumper of his late model Explorer.
Backed down ramp with boat cover still on and ropes holding down the transom.
I asked the ramp attendant (MPD) if they were putting in like that (fully covered with a mooring cover, no lines attached, still secured to trailer with bow strap and transom ropes). She then ran over to them to have them to un-strap the boat from the trailer. They do.
They now uncover the boat (bow and cabin) for 5-10 minutes. Unsnapping, removing and folding the covers while 3 other eager boaters waited in line. Took at least 5 minutes to get the bow strap off. Amazing.
With no safety chain on, is backing down, suddenly stopping, re-backing down the ramp. Very lucky the boat did not slide off, drop on the dry ramp and block the ramp for hours.
Trying to push the boat, by hand, off a trail that is not far enough into the water, for 4 or 5 minutes before figuring out the problem. Many people trying to help him at this point. He did not seem to interested in help or guidance.
Ready to push the boat out into Meredith bay with person in passenger seat, no lines attached. We yelled for him to attach a line to prevent the boat just floating off with his very upset passenger. They then attach a line. Push off boat.
Next, with truck/trailer still on ramp and boat blocking dock, they start to unload the truck (cooler, PFDs, towels, skies, BEER etc.). No hurry, by the way.
Now, amazingly, the guy gets in the boat and starts it up to drive away into the lake to go boating. Another guy asked him about his truck and trailer still on the ramp. Oh yeh, I guess I have to move that.
Parks truck and trailer and returns. Now is revving the stern drive very high while wondering why it is not moving at all. Another guy told him that trimming the drive down a bit, bring the prop actually into the water will help immensely.
The loading of his boat came hours later (and was equally interesting) that I happened to time perfectly on my return as well, but that is another story for a different day. This poor guy was very confused and new to this, so deserves a break for sure. However, he had no interest in hurrying along and had little consideration for others. Most I felt very bad as this was probably giving them a very bad taste of what boating can be.
I am not a snob and I am very patient with new boaters. I often approach to help whenever I can. This guy had plenty of help but was very lost. I am not sure if he had a map or knew what those red and black sticks mean but it did not look promising. At least he made it back.
Newbie arrived at Meredith launch
Parked in front of the ramp and walked around, in an out of their truck for ~ 5 min, confused about what to do next. We instructed him what to do. He told me this is his second time doing this.
I knew this was going to take a while when he pulled into the ramp turn-around space too far left, with no room bring it around.
Up over the very high curb with front and back tires, multiple times, scraping sigh against mirror, the drivers door, then positioned front tire against ramp sign, now spinning the rear tires multiple times (wondering why he is not backing up). He almost blocked himself in, irreversibly between the steel sigh post and the stone borders of the ramp. This took 10 minutes or more.
Finally moved over enough to clear the sign with the tire, but proceeded to rip the bumper cover off the bumper of his late model Explorer.
Backed down ramp with boat cover still on and ropes holding down the transom.
I asked the ramp attendant (MPD) if they were putting in like that (fully covered with a mooring cover, no lines attached, still secured to trailer with bow strap and transom ropes). She then ran over to them to have them to un-strap the boat from the trailer. They do.
They now uncover the boat (bow and cabin) for 5-10 minutes. Unsnapping, removing and folding the covers while 3 other eager boaters waited in line. Took at least 5 minutes to get the bow strap off. Amazing.
With no safety chain on, is backing down, suddenly stopping, re-backing down the ramp. Very lucky the boat did not slide off, drop on the dry ramp and block the ramp for hours.
Trying to push the boat, by hand, off a trail that is not far enough into the water, for 4 or 5 minutes before figuring out the problem. Many people trying to help him at this point. He did not seem to interested in help or guidance.
Ready to push the boat out into Meredith bay with person in passenger seat, no lines attached. We yelled for him to attach a line to prevent the boat just floating off with his very upset passenger. They then attach a line. Push off boat.
Next, with truck/trailer still on ramp and boat blocking dock, they start to unload the truck (cooler, PFDs, towels, skies, BEER etc.). No hurry, by the way.
Now, amazingly, the guy gets in the boat and starts it up to drive away into the lake to go boating. Another guy asked him about his truck and trailer still on the ramp. Oh yeh, I guess I have to move that.
Parks truck and trailer and returns. Now is revving the stern drive very high while wondering why it is not moving at all. Another guy told him that trimming the drive down a bit, bring the prop actually into the water will help immensely.
The loading of his boat came hours later (and was equally interesting) that I happened to time perfectly on my return as well, but that is another story for a different day. This poor guy was very confused and new to this, so deserves a break for sure. However, he had no interest in hurrying along and had little consideration for others. Most I felt very bad as this was probably giving them a very bad taste of what boating can be.
I am not a snob and I am very patient with new boaters. I often approach to help whenever I can. This guy had plenty of help but was very lost. I am not sure if he had a map or knew what those red and black sticks mean but it did not look promising. At least he made it back.