Tahcam

Remember that anyone retrieving has right of way regardless of which lane they are in, and what state of launching you are in. You never know if there is someone injured on board, hole in the boat, etc. Had a big mouth have a go at me one day at sullies for launching in a non-priority launching lane (nothing says you can't). He retrieved down the priority launch lane and started mouthing off at me in front of his yachtie mates. If the tosser had read his boating manual before leaving home, he would have been aware he could of pulled in behind me and I would be obliged to get out the way - which I would have.Another note from your manual - take note of which side of the harbour entrance you need to be on whilst exiting / entering. The amount of people that don't know this simple rule is dumbfounding.Take your knowledge and commonsense with you and leave your attitude at home. You will find most people will try and help you.

dont f around when your at the ramp, prep before in prep areamake sure your damn crewie IS ON TIME!use the correct ramps for retrieve/ launch. Nothing like waiting to retrieve and some numpty decides to drop his boat in infront of you while your moving it up the ramp to shallow water.Many a times ive been 2nd boat in to retreive, gone and got the car and while im reserving back someones tring to jump the que... I will happily upgrade my tinny to your 530 haines if you want to push it onto this trailer for me!AVOID WESTBEACH ON WEEKENDS. Its rarely a good experience

during darkness when backing down ramp switch your headlights to parkers so the next guy is not blinded whilst backing next to you, nothing worse then trying to back your trailer and being blinded while the idiot next to you stuffs around hooking his boat on

Yeah, myself not in the habit of abusing other boa ties and anglers.. Fishing is my stress relief.. ( and now boating as well ) .. As you can see, I'm asking all these questions to avoid being abused myself.. Appreciate all the feedback guys..

Hi mate i launch at sullies and also occasionally seacliff by myself ,havent had a problem in fact if i have been in a bit of bother people have only been to quick to help me ,never thought about people ripping stuff of the baot while i parked the car ,as protac said do all the stuff in the rigging area and after of the trailer pull to the end of the pontoon ,how many times have you seen people launch tie of at the front and stuff around getting biminis up rods in place all while others have to wait ,if unsure mate go to the ramp and watch others that is what i did ,early in the morning most ramps can be launched from but after i say about 8/9 o"clock i would probably use the launch ramp only as the early starters will be coming in good luck.

We regularly use north haven boat ramp, think that annoys us the most is the guys that pull up right up top of the ramp and then start to get there boat ready meanwhile blocking up lanes for people that are ready. It's not hard to get everything ready in the car park whilst getting your ticket too.As for coming back in we usually bring the boat as far down to the shallow end of the pontoon so any other boats coming in can come upto the pontoons. There is a priority launching lane for anyone going out.

Do your rigging in the rigging area..... Not on the ramp.When launching your boat pull it to the rear of the pontoon so others can also launch.When retrieving pull it to the front of the retrieval lane pontoon.Look for priority lane times for launching and retrieving.(West Beach has signage)Don't leave anything out in the open and check out who's around the pontoon just in case.I've never had a problem and launch solo 95% of the time.Say hello to people and they'll keep an eye on your boat.Good Luck.

Never had an issue myself or read of one in here but it would pay to be switched on. I launched about 2-30 am thurs, was the only car parked at WB and when i was at the rigging bays a white tray top ute rocked up, could've been one of the workers of the job going on there, i didn't know but i was not leaving the boat alone till the ute left.Ohh yeah, buy a trailer coupling lock too.

ay mate i have been the boating seen for about 7 years launching and retreving by myself at a few different locations and never really given it a thought. I guess it comes down to the boat ramp and location. Generaly go with your gut feeling if it dont feel right due to some shady characters hanging around wait till they have gone . I would hope that one wouldnt have any trouble but you never know these days .

Was down at sullies last year ,pretty busy arvo some guy couldnt be :c waiting at the retreival ramp so went onto the launch ramp ,guy and his mate come want to launch there humungo boat but cant ,so they just backed onto the ramp and by the time the guy got back they were primed ,did he get a spray and the deckie as well ,no fisticuffs but could have happened quite easily .Heard from a mate that a guy and his daughter came in ,small tinnie so dad goes of to get the car young girl hasnt a clue just hold the boat like dad said ,some bozo came up and started yelling at her about moving up the ramp ,you can imagine what happened when dad got back ,girl in tears dad furious with bozo .Bozo doesnt go straight home drops off at emergency ward first :whistle: ,i agree with sav keep a cool head and if you see someone in trouble dont stand there abusing them give a hand .

keep a cool head