Re: Launching 101 - somewhat embarrassed.
 

If you haven't already done it, you might want to go find an empty parking lot and practice backing it up before you get to the ramp.

Re: Launching 101 - somewhat embarrassed.
 

Remember to raise your trim tabs all the way up so the fork lift can get under the boat without damaging the trim tabs.

Everybody forgot that one, and I'm on a trailer. nananananna.....:D :D

Re: Launching 101 - somewhat embarrassed.
 

:confused: Why? What's your story?
Just curious. :o

Re: Launching 101 - somewhat embarrassed.
 

The fork covers you tear can cost more then the tab you bend or crack. The new ones we are selling cost about 1200 bucks each :eek: And the dunkinf the boat on the trailer with the forklift thing is pretty common. We even sold a few lifts last year to some inland storage faciltiys that built racks to store boats on trailers 4 high.

Re: Launching 101 - somewhat embarrassed.
 

Take your time, drain plug, you'll do fine.

Re: Launching 101 - somewhat embarrassed.
 

Dockrocker, Where are you keeping your boat? One thing you may want to do, if it's windy, is put it in on the windward side of the dock especially if your by yourself. Their a biotch to hold against the wind!! If your doing it later in the day I'd be more than happy to help too, just let me know.

Re: Launching 101 - somewhat embarrassed.
 

Looks like we're going to wait until Friday to launch, at least right now. The weather is looking to be a bit chilly tomorrow and I've got a number of things I want to do to the boat before I put it up in the rack. The marina we rack store the boat at has its own launch ramp, so it's unlikely I'll have to deal with anyone waiting. Gas tank is 3/4 full.

Kitten, this is our third boat, and the previous two have been kept in rack storage just like this one will be; in fact, I didn't even own a trailer for either of them. Just show up at the marina, the forklift guy grabs the boat and gets her in the water, off you go. Fairly common around here, there's got to be a dozen rack storage places I can think off of the top of my head.

I'm not concerned with backing the trailer, I've got that part down fairly well. I was more concerned with when to undo the winch strap, how deep to get the trailer, that sort of thing.

Thanks to all - expect an after action when I'm done. Funny thing is, I tend to think and re-think this sort of thing; I had spent a fairly sleepless night or two thinking about the 80 mile tow when I bought the boat. As it turned out, it was no big deal at all, and I'm sure this will be the same.

Of course, getting the boat back on the trailer is a whole 'nother ball game... :eek:

Re: Launching 101 - somewhat embarrassed.
 

hey, I could be wrong but he needs to lower the trim a little before he fires it up? I've forgotten to do it a couple of times when launching my dad's boat and I've gotten in trouble.

Re: Launching 101 - somewhat embarrassed.
 

While still in parking area rase the drive and remove the trim cylinder trailering clips that you should have gotten from the Mer.dealer :drink:

Re: Launching 101 - somewhat embarrassed.
 

put in the plug ,take off the straps, drop the truck in reverse when she hits the water jam on the brakes! its off! now swim like hell to catch it :D