Common Sense

**speckledred** · #1 07-31-2006, 10:11 AM

or maybe another "tale at the ramp". I am not mad, ******** or have a grudge against anyone that uses this ramp, it is generally just busy.

As we were returning to the old KOA or Brazoria County launch at the pass yesterday, I notice a kayaker approaching the ramp and go to idle speed so as not to overtake the yaker and move to port side of the ramp to off-load our driver to get the trailer so we can load the boat. I am number three in line and another boat is behind us.
As I watch the two boats in front of me load up and move out of the ramp area, the two yakers back the pick-up down the ramp to the waters edge and proceed to pull the first yak out of the water on the ramp and empty thier stuff out on the ramp and then load tackle boxes, wade boots, rods, life vests, etc. into the interior of the pick-up truck. At this point, not one kayak has made it to the top rack on the truck or is secured but they are trying to load the first yak on the roof rack and the second yak is still in the water full of the fishermans stuff! I watch as the two gentlemen tie down the first yak and these are not any "spring chickens" either but not old by any means of the imagination that have at this point had one ramp tied up for almost 20 minutes.
As my driver backs the trailer down the ramp to pick the boat up, the second kayak is emptied, stuff stored and now the guys are trying to secure the yak to the roof rack, all the while still blocking the ramp. As we finish winching the bow tight to the bow stop and start to pull up the ramp, our yakers now have entered thier vehicle and pulled to the top of the ramp and stop, get out rearrange the interior items of the truck, recheck the rear of the truck and continue to block the ramp. Keep in mind they still have the ramp blocked!
I would imagine that these guys had the ramp blocked for as much as 25-28 minutes with no exageration.
Fortunately, boat traffic was light due to the rain of last week, so cooler heads prevailed!
Lets just simply use some common sense out there folks, load your boat safely and quickly, move to an area away from the ramp, secure your vessel, stow your stuff, check everything twice and make safe passage to your destination.
I forgot my camera so no pics are available but make sure your not a "tale at the ramp"!

**Pocketfisherman** · #2 07-31-2006, 11:25 AM

With two guys, it would have been a simple matter for each to grab an end of a yak, and carry them up to the parking lot gear and all. Then load up there. I'm a yakker and a boater, and that is what I do. What they did was as inconsiderate as the morons who let their kids swim in front of the boatramp.

**Bug_Power** · #3 07-31-2006, 11:47 AM

Was thier people waiting? I say as long as no one else was waiting then no harm no foul. However if the ramp was busy and people needed the room, there's not reason to load a kayak at a ramp. If you can paddle the yak around the water, you should be able to carry it to the truck.

**Stuart** · #4 07-31-2006, 12:26 PM

I avoid that ramp at all cost. I'll take the extra 5 or ten minutes it takes to run from Christmas.

**speckledred** · #5 07-31-2006, 04:56 PM

Well Bug, there was 2 boats in front of me and 1 behind but still everyone lept thier cool. No screaming and yelling, just lots of staring and glares, looked like the three stoges minus 1. If during the week it probably would have been no biggie but it was close to noon and HOT.
Stewart I don't generally put in there but more towards SS and ride the ditch or cross Drum Bay to Christams.
This is why I like to go to Bridge Bait and sit on the patio w/ a cold one and watch the ramp, just plain ol' entertaining.

**wading_fool** · #6 07-31-2006, 05:10 PM

Common sense seems to escape people when they get around boat ramps....this weekend in Port Aransas, there were about 5 kids swimming around playing with a little jonboat they had flipped over in the middle of the last Shallow water ramp, luckily it wasn't very crowded at that time as well and no one said anything, didn't look like the parents were anywhere around at the time either.

**speckledred** · #7 08-01-2006, 09:15 AM

You seem to be correct Wading, try to be an observer of "tales at the ramp" and not a participant.

**boom!** · #8 08-01-2006, 09:22 AM

Just be glad that airplanes are harder to buy that boats!