Ultimate-Boating.com - Using the Boat Launch Ramp

USING THE BOAT RAMP

Learning to launch your boat take some skill but with a little practice you'll look like a pro. I'd recommend taking the boat trailer hitched to your truck and practicing in an empty parking lot. You have to acquire the skill of backing up before you go to the boating ramp. Reversing the trailer is a critical step in launching your boat.

GO BACKWARD
When reversing the key is to start with the truck and trailer as straight as possible. Start about a trailer length from where you want to start to go in reverse. Go slow, watch the trailer out the driver's window and start turning the wheel to the right. It is recommended that you put your hand at the center bottom of the wheel - then you automatically know where straight is without having to look at the wheel.

Just when the trailer starts to turn you can straighten it out. Don't wait to long to go straight because you risk jackknifing the trailer. Eventually you'll start to steer in the other direction, just make sure to keep watching the trailer incase you need to make an adjustment to your steering.

Keep going, you're doing fine. Use the side mirrors to determine if you're going straight. Keep it slow and careful. When you can see more of the trailer in one mirror than the other, steer toward that mirror to get the trailer to correct itself. It only requires a small steering movement to correct the direction.

If you get frustrated. Stop and go forward. Straighten it out and try reverse again. Once you are able to back up a couple hundred feet in a straight motion you are ready for the boat ramp. Again, select your day carefully. Avoid the afternoon of the Fourth of July for your first launching attempt. Try a nice calm weekday morning.

BOAT RAMP TIME
First, make sure your boat is prepped before you get to the ramp. Have all of your gear stowed, the key in the ignition, tie down straps off, trailer lights disconected and your safety line connected to the bow. If you're not ready, you will anger many people ready to go. No sense in being a rude boater when others are ready to launch. Suntan lotion can be applied after the boat is in the water!

Make sure to keep the safety chain and winch strap connected until you are at the edge of the water. It doesn't take but a few seconds to disconnect them before you launch. Start backing up and when the stern begins to hang over the water - unlock the winch strap and chains. After this is done back the boat down until the trailer wheels are under water. Depending on how deep the ramp is you may need to get your back wheels on the truck wet, too.

Float the boat off the trailer and have your buddy tie up the boat. Usually it's best to have that friend drive the boat so you can get free of the ramp as quickly as possible after you've launched. Next, park the vehicle and get on your boat.

It's just a nice courtesy to eveyone using the ramp to be as quick and efficient as you can when using the boat ramp. Remember it's the same rules for hauling out, just in reverse. Hoever, make sure you have your truck keys in your pocket so when you get to your truck you have them. As for the engine on the boat, pull it up!

Enjoy your boating season!