Boating Basics: Before Going Out

• Before Leaving
• On the Road
• Launching Your Vessel
• Retrieving Your Vessel

Trailering Your Vessel Safely

Before leaving home:

• Secure all gear in the vessel and arrange it so that the weight is evenly distributed in the vessel.
• Properly secure the vessel with several tie-down straps and/or safety lines to prevent it from shifting.
• Tilt and secure the engine to increase clearance.
• Crisscross the safety chains when attaching them to the towing vehicle.

• Make sure the trailer brakes and lights are working.

On the road:

• Think farther ahead on the road than usual: anticipate changes in traffic flow in advance; make wider turns at corners and curves; allow extra time and distance for stopping and for passing other vehicles; and remember the length added by your trailer.
• Be aware that there may be lower speed limits for vehicles with trailers.

Launching your vessel from a trailer:

• Prepare your vessel well away from the boat ramp.
• Back the vessel into the water until the lower unit of the engine can be submerged while on the trailer.
• Once the engine is warmed up, back the trailer further until the vessel floats. Then back slowly off the trailer.

Retrieving your vessel:

• Back the trailer into the water so that approximately two-thirds of the rollers or bunks are submerged.
• Move the vessel onto the trailer far enough to attach the winch line to the bow eye of the vessel. Finish pulling it onto the trailer by cranking the winch. Never "power load" the vessel on the trailer—this can create a large hole at the end of the ramp.
• Tow the vessel off the ramp out of the way of others.
• While at the ramp area, remove all weeds from the vessel, remove the drain plug, and drain live wells.