boat launch etiquette

eclipse1966

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that actually happened a couple years ago. It was mid Sept so not many boats on the lake and we were fishing close to Marble Point on the Shuswap when this guy pulling his kids on a tube kept coming so close to our boat despite me flipping him the bird. Then after about the 5th time he came so close his kids had to bail off the tube as they thought they were going to hit us. Had my 90 year grandfather with me and I think he was shocked to hear the profanity come out of my mouth LOL.

This is a pain in the ass. Also if we're just floating don't spin circles with your kids and tubes right beside us for 20 minutes please, it's a big lake.
 

Joholio

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.....Happened several times yesterday while floating close to the floating stores.[/QUOTE]


While I agree with the majority of your post, yesterday was the nicest day of the summer AND you chose to float near the store... Of course theres gonna be traffic there. I would say that one was your fault. :duck:
 

eclipse1966

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yes I agree but we were maybe 2 km from the actual stores close to shore. I was just using it as a reference ;)

.....Happened several times yesterday while floating close to the floating stores.


While I agree with the majority of your post, yesterday was the nicest day of the summer AND you chose to float near the store... Of course theres gonna be traffic there. I would say that one was your fault. :duck:[/QUOTE]
 

broke'n'nuts

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Was a nice day on Lake yesterday if a tad bit busy. New one for me was having a drone buzzing the boat. Wishing I had old Betsy with me for some open water skeet.
 

tex78

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Was a nice day on Lake yesterday if a tad bit busy. New one for me was having a drone buzzing the boat. Wishing I had old Betsy with me for some open water skeet.
U got a yellow boat?? , seen his video joel but think it was his boat in it
 

deaner

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Yeah boat launches attract dickbags for some reason. I cant believe how many people cant back a boat in. Ive had to go and back alot of boats in for other people over the years. I think my biggest peeve is people that will launch the boat and then sit there for the next half an hour loading all their stuff into the boat. Nothing worse than having to wait 2 hours to get your boat in the water on a nice day.

There should be a practical portion to the boater license. You should have to demonstrate you can launch your boat in under 5 minutes.
 

S.W.A.T.

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Got to love the paddle people that fill the launch for hours. It's a canoe how much couldy ou possibly have to get ready?
 

Bogger

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It seems our once avoided oil infested slew hole of a lake has become popular to the masses and all these issues are becoming worse. My boat is always on the dock so the launch is a non-issue for me but the traffic has become an issue. Seems most people have no knowledge of no-wake zones and those who do, don't seem to give a fawk. I promise you if you had your boat permanently berthed on a floating dock you would suddenly realize what a DB move it is to do shoreline fly-by's at 25 mph throwing a 4ft wake, then they wave as if to say "Hey - Look at me" I see you fawker.....

We also have issues with surfing/tubing/skiing way to close to anchored boats, I remember when I could pick an out of the way spot, drop anchor and cook lunch. Tough to do now because the "look at me crowd" wants to make sure you can see them and in doing so like to cruise by and around in a 50' radius. My boat is 28' and pretty stable but 4' wake in a horseshoe around me while anchored is a piss off, and it's not just one or 2 idiots, it seems 3/4 of the folks on the lake have no sense of common courtesy and respect.

And I'm beginning to understand why some people hate PWC so much, I get it your fast but I'm big and at 52mph kinetic energy is in my corner, I'm not even going to try and avoid you when you cut in front of me.

Sometimes I do walk down to the launch with a couple beers just to watch and laugh - it's amazing how many people will drop $130K on their FIRST boat - mine was a 1978 excel 18 for $900 in 2008 - learn on a cheap one first.
 
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eclipse1966

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speaking about new boats, my brother in law used to be the log inventory manager for Canoe Saw Mill on the Shuswap. Once a month at night they would bring their booms of logs to the mill from various parts of the lake via tug boat. Sometimes the booms were 1/2 km long so they would have it lit up pretty good. Anyway, a Calgary guy launched his brand new $125,000 wake boat in the evening for the very first time. He was also a first time boater. Apparently he was going down the lake at mach one and did not see the boom and launched the boat 85 ft onto the log boom unbeknown to the tug operator. He totalled the boat and did not have replacement insurance as he picked the boat up from dealer and drove to the Shuswap. He sued the saw mill and lost. HUGE OUCH!


It seems our once avoided oil infested slew hole of a lake has become popular to the masses and all these issues are becoming worse. My boat is always on the dock so the launch is a non-issue for me but the traffic has become an issue. Seems most people have no knowledge of no-wake zones and those who do, don't seem to give a fawk. I promise you if you had your boat permanently berthed on a floating dock you would suddenly realize what a DB move it is to do shoreline fly-by's at 25 mph throwing a 4ft wake, then they wave as if to say "Hey - Look at me" I see you fawker.....

We also have issues with surfing/tubing/skiing way to close to anchored boats, I remember when I could pick an out of the way spot, drop anchor and cook lunch. Tough to do now because the "look at me crowd" wants to make sure you can see them and in doing so like to cruise by and around in a 50' radius. My boat is 28' and pretty stable but 4' wake in a horseshoe around me while anchored is a piss off, and it's not just one or 2 idiots, it seems 3/4 of the folks on the lake have no sense of common courtesy and respect.

And I'm beginning to understand why some people hate PWC so much, I get it your fast but I'm big and at 52mph kinetic energy is in my corner, I'm not even going to try and avoid you when you cut in front of me.

Sometimes I do walk down to the launch with a couple beers just to watch and laugh - it's amazing how many people will drop $130K on their FIRST boat - mine was a 1978 excel 18 for $900 in 2008 - learn on a cheap one first.
 

S.W.A.T.

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We paddle too, but my word. You can launch anywhere why are you taking up the whole ramp for one or two kayak? And is the full blown safety course really needed at the launch. Move it along folks, put up a flare and I will come get you later.
Don't get me started on those guys!


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Dutchman

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If you don't want to spend $50 to go to a movie theatre, grab a 6 pack and a lawn chair and sit by the boat launch for some good entertainment. Try going to Sylvan lake on a weekend. I've gotten past being pissed off at people at the launch, cause I know it's going to happen. We usually go early to beat the crowds, but eventually we need to get off the lake.

So at the same launch during a weekday, it's quieter. Last time out, here's a truck and trailer backed up in the middle of a 2 lane launch, taking up all the space. Yes, then the tarps come off, tiedowns, coolers, fishing rods, extra clothes, etc. I finally had to get out and offer some help. The woman says they were new to the sport. Duh, I didn't notice. So I explain some etiquette, DO not park in the middle, get your boat loaded and ready in the parking lot / line up, if there's 2 of you, don't one stand there with your hands in your pocket. By now the line is getting backed up, and they don't even think twice about it. Frick, it's all common sense, but some people (well a lot) just don't get it. They really had no clue of what they were doing, but hopefully they learn for the next time.

And yes, on more than one occasion, I had to back up the fancy rig, $80K lifted truck with the $100K fancy boat. Anyone is allowed to buy this stuff, but heaven forbid if they know how to use it.
 
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