Hello boater! Effective July 17, 2009, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources changed their guidelines for distance learning. Students are now required to spend a minimum amount of time on each course page before proceeding to the certification exam.

Click here to go to the latest version of the Boat Illinois online course—the official boating safety course of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Trailering, Launching, and Retrieving Your Vessel

The trailer and towing vehicle should be designed to fit your vessel. The towing hitch must be appropriate for the loaded trailer. Two strong safety chains should be crisscrossed to support the trailer's coupler if it becomes disconnected from the towing vehicle. The chains should be strong enough to hold the combined weight of the vessel, engine, and trailer.

When launching your vessel from a trailer, prepare to launch well away from the boat ramp so that you don't block ramp traffic. Back the trailered vessel into the water far enough so that the lower unit of the engine can be lowered and submerged while the vessel is still on the trailer.

When retrieving your vessel, back the trailer into the water so that approximately two-thirds of the rollers or bunks are submerged in the water. Set the parking brake of the towing vehicle, and put it in park (or first gear if you have a manual transmission). Remember not to power load your boat. Prepare for the drive home well away from the boat ramp so that you don't block ramp traffic.