PREPARING 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. Remove any outboard or stern-drive tie-downs or supports.
How do you launch the boat?
Back down the ramp until you see the stern of the boat start to float. Put your vehicle in park with the parking brake, and release the trailer winch and safety chain. Use a
bow line
, give the boat a little push, and slide it slowly off the trailer to float in the water.
What should you do prior to launching your boat from a trailer?
- 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.
When should you pull your boat into a launch?
When retrieving, do not pull your vessel into a launch lane
until the towing vehicle is at the ramp
. The line is formed by vehicles with trailers, not by vessels in the water. Drop off the vehicle driver, and wait offshore and clear of the ramp until he or she arrives with the trailer.
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.
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 should you do before launching from a dock?
- Make sure to warm up your engines for a few minutes.
- Also, check the oil pressure and other items on your pre-departure check list.
What should you do before leaving the dock?
- Check the weather. Make sure you are not heading into heavy storms or severe conditions. …
- Let someone know your plans. The old buddy system. …
- Test your equipment. …
- Inspect fluids. …
- Dry the bilge. …
- Ventilate all areas.
Are you supposed to unplug trailer lights launching boat?
Today, many new trailers use LED lights (light-emitting diode) that burn cooler, are sealed, and
don’t need to be unplugged
. … So if incandescent, then unplug the lights – but remember to plug them back in when leaving the boat ramp.
Are boats on the water or in?
In general, you can stay with
“on” when the boat is on the surface of the water
, and “in” when it’s underwater. There may be exceptions that don’t immediately come to mind.
What is the area between a red and green buoy?
The expression “red right returning” has long been used by seafarers as a reminder that the red buoys are kept to the starboard (right) side when proceeding from the open sea into port (upstream). Likewise, green buoys are kept to
the port (left) side
(see chart below).
Should you keep boat gas tank full?
Marine engine manufacturers and technicians advise
storing any boat with the fuel tank almost full
, leaving just a little capacity to accommodate expansion of the fuel if the temperature warms. … The tank “breathes” though its vent, and draws in air that is often very damp in the winter months.
Why do boats explode after refueling?
Why do boats explode? Any watercraft with an inboard gasoline engine has a very real potential to explode. This is largely due to
the buildup of gas fumes within a confined space
, such as the bilge or an engine compartment. These gas fumes could possibly ignite and quickly spread, ultimately leading to an explosion.
How do I know if my boat gas tank is full?
#2: Listen to your boat
That’s all. There
is a distinct sound a tank will
make when it’s close to full (the last 1⁄2-gallon or so). When you hear it once, you’ll know it every time moving forward.
What should you tighten before every boat outing?
What should you tighten before every boat outing? If you have an outboard or stern drive motor, you should always check the propeller before you launch. Make sure the propeller nut is secure, and tighten it with
a deep socket wrench
if needed.
