Best Way To Launch A Boat At The Ramp

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If you follow these steps, it will be easy to launch a boat from the ramp.

You have a new trailer boat, you've created your pre-launch checklist, pulled into the parking lot at the boat ramp, and you're chomping at the bit to enjoy a sunny day out on the water. Only one thing is left between you and your waterborne adventure: actually launching the boat. This can be stressful, especially for people who are just starting out in boating.

Preparing a boat for launch at the Ramp

You will need to switch from trailering mode into launching mode when you arrive at the launch site. Every launch preparation is different, but these are the basics:

  1. To ensure that your bearings are comfortable, walk around the boat and feel the wheels. They should be checked by a professional before you go on your next trip. Allow them to cool down before you launch. Hot bearings can cause damage if they come into contact with cool water.
  2. Take off the safety straps or straps that secure the back of your boat to the trailer. To prevent the boat's premature slide off the trailer, you will want to remove the safety chain and bow strap.
  3. Install the drain plug/plugs.
  4. You can load any gear that you have in the tow vehicle onto the boat. This is easier with larger boats because someone can climb inside the boat and you give everything to them.
  5. Prepare your dock lines by attaching them to the boat's feet and leaving them neatly coiled so you can reach them easily.
  6. Remove the incandescent bulbs from your trailer. This will prevent the bulbs from heating up when you apply the brake. Then, dip your feet in cool water. This can cause the incandescent bulbs of your trailer to burn, but is not an issue for LED trailer lights.
  7. Double-check the drain plug. Although it sounds cliché, people forget to do this simple but crucial step. They don't put the plugs in the boat on a regular basis.


How to reverse a boat ramp

This is a difficult task, especially for those who are new to trailer boating and just starting out with boat hauling. Relax, don't panic. Relax, take your time and remember that it is possible for the boat to drift out of alignment from time to another. You will soon get used to it.

Before you shift into reverse, the most important thing about backing down the ramp is to pull forward enough so that the boat and tow vehicle are aligned. Many people stop when their boat is too far from the tow vehicle. This means that you need to align the trailer's position before you can even start. It will be easier to get your boat moving in the right direction if you have the trailer, tow vehicle, and boat's bow all aligned with the launch ramp.

After you have aligned the boat properly, shift to reverse and make as few corrections as possible to keep it moving in the right direction. You can easily over-steer, especially when you back down quickly. Take your time, and adjust the steering wheel slowly. Stop if you feel the steering wheel is out of alignment and pull up until it's re-aligned.

Look between your rear-view mirrors and side-view mirrors as you back up. These multiple views will quickly help you spot the problem when it starts to happen.

Throughout the entire process, remember that the trailer reacts to your input in the opposite direction. If you steer left, the trailer swings to the right. Some people find it useful to grasp the bottom of the wheel, and then tell their self that the boat will go in the same direction as they are.

Continue down the ramp until you see the boat floating behind it. It may not be possible to lift the boat from the water before the wheels of your tow vehicle reach it, depending on how steep the ramp is. To lift the boat from the trailer, you will likely need to use your boat's engine or some muscle power. Once the trailer and boat are set, you can put the tow vehicle in park. Make sure to use the parking brake.

Launching the Boat

You are now ready to pull the boat from the trailer. You can now remove the safety chain and bow strap. If you have a small boat, or a steep ramp, you might be able simply to push the bow forward and let the boat float. You should make sure someone is holding the docklines before you attempt to do this. To maintain control, you can attach one longer line to your bow when you launch single-handed.

You may need to turn the trailer off if you have larger boats or a shallow ramp. To do this, climb into the boat and lower the drive units until they are fully submerged. Then, start the engine. Next, shift into reverse with minimal power. Apply power slowly in small increments to get the boat moving. Next, pull up to the dock and secure the boat to the docklines. Finally, park your tow vehicle.


Boat Ramp Etiquette

Boat ramps can be very busy on sunny weekends. It is important that everyone follows a few simple rules to make the process smoother.

These include:

  1. You shouldn't go up to the ramp before you are ready to launch. Pre-launch preparation should be done in an area far from the ramp. It's safe and clear of obstructions. This will allow other trailer boaters to launch without delay. Be careful not to park in a way that blocks other boaters' ability to pull ahead and align their rigs.
  2. You can move your boat off the ramp as soon as you launch it. If not, tie it up on the other side of the pier. You can then park your tow car on the ramp so others can use it.
  3. If you don't have enough space at the pier for your boat to be moved from the ramp, you can ask a skilled helper to lift it off the pier and place your boat on the dock.
  4. Similar to the above, if you need to return to a crowded ramp instead of tying up your boat, drop someone off at the pier to retrieve your tow vehicle. Back off until the tow vehicle is able to be towed down the ramp. Once the boat is loaded onto the trailer, move away from the ramp and unload gear before you prepare for your return trip.
  5. These items all relate to one thing: trying to minimize crowding on the ramp and not holding everyone up.

These steps will make you appear like a pro when you launch your boat from the ramp. You might be able to, but not necessarily at the first. It takes practice to launch a boat smoothly. You'll improve your skills the more you practice it. You can speed up your learning curve by taking your boat to a vacant parking lot and setting up cones or placing life jackets on it. Then, practice backing for at least an hour. You will soon be a pro and you'll have all the waterborne fun within a matter of minutes.


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