Maybe I'm doing it wrong. My process of preparing to launch my boat is this: When I pull into the parking lot of the boat ramp that I plan on using, I park away from the ramp and to an area out of the way of the flow of traffic, in order to "prep" my boat for launching. The prep as you can understand is loading any equipment and supplies already not in the boat as well as undoing any tie downs, winch hooks, transom savers, and etc. I stop away from the boat ramp to prep my boat for launch whether the parking lot is crowded or if I'm the only one there. I do that so that when I pull up to the ramp to launch my boat, I'm ready to back straight into the water so that my time tying up a ramp is kept to a very minimum so that I don't delay anyone else in either launching or loading their boat.

I show up early to the boat ramp yesterday ready to go on the search for some crappie. Well, when I pull up in the parking lot and away from the ramp and begin my launch "prep", a large pontoon boat pulls up and begin to back towards the water and then stop on the upper part of the boat ramp. Four or more men get out of the truck as another couple of people (apparently that is part of the group - this was not a guide) walk up to join. They do their boat "prep" right there tying up the boat ramp. Not only were they untying everything but they also were loading ice chests, fishing poles and gear, nets, bait buckets, as well as other things. It was not a quick prep. I'm watching in disbelief because this is such a busy time of the year at the boat ramps. I look around and there are three other boats, besides mine, all prepped and waiting to launch their boat.

Is it too much to ask people to prep their boat away from the ramp so that when people are ready to launch, they're not delayed while people mosey around prepping theirs? Is it just me that is erring by thinking that this type of behavior is wrong or is my thinking in line with the common sense boat ramp etiquette? I'm very patient (at least I believe that I am) and don't get mad or annoyed much but this just seemed uncalled for. I didn't say anything but I just found it rude. Many times I will wave others around me to launch even if I'm ready just so I don't hold anyone up. And I've got my launching down to only a couple of minutes so it's not like I take up a lot of time on the ramp. I've fished at several different lakes and multiple different boat ramps at each lake and I don't think I've seen this type of tying up a ramp more than a couple of times.

I saw the mother of all boat launch no no's a month ago. Two boats launching four boats staged and these guys pull past the staged boats and back up right in the middle of the ramp get out and start prepping their boat. The boats launching have to go around them to park. Once launched the boat operator turns the boat sideways in front of the ramp blocking anyone from launching. While waiting on his buddy he has the motor in neutral and running at what sounds like 4,000 rpms. I guess they thought it was a good day to go to the lake and get a butt woopin and blow a motor.

They are just dumb people. you can't fix stupid

Classic. I love the last statement. So true.