BOAT RAMP GUIDELINES

Preparation

• Pull off to the side and prepare your boat for launching. Do not get into line at the ramp until you are totally ready to launch the boat.
• Install the boat plug, remove tie-down straps.
• If not already up, raise the outdrive or outboard motor to avoid damage when backing down the ramp. For PWC, the steerable nozzle is well protected when launching.
• Disconnect trailer lights.
• Have adequate line attached to a boat cleat on the same side as the dock you will tie-up to. Generally, the line should be one and a half times (1 ½) the length of the trailer.
• Load any remaining personal items or safety equipment.

Launch

• 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 or PWC becomes slightly buoyant.
• Make sure the vehicle exhaust pipes stay out of the water.
• Place the vehicle in park and set the emergency brake.

Multiple Person Launch

• Once the boat is in the water, one person tends to the vehicle and trailer while the other operates the boat. Lower the outboard or outdrive into the water and start the engine (not necessary for PWC). Let engine warm and check all gauges for proper operating range.
• Remove the winch hook and safety chain from the boat's trailer eyebolt.
• Give the boat a firm push, or have the boat operator slowly drive the boat off the trailer. The person on the dock tends the bow line until the boat is safely moored. Once the boat is moored, the vehicle is then parked. Passengers may now board the boat.

Solo Launch

• Have a line, at least 1.5 times the length of the boat, attached for tending and mooring. Having a long length of line allows the boat to clear the trailer and assists in mooring.
• Once the boat is in the water (but still on the trailer), get in, lower the engine or outdrive into the water, and let the engine warm up, checking gauges for proper operating range (40-60 PSI for oil and 180 – 200 degrees for engine temperature). From this point, you have two choices for launching:
1. Hand maneuver the boat to the dock, or
2. Start the engine and let it warm up. Once the engine is warmed up drive the boat off the trailer and to the dock.

The first choice is the safer of the two methods. To perform the hand-maneuvering method, remove the winch cable and safety chain from the boat, grab hold of the tending line and give the boat a good push to release it from the trailer. Using the tending line, “walk” the boat to the dock and moor it. Once the boat is moored, return to the vehicle and park it.

The second choice (driving the boat off the trailer) requires greater diligence. Remove the winch cable and safety chain from the trailer eye bolt of the boat. Get into the boat and lower the outboard or outdrive. Start the engine. Once the engine is warmed up, use just enough power to move the boat off the trailer. Moor the boat and then move your vehicle to the parking area.

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 boat driver 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.
• A tilt trailer is hinged and allows the back-half of the trailer to angle down into the water while the forward portion of the trailer stays level. Once the trailer is in the water, there are two generally accepted recovery practices:
1. 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 to the trailer (no one needs to be in the boat if using this method).
2. The second method, termed "powerloading", requires the driver operator of the boat to drive the boat up and onto the trailer. This method is somewhat dangerous as there is a chance of missing the trailer, or powering too hard and driving up and over the front of the trailer. Another problem with powerloading is that the propeller thrust can wash away the sand and gravel that supports the concrete ramp. Once there is no support for the concrete, it cracks or breaks off resulting in a steep drop-off at the end of the ramp.

Once the boat is aligned on the trailer, slowly winch it into place on the trailer (stay out of the way of the winch cable/strap). Attach the safety chain from the trailer to the bow trailer eyebolt. If trailering a boat with an inboard/outboard or outboard motor, make certain you have raised them up enough to clear the ramp as the boat is pulled from the water. Slowly pull the boat out of the water to an area well clear of others.

PWC/Powerboat Trailering Checklist

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. And boating where you want means enjoying a variety of water systems and a freedom others may never experience.