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.

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.
• 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.

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.