| If you just got a new boat, congratulations, boating | | | | 2). Remove the trailer tie-downs, straps, and any |
| is a very rewarding hobby and sport. Nothing beats | | | | engine supports or straps. It sounds obvious but it is |
| being out on the water with your friends and family | | | | easy to pull up to the ramp and back down before |
| wakeboarding, waterskiing, fishing or just cruising. | | | | you remove these straps. Trying to get your boat |
| Well, in order to get out on the water you need to | | | | off the trailer with the straps on makes for a good |
| launch your boat from the trailer. This can be a very | | | | laugh later but is very frustrating while on the ramp. |
| intimating thing to go for the first time and something | | | | 3). Load you Gear into the Boat. It is usually easier to |
| that needs to be taken seriously. Once you have | | | | load up your towels, coolers, bags, etc while the boat |
| done it a few times it becomes routine, but there | | | | is right behind your vehicle. |
| are certain things that must be done (i.e. PUT IN THE | | | | 4). Make sure you have enough life vests/flotation |
| PLUG!) | | | | devices. Once again sounds obvious if you are on a |
| There are a couple things you can do to make your | | | | boat but it is easy to forget and if guests come |
| first time a little easier. Ideally you will be able to find | | | | along you need to make sure to add extras for |
| a friend who has a boat and is willing to come out | | | | them. |
| with you and guide you through the process. There is | | | | While your Boat is in the Water: |
| nothing better than an experienced boater for | | | | 1). Back your trailer down the ramp to get your boat |
| teaching you right the first time. They have probably | | | | in the water. Put it in the water so the engine |
| learned the hard way on a few things but hopefully | | | | outdrive is in the water but make sure the boat is |
| you can learn from them. If you are the first person | | | | not floating off the trailer. You want to make sure |
| in your group of friends to make the leap into | | | | the boat is started and everything is properly |
| boating, good for you. I would recommend the best | | | | working before you release the boat from the trailer. |
| thing you can do is go to the ramp you plan to | | | | 2). Run the Blower - This will evacuate the engine |
| launch your boat and watch some people do it. Also, | | | | compartment and make sure there an no explosive |
| if something doesn't make sense, ask one of the | | | | fuel vapors in there for starting |
| boaters. Most boaters are more than happy to talk | | | | 3). Make sure Kill Switch is set to Run - I think this is |
| with you and give you tips, everyone had a "first | | | | something everyone has run into at some point. It is |
| time" at some point. | | | | easy for this to get bumped or to pull the attached |
| One thing to note when you are watching boats | | | | lanyard. Anyways, if you turn the key and absolutely |
| launch, make sure to look at the type of boat. Really | | | | nothing happens this is the first thing to check. |
| focus on the boats that are similar to yours. If you | | | | 4). Start the Boat. If needed give it a little gas with |
| just bought a nice new fiberglass runabout boat you | | | | the drive mechanism in throttle only. You do not |
| might not want to follow the lead of the local | | | | want the propeller to be turning while you are on the |
| fisherman with the metal fishing skiff. The fisherman | | | | trailer. |
| is probably not too concerned about hitting or | | | | 5). Communicate between Drivers. The boat driver |
| scrapping rocks and also probably has a small | | | | and the vehicle driver need to be on the same page |
| outboard motor, where as you might have an I/O | | | | at all times during this procedure. |
| motor which is quite a bit different. Also, you will | | | | 6). Unhook the Boat. Release the remaining bow |
| notice the ramps get very crowded during certain | | | | hooks that are keeping the boat on the trailer. Do |
| days and times. If this is your first time you want to | | | | this only after the boat has been started and is |
| make every effort to go at a time when it is not | | | | running smoothly. |
| busy (i.e. -weekdays). The worst thing is having a | | | | - Double Check - A nice check I like to use is run the |
| whole lineup of boats behind you waiting for the | | | | bilge. If there is a lot of water coming out you have |
| ramp and getting you flustered launching your own | | | | a problem. Do NOT launch the boat. Water should not |
| boat. | | | | be getting into your boat fast enough to accumulate |
| So here are some tips and things to remember when | | | | during the launching process. |
| launching your boat: | | | | 7). Vehicle driver gradually back the boat down the |
| Before you put your Boat in the Water: | | | | ramp until it is floating. At which point the boat driver |
| 1). Put the plug in the boat and double check it. You | | | | can gently give it a little reverse throttle to slip the |
| do not want your boat in the water without the plug | | | | boat off the trailer. |
| in. This has caused panic for many boaters. So double | | | | Congratulations! You are in the water and ready to |
| and triple check it is in. Everyone in the boat should | | | | go. Have fun out there. |
| be checking for this before it is launched. | | | | |