More New Guy questions

[DocV]

First one,

Boating plans. I know that filing a boat plan is a good idea, but if I have all my family onboard who do I file it with? Anybody I trust? CG Auxillary? Other agencies?


Second one,

Ramp Etiquette,

I have been practicing in parking lots, but I am still far from having backing up a trailer be second nature. If it is a busy ramp, do I keep at it until I get it launched or pull out and circle around again to let other folks go ahead. I have seen some pretty ugly shouting matches.

Thanks again!

R/

DocV

 

[gcboat]

Re: More New Guy questions

Your float plan should be filed ( considering your entire family onboard ) with someone you know and who can check up on you if your deadline is missed.

The next question is really loaded. If you are not really proficient with your backing then I personally would not attempt to launch during the mad hours of the morning. Let the guys ( and gals ) who have this down do their thing first. I consider it mostly an etiquette thing and possibly a really good dose of respect as well. Sort of like going up against a world class boxer - sure you know how to box - but how good are you??? Bad analogy but you know where I'm coming from.
Go to a big parking lot early in the a.m. and practice there. And another thing to remember - go really SLOW at first. Don't try and be a Hot Dog and scream down the ramp. Another thing that might help would be to put your hand on the bottom of your steering wheel. That way all your turns will mimic your hand movement instead of having to "think" about going left or right.
Practice, practice.

 

[EddiePetty]

Re: More New Guy questions

...I second gc's tip concerning placing one hand inside the bottom of the steering wheel when backing (ya' want the trailer to go left..move your hand to the left).
And to expond on that notion: don't confuse yourself by using the mirrors AND trying to glance over your shoulder until you get either/or down pat.

Not knowing the size of your rig nor your tow vehicle, I predict the REALLY hard part for you will be backing an EMPTY trailer down the ramp to retreive the boat!!! Visibility of the empty trailer will be at a premium....guide poles sure are nice here !!

FWIW....Ed in 'ol Virginny (just West of you in Courtland)

 

[DocV]

Re: More New Guy questions

Thanks guys. My rig is an 18 ft. Tahoe Q4SS. I like the idea of guide poles for both backing down the empty trailer and for guiding the boat on it.

I get a lot of people that think that because I am in the Navy I know all about small boats....

I'm willing to take advice wherever and whenever I can get it!

R/

DocV

 

[Silvertip]

Re: More New Guy questions

The problem most folks have with learning to back a trailer is they 1) wait too long to make a corrective move with the wheel, 2) make too many moves of the wheel with no idea why they are doing it, 3) don't think ahead far enough. You should definitely not visit a really busy ramp until you can consistantly back an 8 foot wide trailer between posts that are 10 feet apart (without hitting them of course). The secret is practice, practice, practice and develop a technique that works for you.

 

[EddiePetty]

Re: More New Guy questions

...and to continue with Silvertip's suggestions:
S-L-O-W-D-O-W-N on your steering corrections when backing. The shorter the trailer wheelbase, the quicker the trailer will respond !!!

Just Ed again

 

[nitsuj]

Re: More New Guy questions

Everyone gave great advice. I would only add that if you're towing with a pickup, and you can't see the empty trailer when backing, just drop your tailgate. Then you can easily see it out the back window.

Oh and practice. Practice. More practice. Practice going straight back. Practice making turns going backwards. Try to turn around in as small a space as you can. Use lines in an empty parking lot to mimic as many goofy scenarios as possible.

 

[Capt'n Chris]

Re: More New Guy questions

Everyone gave great advice. I would only add that if you're towing with a pickup, and you can't see the empty trailer when backing, just drop your tailgate. Then you can easily see it out the back window.

Oh and practice. Practice. More practice. Practice going straight back. Practice making turns going backwards. Try to turn around in as small a space as you can. Use lines in an empty parking lot to mimic as many goofy scenarios as possible.[/QUOT

When you drop your tailgate, make sure that if your your winch stand is in close proximity to your tailgate avoid a jackknife. There is a fellow here in our neighborhood that has 2 tell-tale dents (one on each side) in the top edge of his tailgate. I've intended to stop and ask how all that happened, but I'll bet it would surprise the poor soul if I did. Of course, I can tell exactly what he did and didn't even see him do it.

 

[nitsuj]

Re: More New Guy questions

Yes, I should have said that. On my boat, it's impossible for the winch stand or trailer jack to make contact with the tail gate. I towed a friends trailer once, and left my tailgate down by accident, I didn't even do it to back up. I crushed my tailgat when turning 90 degrees to pull out of a parking spot. Wasn't a small dent. It crushed like a pop can. Had to replace the tail gate of my then brand new 2007 F150. I was sick about it. So do watch the tail gate if backing with the gate down.

 

[Paul Ryan]

Re: More New Guy questions

Pracitce makes Perfect!!! I use to do the empty parking lot thing years ago with a utility trailer. Over n over. Pick a spot and back it in or at least try Now that I have a boat, that will be ready in a couple months (working a restore) I'm looking at going to the ramp Jan., Feb. and practice the hole process of Launching and Recovery. I'll make up a check sheet head to the ramp and repeat it over n over and I'll do it for weeks so when spring gets here I'll be ready for the "Ramp Etiquette". Which I agree with 100%. I learned how to back a trailer using my mirrors only. Now when backing I feel like one of the big boys. But go with what works for you. Small, prethought corrections and alot of practice. Hang in there DocV. It will come to you. Slow won the race!!!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: More New Guy questions

Knowing your own vehicle + trailer is important; they all operate differently. One think to learn fro m experience is where is your "pont of no return" on a jacknife? The point where the trailer no longer moves backwards, but sideways. You also learn to feel where your blind ends are--for example, backing a boat into a dry slip and knowing where the outside corner is. I had one trailer that all I could see was the top edges of the rims of the winch, but learned to back it and know when it was straight or how much turned. I only use the mirrors to see where the tires are ni relation to the water or to parking lot stripes, and look away from them when turning or adjusting.

When you are learning, have your helper trained to give loud instructions--no had signals. Hand signals can be confusing, or out of sight temporarily when it matters. INstructions are "toward the dock" and "away from the dock" not "left/right" since those directions are double scrambled between the helper and your brain.

Slow down and don't panic.

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: More New Guy questions

While you're waiting in line, go ahead and get everything on the boat ready to launch. People don't necessarily get mad about inexperience backing up but they do get ticked when you're sitting on the ramp loading the boat and getting ready with a long line behind you. There will be the occasional jerk but you'll be surprised how helpful and understanding fellow boaters can be as long as you are doing your part.

BTW, I was also in Uncle Sam's canoe club. I know what you mean, there isn't much experience in the engineroom on a fast attack boat that equates to pleasure boating!

 

[Pez Vela]

Backing in???

Backing in???

Backing your boat down the ramp is an unnecessary skill ... why bother???

 

[DocV]

Re: More New Guy questions

Hmmm...with the snorkel on my Jeep I maybe I could try...

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: More New Guy questions

All the above are good suggestions, Just remember to take your time and don't worry about everyone else around you, Just do what it is you need to do, when you hurry and worry that will cause you to jumble it up, Relax take a deep breathe and take your time, speed will come with practice like said earlier. Good luck!!