Another Whittier ramp rant

[skydiver]

Sunday afternoon was a zoo. It's not the crowds I mind (I'm one of the crowd), it's the lack of organization and patience. Two ramp "supervisors" but no supervision. Coming to the ramp to retrieve and all ramps have a mixture of retrievers and launchers. One commercial guy launching in the lane on the far right as you look down from the top of the ramp which was fine. But that's where you have to carefully work your way between the two lines of boats to get out. Must have not been patient because he blasted out of there playing bumper boats as he went along. Hit some guy's boat and when the guy said something about it the comm guy yelled that he should put out fenders. After my boat's out, I ask one of the two "supervisors" (the one who yelled at me Friday when I launched my boat, telling me I need to wait for someone to tell me it's ok...I was ready and others were still getting ready, so why wouldn't I go? Plus, I'd gone because the other "supervisor" told me to go) how someone would know when they're coming in to retrieve which lane(s) are for launch and which are for retrieve. She told me the two left lanes (as you are looking down from the top of the ramp) are for retrieving. I don't think she understood I was asking a hypothetical question. I rephrased the question. Suppose I was coming in to retrieve and nobody told me which lanes are retrieve and which are launch. She said the two left lanes are always retrieve on Sundays. News to me. I asked how someone would know that. Is it posted somewhere? On some web site? Nope. She said they used to have signs but they kept blowing over. I suggested they get a bunch of cones. Paint one side red and one side green. Put them at the top of the ramps and at the ends. If you see red, you don't go that way. If you see green, you can go that way. Simple and there's no need to read anything. Weigh the things down if you have to. The Whittier harbor website says
"NOTICE TO BOATERS
Please observe the directional markers when launching or retrieving a vessel from the East Launch Ramp." Really?
Anyway, it was a good weekend, boaters were in a good mood (except for the one), and a good time was had. Even if it was a zoo.

[lakeside]

Seward is just a little further and is a real town, with real helpful people, nice launches, and plenty of local businesses to support... that actually want your business.

[Rob B]

Whittier's always been a train wreck. Really wish they would take some of that mega cash they get from us and build a new useable harbor. And I agree, Seward is a great place to launch. That's why we take a month break each July and get a transient slip in Seward.

[potbuilder]

Welcome to the world of dealing with Whitidiots ! I had one of the dock nazi's ask me if i needed help getting my boat on the trailer, i say thanks but i'm good, then half way up the ramp she stops me and says that i am retrieving on the launch side ???? not 1 minute ago she wanted to help me ??? This was on a weekday when you could fire a cannon in any direction and not hit anybody. I just kept going up the ramp. That whole town needs a trip to see the wizard (if i only had a brain).

[c6 batmobile]

Seward is just a little further and is a real town, with real helpful people, nice launches, and plenty of local businesses to support... that actually want your business.

Amen. Just went out of there for my first time yesterday. I was thoroughly impressed with the setup and the awesome town. Once I can figure out how to catch a halibut down there it will be a regular visit for me.

[PWSWakester]

I've seem a bow picker do the exact same thing; put, and drive right out the middle hitting everyone along the way.
Way to promote good will between the Comm and Rec fleets!

As for the launch at Whittier, here's what I've deciphered over the years. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
| Parking Lot |
| Dock Dock |
| +Lane 1 Lane 2 + Lane 3 |
| + + |
| + + |
Lane 1 is always launch
Lane 2 is launch in the morning and retrieve in the evening
Lane 3 is always retrieve
I love the sound, If I could get there reasonably without going through Whittier, I would.

[PWSWakester]

Well, I made a nice little diagram, but it took all my extra spaces out.
I guess you get the idea.

[healerf18]

Yep, got the idea, and yes, your diagram is my experience as well.

[jrogers]

Were they not just using orange cones labeled In and Out earlier this year?? They had one set at the top of the ramps and another set at the end of the docks.

[spoiled one]

Were they not just using orange cones labeled In and Out earlier this year?? They had one set at the top of the ramps and another set at the end of the docks.

They have not done that on the retrieve end for a couple of years. I asked why and the little attendant told me they kept blowing in the water. I suggested that they weigh them down with sand bags and she gave me a very confused look. Perhaps I had a booger hanging? That place never ceases to amaze me.

[Paul H]

We decided to come back a day early from our trip this weekend, given the number of boats we saw around the sound it was a wise decision. We just missed the 8pm tunnel opening Saturday night, but coming to the retrieve line and only having one boat ahead of us sure was nice.

It's an amazing place, once you leave the dock.

[DMan]

They have not done that on the retrieve end for a couple of years. I asked why and the little attendant told me they kept blowing in the water. I suggested that they weigh them down with sand bags and she gave me a very confused look. Perhaps I had a booger hanging? That place never ceases to amaze me.

Perhaps it was the shells on your eyes?

[patrickL]

Perhaps it was the shells on your eyes?

Or that fact that you were towering over the "little attendant" but at least a couple feet. Ya probably scared her.

[T.R. Bauer]

Actually it is quite amazing even in town....If you call that amazing....LOL....

We decided to come back a day early from our trip this weekend, given the number of boats we saw around the sound it was a wise decision. We just missed the 8pm tunnel opening Saturday night, but coming to the retrieve line and only having one boat ahead of us sure was nice.

It's an amazing place, once you leave the dock.

[Paul H]

The town is amazing, in it's own way

The sad thing is it's got so much potential, but apparently inhabited by people unable to realize that.