Learning to launch a boat properly will not online make you much happier at the boat ramps but will also make the others around you much happier as well.
Summer is here and it is that time of the year where those of us who have been fishing all Winter starting getting irritated with the sudden emergence of anglers and pleasure boaters at the boat ramp. Here are some tips and tricks on launching your boat and being ready for it.
I have already run into a couple of anglers claiming to have “boat ramp rage” in the last few days so make it easier on us all and follow these simple steps to launching your boat.
Batteries: Make sure your batteries are charged before you get to the lake or river. THEY WILL NOT HOLD A CHARGE THROUGH THE WINTER. You need to charge them well and make sure they are fully functional BEFORE you get to the water. It is a good idea to install an on board batter charger like a Pro Charging Systems Sportsman Series Onboard Battery Charger so your batteries stay charged and maintained all the time when your boat is not in use.
Motors: Make sure you motor is running and will turn over BEFORE you get to the lake. This is especially important the first time you head out for the year. Connect your motor to the hose (which may require a Motor Flusher if your engine is not already equipped for it) and make sure it will start and blow the cob webs out of it by letting it idle for a while.
Backing: Backing a trailer is an art form. Don’t practice at the lake or rover with a dozen people waiting behind you. Go to a large open parking lot and use the stripes to learn how to back your trailer from different angles and from different directions. If you don’t have any Post Style Boat Guide-On posts on your boat trailer, consider adding some. This will make it much easier for you to see your trailer when backing.
Before You Launch: Prepare your boat for launching BEFORE you back down to the water. Remove Tie-Downs, your Transom Saver
and anything else so you will be ready when you back down to the lake or river. Load your gear as well. The time to put your ice chest and fishing gear and everything is in your boat is BEFORE YOU OCCUPY THE LAUNCH SPACE .
If you are not skilled at launching a boat, consider taking someone else with you. This process is much easier when you have someone else with you until you get the hang of things.
Once You Launch: Move your boat away from the launch area to the nearest dock or shore and quickly get your truck and trailer off the boat ramp.
With two people launching the boat it should take less than a minute or two of time at the most. If you are launching alone it shouldn’t take more than a few minutes.
When Loading Your Boat: Back your trailer, load the boat on the trailer, trim the motor up, secure the bow hook and attach it tightly and then MOVE OUT OF THE WAY. You can complete the stowing of all your fishing gear and strapping down your boat out of the way of others who are trying to load and unload their boats. Remember when loading your boat, back all the way down into the water and then pull back out to the proper depth to wet the bunk boards on your trailer. This will make it much easier to load your trailer because the wet bunk boards will slide.
Launching or loading a boat is pretty simple and just requires a little forethought and some common courtesy. Plan ahead and save yourself some time by following these simple steps for launching or loading a boat. Doing so will not only make you more productive but will make the others around you at the boat ramp much happier also.
Chad maybe you need to pitch this to the local news stations, saw a video on youtube that a station up north did its some funny stuff wish all the summertime fools could read this.