New Boat Owner

[Lrider]

Never owned a boat before, I bought a 17.5 foot center console from an estate, it is fiberglass, I am told that it was manufactured by Seminole Marine in 1995. It has a Johnson 88 SPL (that is being serviced as I write this).

I have taken the Coast Guard Safety Course

I have some really basic questions.

I can back up a trailer ok, I plan to use a public ramp (Ocean harbor) I have watched people do this, but I would like to know is there specifics about launching in this way. I have already been told to make sure the 3 plugs are in place.

When I want to put the boat back on the trailer what should I look out for, how far should I power the boat onto the trailer, or should I just crank it on like I see some people do.

The boat weighs 1500 pounds dry has a 63 gallon fuel tank

Any suggests would be appreciated

By the way I plan on launching this solo for a while

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: New Boat Owner

Congrats on the new boat....sounds like you are off to a good start as far as learning all you can before you head out.... there will probably be some trial and error as far as your launching procedure....each time you go out you will refine it slightly as far as how far to back in and such but after 6 or so times out you will be awesome at it...doing it solo is the best way to learn because after that if anyone is there to help it will be that much easier.

Not sure how your ramp is oriented but if you have a dock that parallels the length of the ramp its best to just walk it right on the trailer from the dock.

Seems like you watched people launch there's so doing what they are doing is the ticket. Alot is going to depend on your trailer setup....with my roller trailer if I am in too deep I float over the back set of rollers and the boat doesnt line up very easily....

most and foremost which has been talked about to death here is just be ready to launch when its time to go and be ready to pull it out when its your turn....when its time to retrieve...be efficient but take your time....dont forget to trim you outboard up....

you sound prepared...dont sweat it.

 

[RL Gman]

Re: New Boat Owner

Congrats on the boat.

As said, launch and recovery is a learned process...and when you add the pressure of others waiting on you it gets more difficult.

A simple quick course that can get you started and work the "perfection" from here.

Back it till about 3/4 of your bunks are under water. While you're backing and getting that deep, you will see the stern of the boat start to wobble. That shoes you are deep enough to push the boat right off.

When your retrieving, back the boat until the bunks are alittle less then half underwater, or that the furthest part of the bunk is about 8-12 inches under.

This will allow you to get the boat pretty far up the trailer, and winch it in the rest. This will ensure that the trailer self centers the boat. No need to power load. I've done it before in certain situations, but to the new owner, that is just a cause to:
1. **** people off
2. Could damage the ramp
3. Give you a much better change of scraping the bottom of your boat.

A 1500# rig will be no problem to winch.

 

[lncoop]

Re: New Boat Owner

When I want to put the boat back on the trailer what should I look out for, how far should I power the boat onto the trailer, or should I just crank it on like I see some people do.

FYI if you mention power loading too loudly on here you're likely to get an earful. When loading I usually back the trailer in until the bunks are about half covered with water, then I ease the boat onto the trailer AT IDLE SPEED until the laws of physics make it stop. At that point I hook 'er up and winch away. Once the boat is up to the bow stop I pull up(hopefully AFTER I've killed the motor. Yes, I have forgotten before. D'OH!) to finish the loading process out of the way of my fellow boaters. Oh yeah, and welcome to boating and to Iboats. You'll love it here.

 

[Lrider]

Re: New Boat Owner

You people are awesome,

The ramp is concrete, it does have a walkway on one side and rocks on the other. Unfortunately, on the weekends there is a lot of people (especially jet skis) that want to stay on the ramp or tie thir boats as close as possible to the ramp, I am left with few options, so I will have to park and power the boar to the end of the dock. Oh well

Again thank you for your help, I will let you know my failures and successes

Any guesses as to what the boat model is?

http://s855.photobucket.com/albums/ab114/oophio/My Boat/

 

[roscoe]

Re: New Boat Owner

TRY CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER.


SEMINOLE MARINE, INC PO BOX 1899 CAIRO GA


Seminole Marine Inc.
Physical Address: 2501 Milestone Industrial Park S.W., Cairo, GA 39828
Mailing Address: PO Box 1899, Cairo, GA 39828



Phone: 229-377-2125

 

[Lrider]

Re: New Boat Owner

Found it, thanks

1995 Sailfish 176 CC

Now the fun begins