Well this is like asking Ford or chevy at a toyota club meeting. sneaks, why don't they have the docks at that ramp. the only time i have seen that is at lakes where most boats are of the ski type or the water is warm. here in the north west most ramps have the docks at the ramp and most people ,not me, pull their boats over with ropes.
Why? Good question. Probably $$$ with a shot of "designed by marina boat facility architects." With median home prices over $500k well inland, waterfront property is, shall we say, somewhat restricted?
Oceanside just built a new 6 lane launch ramp that works for line handlers or power off boaters with adjacent dock at every lane. Free launch, $5 day parking, $10 24 hr parking. Excellent facility with water washdown albeit somewhat short on parking, though there is free parking about a mile away. A great starting point for some of the least fished waters in San Diego and Orange County, btw.
The new Mission Bay Sea World Drive ramps, OTOH, have loads of free parking, lots of ramp space for at least 8 trailers at once and two loooong docks, one on each side, but to get to the dock one
must power over. To get back to the truck, one must walk to the TOP of the dock walking ramp, walk through the fenced and elevated walking ramp access "gate", and back down to the tow vehicle. Fences between launch and walking ramp preclude the use of lines, though I suspect if you had a couple hundred feet of line and 36" sleeve length, it could be done. :?
Quivera Basin's dock is 50 yards from the launch ramp. 'Nuff said.
Most of the San Diego bay ramps are free, but incredibly busy on weekends when "the season" hits and just crowded off season. They all suffer from lack of parking and none that I've been to are convenient for engineless launches or recoveries. Like you, I hate folks with bad dock manners and avoid those ramps like the plague if I'm alone or with an unqualified helms"person". Best is to launch, take the boat out of the launch basin and wait until the driver returns after parking, then ease the bow into whatever space is open so he/she can join you.
Every area is different, obviously, and my choice of trailer was driven by where I'll be boating for the next few years. When I take my Californicator Equity and run away north, like Da Nag, it won't make much difference because by then I'll be looking to upgrade...
