Where do you get your boat ready before launching?

PREPARING FOR LAUNCH Find a quiet spot in the parking lot away from the launch lane traffic. Some ramps provide lanes to “prep” the boat for the water (“make ready” area). Remove all tie-downs except the winch hook attached to the bow eye of the boat.

When loading passengers on your boat where should you position them?

They should step low to the centre of the boat, hold onto the sides of the boat and they shouldn’t stand up. Tell them not to jump from the dock to the boat and not to step on the gunwales.

How do you load a boat?

How to Load a Boat on a Trailer By Yourself

Tie up your boat to the dock.
Then attach a single long line to the bow and stern cleat.
Back the trailer down deep enough that you can float the boat most of the way onto the trailer.
Using the line you can control the boat as you walk down the dock.

What is the first thing you should do when retrieving a boat onto a trailer?

Retrieving Your Boat Onto a Trailer

Move the vessel onto the trailer far enough to attach the winch line to the bow eye of the vessel. Finish pulling the vessel onto the trailer by cranking the winch.
Shut off the engine, and raise the engine or outdrive.
Pull the vessel out of the water.

What should passengers be aware of at all times?

Be aware of the effects of being on the water including sunlight, motion, waves, wind and sound. Stay close to the centerline and as low as possible when moving around the boat, and keep hands and feet inside the boat at all times. Refrain from consuming alcohol while onboard.

What is the problem using your boats engine to drive it onto a trailer?

Using a boat’s engine to drive it onto a trailer to fully load it is not an acceptable practice. Using the boat’s engine to load onto the trailer is dangerous to your equipment and the people around the loading area. It also erodes the material at the end of the ramp which leads to its deterioration.

What happens when you pull into a boat launch?

Novice and discourteous trailer boaters often make the same mistake. They pull onto the ramp before they’re actually ready to launch, hogging that precious real estate while they load the day’s gear, ready lines, install the drain plug or, worse, discover a dead battery or a finicky engine.

Where to practice loading and unloading a boat?

An empty parking lot is a good spot to practice. Use the marked lanes (maybe even set up cones) to simulate backing your trailer onto and down the ramp, noting how the trailer responds to your input at the steering wheel and how the increased length of vehicle and trailer affect turning radiuses.

What’s the proper etiquette for a boat launch?

Once you’ve discovered the right boat launch in your area, you’ll want to ensure that you know the general rules and guidelines to follow when learning how to launch your boat. Just as in life, proper etiquette plays a big role in boating. And perhaps nowhere is etiquette more essential—and appreciated—than at the launch ramp.

When do you start the engine before launching a boat?

Briefly start the engine on a flush hose at home before you leave to avoid last-minute surprises.) Only when you’re ready to actually launch should you approach the ramp or queue up in line. The smoothest launches happen when both tow vehicle and boat driver know and have practiced their roles.

How to prepare for the launch of your boat?

The most important points to recap on are: 1 Practice Practice driving/reversing with your boat (you can even practice launching on a ramp early in the morning before anyone else is there). 2 Prep Prep your gear, boat, ropes & fenders BEFORE you approach the ramp. 3 Perfect

What should be first approach to boat ramp?

The first approach to the ramp area should simply be to drop off the tow vehicle driver and passengers at the dock, idling back out into clear waters to await the arrival of your trailer. Unless the ramp is quiet, don’t be tempted to unload gear; you’ll just slow others from getting into position.