Backing up to the bank/loading ramp?

[seed_81]

Do any of you back up to the bank/loading ramp to pick up passengers?

I'm curious if this is possible and how close to the bottom the intakes can get before they start sucking up crap.

disclaimer: I've only owned my boat for 4 days. just thinking ahead to the best way to get passengers in the boat when a dock isn't available.

 

[Scottintexas]

I always back in when possible,

check out this video and make sure to look at our FAQ at the top of the page for lots of good info,

 

[jawsf16]

Be careful if you back to a beach because your thrust churns up water. If picking up passengers from the water and I have to use the stern, I shut down one engine so they have clear water. Usually I will just kill it in this situation. Otherwise I always prefer bow pick up. You can see it better and easily back out of a bad situation without blasting water toward your pickup point.

 

[txav8r]

3' of water at the ramp or beach engines running is about as shallow as I will get.

 

[Scuba_ref]

Same as above for me. If I am backing into a shallow area, which I often do, I shut off the engines before we get too shallow (probably in the 3' - 5' depth) and coast in. I then jump off and catch the boat before it hits the bottom. When we leave the shallow area I always have the last one on the boat (usually me) push the boat out into deeper water before starting her up.

 

[2nazt]

Same as above

 

[Gym]

I use the anchor buddy. Back in till I'm 4-5 feet deep, drop anchor attached to anchor buddy, attach stern line, walk boat close to shore and plant shore spike. Unload gear & passengers, pay out stern line, anchor buddy pulls boat back out to deeper water. When leaving pull stern line to bring boat close to shore to reload gear & passengers, pull shore spike, anchor buddy pulls me back out while I stow the shore spike with stern line, crank em up, pull anchor with anchor buddy, open beer & head home.

 

[Bruce]

We often launch at a ramp without a dock. After I park the truck and trailer I wade out to less than knee deep and @Rana backs the boat in to pick me up. I grab the swim deck and climb aboard when she gets close. We leave the engines running.

I often back up to docks to load or unload passengers.

 

[buckbuck]

We almost always just idle toward shore and when a boat length or two away spin the back of the boat into shoreline and shut off engines. Step out just before hitting anything and load passengers. Then just push out to deeper water before starting engines.

 

[Mainah]

May go without saying but being light on the throttles in shallow water or when picking up/drppoing off passengers is a good idea. Using the too much throttle with someone standing on the swim deck will not be pretty.

 

[Scuba_ref]

May go without saying but being light on the throttles in shallow water or when picking up/drppoing off passengers is a good idea. Using the too much throttle with someone standing on the swim deck will not be pretty.

Not pretty, but usually funny!

 

[txav8r]

Not pretty, but usually funny!

I have done this twice...once my fault and the other, I didn't goose it much but she fell in anyway! I was just thinking how you said it wasn't pretty...I have yet to see a wet tee shirt I didn't enjoy, pretty or not!

 

[Mainah]

I like wet t-shirts and good fun as much as the next guy. Hate to be the fun kill on this but I have seen someone tear ligaments in their shoulder reaching for the dock as they were falling off the back of the boat into the water.

Truth told it was my second time out with my new boat just a couple of weeks ago. I was backing up to the dock, goosed it, and my buddy and his new iphone took the fall. I bought him a new iphone and plenty of beer but he is still in pain. He has forgiven me but I am having a hard time forgiving myself. Now imagine if someone hit their head on the dock while falling into the water.

 

[scokill]

I come in to courtesy dock at angle, turn left (if coming in from right side of dock), reduce throttle and let back swing around, reverse wheel to left to stop the swing, forward throttle left trn to kiss the dock, pick up, drive out straight.

 

[itsdgm]

I like wet t-shirts and good fun as much as the next guy. Hate to be the fun kill on this but I have seen someone tear ligaments in their shoulder reaching for the dock as they were falling off the back of the boat into the water.

Truth told it was my second time out with my new boat just a couple of weeks ago. I was backing up to the dock, goosed it, and my buddy and his new iphone took the fall. I bought him a new iphone and plenty of beer but he is still in pain. He has forgiven me but I am having a hard time forgiving myself. Now imagine if someone hit their head on the dock while falling into the water.

Ouch, that sounds painful. Hopefully your buddy with the new phone still answers when you call to see how he's doing.

I'm pretty sure the guys above were referring to leaving a beach/shallow water (at least that's what I was envisioning when I read it). I agree, around the dock there's too much potential for injury all on its own. No need to make things more dangerous than they already are.

 

[Trevor Shipman]

I back in whenever possible. It just looks cooler. Horrible excuse but I like the attention, plus if you are good at the boat launch, it does make boarding easier for your guest. If the launch is crowded, I don't get fancy, whatever is the easiest and safest.

 

[Britboater]

I always back into a beach, it's why I bought a jetboat. I was forced into beaching front on the other day and did not like it when I had to reverse thrust to get off, the amount of sand kicked up I'm sure I've accelerated my liner wear .

 

[Bennie]

@seed_81 -
IMHO: First of all I never go into a dock or beach harder that I wouldn't mind hitting it. (without bumpers).. so, very, VERY soft!
If there are passengers on the beach I will get close to the beach, throw a tag line to the beached crew and then kill my engines. If they want on they're going to need to pull me in, then push me back out to deeper water ( or use an anchor out deep to pull you back out).

I also prefer to go in bow first. Its a lot easier to wax the bottom of my boat (from scratches) than to risk damage to your jet system.

 

[txav8r]

Well admittedly, dumping someone in the water might be funny long after, but it is serious and you make a good point @Mainah . I have often loaded stern to the dock while stationkeeping and just have wife and dog jump on and off we go. This is always a fluid movement because there is always a prevailing crosswind. So having to move before they are in their seats is routine. I don't do this with new guests or even with us unless they are empty handed. Even still, I dumped her once in open water once. I have seen her get off balance and almost get thrown off at the dock. So while it may be efficient and fast, it isn't the safest of moves. When the ramp is busy and boats/trailers have all 4 lanes full, the temptation just to use the end of the loading pier like that is great. It is definitely a move that takes touch. Our boats have had a history of less than accurate throttle control, so knowing your boat and dock is paramount. These days, we are getting older, and less agile, so just waiting and tying up is in vogue.

 

[Bennie]

Our boats have had a history of less than accurate throttle control, so knowing your boat and dock is paramount.

I holistically agree!! I am enamored with our "No-Wake" option on our boats. I use that and just bump it in and out of gear as required.