The Steps to Drive Your Boat Onto Your Trailer

Always line your boat up with the trailer before driving it on.

There are a few simple steps that need to be followed to get your boat back onto your trailer. Always watch out for obstacles and people near or on the boat ramp as children may be swimming nearby or sunbathers may have set up camp on the warm concrete ramp.

The Boat Ramp

The first step to getting your boat onto your trailer is to land your boat at the bank or dock and then either send a crew member (or yourself) to fetch the vehicle and trailer. The person operating the boat should only leave the bank when the vehicle and trailer is second in line. Always approach the ramp very slowly, as even the wake generated by your own boat can ruin the approach to a trailer.

Lining Up

Next, the boat driver should get the boat lined up with the trailer and then slowly drive the boat onto the trailer. You might need to give the boat a bit more power in order to get the bow of the boat in close proximity to the winch, but don't overdo it. Some people rather use the lines to pull the boat up onto the trailer. If the boat is not straight on the trailer, you could warp the hull.

Winching

Always be careful when using the winch -- if it snaps under tension it can cause severe injury to anyone in its direct path. The winch must be hooked to the bow eye, and make sure that the bow is snugly against the rollers. Winch the boat up onto the trailer and then pull it up the ramp at a steady speed.

References

• Fishin: Boat Ramp Follies