LAKE MINNETONKA - With temps in the mid-90s predicted for Memorial Day weekend, lakes across Minnesota should be jammed with boats filled with folks looking to cool off.
But all those watercraft need to be launched and pulled out, making it likely that tempers could get a little hot with some people not having a grasp of boat ramp etiquette.
As a public service and an attempt to make the world a better place for boaters everywhere (OK, a touch self-important) we've put together this list of boat launch dos and don'ts.
DOs
- Start your boat in the driveway to make sure it will fire up once you drop it in the lake. Nothing gums up the ramp like a boat that won't start.
- Get ready BEFORE your turn to launch. Take cover and safety straps off, make sure personal flotation devices are stocked, move gear from truck to boat. No one wants to wait while you do it on the ramp.
- Have an established routine to increase efficiency and the time it takes to launch. We talked to Delta Pilot Andy Loveland, who was like a machine getting his fishing boat ready to launch on Gray's Bay. Andy says he and his friend Chris can easily launch in less than 5 minutes.
- Practice backing up so you can keep the trailer straight for at least 100 feet. You can do this on a street by your home.
- Have 2 people if possible, one who can back the boat out or park it at the courtesy dock while the other parks the truck and trailer.
- If you're alone, launch the boat and immediately park it at a place not involved in the launch space. Then hustle to park your vehicle and trailer.
- Be patient and helpful. Getting mad, using harsh words or just giving a novice launcher the stink eye will make them nervous, trigger mistakes and slow things down even more. Offer to help instead.
DONT'S
- The big dog of DON"TS is forgetting to put in your drain plug. Just about everyone has done it at some point, and had to scramble back to the launch with hundreds of gallons of water under the floor.
- Waiting to take off trailer straps and load towels, coolers and other things until your boat is sitting at the bottom of the ramp is a major no-no. See above.
- Leaving your boat to block others from launching theirs while you wander off to park is a MAJOR pet peeve of experienced boaters. Park it at a courtesy dock away from the launch or pull it up on shore while you park.
- Same routine when you're taking out. Don't gum up operations by docking well before your trailer is in the lake. Drop off someone to go get the truck and then back the boat out into the lake until they have the trailer in the water.