One of my pet peeves has to be ignorant people at boat launches. I know there are no written rules and regulations anywhere pertaining to boat launch usage, but there should be for tools like the one I am about to tell you about.

My fishing partner and I made the mistake last summer of heading to a popular public boat launch during peak weekend hours. We arrived to find a very long line-up of boats waiting to launch. It was a double launch, so we assumed that by the time we had everything loaded into the boat and had it prepared for launching we would be near the front of the line. Well… you know what assuming does…

While we were packing up the boat this guy came whizzing along and passed the ten or so people that were patiently waiting for their turn to proceed to the launch. Mr. Highandmighty drove right into the area directly in front of the two launches and threw it into park. From there he got out of his truck and began his routine. He removed the cover, took the garbage out of the boat and walked it over to the garbage, got his things out of his truck and put them into his boat. He then proceeded to get into his boat and arrange all of his belongings. While this was going on, the two trucks that were in the launch had to awkwardly manoeuvre around this tool because he hadn't left enough room for them to pull out properly.

Now obviously the next boats couldn't launch because he had blocked up the whole area. All eyes were on him at that point, but he seemed totally oblivious to the stares of death he was getting from the people who he has butted in front of. After about fifteen minutes he finally moved on to the next step of preparing his boat for launching. Super. I was thinking that after he got the tie-straps off we'd be moving again. Wrong.

It was now time to drive into the launch, but of course this was the type of person who had no clue of how to back up a trailer. At that point my anger was being overtaken by humour, and I think that the other people who were waiting felt the same. After jack-knifing his trailer every which way but Sunday, the guy at the front of the line must have had about enough. After speaking briefly with this idiot, he exchanged places with him in the driver's seat. He quickly uncoiled the truck and trailer and slid into the launch like a seasoned pro. Thank God for good Samaritans. Had the leader of the pack not stepped in we'd probably all still be sitting there, or this guy would have been approached by someone that did not have such great intentions in mind.

Cheers to you Mr. Highandmighty for providing some comic relief for the long wait. You somehow managed to tick off about twenty-five people, but left the scene with smiles on all of their faces. For your own sake however, I hope you've shortened your launch time. Next time you might not be so lucky!
On a serious note though folks, please have your boat prepared before entering the launch. Get in and out as quick as you can, be courteous to others, and most importantly; when getting out of your vehicle in the launch to take the boat off the trailer, remember to put it into park! Together we can end launch ignorance.