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BOAT RAMP GUIDELINES
Preparation
- Pull off to the side and prepare your boat for launching. Install the boat plug, remove tie-down straps.
- Important - raise the outdrive or outboard motor to avoid damage. If equipped, run the ventilation blower for at least 4-minutes to rid the engine compartment of any gasoline vapors.
- Disconnect trailer lights.
- Have adequate line attached to a boat cleat on the same side as the dock you will tie-up to.
- Load any remaining personal items or safety equipment.
Launch
- Make certain the outboard motor or outdrive (lower unit) is raised.
- Slowly back your boat to the ramp with the aid of a spotter.
- Each boat launches differently, but the general practice is to lower the boat into the water to a level where the boat becomes slightly buoyant.
- Make sure the vehicle exhaust pipe(s) stay out of the water.
- Place the vehicle in park and set the emergency brake.
Multiple Person Launch
- Once the boat is backed into the water, one person tends the vehicle and trailer while the other operates the boat.
- The boat operator lowers the outboard or outdrive and starts the engine, letting them warm-up. Check all gauges (oil, engine temperature, battery charge) for proper operating range.
- Second person removes the winch hook and safety chain from the boat's trailer eyebolt.
- Boat operator slowly backs the boat off the trailer. Second person parks the vehicle.
Solo Launch
- Have a line attached to the boat for tending. The line should be at least 1.5 times the length of the boat to allow the boat to clear the trailer.
- Assist the boat off the trailer with a good push. Use the line to guide the boat to a docking area.
- If there are others waiting to launch, moor the boat away from the launching area and then park the trailer.
Note – Sailboats have additional requirements such as securing the keel board in the up position and “stepping” (putting into position) the mast.
Recovery
- Generally, recovery is more difficult than launching.
- Make certain the motor or outdrive is raised.
- Boaters may be waiting to launch, as well as recover, their boats. It is common practice to rotate turns (1 launch, then 1 recover). When it is your turn, be prepared, but take your time.
- As soon as you dock, the vehicle driver leaves to get the vehicle. Everyone, except the driver of the boat should disembark.
- The trailer is then backed into the water to a point where the rollers, or skids, at the back of the trailer are just under the surface of the water.
- How far you back the trailer into the water depends on three variables (1) the angle of the boat ramp, (2) the draft of your boat, and (3) whether it is a tilt trailer or not. Once the trailer is in the water, there are two generally accepted recovery practices:
- The first method is to simply hand-maneuver the boat to the trailer, connect the winch cable and winch the boat into place while keeping it aligned for trailering (no one needs to be in the boat if using this method).
- The second method requires the driver of the boat to drive the boat up and onto the trailer.
Either method works, while the latter requires a bit more practice and has a greater chance of property or personnel injury if not properly performed.
Once the boat is aligned on the trailer, make sure the safety chain is attached to the bow trailer eyebolt and the engine, or outdrive, is raised out of the water! The simple act of raising the outdrive is often forgotten and the damage resulting from not raising it may cost thousands of dollars.
Boaters are cautioned to stay out of the direct line of the winch cable to avoid possible injury.
When secured to the trailer, slowly pull the boat out of the water to an area well clear of others waiting in line.
- Remove items from the boat and secure all loose items for the trip back home.
- Remove the boat plug.
- Attach trailer lights.
- Fasten tie-down straps.
- Check winch cable one last time and tighten as necessary.
- Check the trailer lights
- Make one last safety inspection around the boat.
From start to finish, trailering a boat requires constant monitoring. However, once you have mastered it, there are few limits to where you can boat. Boating where you want means enjoying a variety of water systems and a freedom others may never experience.
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