| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | excellent reference point without having to look, you |
| When it comes to launching a boat your entire | | | | always know that at the lowest point your wheels |
| success depends on how well you’re | | | | will be straight again. |
| prepared. Everyone will benefit if you take the time | | | | Once you notice the trailer start to turn then you |
| to prepare your boat before you even reach the | | | | should straighten slightly while reversing. The trailer |
| ramp. | | | | will jack-knife if you straighten too late or move the |
| You should conduct an inspection of your boat prior | | | | wheel too quickly. Soon you will be steering in the |
| to using it since there is always the possibility of | | | | opposite direction while reversing. Have the front of |
| damage or failure on the hull. Then, before backing | | | | the vehicle follow the trailer and watch where the |
| down the ramp you should raise your outdrive or | | | | trailer is in case you need to make corrections. |
| outboard motor and remove all tie-down straps and | | | | Look in both mirrors and continue to reverse in a |
| binders. It is also important to make sure that the | | | | straight line. Back up carefully and slowly. If you |
| boat winch is engaged and that it is attached to the | | | | notice more of the trailer in one mirror then steer |
| eyebolt on the bow of your boat. | | | | towards that side in order to get the trailer to move |
| While waiting in line to launch your boat take the time | | | | the other way. When correcting only use small |
| to check your fuel level, vital fluids and make sure all | | | | steering movements. |
| your safety equipment is on board. Make sure the | | | | You can also move forward to straighten the trailer if |
| drain plug is installed, without the drain plug you | | | | needed. Be sure to practice some at home until you |
| won’t be going very far in your boat. | | | | are confident with your ability so that you |
| Once it’s your turn to launch it would be a | | | | won’t have to learn the hard way at the |
| good idea to have a partner so the entire process | | | | ramp while people wait in line behind you. |
| can go smoother. It’s best to have one | | | | Launching Your Boat |
| person down the ramp while another holds a | | | | When launching your boat there are a few simple |
| pre-attached line to help guide the boat off the | | | | suggestions you should follow to make it easy and |
| trailer. It’s also a good idea to have someone | | | | simple. Make sure you observe the direction signage. |
| in the boat so they can drive it away from the trailer | | | | Keep the rear wheels of your tow vehicle out of the |
| after it’s in the water. | | | | water, which means you are also keeping the |
| Backing The Trailer Up | | | | exhaust pipes out of the water. |
| One of the hardest parts of launching a boat is | | | | Immersing the exhaust pipes in water may cause the |
| reversing with a trailer. To do this you should first | | | | engine to stall. Make sure you set the parking brake |
| position your vehicle and trailer in as straight a line as | | | | and have the transmission in park. Start the boat |
| you can manage and stay about a trailer’s | | | | motor to make sure water is passing through the |
| length from the place where you are going to | | | | engine cooling system and that there are no fuel |
| reverse to. While you slowly reverse, keep your | | | | leaks. |
| eyes on the trailer from the driver’s window, | | | | Once the boat operator is ready you can release the |
| then start turning the steering wheel to the right | | | | winch and disconnect the winch line from the bow. |
| slightly. | | | | By now your boat should easily launch with a simple |
| To steer gently and progressively you should grab | | | | shove or just by backing off the trailer under power. |
| the wheel at the bottom, this makes it easier to add | | | | As soon as you launch your boat return your towing |
| more steering to correct after turning too much. | | | | vehicle and trailer to the parking lot so the next |
| Grabbing at the bottom will also prevent you from | | | | person can launch. |
| over-turning the wheel. It also provides you with an | | | | |