Boating Basics: Before Going Out

Trailering Your Vessel Safely

Before leaving home:

• Secure and evenly distribute all gear in the vessel.
• Properly secure the vessel with tie-down straps.
• Tilt and secure the engine to increase clearance.
• Crisscross the safety chains when attaching them.
• Test the trailer brakes and lights.

Launching your vessel from a trailer:

• Prepare your vessel well away from the boat ramp.
• Back the vessel into the water until the engine’s lower unit can be submerged while on the trailer.
• Warm up the engine. Back the trailer further until the vessel floats. Then back slowly off the trailer.

Retrieving your vessel:

• Back the trailer into the water so that two-thirds of the rollers or bunks are submerged.
• Move the vessel onto the trailer far enough to attach the winch line to the bow eye of the vessel. Finish pulling it onto the trailer by cranking the winch.
• Tow the vessel off the ramp out of the way of others. While at the ramp area, remove all weeds from the vessel, remove the drain plug, and drain live wells.
• While at the ramp area, remove all weeds from the vessel, remove the drain plug, and drain live wells.