How to make boaters hate kayakers...

Today I fished in Santa Cruz, launching early from the harbor. Being Memorial Day, there were tons of boat on the water. The parking lot was overflowing when I got back to the harbor, just before noon. Getting back to the harbor when I did, I had managed to beat the rush that was sure to happen soon, as the wind had recently picked up. Unfortunately, beating the rush was not to be...

If you are not familiar with the boat ramp at the SC harbor, a solo boater (like me) has only one realistic option, which is the dock on the south side (this is obvious when you see it). I had my AI parked in first position, closest to land on that side of the ramp.

Just as I was about ready to back my trailer into position to retrieve my AI, a kayaker backed his pickup into the spot next to the ramp, exactly where I needed to get to. I thought, no biggy, as that kayaker will have his kayak loaded and out of there in a few minutes. Nope. It took that guy and his buddy 40 minutes to load their 2 kayaks and move on. I still can't understand how it could take more that 5 minutes to do what they did. Just for reference, it takes me less than 5 minutes to load my AI onto my trailer, and in my experience, it's extremely rare for a boater to block that spot for more than 5-10 minutes.

Anyways, after seeing this, I'm now much more understanding of that minority of boaters (about 20%, by my estimate) who act like jerks towards kayakers...

40 minutes? holy shit how did the guy not get tossed into the water by someone lol

my drop-off routine is about 90 seconds + the time it takes me to drive, park and walk back, and i already get angry glares sometimes from boaters lol

load up routine takes a bit more, but probably 3 minutes tops

That is and was unfortunate.  Now retired, I drive slower, try not to rush or stress, and constantly tell myself it all does not matter.  One day at a time.   Do what you want and ignore the noise. 

There's people that really haven't been around boat docks and I think they don't recognize it's like parking in a drive thru!

It's tough because how do you tell them? Its so hard watching people doing 'stupid' stuff but we're all new at something....but ya think they'd look around a bit.

And hell- it WAS Memorial Day Weekend!

Sounds like a fun day otherwise!

Same thing has happened to me at loch lomond,  where there IS a kayak dock on the other side of the ramp.
Finally told the guy go to the kayak dock first to u load your kayak one jig at a time.

Doc etiquette is something that is a dieing thing, sadly.

40 minutes? holy shit how did the guy not get tossed into the water by someone lol

A couple of boaters tried to educate them, and one of the harbor security guys even told them to hurry up. But, nothing seemed to make them move with any urgency--if anything, the slowed down. If they'd been somewhat elderly, it might have been more understandable, but they were like 30-somethings.

At one point, one of the guys got out a roll of painters tape, and was taping the top of his pickup cab, for some unknown purpose. I was fully expecting him to pull out a can of spray paint and touch up his vehicle...