Whether you recently purchased a boat or you’ve had one for a few years, launching it can be tricky! Since there are many things you need to remember before, during and after the launch, keep this blog handy to help make putting your boat in a little easier.

Prep the boat:

  • Bring boat to a landing area clear of the boat launch.
  • Uncover the boat.
  • Remove rear tie-downs.
  • Check that the drain plug is inserted.
  • Place key in ignition and turn the key to ‘on’. This is making sure the battery is not dead.
  • Load your gear into the boat.
  • Attach fenders on the dock side of the boat.
  • Attach dock lines to the front and back of the boat. Leave them in the boat ready to tie to the dock.
  • Unplug trailer lights from the vehicle.

Now it’s time to move:

  • Move vehicle and trailer into position to back straight down the launch ramp.
  • Reverse down the launch slowly. Having someone guide you and watch where you’re going will make this easier.
  • Reverse down the launch until you can see the back of the boat start to float.
  • Place vehicle in park. Make sure you use your parking brake.
  • Release trailer winch, giving some slack to the strap, and unhook the safety chain/strap. Be cautious walking down the launch, as it may be steep and/or slippery.
  • Give bow of boat a little push and slide the boat slowly off the trailer until it is fully floating in the water. If there is a dock next to the launch, having someone on the dock with a rope attached to the boat will help to guide the boat off the trailer. That person can then pull the boat along the dock to tie it. If there is not a dock next to the launch, have a person in the boat and when it becomes free of the trailer (floating completely), the person can start the boat and park it.

To practice launching your boat without the pressure of other boaters waiting their turn, try going to the launch during a weekday when it’s not as busy. Always remember to go SLOW!