Boat ramp etiquette
Most ramp frustration comes from a few habits. Follow these and you'll be the boater everyone's happy to see.
- Prep in the staging area, not on the ramp. Load gear, put in the plug and remove straps before you back down.
- Be quick on the ramp. Aim for a few minutes from backing in to pulling out.
- Don't tie up at the courtesy dock longer than needed to load people or wait for your trailer.
- Park in trailer spots only with a trailer. Cars without trailers belong in car spots.
- Take turns. If two lanes are open, use one and leave the other free.
- Offer help, don't critique. A new boater having trouble usually just needs a hand with a line.
- Kayaks and canoes: use a carry-in launch or beach when there is one, and launch beside the ramp, not in the lane.
- Keep your wake down near ramps, docks and no-wake zones.
- Pack out your trash, including fishing line, which tangles birds and props.
- Clean, drain and dry your boat before leaving, to keep invasive species out of the next lake.
Busy holiday weekends test everyone's patience. Arrive early, or pick a less crowded ramp on the same lake using the lake pages on this site.