<![CDATA[Boat Owners United - Blog]]>Sat, 11 Oct 2025 16:17:40 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Boat Ramp Etiquette is Always Important]]>Fri, 26 Apr 2019 19:28:57 GMThttps://www.boatownersunited.com/blog/boat-ramp-etiquette-is-always-important
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I’ve been to my boat ramp a few times during the “off season” and I find myself hoping that the boaters that were there with me won’t be there when it gets busy!

What NOT to Do

Let’s not beat around the bush and get right to the things you shouldn’t be doing at the boat ramp that will draw the ire of the other boaters there:
  1. If you’ve read my previous posts, you’ve seen the words “DO NOT FORGET TO PUT YOUR PLUG IN!” Well, when you’re at the ramp and launching, that is a terrible time to realize your plug isn’t in. Now everyone waiting behind you to launch must wait for you to recover. That could encompass everything from pulling back up to put the plug in to recovering a sunken boat.
  2. Don’t load up your boat on the ramp. You’re going to have coolers, flotation devices, recreational devices like tubes or wakeboards, fishing equipment, etc… to load on the boat from your tow vehicle. Get all of that loaded BEFORE you get on the ramp. Want to anger a boater waiting in a long line to launch their boat? Delay them by not having your equipment loaded.
  3. For all you kayakers out there – DO NOT park at the top of the ramp and off load your kayaks (or re-load them). Most ramps that have kayak access have areas off to the side intended for off-loading of kayaks. Please use them.
  4. Don’t get into conversations with other boaters while on the ramp. I’ve seen two boaters, one on each side of the ramp, chatting at length while I was waiting to launch. The ramp was completely blocked and I was put into the position of asking them to move or just sit patiently and wait. I asked them to move (very politely) and they were apologetic and moved quickly. Not everyone has that amount of patience.
  5. Do not use your launch to be practice time on how to back a boat! Find a store that’s closed on Sundays (Chik-Fil-A and Hobby Lobby are good examples) and practice in their parking lot backing the boat into parking spaces. Once you’ve got that down pat, you’re ready for the ramp.

Unpleasantness at The Ramp Doesn’t Need to Happen

I’m certainly not one that says “if you take more than two minutes on the ramp, you should go home” but I do believe it is every boaters responsibility to expedite their time on the ramp. If you avoid the five things listed above, you’ll keep everyone happy except, of course, for that occasional boater that just doesn’t know how to be happy. Take a look at my downloadable Pre-Launch Checklist

Just One Last Thing

Be patient with other boaters! That person taking a while to get the boat un-tethered might be launching for their first time. We’ve all been there. Help them if you can but don’t approach them in a condescending or superior way. Just offer to help. If they refuse your help just know that it’s out of pride and they’ll probably be much better next time. Boating and fishing are activities we partake in to relax so…Relax!

Tight Lines, My Friends!
www.fishinfelix.com
]]><![CDATA[Carrying Extra Fuel On-board - A Good Idea?]]>Mon, 17 Jul 2017 13:16:42 GMThttps://www.boatownersunited.com/blog/carrying-extra-fuel-on-board-a-good-ideaPicture
Would it be a good idea to carry extra fuel on-board for a "just-in-case" situation? ​

​​While the thought of carrying extra fuel on-board for a last minute emergency sounds like a good idea, it really isn't and here is why:

A built in fuel tank is vented to the outside of your vessel. A portable fuel tank would be vented to the open air in the bilge and those little red gas cans aren't truly sealed. You may have the extra space in your bilge area to hold it, however, you're talking fumes and spark in an enclosed area which could ignite, cause an explosion, and kill you. To add to that, in most states it's illegal.

Here is how to add a little more peace of mind when out on the water:

Working order. Make sure your fuel gauge is functional & working. If it isn't, get it fixed ASAP - No excuse!

Do your research. Know and plan for where the closest marinas with fuel are. If you're guessing on when the marina closes and if you will have enough to make it back to your slip or the launch, its best to call ahead and find out what kinds of fuel they have and what time they close. Google is your best friend.

On the way. When you leave your space, rather it's your slip or the launch, head to the marina and top off.

Moral of the story: Don't carry extra fuel - EVER!

Author:  Jason Paul
]]><![CDATA[The One Boating App You MUST Have]]>Wed, 12 Jul 2017 19:32:45 GMThttps://www.boatownersunited.com/blog/the-one-boating-app-you-must-havePicture

​Back in 1984, Navionics pioneered electronic charting. The company now possesses the world's largest database of marine and lake charts. Previously, those charts were primarily found on data cards which were loaded up on chart plotters, but today all one has to do is subscribe to the Navionics boating app. Some features include sonar charts, nautical charts, and even there is even local info provided by fellow boaters.

App users benefit from daily chart updates, ensuring you have the most accurate info about your boating environment, as well as advanced options that let you highlight shallow areas, select depth shading and filter depth contours, adjust water level or target key fishing areas.

Navigation features include route planning with ETA, distance to arrival, heading to waypoint, fuel consumption, and for iPhone and iPad (coming soon to Android), dock-to-dock auto routing based on chart data and navigational aids.
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