Rough Water Retrieve

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PowellBride said:
It may be personal preference - some find it more stressful to deal with boat, which doesn't navigate as well as slow speeds, and at the ramp you have the added complication of the other, often very inexperienced boaters, who you have to anticipate & avoid. I'm capable of doing both, my husband prefers the truck/trailer responsibility - He drives on the road, I drive on the water. It works for us.

On the note of "inexperience" at the launch ramp. Last trip out. I was trying to back off the trailer, right beside, and slightly ahead of us, 2 teenagers were launched on jet skis. Of course they were released before both jet ski's were started, so floating behind me is a teenage boy yelling "how do I start it?" I'm still attached to the trailer and can't back off with him directly behind me, so I tried throwing one of my dock lines to him, to help pull him from the middle of the launch area. On my third throw, he misses the rope, again, and it slips from my hand. So now one of my dock lines is sinking. He makes ZERO effort to even bend over to catch it before it sinks. I ask - "can you get off the jet ski?" (he does after all have the required life vest on) - "NO"

So I climb out of the boat, planning to find the dock line with my toes and retrieve it. The water was barely over my waist! I got my rope, then waded in another 6 inches, grab the ##C@@!! jet ski and pushed him back to his trailer. The "parental" male and another younger male, both stood ankle deep watching and thanking me. Did I mention this was July and it was 100", not like getting wet would have even refreshed, much less chilled anyone.

Yep - launch ramp entertainment at it's best.
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Just to expand on this a little........

It’s also important for whomever is driving the boat around the dock/launch ramp to understand how the other watercraft function. Not just if another craft won’t start - but what limitations they have. For example, if you are around an inboard or v-drive, you should know that it can only back up to the right.

Jets have similar limitations with maneuvering.
 
davew said:
Years ago, I brought 20 boy scouts to the lake --- one of the merit badges they tried to earn was for motor boating --- to get that badge, they needed to be able to put the boat on the trailer -- a had a 18 ft aluminum tracker that already had numerous dings in it. In the end we got all 20 of them had that badge --- my hair has not grown back yet, but it was worth it.
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:D
 
powellobsessed said:
I think like many of you that training your kids and spouse on how to help with the boat is crucial! Not only for emergencies but just good knowledge to have. You never know what might happen on the lake. I try to teach my kids and wife to drive the boat in all conditions on Powell. Although it does make me a little nervous when I’m the guy in the middle of the launch ramp and I have $200,000 boat on one side and a $200,000 boat on the other side and or the crosswind ! Nothing beats practice and knowledge when it hits the fan it isn’t the best time to learn. When I was boating last weekend I was pulling up to the dock to let the wife off to get the truck and 4 pre-teenagers jumped out of the boat that they were in to catch us. I was so impressed with them , and my 8 yr old son asked dad how did they know to do that ? I said because they had good parents that taught them.
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No shame in waiting... Feeling like you have to load NOW is not the answer. Give the other 2 a minute to finish and get out of the path - yes there will be more, but a more comfortable window may be just a few minutes away
 
Okay so This is a slightly different subject but definitely related (this IS a marriage counseling thread, right)?

Our family has owned a boat for almost 30 years. When necessary my wife does a great job of backing down the ramp to pick me up in the boat - no complaints.

But the simplest thing like the proper way to tie a boat off to the cleats at the dock with the bumpers hanging properly with the proper knot in place is beyond her.

My impression is that she just doesn’t care enough to do it right.

Last trip out it was like literally no idea how to tie the knot after 30 years.

I do this myself all the time because I fish alone a lot. When she’s on board she wants to be helpful and so insists on doing it. But if it’s not done right I have to get on the dock, loosen the front because she’s got the line too tight and you can’t step off the back of the boat without risking falling in the water, undo whatever knot she’s tied on the back and retie it so the boat is snug against the dock, then retie the front. I would have been better to just do it myself.

Ladies, please help me - what am I doing wrong? Help me understand your mindset?
 
Gem Morris said:
Okay so This is a slightly different subject but definitely related (this IS a marriage counseling thread, right)?
...
But the simplest thing like the proper way to tie a boat off to the cleats at the dock with the bumpers hanging properly with the proper knot in place is beyond her.

My impression is that she just doesn’t care enough to do it right.

Last trip out it was like literally no idea how to tie the knot after 30 years.
Click to expand...
I am not a lady but I could be if the tax or insurance rates benefit me to transition. Just sayin'
Having said that I will say a few things on the subject since I am in a similar situation ...…. I preface it with the disclaimer that all I have is theories that are unproven.
I will however state them as fact and attack you viciously with slurs about your intelligence and education as well as calling you a "Flat Earther!" or Marlinspike Denier!" if you challenge my theories. I have used models to try and prove my theories but my wife made me send them all away and called then very unladylike names.
  1. Since there is just so much space available in a brain, things like knots and the like are frequently deemed to be of little value and just a waste of much needed space.
  2. My wife must, must, must personalize any task. Make it her own so to speak. This means that the way I belay to a cleat is perhaps the only way that she cannot under any circumstances do exactly the same way. That would be "my way" and not "her way". Think about your vehicles. I will bet that there is "Her Car" and then there is "Our Car". I can probably guess which one is yours?
  3. The last possibility that will always be denied is the unspoken passive aggressive angle: "You think you are gonna tell me what to do fella. Think again!"
How I've learned to deal with these situations:
  1. Thank them for their hard work.
  2. Learn to assess the creative knots that have been used. Will it do the job or not? If it will, just shut up and color.
  3. If the knot won't do the job and the correction is needed immediately for safety or property damage reasons: Politely ask you wife to do a "more important" job that she is good at while you take over for her.
  4. In either case you can always develop the vacation hobby of re-tying knots in your free time. Note: This is a hobby that is best done alone while avoiding cursing or saying things like "Did someone turn a drunken monkey loose on this boat?"
  5. Never ever attempt to explain the beauty in form and function of a perfectly tied knot...….Now that's just crazy talk that will result in a glazed over expression and if you are lucky a nod and a smile.
Finally, give up. Yes, give up. You are not going to change her. You are in a hole and it's time to stop digging. Besides, it can be entertaining at times. Like watching a 'monkey with a hand grenade', it's terrible but you just can't look away. OK, OK enough monkey euphemisms.

On a related issue, there is a difference in brain function between the sexes. When doing a task like loading a boat, painting a wall, working on a car, working in the yard, etc, etc, etc., have you ever noticed that a man will set tools, gear, cargo ladders, etc. out of the way so you won't unavoidably trip over them every time you move? To some women that is a problem because it is 'out of the way'. They figure that it should be 'immediately available'. So to a woman <-{too sexist} So to an LGBTQIAPK EIEIO individual an item is 'immediately available' whereas it is 'in the way' and a tripping hazard to a toxically masculine individual. Perhaps I should quit digging now.

Goblin
PS and on topic: To stay out of 'rough water' I did not write a word of this. I think my account has been hacked or at least that's my story and I'm stickin' to it.
Word to the wise. Be careful tying your knots or you might end up like me
thFH3FBQ6Y.jpg
 
Backing is easy. Put your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel and move your hand the way you want the trailer to go. The mistake most of us make is moving it too much and over steering. Take it slow.

That said, my wife drives the boat on the trailer. Only time we had a problem was when the dealer put a left hand prop on a Volvo outdrive. When she put it in reverse, it came forward and almost ran me over as I was pushing her off. There was some yelling that day!
 
Goblin said:
I am not a lady but I could be if the tax or insurance rates benefit me to transition. Just sayin'
Having said that I will say a few things on the subject since I am in a similar situation ...…. I preface it with the disclaimer that all I have is theories that are unproven.
I will however state them as fact and attack you viciously with slurs about your intelligence and education as well as calling you a "Flat Earther!" or Marlinspike Denier!" if you challenge my theories. I have used models to try and prove my theories but my wife made me send them all away and called then very unladylike names.
  1. Since there is just so much space available in a brain, things like knots and the like are frequently deemed to be of little value and just a waste of much needed space.
  2. My wife must, must, must personalize any task. Make it her own so to speak. This means that the way I belay to a cleat is perhaps the only way that she cannot under any circumstances do exactly the same way. That would be "my way" and not "her way". Think about your vehicles. I will bet that there is "Her Car" and then there is "Our Car". I can probably guess which one is yours?
  3. The last possibility that will always be denied is the unspoken passive aggressive angle: "You think you are gonna tell me what to do fella. Think again!"
How I've learned to deal with these situations:
  1. Thank them for their hard work.
  2. Learn to assess the creative knots that have been used. Will it do the job or not? If it will, just shut up and color.
  3. If the knot won't do the job and the correction is needed immediately for safety or property damage reasons: Politely ask you wife to do a "more important" job that she is good at while you take over for her.
  4. In either case you can always develop the vacation hobby of re-tying knots in your free time. Note: This is a hobby that is best done alone while avoiding cursing or saying things like "Did someone turn a drunken monkey loose on this boat?"
  5. Never ever attempt to explain the beauty in form and function of a perfectly tied knot...….Now that's just crazy talk that will result in a glazed over expression and if you are lucky a nod and a smile.
Finally, give up. Yes, give up. You are not going to change her. You are in a hole and it's time to stop digging. Besides, it can be entertaining at times. Like watching a 'monkey with a hand grenade', it's terrible but you just can't look away. OK, OK enough monkey euphemisms.

On a related issue, there is a difference in brain function between the sexes. When doing a task like loading a boat, painting a wall, working on a car, working in the yard, etc, etc, etc., have you ever noticed that a man will set tools, gear, cargo ladders, etc. out of the way so you won't unavoidably trip over them every time you move? To some women that is a problem because it is 'out of the way'. They figure that it should be 'immediately available'. So to a woman <-{too sexist} So to an LGBTQIAPK EIEIO individual an item is 'immediately available' whereas it is 'in the way' and a tripping hazard to a toxically masculine individual. Perhaps I should quit digging now.

Goblin
PS and on topic: To stay out of 'rough water' I did not write a word of this. I think my account has been hacked or at least that's my story and I'm stickin' to it.
Word to the wise. Be careful tying your knots or you might end up like me
View attachment 3053
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Lmao,Now that is funny. I sometimes ponder your comments and wondered why, but if men are from Mars and women from Venus then where is this coming from, perhaps Mercury as those are some pretty strong statements.
 
OK

1. Goblin & Gem BEG a moderator to delete their posts and this response.

2. Gem asks a buddy to comment on the the post, asking about the proper way to tie up, and the BENEFITS of tie
ing up the right way.

3. Get your wife to read the post when it has suggestions, recommendations in the chain addressing how to tie up properly and the rational for each

Personally, I was way more interested in how i was tieing up when I understood there was an underlying reason. For example when you tie to a cleat correctly, it actually puts pressure on the tie and makes the boat more secure. Or tiring to your boat cleat instead of the dock cleat means when you release all passengers are IN the boat. No risk of someone accidentally swimming cause get were trying to jump from the dock to the departuring boat
 
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To be honest, I had no idea that Goblin was married(or is he). I had just assumed he was a professional internet troll(Russian bot) wiling away the hours in his basement making "snowflakes" heads explode. You learn something new every day(at least you should).
 
cfulton said:
I can't believe the number of husband/wife teams that launch boats with the wife driving the vehicle and the husband driving the boat. My wife and I have done just the opposite for many, many years. Especially at Powell. If the wife drives/backs the vehicle and the guy sits in the boat (sometimes screaming instructions to the wife), takes the boat off the trailer then sits in the boat while she drives back up the ramp, finds a place to park, backs or pulls the trailer in, and walks the 1/2 mile back down the ramp....giving him time for another beer? Then on retrieval it's just the opposite. she walks the ramp, retrieves the boat/trailer backs it into the water(sometimes to more screaming) then he drive the boat onto the trailer. I found it much easier, contributing to matrimonial bliss, to do the vehicle backing/ramp walking while the wife drives the boat. Family ramp wars are great entertainment for observers but I prefer not to be the brunt of the humor of others. Chuck
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Chuck, your comments are pure gold. Right on the money.
 
cfulton said:
I can't believe the number of husband/wife teams that launch boats with the wife driving the vehicle and the husband driving the boat. My wife and I have done just the opposite for many, many years. Especially at Powell. If the wife drives/backs the vehicle and the guy sits in the boat (sometimes screaming instructions to the wife), takes the boat off the trailer then sits in the boat while she drives back up the ramp, finds a place to park, backs or pulls the trailer in, and walks the 1/2 mile back down the ramp....giving him time for another beer? Then on retrieval it's just the opposite. she walks the ramp, retrieves the boat/trailer backs it into the water(sometimes to more screaming) then he drive the boat onto the trailer. I found it much easier, contributing to matrimonial bliss, to do the vehicle backing/ramp walking while the wife drives the boat. Family ramp wars are great entertainment for observers but I prefer not to be the brunt of the humor of others. Chuck
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seen that as well but my wife has no issues backing down in the crowded bullfrog ramp, know how deep to put the trailer in, easy as Sunday morning.....I think I will keep her...besides she likes the exercise of the ramp hike!
 
Gem Morris said:
Okay so This is a slightly different subject but definitely related (this IS a marriage counseling thread, right)?

Our family has owned a boat for almost 30 years. When necessary my wife does a great job of backing down the ramp to pick me up in the boat - no complaints.

But the simplest thing like the proper way to tie a boat off to the cleats at the dock with the bumpers hanging properly with the proper knot in place is beyond her.

My impression is that she just doesn’t care enough to do it right.

Last trip out it was like literally no idea how to tie the knot after 30 years.

I do this myself all the time because I fish alone a lot. When she’s on board she wants to be helpful and so insists on doing it. But if it’s not done right I have to get on the dock, loosen the front because she’s got the line too tight and you can’t step off the back of the boat without risking falling in the water, undo whatever knot she’s tied on the back and retie it so the boat is snug against the dock, then retie the front. I would have been better to just do it myself.

Ladies, please help me - what am I doing wrong? Help me understand your mindset?
Click to expand...


I learned how to tie the boat almost immediately. I don't think it's rocket science to learn boating skills. We used to go down to the ramp on holiday weekends and most of the time you end up shaking your head at what you observe. I could put our tritune on the trailer in the worse wind conditions because I learned how to watch wave action and judge how it affects me coming in to the trailer, George backed in, and I pulled right on the trailer, he tied it off. checked to be certain we were centered [90% of the time we were] and then he pulled us up the ramp and parked up away from the ramp so we could dump trash, throw the dogs and wet towels in the back of the Suburban , wipe the boat down and then we were out of there, many times you would see people who arrived at the ramp ahead of us still trying to get their boats on the trailer. We also worked as a team with the boat in sudden bad conditions - like we encountered one trip in Warm Creek.

One year we listened on CH16 as a woman was trying to drive a houseboat back to Wahweap due to her husband sustaining a serious injury, she had no idea how to do anything re the boat and the NPS was doign their best to direct her, when she made it as far as Antelope Point even though the boat was not one of their boats they sent a chase boat out to take over and get them to the ramp and waiting ambulance. Too many men have drowned trying top swim out to a boat that floated off the beach with spouse onboard and not knowing how to start the boat and motor it back to the shore... here on Havasu it's happened the same way. Teach your spouse to drive the boat and the houseboats. your life could depend on it.

And tying off to the cleats is easy - there must be some reason your wife doesn't want to do it, I always had to know how to tie the boat at Dangling Rope because we always went in to gas and George took the trash and walked down to dump the trash while I took the boat down to pump out and then when he was done pumping it out I took it down to the store, sometimes he would be delayed getting there before me, sometimes now, but he would tie off the front while I tied off the back. Working as a team works best in boating.

Oh and I agree about not teaching some things to your spouse, George didn't teach me to waterski or snow ski, friends did... he was smart enough to know his limits.
 
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