Trailering
158
Keep the following points in mind when
backing up
Back slowly. Make steering adjustments in
small steps.
Turn the towing vehicle’s wheels opposite
the direction you want the trailer to go.
After the trailer begins moving, turn the
towing vehicle to follow it.
Have a second person stand by to help di-
rect you with hand signals.
Launching
As a courtesy to other boaters, prepare your
boat for launching before using the ramp.
Each launch may have particular differences,
such as ramp angle, prevailing wind, waves,
and water currents. If possible, watch a cou-
ple of boaters launch their boats first to notice
any problems. While every boater develops a
preferred launch procedure, here is a recom-
mended general procedure:
(1) Perform the pre-operation checks
shown on page 130 that can be per-
formed on land.
(2) Remove all trailering tie-down lines from
the boat and attach your docking lines
and fenders, if used.
(3) Disconnect the trailer lights from the
towing vehicle.
(4) Back the trailer down the ramp as close
to 90° to the shoreline as you can. If pos-
sible, have a second person stand aside
as an observer. Stop when the wheels
are at least halfway submerged. Set the
parking brake.
(5) Remove the bow line from the bow eye.
(6) Back the trailer farther into the water until
just the tops of the fenders show, and
then reset the parking brake. Board the
boat and start it. If possible, remain on
the trailer until the engines are warm and
are responding to throttle.
(7) Back the boat out into the water, watch-
ing carefully for people, other boats, or
obstacles.
Loading
(1) Disconnect the trailer lights from the
towing vehicle.
(2) Back the trailer down the ramp as close
to 90° to the shoreline as you can. If pos-
sible, have a second person act as an
observer while standing to the side of the
trailer. Stop when the tops of the trailer’s
fenders are about 3 inches above the
waterline.
(3) With the boat moving at the slowest idle
speed, guide the boat onto the support
rails. Use throttle only if necessary for
steering ability.
WARNING! Using too
much throttle can cause the boat to
jump over the front of the trailer,
which can result in injury to the boat
operator and bystanders.
(4) Make sure the boat is centered on the
support rails and is headed straight for
the bow stop (bumper board). Ease the
boat forward until the bow rests against
the bow stop.
NOTICE:
The winch line
is not designed to pull the boat onto
the trailer.
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