How Not to Be That Person at the Boat Ramp 🚤

There’s nothing better than a day on the water — the sun, the salt air, and the promise of adventure. But before you can head off, there’s one make-or-break moment every boater faces: the boat ramp.

It’s the stage where heroes are made… and where some folks turn into the headline act for all the wrong reasons. We’ve all seen it: the person blocking the ramp, scrambling for straps, yelling at their crew, and holding up a line of frustrated boaters.

Here’s how to make sure that’s never you.

1. Get Ramp-Ready Before You Queue

The ramp is for launching, not for last-minute prep. Sort your gear, remove tie-down straps, load your eskies, and check your lifejackets before you’re on the incline. Do this in the rigging bay or carpark so you can launch quickly when it’s your turn.

2. Nail the Reverse

Boat ramps aren’t the place to learn trailer skills. Spend some time in a quiet carpark practicing your reversing. That way, when it’s showtime, you’ll glide down the ramp like a pro — no zig-zagging, jackknifing, or panic handbrake pulls required.

3. Give Your Crew a Game Plan

Chaos happens when nobody knows what they’re meant to be doing. Assign jobs: one person on the winch, one on the bow line, one to park the car. Clear roles = calm launch. Bonus: less yelling across the ramp.

4. Don’t Linger on the Ramp

Once the boat’s off, move it straight to the courtesy dock or a safe spot away from the ramp. Then park your car and trailer. The ramp is prime real estate — not the place to reapply sunscreen, tune the Bluetooth, or start unpacking snacks.

5. Play Nice, Be Ramp-Aware

The ramp is a shared space. Wait your turn, don’t cut in, and if someone’s struggling, offer a hand instead of an eye-roll. A little patience goes a long way. Remember: everyone’s trying to get on the water, just like you.

6. End-of-Day Etiquette

Retrieving your boat should follow the same golden rules: be prepped, be efficient, and clear the ramp as quickly as possible. At the end of a long day, tensions are higher — keep it smooth, keep it friendly, and you’ll finish on a high note.

Want to Learn How to Ramp Like a Pro?

The easiest way to avoid being that person is with the right training. At Boat Coach, we run both boat and jetski licence courses at 1 Williams Street, Cleveland.

Not only do we cover the essentials for safe boating, but we also teach the unspoken etiquette that keeps boat ramps running smoothly. Whether you’re launching a 6m boat or zipping off on a jetski, you’ll have the confidence and know-how to do it right.

Join us for a course, and next time you’re at the ramp, you’ll be the skipper everyone secretly admires (instead of the one they’re shaking their heads at).

Checkout our small video below!

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