Spend an hour at a busy launch ramp and you’ll see it all. The boater who swamps the kayaker. The kayaker who blocks the whole ramp. Boaters and kayakers red-faced, voices raised, tempers flaring. Can’t we all get along? A boat ramp is a busy place. It can be a dangerous place, too. The key to smooth sailing is situational awareness, organization and empathy for others on the water. Yes, we can all get along. Follow these boat ramp tips to find out how.

An angler in a motorboat fishes near an angler in a kayak, both of whom should practice proper boating safety Boating Safety Still Bedevils Motorboats And Kayaks

9 Simple Steps to Smooth Sailing at the Boat Ramp

  1.  Transport your kayak upright with the seat and crate already securely installed.
  2. Load your kayak onto a kayak cart. You can even park the car and load the kayak onto the cart at the parking spot. Place the cart slightly behind midship to balance the kayak. Secure the kayak so that the strap makes direct contact with the hull.
man loads his kayak onto a cart to launch from the nearby boat ramp
Park your car and load your kayak onto a kayak cart before heading to the boat ramp. | Feature photo: Zach Lannon
  1. Load rods and paddle into the kayak.
  2. Keep your tackle box, food and drink and other gear in a crate or duffel bag. Carry the duffel to the kayak and transfer gear to the boat. Return the duffel to the car.
  3. Put on your PFD.
  4. Attach lines to the bow and stern of the kayak.
  5. Roll the kayak to the water. Wait your turn in line. Observe where and how other users are launching. Is one lane marked launch only? Are the boaters using one side of the ramp leaving the other side free?
  1. When the coast is clear, launch the kayak and use the bow line to walk the kayak to the end of the dock. Tie the boat to the dock.
  2. Return the kayak cart to the car.
Why You Need To Trade In Your Boat For A Kayak

A Few Things to Remember

  • Drivers pulling a trailer will have limited visibility backing up and pulling forward.
  • Boaters have limited maneuverability when traveling with the current.
  • Stay to the side of the ramp.
  • Pull your kayak as far down the dock as possible. Tie off the bow and stern to keep it from drifting away.

[ Kayak Angler Buyer’s Guide: View all kayak carts ]

Cover of the Winter 2017 issue of Kayak Angler MagazineThis article was first published in the Winter 2017 issue of Kayak Angler Magazine. Subscribe to Kayak Angler Magazine’s print and digital editions, or browse the archives.

Park your car and load your kayak onto a kayak cart before heading to the boat ramp. | Feature photo: Zach Lannon

 

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1 COMMENT

  1. I treat the ramp like dropping my kid off at school, I’ll light touch the brakes, she tucks and rolls. The more time you spend on the ramp is less fishing. Don’t be that guy.

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