• If you are leaving your trailer on any kind
of an incline, be sure to place chocks
under the wheels so the trailer will not
roll.
HAULING-OUT PROCEDURES
When returning to the boat ramp after a
day on the water, drop your passengers off
at the pier.
• Using bow and stern lines, guide the boat
onto the trailer.
• Stay out of line of the cable; it can snap!
Be sure the ratchet is engaged before
cranking the boat onto the trailer and
securing the bow tiedown
• Pull away from the ramp as soon as possible
and find a place in the parking lot to
drain your boat.
• Secure your gear for traveling, and fasten
tie-downs, safety chains, and electrical
connections.
• Run through your trip checklist once
more (Table 14-1).
• Remove the drain plug. Follow the procedures
relating to aquatic nuisance species
as described in Section 7, “Aquatic Nuisance
Species”.
SAILBOAT TRAILERING
Many sailboats are trailered and launched
in the same manner as powerboats. In fact,
trailerable sailboats are often sold with a
matching trailer.
• Always trailer sailboats with the masts
lowered and carried in a horizontal position.
• Some trailers and boats have special holders
for the spars.
• Position the mast so it slopes upward at
the rear of the boat to reduce danger to
following vehicles.
• Use red flags or lights to alert drivers to
the hazards of following too closely.
Always raise and lower your mast and
install your rigging in the parking lot, not
at the boat ramp.
• Take extra care when raising or lowering
a mast; look up!
• Be certain there are no overhead electrical
wires that can come close to or in contact
with the mast or rigging.
• High-voltage electricity, especially in high
humidity, can arc across a considerable
distance, resulting in severe electrical
shock or electrocution!
TRAILER MAINTENANCE
If you frequently immerse your trailer in
the water, grease the bulbs and sockets regularly
to prevent corrosion. Also, lubricate
your winch and hitch coupler.
• Inspect your trailer regularly for loose
nuts, rusted frame, or deteriorated tires.
• If you find any part of the frame badly
rusted, do not use the trailer until an
expert examines it.
• Deteriorated tires are the most frequent
cause of trailer failure.
• Most trailer tires succumb to old age
before they become worn.
• Sidewall cracks indicate the tire needs
replacing.
• Commercially available tire covers keep
the damaging rays of the sun off the
tires.
• Alternatively, you may remove the tires
and store them inside if the boat is going
to be out of service for an extended
period.
• Pump grease into the wheel bearings to
force out water, being careful not to overfill
and cause seal failure.
• On occasion, examine your trailer electrical
system for chafed or bare wires or
corroded terminals.
Section 14: Trailering 165
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