Re: How to use a boat launch
Good timing on this thread. Just yesterday I typed up some boat launch instructions for my 25 year old son who wants to take my boat out some this summer. I thought I would post it here for any new boat owners who might need a specific list. Hopefully, some of you will critique it and offer additions or clarifications:
Before towing: Check fuel level, oil level. Test crank motor on muffs and hose. Check possession of plug, keys, registration, first aid kit, flares, PFDs, whistle, fire extinguisher, tire inflation pressure and tread condition including spare, tie down strap and winch, check operation of lights, hitch tightness and safety chains. Place motor on towing support. Check truck mirrors and possession of jack and lug wrenches. Unplug battery chargers.
Staging area: Place or check presence of plug. Place cockpit plugs. Remove tie-down strap and stow in truck. Load boat with fishing equipment, food, cooler, etc. Unplug trailer lights. Place key in ignition, squeeze bulbs for gas and for oil. Raise engine and fold up towing brace. Lower tail gate for better vision if not making sharp turns.
Proceed to ramp. Back down ramp until tires are just into water or far enough that you can walk to winch on land. Stop truck, place parking brake, place transmission in Park, walk to hitch, unhook strap and safety chain. Have one person climb onboard or if launching alone, attach bowline and tie to winch post or dock. Get back in truck, back down until stern of boat starts to float. If on the boat, lower motor and crank it up. Back down a small distance and step on brakes, inertia should pop boat off. If launching alone tie bowline to trailer or dock or have assistant hold boat to dock out of the way of other people launching if possible. Close tail gate. Get in truck, place in drive, and go park truck and trailer. Lock truck, lock cap door, board boat, and place truck keys in safe, dry location.
To load boat: Let driver off on dock or shore to go get truck. At top of ramp, lower tailgate. Wait in boat out in water or by dock out of way of other people pulling their boat. Back trailer in until hubs are just under water, depending on steepness of ramp. Drive boat onto trailer, being careful not to run up too fast and hit winch stand. If bow of boat is under winch roller, the trailer is too far into water and stern is floating too high. Either pull forward slightly or if not too deep you might be able to push boat back out slightly and winch it up. When winched up and safety chain is attached, turn off motor, raise motor. Close tailgate. Drive up (if ramp is slick and steep, you might need 4 wheel drive) to an area out of the way of others. Lower motor onto towing brace, remove plug allowing any water to drain and place in safe location, place tie-down strap and tighten, take boat keys out. Plug trailer lights back in, unload items that might get blown out or damaged if left in boat. If in saltwater, flush motor well at flush station and hose off boat and trailer.
