GEKKO GTS 20 2015, Owner'S Manual

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• Be sure that all strapping material is in good condition with no wear.
• Check that both trailer and vehicle running, brake and signal lights are in
good working condition.
• Drive with the vehicle and trailer running lights on.
• Remove any covers or bimini tops that are not designed to stay on boats at
highway speeds.
• Never trailer your boat with equipment in the board racks.
• See the engine operator’s manual for engine-related trailering information.
Continuous road shocks may fatigue the boat steering system.
• Carry a fire extinguisher in your towing vehicle.
• Drive slowly over road bumps or rough terrain.
• Additional space and distance are needed when turning with a trailer at-
tached, use caution when turning.
• Avoid sudden steering maneuvers.
• When trailering your boat from lake to lake be sure to thoroughly clean the
boat below the waterline, remove all weeds and algae, and drain the bilge
and livewells before launching the boat in a new body of water to ensure that
you are not unknowingly introducing foreign aquatic species from one lake to
the next.
• Check the lights on the trailer for proper function.
• Make sure the tow vehicle has side view mirrors that are large enough to pro-
vide an unobstructed rear view on both sides of the vehicle.
• Signal your intentions.
• Conserve fuel.
• Do not tailgate.
• Always be courteous to other motorists on the road.
Backing Up
If you have never towed a trailer before, take time to practice and become familiar
with backing up your boat and trailer. Follow these guidelines when backing a trailer:
• Back up slowly and make small steering adjustments.
• Turn the car wheels in the opposite direction of where you want the trailer to
go.
• After the trailer begins moving, turn the car to follow it.
• Have a second person assist you outside of the vehicle with audible and
hand signals.
Launching
Every boat owner develops his or her own launching technique. Until it becomes
habit, here are a few helpful tips.
Before launching, inspect the launch ramp first. Ramps can be slippery and danger-
ous to drive or walk on. Be sure to check how steep the ramp is and if the surface is
firm enough to support the weight of the trailer and tow vehicle. The ramp may have
unseen drop-offs beneath the water that could pose a safety hazard, to avoid any
issues check the depth of the water at the end of the ramp. Always be aware of wa-
ter conditions and the effects of the wind when launching.
Use courtesy when preparing the boat for launching by doing so away from the ramp
on level ground before proceeding to the ramp. During this time install the drain
plugs, detach the trailer tie-downs, remove the boat cover, verify that the battery is
fully charged and the fuel level is full, check for all required documentation and safety
equipment, and make sure the trailer is securely fastened to the tow vehicle.
When launching, if possible have someone stand to one side of the ramp to provide
directions. Slowly back the trailer down the ramp. Keep the trailer and vehicle as
straight as possible and at 90 degrees to the shoreline. Slowly back the trailer into
the water until the trailer tire wheel well is about even with the surface. Stop the vehi-
cle and shift into Park (automatic transmission) or first gear (manual transmission).
Apply the brakes and/or parking brake. Shut off the tow vehicle engine. Unlock the
safety chains and winch hook; then back the boat off the trailer and secure to the
dock. Release the vehicle brakes and pull the trailer slowly out of the water and park
in a designated area. Board the boat, run the bilge blowers as required and see the
engine operator’s manual for starting procedures. Once you have started the boat,
untie the boat from the dock and proceed slowly away from the dock.
To re-load the boat on the trailer, stop, turn off the boat and secure it to the dock at a
position clear from where the trailer will be in the water. Make sure the trailer is se-
curely fastened to the vehicle. Back the trailer slowly down the ramp until it is posi-
tioned so that the boat can be loaded.
Before loading, clean any dirt or sand off of the rollers and bunks. Sand on these
can abrade the boat’s bottom while on the road. Be sure to back in and completely