Putting Your Boat Back on Its Trailer Safely

2006 Stingray 195 LR Runabout at Tobler Marina

Loading a boat can be more difficult than it appears and it is important to keep boating safety in mind, even when the day on the water has come to an end. When it is time to trailer a boat, be sure to back the boat trailer to the same depth as the boat with the tops of the fenders just above the water. Use the bow line to guide the boat onto the trailer. Next, carefully load the boat onto the trailer and secure the bow hook. If your trailer is equipped with guide-ons, the boat should settle into proper positioning on its own. Otherwise, you will have to guide your boat by hand.

Your trailer may be equipped with either an electric or hand-cranked winch. Using the winch, pull the boat the rest of the way up and into the proper position. Next, secure the boat to the trailer with tie-down straps. If your boat does not come with tie-down straps, it may be wise to invest in some. These straps go over your boat and attach to each side of the trailer. This keeps the trailer boat combination together through rough, bumpy rides and reduces the chance of damage to the boat. Once you are sure your boat is securely on the trailer you may guide your vehicle up the ramp and back to the staging area.

Now, you may remove the drain plug and unload any items from the boat. You can reinstall the drain plug once you arrive at home, but it’s best not to so you avoid what’s called “Dry Sinking”. If you store your boat outside, and it rains, rainwater will not drain properly.

Remember to move your boat off of the ramp before unloading as other people may need to use the ramp. If you have a tarp or cover for your boat, it may be a good idea to wait to place it on the boat until it is being parked or docked. Tarps have a tendency to come loose and cause damage to boats during transport. Tarps used for boat docking are not designed to withstand highway speeds and may end up harming the boats finish.

With these tips and a little practice, you'll minimize the troubles you may encounter while loading your boat.

Do you trailer your boat? What tips have helped you to become a pro at putting your boat back on its trailer?

3 Safety Tips To Remember While Boating

You know that as the temperature ramps up, so too does the desire to hit the water with your friends and loved ones to live the boating lifestyle.  Invariably, your weekend excursions will involve a great deal of logistics from organizing the journey to getting the food to making sure you have enough sunscreen and ice.

To ensure everyone has a great time and gets home safely however, you also need to develop a comprehensive boating safety plan. Regardless if you are a seasoned old nautical salt, or you have just started to look at boats for sale, once out on the water the safety of everyone on board must always be the most important consideration for the vessel’s Captain. Towards that end, you should always stock and maintain life jackets on your vessel, establish a float plan, and ensure that your First Mate is fully capable of taking on the responsibility of the helm in the event you are somehow disabled.

Personal Flotation Devices

When it comes to boating safety, the United States Coast Guard is the lead agency in enforcing regulations designed to maintaining that safety. Recognizing that a personal floatation device is the first line of defense in warding off tragedy, the U.S. Coast Guard mandates that a vessel must have an approved Type I, II, IIl, or V life jacket for each person on board. Additionally, if children comprise part of your passenger roster, you need to secure special life jackets specifically made for them. The most important consideration is that for a life jacket to function it has to be worn, so the Coast Guard highly recommends that everyone onboard suit up.

Float Plan

In the exact same way that a pilot will file a flight plan to alert others to their intended voyage, so too will a float plan provide crucial life saving information in the event of a mishap on the water. Simply stated, a float plan is a detailed set of data that is written down to convey critical information in case of an emergency. Such information can include: names of crew and passengers, information on the vessel, the intended cruising grounds, and an estimated time of returning.  Once completed, the float plan should be given to a land-based friend or neighbor. Should any changes be anticipated in the plan, the person safeguarding the plan needs to be informed. Get a template float plan from the U.S. Coast Guard if you do not have one already.

First Mate

The First Mate plays an important role in the boat’s safe return to shore in case the Captain is disabled out on the water. As such, they must be able to demonstrate competency in vessel handling, man-overboard procedures, and docking. Should a voyage include only passengers, the Captain should acquaint one of the passengers on the boat’s essential systems.

Fun on the Water Means Staying Safe on the Water

Enjoying the boating lifestyle is a great way to spend the summer and an even better way to spend times with friends and loved ones. Make sure that tragedy doesn't ruin those fun times by always practicing prudent safety measures.