Any 1st time boat owners that launched their boat solo the lst time out?
#1
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Any 1st time boat owners that launched their boat solo the lst time out?
Well, as a lst time boat owner, I'm about to take my new to me '94 Powerquest 270 to the lake for the lst time tomorrow...ALONE.
I've researched, watched vids, and went through the launching/loading procedure in my head.
It's an 11,000 acre lake. Winds should be light tomorrow. I've scoped out several ramps and watched boaters come and go.
Any last minute tips besides "Don't do it!! Take somebody with you!!"
Thanks
I've researched, watched vids, and went through the launching/loading procedure in my head.
It's an 11,000 acre lake. Winds should be light tomorrow. I've scoped out several ramps and watched boaters come and go.
Any last minute tips besides "Don't do it!! Take somebody with you!!"
Thanks
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Take it slow. Make sure to put your drain plug in. Don't unhook the bow strap till the boat and trailer is in the water. Don't back in too fast. When retrieving, don't put the trailer in too deep then power on too far, you will get some nasty scratches. Just take it slow and pay attention to what you are doing.
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Don't unhook until you're in the water and ready to launch from the trailer.
Make sure you're drain plug is IN.
Don't be afraid to ask for help
Fenders out before you back up
Lines hooked up and ready to grab before you back up
Make sure you have the keys in the ignition (don't ask how I remember this one)
Go slow with everything
If it's a slippery ramp make sure you're in 4WD before you back up
Make sure your trailer wheels don't go past the end of the ramp slab
Once I got it down, I launched my 33' by myself all the time.
HAVE FUN
Make sure you're drain plug is IN.
Don't be afraid to ask for help
Fenders out before you back up
Lines hooked up and ready to grab before you back up
Make sure you have the keys in the ignition (don't ask how I remember this one)
Go slow with everything
If it's a slippery ramp make sure you're in 4WD before you back up
Make sure your trailer wheels don't go past the end of the ramp slab
Once I got it down, I launched my 33' by myself all the time.
HAVE FUN
Last edited by Indy; 08-22-2014 at 09:00 PM.
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Tomorrow is a Saturday which typically means there will be a lot of people at the lake. I've always found "boat people" to be incredibly helpful. I'm sure there will be someone experienced there to help you. But in the off chance there isn't Rollwithits advice sounds about right. I've loaded my 24 footer twice basically by myself (the only person I had with me was a girlfriend who wasn't much help) and it was fairly easy to do. I just backed the trailer in while the boat was tied off at the end of the dock and then walked into the water and guided the boat on the bunks and winched.
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Take it slow. Make sure to put your drain plug in. Don't unhook the bow strap till the boat and trailer is in the water. Don't back in too fast. When retrieving, don't put the trailer in too deep then power on too far, you will get some nasty scratches. Just take it slow and pay attention to what you are doing.
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Gonna agree with Dave M. If you are not familiar with the boat or don't have someone to eyeball the bow, you will be better off putting the trailer in a little farther then just floating the boat on the trailer using the winch to get it snug. If I am by myself I know how far to put the trailer I the water then will power on to a point. The last little bit is still done with the winch, backing the trailer in the water a little more if needed to make it go smooth.
Indy, my family owns a marina here in Pittsburgh that has a launch ramp. Ive watched and learned from a lot of other peoples mistakes over the years. By the time I got my first boat I already had an understanding of what not to do. lol
Indy, my family owns a marina here in Pittsburgh that has a launch ramp. Ive watched and learned from a lot of other peoples mistakes over the years. By the time I got my first boat I already had an understanding of what not to do. lol