Boating Basics: Before Going Out
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.
Boat Ramp Etiquette
To avoid unnecessary delays and blocking the boat ramp when launching and retrieving your boat, complete as much of the preparation, loading, and unloading in the "staging area" as possible. Others will appreciate your preparation and consideration. Here are some tips to help you.
Launching your vessel from a trailer:
- Prepare your vessel well away from the boat ramp.
- Check that all required safety equipment and the vessel's registration card are on board.
- Make sure the trailer coupler is connected securely to the ball hitch, remove all tie-down straps, and unplug the trailer lights.
- Check the condition of the battery, the motor, and the angle of the drive unit.
- Make sure the vessel's drain plug is firmly in place.
- Move the vessel to the boat ramp. Having a lookout or someone in the boat is helpful at this point.
- Check the drive unit prior to backing down the ramp.
- Run the exhaust blower for at least four minutes.
- Start the engine, and unhook the winch line.
- Once the engine is running steadily, back the trailer further down the ramp until the vessel floats. Then back the vessel slowly off the trailer.
- Move the vessel out of the way. Secure it to a courtesy dock while you pick up your passengers.
- Quickly move the towing vehicle off the ramp.
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.
- Consider adding an additional bow safety chain to secure the bow eye to the trailer.
- Shut off the vessel's engine, and raise the drive unit.
- Tow the vessel off the ramp and out of the way of others.
- In the staging area, secure the vessel to the trailer with the tie-down straps.
- Before leaving the staging area:
- Remove all plants and animals from the vessel and trailer.
- Remove the drain plug.
- Drain all live wells, holds, and the bilge in a location that will not contaminate the waterway.
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A bow safety chain holds your boat if the winch fails. |
Courtesy on the boat ramp:
- Prepare your vessel for launching or for the drive home
well away from the ramp.
- Use at least two experienced people to launch and
retrieve the vessel—one to drive the towing vehicle and
one to operate the vessel.
- Never block a ramp with an unattended vessel or
vehicle.
- When retrieving, do not pull your vessel into a launch
lane until the towing vehicle is at the ramp. The line is
formed by vehicles with trailers, not by vessels in the
water.
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