The Lake Panorama marina has been busy the past couple of weekends with families removing their boats from the water for the season, but not all boats are out, and the Association expects the area to remain busy over the next couple of weekends.

Association General Manager John Rutledge asks that members continue to follow proper boat removal etiquette, and he explains why removal can be such a challenging process since it’s typically only done once a year.

“In the springtime, getting the boat off the trailer is pretty easy but putting it back on can be tricky.  Really I think the most important thing is to establish a reference point on your trailer so that you don’t back it in (to the water) too far.  We see a lot of folks who back the trailer in too far and they have to then shimmy out onto the trailer or wade into the water and then the boat won’t center on the trailer correctly.  So just practice it.”

Rutledge says he hasn’t experienced any accidents in relation to boat removal during his time with the Association, but he understands that frustrations can run high at the boat ramp when people are waiting to take their boats out.  He asks that members practice driving their vehicles with trailers attached before heading to the marina so that the entire removal process can be quicker for all involved.

Anyone with questions about boat removal procedures can contact the LPA Office at 641-755-2301.