First boat outing this Saturday....need some loading tips?

[bjennings79]

So we are finally getting to take the new to us Hurricane to the lake this weekend after picking it up 3 weeks ago. This will be our fist boating experience and I'm just looking for some last-minute tips. I have a lot of concern about trailering the boat once we are finished. We will have our two children with us, so I will probably be having to do it solo while my wife wrangles the kids. I really don't want to provide any free entertainment for all of the ramp spectators

Additionally, aside from life jackets and throwable, what other items am I required to have? The boat has a built in horn. I believe I am required to have a fire extenguisher, since there is a built in fuel tank. I have my registration card. Do I need to have an insurance card with me as well? Also, there are no ropes of any kind that came with the boat. I'm just wondering what is good length/diameter to have with me for tying up or in case I have to guide it on to the trailer manually.

 

[ziggy]

Re: First boat outing this Saturday....need some loading tips?

my suggestion would be go do a trial run prior to taking the family out.... i'm very serious about that too. anything can happen the first time out. it can happen to seasoned boaters too but they're likely to have a idea what to do. you may not.

hope ya took a boater safety class. be sure and have all the required items on board. bailing bucket, pfds, type IV thowable, paddle, etc..

also make a check list since it's your first time out. like put the plug in, take the tie down straps off. lower the drive. turn the blower on for 5 min.. deploy fenders, attach lines for control and tying up to the dock. use your list and don't be distracted by others. you'll get a routine down in the end.

ya might wanna start her at home, i usually do just to be sure all is in order prior to heading out.

as for loading, i prefer to load off the dock. i dock my boat then use the lines fore and aft and pull my boat onto my trailer. you can control all directions with this method (i use my foot to push it away from the dock to hit the trailer). once i'm centered on my trailer i hold my bow line and walk off the dock to the trailer and connect the trailer bow strap and reel her on in. attach your safety chain prior to pulling it out of the water, just in case. i stop as soon as my boat cleared the water to inspect to see if i'm centered on my trailer + pull the plug and drain any water out. proceed off the ramp to do your final tie down. check your trailer lights prior to leaving the ramp area.

i'm sure i forgot something. but hopefully this will get ya somewhat on your way. hopefully others will chime in with their ideas too.

hope ya have a great day. boating is just plain exciting.... imho...

 

[erie_guy]

Re: First boat outing this Saturday....need some loading tips?

Before leaving for the lake, be sure the trailer is securely coupled to your tow vehicle. Check to see both have the same size ball (2" or 1 7/8"). And use the safety chains. Remove hold down straps before backing down the ramp and put in the "plug". Back to the water edge before releasing the bow/winch strap. If its a roller trailer it may launch itself - so make sure your have a line attached to the bow as well as the stern. Move it to the end of the dock while parking the tow vehicle and trailer.

erie_guy
Port Clinton, OH

Enjoy

 

[Capt'n Chris]

Re: First boat outing this Saturday....need some loading tips?

The first trip out is mighty exciting. If you have little to no boating experience whatsoever, make the right preparations which include your boating safety course and several trips out with a seasoned boater and learn about the rules on the waterway, safety and about your boat. Protect your family and other boaters on the water by preparing yourself properly. Giddy with excitement and no experience on the water can quickly become a disaster...and a statistic.

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: First boat outing this Saturday....need some loading tips?

1. Don't let ego get in the way. Find some experienced help and listen well.

2. Hook up trailer to proper ball and ensure that the hitch is adjusted properly.

3. Hook up lights and check to make sure they work.

4. Check tire quality, pressure and wheel bearings. Jack up one side and check for wheel wobble, then the other.

5. Take the boat to a Wal-mart parking lot late at night and just practice backing into spaces, turning ect. Do all this and then you are ready to get the boat ready.

Boat
1. PFD's for everyone and a throwable

2. Whistles on all PFDs.

3. Fire extinquisher (maybe 2 depending on size of boat)

4. Paddle, small set of tools, anchor w/rope, I carry an orange flag even though I don't ski much just incase someone goes overboard, 1st aid kit, 2-3 tie off ropes (I use 15' each with carabiners on each one)

5. Check navigation lights, bildge pump, blower if it has one, fuel, horn, charge batteries and verify that the motor will run. Sit in the captains chair and survey everything. Make sure the extinquisher is easily accesible from your seat, are things placed in a convienant spot, make a mental note where everything is at and put it there everytime. Nothing as miserable as digging through every box and moving everyone around the boat to find something.

6. Put plug in!

Now you are ready for the lake. Find a friend and go at a time like the middle of the week when traffic is low and ramps aren't busy. You might even have time to load and unload several times for practice. Unload, and practice tying to dock, practice approaching the dock to get an idea of how the boat handles at low speeds.


Now enjoy!! Good prep makes everything go smooth and less stressful and makes for a more enjoyable day. If you stress then everyone gets stresses and mad and won't want to go with you again (been there and apologized for that). If there is a class you can take I would suggest it but depending on where you located it may be very hard to find.

I may have forgot something here, Oh yeah get the boating regs and study them!, but someone else will chime in and help.

 

[supersizeme]

Re: First boat outing this Saturday....need some loading tips?

The first time I was out, I was ****ing my pants. Not literally, but I was very scared of everything. Just be real careful, practice make perfect...Good luck

 

[bjennings79]

Re: First boat outing this Saturday....need some loading tips?

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I have not taken a boater safety course, but I have been reading everything that I can get my hands on for the last 3 weeks. I will probably have to take the online version, as there have not been any listed within a reasonable distance from me. The boat only has 50 hrs on it, so hopefully I will not run into any mechanical problems. I need to pick up a paddle and some rope tomorrow, but I think I have everything else. We are pretty much just going out for a cruise and some fishing. Will report back with my experience.

 

[starcraft1982]

Re: First boat outing this Saturday....need some loading tips?

Cannot stress enough to not take your family out the first time you take the boat out.Everything MAY go ok,but i GUARANTEE it wont go smoothly.

 

[woosterken]

Re: First boat outing this Saturday....need some loading tips?

where are you, ? maybe somebody on the forum is close , they could meet you at your lake and give you a hands on help for the first time.

woosterken

 

[carlh]

Re: First boat outing this Saturday....need some loading tips?

After loading my boat onto the trailer I always stop after a mile or so and check the boat is still secured on the trailer. More often than not the boat has moved slightly and the bottle screws holding it down need re-tightening.

 

[5150abf]

Re: First boat outing this Saturday....need some loading tips?

Don't back ther trailer in too far, that si a big newbie mistake.

You need enough out of the water to catch the boat and keep the stern(back) from swinging, this si a trail and error thingso you will find the right depth soon.

As a rough guide you don't want the bunks completely submerged.

The water is WAY different than driving on the road, on the street there are signs and cars go this way or that way, on the water there of coarse are no signs and boats can go any direction at any speed so keep your head on a swivel.

Before making a sharp turn look behind to make sure noone is coming up from behind and always watch for cross traffic, just be aware of your surroundings.

Take it slow the first coupke times and you will be fine and remember to get some fun in there too.

 

[dirtdiver]

Re: First boat outing this Saturday....need some loading tips?

Leave the wife and kids at home, take a friend who has atleast done it before. You'll need help to launch the boat the first few times till you get the hang of it to be able to do it on your own. Once you've learned teach your wife. I'd take an extra transom plug and prop as well as a wrench to change the prop if you break it. What type of drive does your boat have? What are you using to tow it? What kind of water are you boating in? River lake ocean? I'd also recon the launch and see what the setup is like, and see how others go about using it. Sounds stupid but I think most of us have done it once, make sure you pull your drive up before you pull the boat out. I'd also reccomend getting a depth finder, and charts for the waterway you'll be in. I know up here around the thousand islands, its down right dangerous not to have charts and know where you're going before you go. There are a lot of rocks and they pop up out of no where.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: First boat outing this Saturday....need some loading tips?

My first suggestion would be to leave the kids home for this first outing (with someone in charge obviously). You will need help and with your wife tending the kids she can't do both. Next suggestion. Leave the boat at home and go to a ramp and watch several people launch and retrieve their boats. Next suggestion is to take the boat to a parking lot and practice backing. People who are waiting in line to launch or retrieve seem to be upset more by someone taking forever to back a trailer than anything else. Ignore them. They will get over it and very likely are no better at it than you. Lastly, besides all of the other suggestions, make sure you know how to quickly start the engine and actually operate the boat. Ensure batteries are charged and everything works. If that means taking someone with you by all means do so. Yes -- you need registration and insurance information in most states.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: First boat outing this Saturday....need some loading tips?

don't rush into anything.
don't rush into getting the family on the water. If they hate it the first time, it will be their last
don't rush into acquiring knowledge. You can't breeze through the boater safety course on line and be a boater. After 52 years, I learn something new every time I go out. If I don't, I missed something.
Don't rush packing, loading, launching, retrieving. That's when you make mistakes, which will hurt you, your boat or your ego.
Don't rush into doing all the activities. First trip, just cruise and leave the fishing at home. Your family (if you still plan to take them!) will want your attention.
You don't say how old your children are but I assume they are small. don't rush into getting them going on long trips. They don't like scenery, cool breezes, being away from it all and they do not know what "relax" is.
Have someone you can call--the guy you bought the boat from, the guy at the marina tackle shop (stop in, buy stuff from him even thuogh it's more expensive, try to make a contact but without being a pest. You will have a short question (motor won't start, you say. Is it in neutral? he'll say. D'oh, you'll say.)
And if you still insist on taking the family, never letthem see you sweat (worry). All eyes are on you. Will you be the hero or the goat?

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: First boat outing this Saturday....need some loading tips?

Also there are to many variables for anyone to tell you how to loaunch and load your boat. Tow vehicle, tire size, ramp design ect. all play a part in finding that sweet spot of where to put the trailer in the water for the best launching and loading. Launching is fairly easy in that you don't want to get the tow vehicle to far in the water if at all but just enough to float boat. Loading is where the critical depth comes in. Theres a fine line between floating the stern and having to use a full power load. I like to be on the rear bunks about a foot before the bow stop, then I can just give a quick throttle bump to finish it off. But hull design as well as the other things I mentioned will dictate the best loading procedures. That is why I say to get there when it's not busy because it will take several times to get it right.

 

[Michigan Jason]

Re: First boat outing this Saturday....need some loading tips?

One thing I have noticed that no one has mentioned.

Once you are on the water, always be aware of your water depth! If you have a depth finder pay attention to it! Make sure you are in at least 4 feet of water before opening it up and trying to plane out. If you are in too shallow of water and you hit the throttle (especially if your prop isn't in great shape) you will bottom out. If there is a rock or stump, you can damage your prop (hopefully) and more so your out drive. Just always know how deep the water is when you are taking off, and at all times for that matter.

Also as for loading, DO NOT LET THE OTHER PEOPLE RUSH YOU INTO MAKING A MISTAKE! Take your time, stay focused and all will be fine, BTW you are going to make mistakes, it happens. Just stay calm, assess the situation and get through it.

Have fun!

Jason

 

[SNye45]

Re: First boat outing this Saturday....need some loading tips?

As to the rope question. I would use 3/8 inch Nylon or even 1/2 inch. The length is important too. I would suggest at least 30ft of rope -When tied to the bow that should be just enough for you to keep your feet dry and still clear the end of the trailer when launching the boat.

I have 5 ropes on my boat. 300ft of Anchor rope. A 40ft launching/tow rope, and 3 15ft dock ropes (bow and two stern).

Have a great first time out. Don't let anybody get to you, and take your time to be safe

 

[JetBote]

Re: First boat outing this Saturday....need some loading tips?

DO NOT load your belongings, cooler, towels, inflatables, chips, sunscreen and all that other crap from the truck and into the boat while on the ramp, or dock This will **** more people off than just about anything else. When you pull into the launch area, pull off to the side, and this is where you do your transfer, unless there is a line, and you have ample time prior to launching. You can load the groceries and kids, and take the ride down the ramp.

 

[JetBote]

Re: First boat outing this Saturday....need some loading tips?

One more thing, NEVER yell at your wife or kids at the ramp while launching or retrieving the boat unless it's an emergency. You'll be looked at as the ***. Your best friend in all of this is having a wife that can back a trailer while you unhook and work the dock lines, or vice versa.

 

[Michigan Jason]

Re: First boat outing this Saturday....need some loading tips?

One more thing, NEVER yell at your wife or kids at the ramp while launching or retrieving the boat unless it's an emergency. You'll be looked at as the ***. Your best friend in all of this is having a wife that can back a trailer while you unhook and work the dock lines, or vice versa.

Great point, I have seen this guy at the launch and he really looks like an *****!