Launching and Retrieving a boat???

First Born

First Born

New Member
PLATINUM Sponsor
Oct 3, 2006
3,900
Charlotte, N.C.
Boat Info
2006 185 Sport
Engines
4.3 L 190 HP
Can you guys help a friend who is a new boat owner with the following question? Who is up for the task?

Is there a good step by step process to launching and retrieving a boat? I have done a lot of reading on the forums, and I get a lot of information.
 
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkXRDkrNX0o[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFh67IMwAyI&feature=related[/youtube]
 
Step one - Make sure plug is in!
Step Two - Repeat step one.

Seriously you did a great job last time I saw you launched and retrieved First Born at Lake Keowee.
 
Chuck...seriously it is not for me, that said I do remember how nervous I was when I first got First Born...and this person is going through the same thing.

Wesley
 
Did notice one thing in the video on bigger bunk trailers like I have on the 240SD that has a front hull boards in addition to the bunks. I will back in father and make sure they get completely wet then pull forward to the point that I need the trailer for retrieving the boat.
 
Make sure the plug is in!!!!!!

You are not kidding!! Not gonna say how I know that (yeah, i almost sank my boat, let the laughter begin)!!
 
Honestly there is no one way to do it right every time. Different water levels, ramps, types of boat, and weather conditions, etc.

The best advice I can offer, since I launch and retrieve my boat 2-3 times a week year round. On a few different lakes.

Get into a routine that you can easily do and do it the same way every time to ensure you did not miss anything, adjust to the variables you cannot control, as previously stated. Take your time and be patient. Hurrying does not usually make for good our comes.

Here is a list that I go through in my head every time. Doesn't matter if I launch alone or with the wife. I go through it, and she ends up being an add'l double check.

At the make ready
Check plug is in
Remove transom straps
Look at all four tires for debris, bulges and bearing buddies
Remove bow tie down ( just an extra tie down I put on my boat)
Remove chain from bow eye.
Climb in boat
(should do this at home, but if not. Check all fluids in boat.)
Keys, wallet, iPod, phone on board
Turn on batteries
Turn on engine compartment blower
If wife with me check to see if she is ready, assist her in boat (brownie points)
If no wife, place fenders in order to tie off

" personal call here, not recommended for inexperienced launchers or unfamiliar ramps"
Again with wife, I will unhook the winch strap here, no wife wait till boat is in water floating just off trailer bunks.

One last quick walk around look at tires straps and plug. Drive to ramp. Back in till boat just floats off bunks. ( this will vary with water, wind, ramp angle, etc.). For me it's just as the rear tire of truck touches waters edge.
"note where trailer frame or tongue is at the water level. Very helpful when launching and retrieveing to have a reference point on trailer.

Unhook winch strap if it applies here. Climb over bow start boat.
Wait a moment to ensure oil pressure comes up, voltmeter functions, and water temp starts to move a little.
Back off trailer and tie up boat to dock.
Return to truck and park them.
Truck keys in pocket as not to drop in water at dock.
Untie and have fun

Retrieveing....
Fenders off the side
Tie off
Get truck and trailer ( remember your reference point)
Back trailer in
Back in boat
Untie, be patient and put boat on trailer,
Climb up to bow and hook up winch strap. Secure bow hook all the way up in cone, chain hooked up.

Return to helm
Ensure all switches off, keys off and out of ignition
Drive all the way up using trailer button!!!!!
Look over side to ensure boat still centered on trailer. Climb out over bow and pull boat out of water.

Get out cleaning rags and vinegar water spray, have 9/16 open end. Wrench to remove drain plug.
Transom straps, check tires and bearing buddies
Double check bow strap, tiedown, chain.
Wipe down boat
Clean interior
Take down bimini
Turn off batteries, stow fenders,
Keys, wallet, iPod, phone, etc. In bag to put in truck
Put plug back in
Kiss the wife and head home

(note if wife is comfortable backing trailer or trailering boat, no need to tie off to dock. Drop the trailer backer off. At dock and move out in to the no wake zone wait for backer to get set and then trailer boat. They can make all the winch and chain hook ups and pull out boat, once all switches, motor are off and drive is all the way up using trailer button)

I hope this helps and is what you were asking for. I am sure others will chime in too. Best advice I can give is go slow, be patient, and don't go on busy days (any weekend) for a while until you feel confident in your skills. Tons of morons on weekends and can really get you frazzled if your r the slightest bit nervous already. Have fun learn enjoy and make family memories
 
First Born, I'd have them tag along with you to launch and retrieve your boat. Then go with them and help them with their own boat. There are a lot of steps that can make it extremely complicated. I'd tell them this to keep it simple. There are three things that you need to make sure you get right, the plug needs to be in, the strap/chain on the bow needs to be disconnected after the boat is over or close to the water(Connected when pulling out!) and the drive needs to be up. Those are the expensive mistakes! If they get those right each time, the rest will come. It will take a few trips to discover they are putting the trailer in too deep, remembering ropes and fenders, turning the blower on while putting the fenders on and other things to make your time launching and retrieving more efficient to get out of the way without ticking other folks off. If they GET those three, yes they might mess up or need additional time, but the other mistakes are easily recovered and a little embarrassing. Leaving a plug out, dropping your boat on the ramp before getting it wet and dragging your prop/outdrive up the ramp will cost them some money!

I'd also strongly suggest they practice yelling at each other at home with uncontrollable rage. That way everyone at the launch will know WHO was at fault because the other person wasn't listening, can't back with a trailer or whatever. It's important to throw in some four letter expletives and throw some stuff too. You don't want them to look like rookies at the ramp! :grin:
 
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I haven't trailered boats for several years, but as I recall, a good guide is:

1 - Go to ramp.
2 - Watch others.
3 - Do the opposite.

Seriously, I agree with Firerooster. Ramps, lake levels, etc. all make for slight variations in the routine. But routine is the key. Not having one leads to mistakes. A checklist might be a little formal, but also not a bad idea to start out with.
 
If he gets a roller trailer tell him never never never ever take the winch cable off before the boat is in the water. I saw a guy dump a 26' Liberator on the ramp it was ugly. Bunk trailers aren't a big deal depending on how steep the ramp is and how big the boat is. Like any thing it takes getting use to it. My first time launching and retrieving my 268 was intimidating because I never had a roller trailer before but remembering the Liberator rolling off the trailer I knew not to release the winch cable before I was in the water. I had a bunk trailer with my Formula, I got where I could drive it on and drive it off with little or no winching. I would also when launching open the engine compartment every time before backing off the trailer and to turn the battery’s on this habit saved me one time from launching with the plug out (I was in a hurry). With a bigger boat they need to launch close to the pier so they can get in to the boat, climbing on the bow isn’t an option the same with retrieving, and make sure the VHF antenna is down I forgot last time and a tree took it out:smt021
 
Have your friend read as much as he can, look at videos, watch people at a ramp. Tell him/her to take note to when things "look right" and when things "look wrong". Then, just try to incorporate the "good" things.

In those videos we made (the ones you linked to), it shows a good, general idea of how to do things. But, as most have pointed out, there really is no "one correct" way to do things. For example, with the boat/trailer set-up we had (and the particular ramp we were at), we powered on all the way to the bow roller/stop.

However, if one wasn't comfortable doing that, he could start by not backing the trailer in as far. Then, slowly power the boat on until it stops moving. At this point:

1) The trailer could be slowly backed in further while a little boat/engine power is applied to keep the boat sliding up the trailer.

or

2) Attach the winch strap and start winding - have the person in the boat apply moderate power to help make the winching process easier.

There are still other options. The basic idea is to have a plan and a good idea of what you are going to do. EVERYONE involved in the process should know the plan - not just one person who starts shouting and hollering directions at the others.

Have your friend go to the ramp during a slow time to practice. Can you go with him?
 
Ask the dealer for some more help as well. It is a brand new boat and knowing the folks at LWM, they would be more than glad to help.

Dave
 
chumbley said:
A checklist might be a little formal, but also not a bad idea to start out with.
Click to expand...

Lol.... The checklist is in my head:smt043:smt043:smt043:smt043:smt043:smt043

I swear I don't walk around with a laminated list and a grease pencil.


One last thing I can offer. When I was first taking the wife out and teaching her to close maneuver and then assisting with trailering, and eventually teaching her to trailer. I really emphasized to her that if my voice volume goes up from normal.... Do not and I mean do not take it as I am yelling at you or attacking you. I am ensuring that you hear what I am saying. Because I am either looking somewhere other then your eyes, or to that nature. Need to be sure you hear me and I cannot see your face to see u acknowledge. In prefacing that. We have done very well at not being the soon to be divorced couple having an F U match at the ramp. It has done us well
 
You actually have a wife that listens and can drive? What a novel concept. My wife knows everything and only drives if I am unconscious because she scares the hell out of me.

[One last thing I can offer. When I was first taking the wife out and teaching her to close maneuver and then assisting with trailering, and eventually teaching her to trailer. [/quote]
 
Daddubo,

Haha yup! My wife is one in a million. I am dang lucky. Not only is she stunningly beautiful, 10 years younger, and a sarcastic twisted sense of humor like one of the guys. She can actually drive very well.

I did make it a point to teach her to operate the boat and drag a trailer etc.... Course it was after a being forced to do so after I had a little incident my right foot and props tried to occupy same spot.....
 
You are a lucky man:thumbsup:

Firerooster said:
Daddubo,

Haha yup! My wife is one in a million. I am dang lucky. Not only is she stunningly beautiful, 10 years younger, and a sarcastic twisted sense of humor like one of the guys. She can actually drive very well.

I did make it a point to teach her to operate the boat and drag a trailer etc.... Course it was after a being forced to do so after I had a little incident my right foot and props tried to occupy same spot.....
Click to expand...
 
Iam lucky..... She however must be being punished
 
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