| Question Answer | Where should you prepare your vessel before launching it from the trailer? Well away from the boat ramp | Name 3 engine maintenance tips. 1. Check oil levels 2. Check batteries 3. Change oil |
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Where should you prepare your boat before launching it from the trailer?
Before backing your boat and trailer to
the ramp
, prepare the boat for launch. Find a quiet spot in the parking lot away from the launch lane traffic. Some ramps provide lanes to “prep” the boat for the water (“make ready” area). Remove all tie-downs except the winch hook attached to the bow eye of the boat.
Where do you prepare your vessel for launch?
- Transfer all equipment and supplies to the vessel.
- Disconnect trailer lights from the towing vehicle.
- Remove all tie-down straps before backing down the ramp, but leave the trailer winch line securely attached to the vessel.
What do you do before launching your boat?
- Remove all tie-downs.
- Load additional supplies & equipment into boat.
- Insert the drain plug (if not already done)
- Disconnect trailer lights.
- Remove the motor travel supports (if applicable)
- Put the trim up to avoid damaging the prop.
- Attach a bow line to steady the boat.
What should you do immediately after launching a vessel from the trailer?
Move the vessel away from the launch lane
immediately after removing it from the trailer. Return briefly to pick up the vehicle driver once he or she has parked the vehicle and is back at the ramp. When retrieving, do not pull your vessel into a launch lane until the towing vehicle is at the ramp.
Why should a boat’s gas tank never be completely filled?
It’s important to never fill the tank of your boat beyond 90% full. This leaves room for
gas to expand
and avoids the potential for overflow. Ensure that all air vents and valves to the gas tank are open.
Can you launch a boat by yourself?
How to Launch a Boat by Yourself. Launching a boat by yourself follows the same routine up to the point of releasing the boat. If there’s a dock at the ramp, it will usually help to back the trailer down as close to the dock as possible.
How do you know when you are operating your vessel at a safe speed?
In establishing a safe operating speed, the
operator must take into account visibility
; traffic density; ability to maneuver the vessel (stopping distance and turning ability); background light at night; proximity of navigational hazards; draft of the vessel; limitations of radar equipment; and the state of wind, sea, …
How should you approach a dock when the wind or current is pushing you away from the dock?
- Approach the dock slowly at a sharp angle (about 40 degrees).
- Use reverse to stop when close to the dock. Secure the bow line.
- Put the boat in forward gear briefly, and slowly turn the steering wheel hard away from the dock—this will swing in the stern.
How far do boat trailers go back?
It should be
just about as deep as it was when taking the boat off
, and in most cases, about two-thirds of the trailer will be submerged while one-third remains out of the water. Don’t submerge the trailer too deep, or the bow of the boat may float over the bunks and go off to the side.
How do I know what size boat trailer I need?
To calculate needed trailer capacity,
calculate the total weight including the boat
, the engine, a full fuel tank (approximately 7 lbs. per gallon), full water tanks (if applicable) and your personal gear. A good rule of thumb is to use 10% of boat, motor, and liquid weights for personal gear.
Is it hard to launch a boat?
Learning how to launch a boat can be difficult, but
it doesn’t have to be
. Seasoned anglers make this process look simple and fast, but only because they have gone through this process many times.
What is the problem with using your boat’s engine to drive it on a trailer?
Using a boat’s engine to drive it onto a trailer to fully load it is not an acceptable practice. Using the boat’s engine to load onto the trailer is
dangerous to your equipment and the people around the loading area
. It also erodes the material at the end of the ramp which leads to its deterioration.
What is the problem with using your boat’s engine to drive it into a trailer?
NOTE – While many people drive the boat onto the trailer, it isn’t advised. Using the engine to
assist trailering erodes the ramp bed, can lead to debris being sucked into the engine
, and can cause an accident! Make sure you drain all water from the boat – the bilge, the live well, the trailer lights, etc.
Which side of a boat has a red light at night?
The red light indicates a
vessel’s port (left) side
; the green indicates a vessel’s starboard (right) side. Sternlight: This white light is seen only from behind or nearly behind the vessel.
