Stage Boats Here!

PHOTO: Courtesy docks are just that. A courtesy that helps boaters so they can park their vehicles after launching.

By Tim Moore
Contributing Writer

Etiquette is defined as: The customary code of polite behavior in society or among members of a particular profession or group. Like driving a car, one operator can cause huge delays and backups, especially at times when traffic is highest. Etiquette is not appreciated more than at a boat ramp, as it shows that one boater cares for the timeliness in which other boaters can get on the water and often brings about a sense of community among folks who barely know each other. Here are some tips for good boat ramp etiquette.

Use Staging Areas
Almost every boat ramp I have ever been to has a designated (with signage) or an implied staging area. This is an area that was designed for boaters to stage their boats prior to backing down the ramp. The staging area is an out of the way place where you can take your time rigging your tie-off lines and fenders, get life jackets out of storage compartments, and transferring items such as fishing gear, coolers, and whatnot from your vehicle to your boat, without holding up others who would otherwise be able to get on the water faster than you. Whatever you do, do not stage your boat in the middle of the ramp. I wish I had a nickel for every time I saw someone drive right by the sign saying, “Stage Boats Here” and do so in the middle of the ramp.

Turn Off Your Headlights
Many boaters launch and land at dawn or dusk. Turning off your headlights may not be intuitive, until you’ve tried to stage or launch your boats while another boater’s headlights are beaming in your face. Turn off your headlights while staging and launching your boat. If your vehicle has day running headlights that stay on while the vehicle is running, shut the vehicle off. Use your parking lights or bring a headlamp if you need additional light.

Use The Courtesy Dock
Most marinas, and some town or state ramps, will have a courtesy dock for boaters to tie up to after they launch their boats. These docks are a place to tie up your boat while you park your vehicle. They are not for staging your boat. This is not the place to load up coolers and fishing gear. This is a temporary place to tie up your boat. Some marinas have larger courtesy docks, so you might have a little more time to be there depending on the traffic, but most marinas expect boaters to help them keep things moving by limiting the amount of time spent tied up to the courtesy dock. If you have a friend who can take the boat out and raft while you park the vehicle, take advantage of that.

Take Turns
Often times, especially on weekends, boat ramps are busy with people launching and landing. It’s hard to know for sure exactly who goes next all the time, but if there are boaters waiting to launch or land when you arrive at the ramp, get in line and wait your turn, even though the line is figurative. Marinas often have dock workers that know who’s next and will help keep everyone in line.

Don’t Park Like a…
Okay, you staged your boat in the staging area, with no headlights, you launched quickly and tied up to the courtesy dock. You did everything right. You head to the trailer parking area, pull into a space, and head to your boat, but you missed one very important piece to the etiquette puzzle. Your trailer is at a weird angler, making it difficult for other people with trailers to get around it without hitting it. Maybe you noticed and thought it was no big deal, but some trucks and trailers are longer than others. The truck next to you might not be able to get out, or others may not be able to get theirs in, so you’ve essentially taken up two spaces.
Proper launch etiquette isn’t something new, and it isn’t exclusive to just some launches. It applies to every launch, everywhere you go. You may be thinking, “What about kayakers? They use the launches too, and they clog them up as much as boaters do.” You’re right, I’m a kayaker and a boat owner. I’ve seen kayakers using some horrible launch etiquette as often as I’ve seen it with boaters, which is why my next column will talk about proper launch etiquette for kayakers. Whether we are fishing or just pleasure boating, we all spend time on the water for one reason, to have fun, but proper launch etiquette isn’t just about having more fun. It’s about making sure the flow keeps moving, but a little courtesy goes a long way toward that fun.

Tim Moore is a full-time licensed New Hampshire fishing guide and owner of Tim Moore Outdoors, LLC. He offers guided fishing trips on Lake Winnipesaukee and kayak trips for striped bass. He is a member of the New England Outdoors Writers Association and the producer of Tim Moore Outdoors TV. For information on guided trips visit www.TimMooreOutdoors.com. You can also follow TMO on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/TimMooreOutdoors.