Originally Posted by huntsfurfish (Post 3978258)

This^^^^^^



And this ^^^^^^

Originally Posted by Poppa (Post 4028638)

thank you very much for the checklist, sir...

I'm new to launching and loading (I grew up on the water and we'd put our boat in once in the spring and take it out again in the fall, but it stayed in the water all summer otherwise so we never had to launch/load) and even backing up a trailer properly is really tough for me. That checklist will help a ton...

Originally Posted by graybeard (Post 4029311)

The ol' man was a trucker and he taught me at an early age.....After doing all the safety stuff and plug your boat etc....it is simple;

Place your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel with your knuckles facing up. If your hand goes left, the back of the boat goes left.....vice versa...

Originally Posted by Greatwest (Post 3980931)

It’s amazing how some people will just sit there and watch someone struggle and get pi$$ed off and give them dirty looks. Get off your high horse and offer some help. Last year the water level was low at the lake we were at in Sask. An older couple had launched their pontoon boat but had backed in too far and the trailer tires had gone over the edge of the concrete ramp boat was already off trailer. I pulled in and there were 4 others in line ahead of me sitting there watching this 65 year old couple with there truck in 4 wheel drive trying to get the trailer out without pulling it into 2 pieces. As soon as I pulled in I hoped out of the truck walked past 4 other yuppies sitting in their trucks cursing and swearing and shaking there heads I talked to the frustrated older gentleman and had him back the trailer up a foot or so to get away from the concrete lip. I waded into the water up to my waist and lifted the trailer by myself the buoyancy factor was in my favour the trailer basically floated once I lifted. He drove forward and away he went. Husband and Wife thanked me and offered me $20. I refused the money of course. I hope those other yuppies in their trucks realized they were a bunch of jerks after watching how easy it was.

Originally Posted by Poppa (Post 4029900)

Random side note... I really don't like Pine Lake. Completely algae covered everywhere and random unmarked sandbars in the middle of the lake. If you didn't have a sonar with depth reading, you'd never know. I think next time I'll hit Sylvan or Gull....

Originally Posted by Walleyedude (Post 4029964)

If you've got a Lowrance sonar unit you can go to www.genesismaps.com and download the Social Map layer to your unit. You'll have a very accurate map with 1' contour interval detail for many of the lakes in central and southern AB. Pine Lake in particular is almost entirely mapped in high detail. Best of all, it's FREE.

Even if you don't have a Lowrance unit, it might be worth checking out the website and having a look for any potential hazards or trouble spots before you head to a new lake. It's the best mapping available for most AB lakes.

Originally Posted by riden (Post 3978210)

So I just got a new boat, and with the long weekend the launch was busy yesterday. I have little experience at busy launches, but I don't think I was in the wrong.

I docked my boat and was backing my truck up, but I wasn't at the launch yet. But, if you looked you could clearly see I was straightening my trailer so I could back up to the launch.

That's when another small boat pulls up and lands his boat right beside the launch. I could watch him doing it in my mirrors, so that tells you where I was at the launch.

Everyone gets out and one guy walks up to get his truck and looks really ****ed at me that I am backing up. He clearly thought he was next and I was jumping the line.

So, who was right?

Originally Posted by Greatwest (Post 3980931)

It’s amazing how some people will just sit there and watch someone struggle and get pi$$ed off and give them dirty looks. Get off your high horse and offer some help. Last year the water level was low at the lake we were at in Sask. An older couple had launched their pontoon boat but had backed in too far and the trailer tires had gone over the edge of the concrete ramp boat was already off trailer. I pulled in and there were 4 others in line ahead of me sitting there watching this 65 year old couple with there truck in 4 wheel drive trying to get the trailer out without pulling it into 2 pieces. As soon as I pulled in I hoped out of the truck walked past 4 other yuppies sitting in their trucks cursing and swearing and shaking there heads I talked to the frustrated older gentleman and had him back the trailer up a foot or so to get away from the concrete lip. I waded into the water up to my waist and lifted the trailer by myself the buoyancy factor was in my favour the trailer basically floated once I lifted. He drove forward and away he went. Husband and Wife thanked me and offered me $20. I refused the money of course. I hope those other yuppies in their trucks realized they were a bunch of jerks after watching how easy it was.

Originally Posted by okotok (Post 3978564)

or do what this guy does! https://youtu.be/2oq0yno02km

Originally Posted by riden (Post 3978264)

Thanks guys, I didn't think I was wrong.

His whole group looked sour while we were loading, but it sure felt to me like they were jumping the line, not me.

I wasn't at the launch, but was backing up to the launch and my buddy was holding my boat by the rope at the dock. We were doing our part to be efficient.

New boat, so there is a learning curve.... I admit that. But I thought he was being a jerk, not me.

Originally Posted by walleye guy (Post 4212006)

I wish there were bleachers set up at our boat launch ,whould be an entertaining way to spend a couple hours.

Originally Posted by Robins36 (Post 4213361)

If anyone has been to Mulhurst boat launch on a Sunday knows what kind of a show to expect there...

A buddy and I were quite far back in the lineup waiting patiently for our turn to load and a lady was attempting to back in to load the boat while the husband was out in the boat. She was clearly frustrated and about to give up when my buddy James walks over to her and asks if she would like some help. She took the offer and proceeded to get out of the vehicle... he stops her and tells her it’s a great time to learn and tells her that all the horn honking was for a pretty girl walking past. He gets her back in the vehicle and and tells her which way to steer and how much, gets in the water and helps her husband hook the chain and winch on.

I’ve been out at Long Lake PP trying to load a boat in a storm in my younger days with my parents and have helped countless others. I’ve been taught to help anyone in need while at the launch and out in the lake.