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Why the concern about boat ramps versus other possible additions such as restaurant, marina, etc.
Boat Ramps Cause Significant Traffic
Boat ramps often experience significant traffic due to a combination of factors:
- Narrow Access Roads
- These ramps would be located along narrow or two‑lane roads, slowing trailer traffic.
- Parking Limitations
- Backing trailers, unloading gear, and launching boats take time and cause back-up causing congestion, noise and emissions from trailers.
- High Demand at the Same Times
- Boaters commonly arrive and leave during the same peak periods, leading to long lines and traffic backup.
- Limited Ramp Capacity
- Most boat ramps, to not overwhelm an area with trailers, only allow one or two boats to launch or retrieve at a time, creating bottlenecks. Having 3 or more ramps creates an overwhelming addition to a neighborhood area and can only be handled in commercial locations.
- Slow Launching and Loading Process
- Backing trailers, unloading gear, and launching boats take time
- Retrieval Takes Longer
- Loading boats at the end of the day typically takes longer than launching, increasing afternoon congestion
- Seasonal Peaks
- Holidays, beautiful-weather weekends, and fishing events greatly increase ramp usage. This coincides with already very heavy traffic times.
Greater Noise Implications
- Truck & Trailer Noise
- Trucks towing heavy trailers make more noise when breaking, accelerating and maneuvering
- Trailer chains and metal components and the clank of unloading/loading add to the noise.
- Early Morning and Late Night Disturbances
- Fisherman and recreational boaters using the ramp often launch in the early hours and return at dark – noise when residential areas are normally quiet
- Backup beeping and dockside sounds
- Many trucks and larger vehicles emit mandatory backup alarms that can be heard throughout the surrounding areas
- Water amplifies and carries the sounds, Noise from boat trailers and people yelling directions carries farther along the water than they do inland.
Existing Boat Ramps with Capacity
It can be very frustrating to go to launch your boat at a ramp and have to wait for a long period of time. As part of this coalition, we have members who use local area boat ramps and understand the frustration.
We do have boat ramps in our area that have capacity. We encourage evaluating available technology that would allow boaters to know which ramps have capacity at any given time, so time is not wasted on a beautiful day when you want to be out on the water.
Once development plans for the Seafood Shack are finalized, our community group would welcome an opportunity to be part of that solution.
Downtown Sarasota Boat ramp
Boat ramp in Lemon Bay (Englewood)
Example Congestion & Traffic Concerns
Video below demonstrates the challenges/traffic impact of maneuvering boats on narrow streets. This will easily cause gridlock all the way down and onto Cortez Road and impact the roadway leading up to the new bridge ramps.
Below video of traffic on Cortez Road already. We very much support development on old Seafood Shack property, but a steady flow of boat trailers early morning or evening are too great an impact on traffic.