Preplanning will insure that your boating enjoyment won’t be hampered by misadventures. We highly recommend that the first boating trip of the season is made by the two people who will be doing the majority of the trailering, launching and handling of the boat. Since this is a shake down cruise children, friends and pets shouldn’t be invited on this first trip. There will be plenty of trips for them to go on so be selfish and take the time to make this sojourn with your boating partner.

Remember the boat has been sitting all winter and you probably haven’t even thought about it until just now. Water fever is a disease that occurs when the days are sunny and warm. This disease brings everyone out and can cause small and large disasters during the entire day.

Before heading to the lake start the boat up in the driveway with the water attachment. This will prevent the dead battery at the ramp issue and will allow you to actually get inside the boat and become familiar again with the controls, key, battery, safety equipment, and stowage areas. The trailer should have the tires checked for correct pressure and never forget to pull over on the way to the water and feel the hubs on the wheels to make sure they aren’t getting hot. The trailer wheels should be pulled and the bearings greased yearly. Now is the perfect time to do this. This prevents axle and wheel failure.

Once at the lake both adults should practice launching and retrieval of the boat. When you are under way both parties should practice starting, stopping, handling the boat on the water and docking. Communication is the key to having a nice time. More divorces occur at the boat ramp. Establish the tasks involved and get comfortable with each other. Scotty and I have been boating together for many years and occasionally we will have a misunderstanding at the ramp. Just remember you are suppose to be having fun and not yelling at each other. When you bring friends and kids with you to the water have them stand off to the side and not get involved in your duties with the boat. It is natural for people to want to help, the kids are excited about boating and with this distraction a task can be missed and then disaster strikes.

There is a danger when launching and retrieving a boat with young children around. Remember be safe. When our daughter was small we placed a towel in the middle of the dock. Her place was on the towel, sitting, with a life jacket on and fastened until she was retrieved. Disobey the rule and the consequence was immediate. This allowed us to launch and retrieve the boat in safety. We could watch her and still handle our tasks. Teach the children while they are young and they can teach their friends that come along for the trip.

RAMP ETIQUETTE

Yes, there is such a creature as ramp etiquette.  Failure to follow the rules leads to hostile encounters with fellow boating enthusiasts.  Patience. Patience. And more Patience.  Have all of your loading done before launch.  Get your ropes tied on and your fenders in place.  Please do not wipe your boat down on the ramp.  Believe it or not the boat is suppose to get wet and can tolerate not being wiped down for 5 minutes.  The object of the ramp is to get your boat launched or retrieved in the minimal amount of time.  Remember there are others out there either on the water or in the parking lot that want to be where you are on the ramp.  If you need to drain the boat bladders haul out and empty them when the ramp isn't congested.  You can even disconnect the trailer and use the tongue jack to tilt the boat just enought to drain the bladders.  Just don't forget you have done this and drive off with just the safety chains attached to the truck. 

ROLLER TRAILERS 

 If you have a roller trailer remember do not unhook the boat from the winch strap until the boat is floating.  The rollers are unforgiving and will drop your boat on the ramp.