How to Launch a Motorboat From a Trailer

Getting your boat to the water by trailer has some great advantages, but it takes a little know-how.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Boat Shoes
• Sun Hats
• Lip Balm
• Sunscreen
• Boat Trailers
• Boating Ropes
• Motorboats
• lightweight, waterproof jackets

1. Back the boat down the launch ramp, stopping before the stern of the boat hangs over the water.

2. Check to be sure, absolutely positive, that your boat's drain plug is securely in place.

3. Remove the tie-down straps and lines.

4. Unlock the ratchet on the retrieval winch. Remove the bow retrieval line if applicable.

5. Remove pins or other devices used to prevent outboard motors from tipping down (leave any moveable devices in place).

6. Back the boat down until the trailer wheels are submerged or until the ramp ends, whichever comes first.

7. Secure a bowline in your hand or to a dock.

8. Remove the locking pin on tilt trailers.

9. Push the boat off the trailer. If it binds when you push from the bow, move aft, and push from a point closer to the beam.

10. Hold the boat beside the dock or in the shallow water.

11. Tip the motor back, and follow motor-starting procedures. (See "How to Start a Motorboat Outboard Motor.")

12. Motor slowly to the dock.

13. Tilt the trailer back down if necessary.

14. Drive the car back to a parking space, and go boating.

Tips & Warnings

• You want to back the trailer far enough into the water to get the bottom of the boat wet without getting the car's wheels in the water. Take time to learn how far to go.
• If a boat doesn't move off a trailer easily, make sure you have removed all tie-down straps and lines.

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on 12/13/2005 One of my biggest things is when people take up a spot on the dock to wait! So this is the way to do it. Get everything ready to go while in line before you back your boat down. Plug is in, two back tie down straps off, keys in ignition, lights unplugged, all trailering accessories off, and if you don't have a roller on your trailer - the front strap off too. Then have the other person back down the boat while you are in it. Once the tires are submerged, or at least till the boat begins to float, start the motor and back off (it should be in the water far enough so you can just give it a little gas and go). None of this pushing off stuff. slowly (for wake purposes and to let the engine warm up) go out to open water. In the meantime the others are parking the car and walking back down so all you have to do is come up to the dock let everyone on and get out of there. When there is a line of 10 people, never just sit there and take up a ramp and a dock.

on 11/22/2005 As a boater who has waited in many a long line... I suggest prepping your boat before you pull down to the ramp. Most launching areas have a place off to the side of the ramp where you can remove all strapping and make sure the plug is in. Nothing is more agravating than watching as some YUTZ waits until he is clogging up the launch ramp to prep his boat (except the guy that takes 20 minutes to put his boat back on the trailer).