BENEATH THE SURFACE B Y H E AT H E R S T E I N B E R G E R
Boat Launching 101
T
railerable boats have a couple of big pros going for them. For one, you aren’t limited by how far you can cruise in a certain amount of time. Instead, you can simply drive to your chosen destination, splash your boat, and get down to the business of having fun on the water. You also don’t need to shell out big bucks for marina slips and winter storage. Simply park your boat and trailer on your own property. Of course, trailer boating does have its own set of unique challenges. So we talked to industry experts and longtime boaters — and combed through our own personal misadventures — to compile our favorite tips for a more hassle-free boating season. Prep time
1. Practice before you hit the ramp. Watching new
boaters attempt to launch is a popular recreational activity, and all those eyes can be stressful. “Use a parking lot,” advises Doyle Vander Pol of Cadillac, Michigan-based Four Winns. “It has lines, so you can see what happens when you back up.” Every trailer backs up differently, so even if you’re experienced, you might need a few trial runs with a new boat-trailer combo. 2. Purchase good all-terrain tires for your tow vehicle. An algae-covered or icy ramp could result in an unscheduled swim. 3. Repack trailer bearings on a regular maintenance schedule. “I’ve seen too many trailers broken down at the side of the road,” Vander Pol says. “At that point, you’re replacing axles.” 4. Tie down all loose objects. The last things you’ll want to see in the rearview mirror are flapping carpet, airborne cushions and a Bimini top that’s doing its best parachute impression.
5. Speaking of straps, securely fasten your boat to the bow stop with the winch strap and a second ratchet strap to the bow eye and the trailer frame. “This will minimize the movement the boat may have,” says Hayden Hall of Hall’s Sport Center, which has locations in Grand Haven, Grand Rapids, and Muskegon, Michigan. “Also, two rear straps should be on every boat, no matter the model, size or weight.” 6. Double-check your hitch, including tie-downs and safety chains. Even experienced boaters can forget to latch the trailer ball. And, if you do have a hitch issue while you’re driving, don’t slam on your brakes. “Instead, just take your foot off the gas,” Vander Pol says. “Otherwise, your boat will be in the back of your tow vehicle.” 7. “Check all turn signals, brakes and running lights,” Hall adds. “Making sure your equipment is fully functional is essential for safe travel not just for yourself, but also for other motorists sharing the road.” 8. Load your gear at home, not on the launch ramp. That includes navigational aids, safety gear, extra tools, coolers, water toys, towels and all the other fun stuff. You also can use prepping lanes or the parking lot. 9. Likewise, don’t formulate your launch plan while you’re already taking up ramp space. Park and walk over to check it out. 10. Go over the game plan with your crew in advance, including some simple hand signals for easy communication. Shouting does not work, and it ruins the experience for everyone — except for those looky-loos. 11. Likewise, make sure any dockside helpers know what they need to do. “I was launching a 16-foot fishing boat by myself in Egg Harbor (Wisconsin), and I asked a guy at the dock if he could hold the line when it rolled off the trailer,” says boater Matt Normann. “He said no problem, and I assumed he had it covered, but then he just set the line on the dock and didn’t hold onto it. When the boat rolled off, it just floated out. I swam out, grabbed the line, and swam it back in. I guess he’d never launched, or seen a boat launched, before.”
At the ramp
12. Make sure your drain plug is in. Anyone
can forget to do this. Vander Pol says he carries extra plugs in his tow vehicle, 26
A P R I L 2022
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P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F V I R G I N I A S TAT E PA R K S
Twenty five trailer boating tips to remember at the boat ramp.
