I look at it this way. If you don't want to wait for someone to unload it might be a good idea to get there before anyone else. That way you can get in and out as fast as you want. Also the headlight issue may not be a problem you can solve on some trucks. My old truck required that you had the emergency brake on in order to turn off the daytime running lights which is not possible if i'm backing down the ramp.

I am usually alone when I fish so I winch the boat up as I step off and go to the truck-

Taking out isn't such a big deal. Putting in people should be ready to go. I mainly fish saltwater. Not uncommon for someone line up on the ramp and stop with thier boat tires at the water's edge. Then hop out to buy bait or a taco or even wait for the rest of the group to arrive.

Wrong...seen it happen at least three times to others and I helped lift their boats off the ramp and back onto their trailers with about ten other guys. No slicks either.

I could never pull my boat out without hooking the strap. Sorry but that is crazy if you do and only takes one time and I bet you will never do it again and like others mentioned it takes a few more seconds.

+1

This

There are only about 3 people that I will allow to pull me out if I'm not hooked up in the front. I have never had a problem. The main thing with this method is to make sure to keep pushing the boat forward with the motor until the prop blows out. By this time the boat is sittingfirm on the trailer. The few that I have seen come off the trailer usually did not push with the motor long enough and the boat was already started backward before it got out of the water. If you are going to do this method, the driver of the truck MUST DRIVE SLOW AND EASY. Any sudden brake or goose will unload the boat.

I am usually by myself as well. I always strap down when pulling out because the motor is not keeping the boat pushed forward. When I am unloading, I leave the hook on the eye, but loosen the winch about 4-5 turns to give is slack. When I back in, I ease it in until the boat floats back and tightens the strap back up.

I saw a boat slide off a trailer this year before they launched. They had been out the day before there was a light frost the next morning and when they pulled up in front of the ramp and unhooked the front of the boat, off the trailer it went. It was the first time I had ever seen that but made me start thinking about that on a cold morning.

Its not the slow people so much that bother me, its the ones with no respect for others. Recently at Falcon (state park ramp) there were about six boats in front of me in the line to launch. Everyone was undoing straps and such in line. This dude goes around everyone to the front of the line. I thought no big deal he must be ready to go. Well he gets to the bottom of the ramp pulls up to where he blocks the crossover between ramps and parks in the center of one of the 3 two lane gets out starts loading up the boat, unhooking etc. 10 minutes later they put in. So while he is doing this the 4 usable lanes have to back all the way down instead of driving down and crossing over. I mean do things how your comfortable, back slow, hook the bow, etc. But don't act like your the only one there. When I'm putting in alone I usually go to the least busy ramp or try and hit it when not very many are waiting.

Early one morning a few years back at the Jordan ramp on rr, a guy backed down the middle of the double ramp and then made the others hard to use by leaving his lights on. Meanwhile the sun was beginning to come up and the line was only getting longer. Not sure what the hold up was but after about 10-15 min (which seemed like an hour), I hear this large pop followed by what sounded like breaking glass. As I turned around, I see an old guy walk over to the second headlight and knock it out with a hammer as well. With out a word being said, he walked back to his truck threw the hammer in the bed, and continued backing down his boat. After seeing that, I no longer forget to turn my lights off....

That aside, my grandfather would always say "no matter where you go you will never see a wise man in a hurry". Some food for thought for all the "amature pro's".........

I got an idea.....hook up your damn winch strap like your supposed to when loading the boat and quit trying to be cute. I have no problem waiting an extra 30 seconds on someone simply doing what they are supposed to do. I dont care who you are, or think you are, your local bass club tournament isn't worth a major fiberglass repair.....you prostaffer, you.

Were you at Ivie in January? Pick me. One of the worst feelings in the world. I was lucky and only took a quarter size chunk out of the under side of the boat by the drain plug. Needless to say, that was the last time I unhooked before backing in.

SE Kansas grass grower

I have wanted to do that myself quite a few times. I can't really think of anything more inconsiderate on the ramp than leaving your lights on.

When your boat is sitting on the concrete half way up the ramp... you will be blocking it. "Tournament Unload/Load"... That funny