Boating for Dummies 101

[Boatime]

Ok, so I’ve been around boats most of my life but not as an owner. I’m going to take you guys and use you for all the wisdom I can to perhaps make one less really, really stupid mistake.

So, share your hard earned wisdom...

Pre-launch check:
Post Load routine:
Onboard emergent supplies:

I realize this is a pretty wide and vague question. I know the basics... but what should I be doing/checking/bringing that I might miss?

TIA

[akorcovelos]

Pre-launch check:coolers full
Post Load routine: coolers in the boat
Onboard emergent supplies:Cheetos

Honestly, a good tool kit, battery jump box, first aid kit, and always run the blower before starting the boat. Otherwise, if you’ve been around it most your life you already know what to do, just need to build that confidence.

[Big Block Power]

Put the drain plug in before you leave home and double check it at the launch.
Also never approach a dock faster then you want to hit it. Never yell at your wife while docking or backing up. Lol

[cmattj]

I’ll add on your trailer check and pre launch.

Trailers wander and tend to take a lot of road debris on the tires.

Always inspect conditions, and set your pressures beforehand.

Is your boat sitting perfectly on the bunks? If so mark your wench with a marker so when she is retrieved later she will return to the exact spot.

When you arrive to the launch find a pre launch area first.

Remove straps and Saftey bow tethering.( if you have roller bunks leave your bow strap on ).
Double check drain plug for tight.

Put your fenders and ropes on . ( toss the ropes in but leave enough for your dock hand person to grab when your launching).

Slow down to crawl as you back towards the water and visualize your boat starting to float as your rear tires reach the water line or trailer fenders start to go under.
( This Varys from boat to boat and marina).

Once you determine movement you can stop and off she goes to your dock hand.
Park carful and slow and remember, keys wallets etc.
Tomorrow’s class is arriving to the launch when the days is over.
It can be equally challenging

[NautiGirl]

Never yell at your wife while docking or backing up. Lol

Well that takes all the fun out of it for sure.

[Big Block Power]

Never yell at your wife while docking or backing up. Lol

Well that takes all the fun out of it for sure.

I know that was prob the best advise I could give.

[AsLan7]

.

Ok, so I’ve been around boats most of my life but not as an owner. I’m going to take you guys and use you for all the wisdom I can to perhaps make one less really, really stupid mistake.

So, share your hard earned wisdom...

Pre-launch check:
Post Load routine:
Onboard emergent supplies:

I realize this is a pretty wide and vague question. I know the basics... but what should I be doing/checking/bringing that I might miss?

TIA

.

Hey BT.

Some great advice above from others on the forum.

This was a checklist my wife and I used to use with our first boat (Donzi) while launching. The one thing we always did as a minimum was get a verbal confirmation from each other that the drain plug is in. Don't ask me why we started doing that.

This checklist was stored in the storage compartment of our Jeep CJ7 at the time.


BOAT RAMP LAUNCH CHECKLIST:

1. Prep in parking lot (pre-launch area):

• Make sure outdrive is raised
• Make sure drain plug is in
• Undo front & rear trailer harnesses
• Take cover off
• Turn battery switch on
• Turn blower on
• Unhook trailer lights (if non LED)
• Have bow line ready
• Secure fenders to either port or starboard cleats
• Unhook winch safety chain
• Position winch latch to loosen and unwind 2-3 turns
• Re-Lock winch latch

2. AFTER prep is complete position boat to top of boat ramp:

• Back into water until waterline is even with front fender step
...(or until boat starts to slide off slightly)

• Unhook winch crank harness & secure
• 1 person hold bow line (if floating off)
• Push boat off of trailer - person on dock hold bow line
• Secure crank harness to trailer
• Pull vehicle away

That will cover most of what you need.

The only thing we modify from the above launch list is that we now start the boat once it is in the water and still on the trailer.
So instead of floating off the trailer, our checklist would read (after "Unhook winch crank harness")....

• Lower outdrive half way
• Start engine & verify good oil pressure/indications
• verify engine compartment dry
• gently back off the trailer


There are quite a few ways to launch as mentioned here. This is just one suggestion.




As far as emergency supplies go, we carry a prepackaged First Aid Kit that has been modified slightly to suit our needs. 99% of the time it is a cut you will deal with while onboard. (like swimming around the boat and kicking the prop) (or stubbing a toe/pinching a finger.) Carrying Dramamine for that rare sea sickness passenger has also helped at times.




For tool kit essentials, check out this thread.




As far as post launch, just make sure your outdrive is all the way up when pulling out of the water. (Other than that, I'm not sure what you mean by post-load (motoring away from the boat ramp after loading up; OR getting ready to load back onto the trailer; OR back home after you're out of the water drinking lemonades now loaded )


Finally, check out this thread I started regarding boat launch etiquette. It's worth the read.


Enjoy the voyage my friend! (without yelling at anyone)

.

[sailor55330]

Put the drain plug in before you leave home and double check it at the launch.
Also never approach a dock faster then you want to hit it. Never yell at your wife while docking or backing up. Lol

Double check on the drain plug and your local laws---Here in MN it's illegal to transport with the drain plug in.

Other than that---

Step one---buy boat (we're all dummies in that respect)
Step two--determine your budget for operation, upgrade, and repair then double it. Remember, B.O.A.T. stands for "break out another thousand"
Step three---remember, no matter what you pack/bring, the chances are the item you will need is the one you don't have, usually at the most inopportune place or time.
Step four---if possible, teach someone in your family to back the trailer down the ramp and park the trailer....makes life easier
Step five---just go enjoy it. You've been around boats and you know what to do. The only difference now is it's your money!

Oh, and make sure you have the winch handle with you before you leave. I put mine in the truck in the same place so I have to basically trip over it. You don't need it to launch, but retrieval is challenging without it (allegedly).

[Big Block Power]

Put the drain plug in before you leave home and double check it at the launch.
Also never approach a dock faster then you want to hit it. Never yell at your wife while docking or backing up. Lol

Double check on the drain plug and your local laws---Here in MN it's illegal to transport with the drain plug in.

Other than that---

Step one---buy boat (we're all dummies in that respect)
Step two--determine your budget for operation, upgrade, and repair then double it. Remember, B.O.A.T. stands for "break out another thousand"
Step three---remember, no matter what you pack/bring, the chances are the item you will need is the one you don't have, usually at the most inopportune place or time.
Step four---if possible, teach someone in your family to back the trailer down the ramp and park the trailer....makes life easier
Step five---just go enjoy it. You've been around boats and you know what to do. The only difference now is it's your money!

Oh, and make sure you have the winch handle with you before you leave. I put mine in the truck in the same place so I have to basically trip over it. You don't need it to launch, but retrieval is challenging without it (allegedly).

That's sound advise there.
So in IL people love to steal your wench crank. Not sure why but they do. So it's funny yours is in the truck. So does it not bolt on? Yes they will remove the nut.

[AsLan7]

Put the drain plug in before you leave home and double check it at the launch.
Also never approach a dock faster then you want to hit it. Never yell at your wife while docking or backing up. Lol

Double check on the drain plug and your local laws---Here in MN it's illegal to transport with the drain plug in.

Other than that---

Step one---buy boat (we're all dummies in that respect)
Step two--determine your budget for operation, upgrade, and repair then double it. Remember, B.O.A.T. stands for "break out another thousand"
Step three---remember, no matter what you pack/bring, the chances are the item you will need is the one you don't have, usually at the most inopportune place or time.
Step four---if possible, teach someone in your family to back the trailer down the ramp and park the trailer....makes life easier
Step five---just go enjoy it. You've been around boats and you know what to do. The only difference now is it's your money!

Oh, and make sure you have the winch handle with you before you leave. I put mine in the truck in the same place so I have to basically trip over it. You don't need it to launch, but retrieval is challenging without it (allegedly).

That's sound advise there.
So in IL people love to steal your wench crank. Not sure why but they do. So it's funny yours is in the truck. So does it not bolt on? Yes they will remove the nut.

.
True. We don't take it off....but do carry a spare in the tow vehicle.

Oh, and have a locking hitch pin.....those occasionally are stolen too as a prank.

.

[sailor55330]

Put the drain plug in before you leave home and double check it at the launch.
Also never approach a dock faster then you want to hit it. Never yell at your wife while docking or backing up. Lol

Double check on the drain plug and your local laws---Here in MN it's illegal to transport with the drain plug in.

Other than that---

Step one---buy boat (we're all dummies in that respect)
Step two--determine your budget for operation, upgrade, and repair then double it. Remember, B.O.A.T. stands for "break out another thousand"
Step three---remember, no matter what you pack/bring, the chances are the item you will need is the one you don't have, usually at the most inopportune place or time.
Step four---if possible, teach someone in your family to back the trailer down the ramp and park the trailer....makes life easier
Step five---just go enjoy it. You've been around boats and you know what to do. The only difference now is it's your money!

Oh, and make sure you have the winch handle with you before you leave. I put mine in the truck in the same place so I have to basically trip over it. You don't need it to launch, but retrieval is challenging without it (allegedly).

That's sound advise there.
So in IL people love to steal your wench crank. Not sure why but they do. So it's funny yours is in the truck. So does it not bolt on? Yes they will remove the nut.

My winch handle is spring loaded and removable, so I don't leave it on during storage or transport. Even though it's secure and I don't think it would come off, a 3 pound flying object would not be good at roadspeed, and yes, they seem to grow legs.

[NautiGirl]

I'll add my two cents...not sure you experience here so i'll just assume you have always been a guest on someone else's boat and weren't really the one responsible for the boat.

Take some time before your first launch and go visit the ramp and watch the flow of traffic with everyone. Our ramp has plenty of pre/post-launch space to prep the boat and it drives me INSANE to pull up to launch or retrieve and someone is parked in the middle of the ramp blocking the the entire thing as they load or unload their boat. Don't be that person that's oblivious to everyone else.

Our other rule is you can never ask too many times if the plug is in. You aren't allowed to get mad at your spouse for asking that question more than once!

Happy Boating!

~Mrs. Nauti

[akorcovelos]

Put the drain plug in before you leave home and double check it at the launch.
Also never approach a dock faster then you want to hit it. Never yell at your wife while docking or backing up. Lol

Double check on the drain plug and your local laws---Here in MN it's illegal to transport with the drain plug in.

Other than that---

Step one---buy boat (we're all dummies in that respect)
Step two--determine your budget for operation, upgrade, and repair then double it. Remember, B.O.A.T. stands for "break out another thousand"
Step three---remember, no matter what you pack/bring, the chances are the item you will need is the one you don't have, usually at the most inopportune place or time.
Step four---if possible, teach someone in your family to back the trailer down the ramp and park the trailer....makes life easier
Step five---just go enjoy it. You've been around boats and you know what to do. The only difference now is it's your money!

Oh, and make sure you have the winch handle with you before you leave. I put mine in the truck in the same place so I have to basically trip over it. You don't need it to launch, but retrieval is challenging without it (allegedly).

That's sound advise there.
So in IL people love to steal your wench crank. Not sure why but they do. So it's funny yours is in the truck. So does it not bolt on? Yes they will remove the nut.

Nothing pisses your wench off more than stealing her crank!

But for real, this is a thing? I've lived here my whole life and never heard of people stealing winch handles...

[Big Block Power]

Double check on the drain plug and your local laws---Here in MN it's illegal to transport with the drain plug in.

Other than that---

Step one---buy boat (we're all dummies in that respect)
Step two--determine your budget for operation, upgrade, and repair then double it. Remember, B.O.A.T. stands for "break out another thousand"
Step three---remember, no matter what you pack/bring, the chances are the item you will need is the one you don't have, usually at the most inopportune place or time.
Step four---if possible, teach someone in your family to back the trailer down the ramp and park the trailer....makes life easier
Step five---just go enjoy it. You've been around boats and you know what to do. The only difference now is it's your money!

Oh, and make sure you have the winch handle with you before you leave. I put mine in the truck in the same place so I have to basically trip over it. You don't need it to launch, but retrieval is challenging without it (allegedly).

That's sound advise there.
So in IL people love to steal your wench crank. Not sure why but they do. So it's funny yours is in the truck. So does it not bolt on? Yes they will remove the nut.

Nothing pisses your wench off more than stealing her crank!

But for real, this is a thing? I've lived here my whole life and never heard of people stealing winch handles...

Yep every time at the Chicago loop cruise it happens. I don't know that launch I think it's calumet? But yes very common. But those boaters that go to that launch remove the handles all summer long.

[akorcovelos]

That's sound advise there.
So in IL people love to steal your wench crank. Not sure why but they do. So it's funny yours is in the truck. So does it not bolt on? Yes they will remove the nut.

Nothing pisses your wench off more than stealing her crank!

But for real, this is a thing? I've lived here my whole life and never heard of people stealing winch handles...

Yep every time at the Chicago loop cruise it happens. I don't know that launch I think it's calumet? But yes very common. But those boaters that go to that launch remove the handles all summer long.

I stopped acknowledging Chicago as part of Illinois a long time ago. Not surprised that's a problem on the south side, they'll steal the gold fillings from your teeth if they had the chance.