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How long does it take your girlfriend to back the trailer into the water???

Sink

Sink

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OMG! If she saw this, I'd be DEAD MEAT!!!!!:willy_nilly: On Saturday, first boat outing at the lake... having a great time. Had been out giving rides in the boat. Started the charcoal and had the burgers on the grill and looked to the west to see an aweful storm brewing. I checked the ol iPhone weatherbug to see we were going to really get hit so I suggested we pull the boat out of the water and get ready to leave as soon as we ate. I got in the boat and went around the lake a couple of times... she was just sitting at the top of the ramp. I went around again and she was still there. I watched her try and back the trailer and every time it went the wrong way, she couldn't straighten it out! She would pull forward but still couldn't get it. I finally parked the boat and carefully and quietly, like a ninja, snuck up to the truck and in my best tactful and loving voice asked if I could just do it this time since the weather wasn't going to wait for us and next time I would teach her how to do it... Ducking from the answer I knew was going to be screamed at me... She did really well and understood we didn't have time on our side this time so she let me take care of it and she went back to the burgers on the grill and took care of that. At least I survived the suggestion that I just do it.

We finished eating and got in the truck with no time to spare! What a downpour! High winds and sheeting rain! Got home and she was trying to help me back down the drive in the pouring rain! She drove her own car since we had the kids and we wouldn't all fit in the truck. What a trooper! I couldn't even see her but I knew she was back there trying to help me back the boat! We ran inside and of course I had to open my big mouth and tell her I couldn't even see her and was backing with the trailer lights and not her directions... STUPID ME!!! Worst part is her blackberry got soaked and ruined while she was trying to help! She tries so hard! Gotta love her!

So how long did it take??? She still hasn't done it yet! LMAO!!! We will have lessons this weekend!

Any other boat ramp girlfriend stories out there???
 
I avoid the frustration... and load/unload all the toys myself. I make the wife take care of "Camp".
 
Looking back it was hilarious but at the time... notsomuch.... It will be nice once she gets the hang of it but until then it is a bit frustrating... I mean, I got in the truck and backed the trailer right into the water... as she watched and steamed.... out of frustration that she couldn't do it. Not at me mind you. She is a great gal but is very stubborn about stuff. She will get it and at that point it will be very helpful, especially when the ramp is full. I got plenty of practice backing when we had a camper. Got that sucker into some really tight spots! I guess either you have it or you don't, right?

Maybe I should teach her how to drive the boat? That might be easier... although backing that sucker isn't like you would think... everything is BACKWARDS!!!!!
 
I've seen a few single lades with trucks here with hitches on the front. Looks like a pain to change the trailer around but they do just drive them in.
 
Forget it, nothing against women, but my wife has never figured out the turn left to go right, and right to go left thing, and never will. So I don't even ask, I just do it myself.

Lou
 
my wife had me back the boat into a tree in our yard a couple weeks ago... luckily no damage. I typically do it myself.
 
This boat dock thing is quite a learning experience.... We just got back from the lake... I left my son to hold the boat at the dock while I got the trailer backed in to the water to take the boat out... I get back and there is the boat... with my son, who has no clue how to dirve the boat... out about 30 feet from the dock with this... OOOPS look on his face! LMAO! He forgot he was suposed to hold the rope.... GEESH! I guess maybe some boat driving lessons are in order??? He did learn how to use the paddle though!

Up a lake WITH a paddle,
Sink
 
It will never happen, would rather have her hold dockside once safely in the water. Not my girlfriend...my wife.:lol: Better to take care of it and not have to live with the pain of wrecked Jeep, trailer, or ski.
 
W.I.F.E = -washing ,ironing,fun,entertainment.Not backing boat or ski trailers down ramps.Live without the grief.Not many can do it.Hey!Some can.Hug them
 
Okay guys... I am sure somewhere out there are women who can do this, my sister is one of them...I have seen her back a living qtrs horse trailer (kinda like a camper/horse trailer that held 4 horses) into a spot with less than 12" on either side..it was amazing. I myself can not, I know I can't, I have no delusions about being able to attempt it, so I don't. But...speaking for the women who can't- we know we can't, you don't need to tell us we can't and we don't want you to offer to teach us....if we want to learn we will. When we get to the lake, just do it, you won't hurt our feelings..as long as you don't make comments about how you have to do it because we can't. You sure don't want us bringing up all the things we have to do because you can't....and you know we can remember everything we have ever done for you from the beginning of time! :)
 
Sink said:
Worst part is her blackberry got soaked and ruined while she was trying to help!
Click to expand...

My phone fell in the lake this past weekend as well. Have her put it in a plastic bag with white rice. The rice will help suck the moisture out of the phone. I removed my battery and left battery and my phone in the bag for 2 days, and today it is back to normal. Can't even tell it was submerged and didn't work for days.
 
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BMANN06 said:
No idea ... never attempted. If I had to guess .... 4-5 hours ... and 4-5 grand in damamge.
Click to expand...


LOL! Great!

My wife knows enough to not even try. Nor does she want to try. I let her park the truck and trailer after I have backed down and unloaded the skis, but with that...all she has to do is drive forward.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
djredman99 said:
Sink said:
Worst part is her blackberry got soaked and ruined while she was trying to help!
My phone fell in the lake this past weekend as well. Have her put it in a plastic bag with white rice. The rice will help suck the moisture out of the phone. I removed my battery and left battery and my phone in the bag for 2 days, and today it is back to normal. Can't even tell it was submerged and didn't work for days.
Click to expand...

My girlfriend has no patience for that stuff so she removed the phone from the rice bag after an hour thinking it would help... of course it didn't work. We had a backup phone so she now has that. I would never get my iphone wet... just a side note.... make sure you remove your 28 day old iphone from your pocket before getting in the hot tub to soak for an hour.... just saying....
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Suzyjack said:
Okay guys... I am sure somewhere out there are women who can do this, my sister is one of them...I have seen her back a living qtrs horse trailer (kinda like a camper/horse trailer that held 4 horses) into a spot with less than 12" on either side..it was amazing. I myself can not, I know I can't, I have no delusions about being able to attempt it, so I don't. But...speaking for the women who can't- we know we can't, you don't need to tell us we can't and we don't want you to offer to teach us....if we want to learn we will. When we get to the lake, just do it, you won't hurt our feelings..as long as you don't make comments about how you have to do it because we can't. You sure don't want us bringing up all the things we have to do because you can't....and you know we can remember everything we have ever done for you from the beginning of time! :)
Click to expand...

My girlfriend is one that will learn and she wants to. The timing was the bad part. The rain was coming... She was trying but just couldn't figure it out. I in no way was saying it was because she was a she... some guys can't do it either... I really love to sit by the dock and watch. So funny!

Saturday, this guy pulls the boat up to the dock after sitting in the corner of the lake, obviously drinking all day..... steps on the dock and next step is in the water! We all got up and clapped for him!!!! Everyone in the boat was laughing... I gave him a 9 for form but a 2 for grace!
 
Sink said:
My girlfriend is one that will learn and she wants to. The timing was the bad part. The rain was coming... She was trying but just couldn't figure it out. I in no way was saying it was because she was a she... some guys can't do it either... I really love to sit by the dock and watch. So funny!

Saturday, this guy pulls the boat up to the dock after sitting in the corner of the lake, obviously drinking all day..... steps on the dock and next step is in the water! We all got up and clapped for him!!!! Everyone in the boat was laughing... I gave him a 9 for form but a 2 for grace!
Click to expand...

I fell in the lake once, the classic i was kneeling on the dock with one hand leaning on the boat and trying to loop the dock rope thru the hook on the lower part of the hull and could feel the boat starting to SLOWLY push away from the dock, all my weight/leverage was on the hand leaning on the boat so there was nothgin i could do but plop headfirst into the water. I had done that same maneuver 100 times with no problem... ironic part was just 1 hour earlier I was over at a buddies dock and dropped my blackberry into the water.. (surprisingly it survived after drying out fopr a couple days) if was not a good day for me...
 
How long does it take your girlfriend to back the trailer into the water???

depends on if my wife is around or not :)
 
Dear Abby,
My wife passed away a year ago last June so I don't have to worry about that part. She WAS able to back a trailer.... should I keep looking or settle for the one I'm seeing now???

Signed,
Confused...
 
Not sure what your landings look like, but in our region, nobody puts up with, or cares to put up with people holding boats at the end of the dock at a busy landing. It's a team effort. I insisted that my wife learn to drive the truck or the boat if we are going to own watercraft of some sort. It's only fair to the spouse and the other people using the landing.

She chose to learn the boat and now she drives on like a pro. The VeVe guides and practice get her tons of respect from the other ladies and boaters at the landing.

That being said, anyone can learn to back trailers. It's all something many of us have never done, but all of us can learn with some work in a parking lot. Here are my biggest tips I give new drivers:

1. If you have mirrors, use them. When pulling forward, figure out how much fender you see in the mirrors when it is straight, then try to maintain that much when putting it in reverse

2. If you look over your shoulder to back, put your driving hand on the bottom of the steering wheel. Your mind will turn it correctly if you have had no experience at all.

3. The shorter the trailer, the less you move the steering wheel. Nothing more than a quarter turn at any time as it will always be too much. A PWC trailer is as bad as a Sled trailer, they turn with the slightest movement of the wheel. A 20' or more boat will back much easier. If you have a 4wd pickup and a single ski trailer, good luck. You just gave yourself a near impossible task without a backup camera. Drop the tailgate if you can, or hand walk the trailer down the landing as you won't see it till it's too far one way or the other.

4. If you have an SUV and nothing will roll out the back, open the hatch and back with it up. You may be able to spot the trailer the whole way down the ramp.

5. Slow and steady is always faster than quick with mistakes. Everyone respects a slow straight back, then a yahoo backing too fast into the other loading lane or dock.

I always seem to be the guy that volunteers to back others vehicles when we are at the ramp with 4-5 boats. I don't mind the practice as everyone seems to know how to drive their boat. Again, I have no time for wives/girlfriends that sit in the bow with a cocktail or dog while the guys do everything. That's just uncool and unfair. Everyone can enjoy the day when they all learn some roles. My wife and I can get in or out in minutes when we work together. We have a system that works and we don't forget the rookie crap like straps, plugs, phones, lifejackets, food/booze and we get to enjoy more time on the water.

Good luck with the spouses. Nothing is more golden then a big empty Kmart parking lot for some practice!
 
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