• Be sensitive to unusual sounds or different
handling.
• If something seems unusual, pull over in
a safe spot and find out what it is.
Make it a practice to stop periodically to
make a quick check.
• Inspect the coupler and ball, safety chains,
electrical connections, lights, boat tiedowns,
and the gear in your boat.
• Feel your wheel hubs to check the temperature
of the wheel bearings.
• Make sure the wheel lug nuts are tight and
that tire pressures appear to be proper.
PRE-LAUNCH PROCEDURES
Always be considerate of others at the
launch ramp.
• Make most of your preparations before
entering the ramp and try to launch your
boat in a reasonable time.
• Plan your launch in advance; visually
inspect the launch ramp for hazards such
as a steep drop-off, grease, algae, slime, or
sharp objects.
• Observe current and wind as you would
in docking your boat at a pier.
High-speed towing causes wheel bearings
to get warm.
• If you immerse warm bearings in cold
water, the contraction of air in the bearings
will draw water in through the grease
seals.
• If your trailer wheels do not have bearing
protectors, wait until the bearings have
cooled before launching.
• Unless necessary, keep wheel hubs out of
the water.
Remove the tie-downs, but not the winch
cable hook, before backing into the water.
• Disconnect the trailer lights to prevent
shorting out the electrical system or
burning out a bulb.
• Never launch with the outboard or outdrive
in the down position.
Ideally you will have someone who can
either drive the boat on and off the trailer,
or can park and retrieve the trailer. This is
a courtesy to others. In case you cannot,
attach bow and stern control lines in preparation
for the launch.
• You can control the boat more easily with
two lines.
• If you plan to bring your boat alongside
a pier, install fenders on the proper side.
• Make sure that your hull drain plugs are
in place and tightened securely!
LAUNCH PROCEDURES
Back the boat slowly down the ramp.
• Keep the tow vehicle wheels out of the
water if possible: traction will be lost on
wet surfaces.
• Be particularly cautious if using steep
ramps with marine growth on their surfaces.
Shut off the engine, put the transmission in
gear or park, set the emergency brake, and
place chocks under the vehicle rear wheels.
• Have someone hold the bow and stern
control lines before releasing the winch
cable so you do not lose the boat.
When the boat is in the water, lower the
outboard or stern drive and connect any
necessary fuel lines.
• After sniffing for fumes and running the
bilge blower for 4 minutes, if so equipped,
start the engine. Make sure the cooling
system is working.
• If you are launching a sailboat with centerboard
and rudder, lower them for stability
when the water is sufficiently deep.
Clear the ramp as soon as practical.
• Take the boat to a pier to finish loading
gear and move your vehicle off of the
ramp into the parking lot.
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