CHOOSE THE RIGHT TRAILER FOR YOUR BOAT. More damage can be done to a boat by the stresses of road travel than by normal water operation. A boat hull is designed to be supported evenly by water. So, when it is transported on a trailer it should be supported structurally as evenly across the hull as possible allowing for even distribution of the weight of the hull, engine and equipment. It should be long enough to support the whole length of the full but short enough to allow the lower unit to be extended freely.

ROLLERS AND BOLSTERS must be kept in good condition to prevent scratching and gouging of the hull.

TIE DOWNS AND LOWER UNIT SUPPORTS must be adjusted properly to prevent the boat from bouncing on the trailer. The bow eye on the boat should be secured with a rope, chain or turnbuckle in addition to the winch cable. Additional straps may be required across the beam of the boat.

THE CAPACITY RATING of the trailer should be greater than the combined weight of the boat, motor, and equipment.

THE TOW VEHICLE must be capable of towing the weight of the trailer, boat and equipment and the weight of the passengers and equipment which will be carried inside. This may require the tow vehicle be specially equipped with an:

a) engine of adequate power
b) transmission designed for towing
c) larger cooling systems for the engine and transmission
d) heavy duty brakes
e) load bearing hitch attached to the frame, not the bumper.

BEFORE YOU GO OUT ON THE HIGHWAY MAKE SURE:

The tow ball and coupler are the same size and bolts with washers are tightly secured. The vibration of road travel can loosen them.

The coupler is completely over the ball and the latching mechanism is locked down.

The trailer is loaded evenly from front or rear as well as side to side. Too much weight on the hitch will cause the rear of the tow vehicle to drag and may make steering more difficult.

Too much weight on the rear of the trailer will cause the rig to fishtail and may reduce traction or even lift the rear wheels of the tow vehicle off the ground.

The safety chains are attached crisis-crossing under the coupler to the frame of the tow vehicle. If the ball were to break, the trailer would follow in a straight line and prevent the coupler from dragging on the road.

The lights on the trailer function properly.

Check the brakes. On a level parking area roll forward and apply the brakes several times at increasing speeds to determine a safe stopping distance.

The sideview mirrors are large enough to provide an unobstructed rearview on both sides of the vehicle.

Check tires and wheel bearings. Improper inflation may cause difficulty in steering. When trailer wheels are immersed in water, (especially salt water) the bearings should be inspected and greased after each use.

LAUNCHING
For the courtesy of others and to prevent rushing, prepare your boat for launching away from the ramp.

~ Check the boat to ensure that no damage was caused by the trip

~ Raise the lower unit (remove supports) to proper height for launching so that it will not hit bottom.

~ Remove tie downs and make sure that the winch is properly attached to the bow eye and locked in position.

~ Attach a line to the bow and the stern of the boat so that the boat cannot drift away after launching and it can be easily maneuvered to a docking area.

~ Visually inspect the launch ramp for hazards such as a steep drop off, grease and sharp objects.

When everything has been double checked, proceed slowly to the ramp remembering that your boat is just resting on the trailer and attached only at the bow. The ideal situation is to have one person in the boat and one observer at the water's edge to help guide the driver of the tow vehicle.

When launching:
~ Keep the rear wheels of the tow vehicle out of the water. This will generally keep the exhaust pipes out of the water. If the exhaust pipes become immersed in the water, the engine may stall.

~ Set the parking brake and place tire chocks behind rear wheels.

~ Make sure someone on shore is holding the lines attached to the boat.

~ Lower the outdrive and prepare to start the engine (after running blowers and checking for fuel leaks).

~ Start the boat motor and make sure that water is passing through the engine cooling system.

~ Release the winch and disconnect the winch line from the bow when the boat operator is ready.

At this point the boat should be ale to be launched with a light shove or by b backing off the trailer under power. Finish loading your boat at a sufficient distance from the ramp so that others may use it.

RETRIEVAL
The steps for removing your boat from the water are basically the reverse of those taken to launch it. First, unload the boat at a mooring if possible. Next, maneuver the boat carefully to the submerged trailer, and raise the lower unit of the engine. Then, winch the boat onto the trailer and secure it. Finally. drive the trailer with boat aboard carefully out of the ramp to a designated parking area for cleanup, reloading and and equipment safety check. Practice will make launch and retrieving a simple procedure. The best advice is just, "do it cautiously" with safety as your main concern.

STORAGE
Since your boat may be sitting on its trailer for quite some time before it is used again, it is important that it be stored properly. To avoid damage from sun and weather, cover the boat with a tarp. To remove weight from the wheels, put cinder-blocks or wood beams under the tongue and all four corners of the trailer frame.

U.S. Coast Guard Group Stations / Emergency Rescue Procedures/Personal Flotation Devices/First Aid
Fire Extinguishers/Running Lights / Aids To Navigation / Inland Rules of the Road
VHF-FM Frequencies (Sponsored By Standard Communications) / VHF Radio Information
Preparation and Storm Advisories / Recommended Additional Equipment / Trailering Your Boat
Common Useful Knots / Marine Law Enforcement / Wind Determinants