raise the motor
hitch connected
pin on hitch
chains on, lights connected
put in plug
make sure engine starts, tilt trim works
raise the motor again
check gas in boat
life vests, throw cushion, whistle, anchor, gps, depthfinder etc.
at ramp
get ready away from ramp so you do not block others
unplug lights on trailer
plug in boat
straps off/on
truck in park with emergency brake on.
start engine in water prior to getting boat off trailer
launch
maneuvering
turning to port is easier (prop rotation)
if shallow sometimes can get on plane by gunning and turning
slow in unknown waters
watch depth finder like a hawkier
docking (dont forget the use of spring lines)
it may be easier at near high or low tide as the current is much less
dock into whatever is stronger the tide or wind (can more easily back off instead of ramming the dock and tearing up the boat
go slow and then go slower
tell passengers what to expect and most to the time to do as little as possible
on the trailer again a spring line may be helpful.
sometimes it is easier to have the trailer just deep enough to get the boat centered and then as one drives the the boat on the trailer the one backing the trailer backs slowly toward the boat
attach to boat to trailer
turn off the motor
raise the motor
get off the ramp and out of everyones way to prepare to leave.
check trailer hitch and lights
secure rods reels and anything else that may catch tree limbs or fly out of the boat
boat at home
take out plug if possible
turn engine to port (to cover exposed steering cable)
store engine as vertical as possible (keeps oil in the pistons from collecting in a low spot)
jan
added by esteemed members 2012-02-29 thanks
i’m sure you will find a few other things, but at home, clean boat and trailer!
check your oil tank level if oil injected the day before so you can get more oil
check your oil tank level if oil injected the day before so you can get more oil if needed. I always carry an extra jug in my console now, after not learning my lesson the first couple of times I limped back to the dock @2000 rpm with the low oil alarm in!
check your antenna - its a lot easier to put it up at the dock than in the harbor, and a lot cheaper to put it down at the dock than drag it through some branches later! (also learned the hard way…)
cast net ropes will become airborne and start streaming out into your rods, face, prop, whatever and generally create havoc at about 25 mph… wrap 'em up or put them in a bucket with secure lid (lids also fly pretty well), locker, etc before going fast!
and on and on… I’m sure I haven’t made every newbie mistake yet, but hopefully I’ve gotten most of them out of the way!
quote:check your antenna - its a lot easier to put it up at the dock than in the harbor, and a lot cheaper to put it down at the dock than drag it through some branches later! (also learned the hard way...)
And your outriggers:roll_eyes:
quote:At the dock-
wont apply to everyone but take rods out of center console rod holders because power lines and tree limbs at house will break them.
And especially take them out of the T-Top rod holders:angry:
Here’s another. Turn your coolers so that the hinges face the direction of travel. The car behind you hates it when a 150 Igloo lid hits their windshield.
Don’t ask me how I know these things, but they weren’t learned from watching somebody else.
Back on trailer, remember to strap the boat down. I’ve seen numerous boats, especially lighter boats, flopping over the train tracks.
Turn off all the electronics. Had several dead batteries learning that one.
Also if you have to hand winch your boat onto your trailer use the latch while winching. I talked with an elderly lady the other day and her husband lost his grip, while winching, and the winch handle broke his arm and he had to have a few stitches as well. They kept their boat in the water up north and weren’t used to trailering, they sold their boat afterwards.
ck your life jackets for rot or tears, ck wistle and fire ext.ck date on flares ,ck throwable devise and bow and stern light make sure you have boat reg. onboard, charge cell phone before you go remember your cell phone might not detail your location if you call 911 so keep up with land marks or gps cord.!! Remember to have a desegnated driver!
Carry a tool kit, spare fuses, hose clamps, jumper cables, an electrical crimp kit, and a can of hydraulic steering fluid on the boat.
First-aid kit.
Check fire extinguishers.
Tell at least one person where you are going and when you plan to be back.
Check battery water on occasion.
Check battery charge levels before leaving the house for the ramp, or before leaving the dock for the ocean.
Check air and wear on trailer tires.
Follow navigation rules, and don’t pin oncoming boats against the edge of the channel or other boats.
If people are drinking on the boat, have at least one designated sober driver.
Don’t let little kids ride in or on the bow while running at speed (no offense to anyone, but if you had seen the claims, you’d never do that again).
Always bring some water along, even on a short inshore trip.
When fishing inshore, I also like to carry some spare spinning rods for guests.
Bug spray
Sun block
(Debatable) You probably shouldn’t test-run your trolling motor while it’s charging. I’ve noticed blown fuses on my chargers on a couple of occasions after I briefly turned the handle on the trolling motor while it was charging. My thought is that the motor needed more current than the uncharged batteries could deliver, and it pulled from the charger, overheating the fuses. Not sure, and doesn’t happen every time, but seems logical.
Don’t forget to calculate oil needs for two-stroke offshore trips.
P.S. Don’t forget your fishing license.
Also, beware of the flying bow-mounted pedestal seat. One specimen flew right past my head in a friend’s bass boat during a choppy ride on Lake Moultrie one day. As noted by others above, other items in the bow can also fly.
Gotcha Covered,
Lee Strickland
Strickland Marine Insurance Agency, Inc. https://stricklandmarine.net
843-795-1000 / 800-446-1862
continuing great help thank yall for your input. i also try to rememeber not to trust the bilge pump (battery may die or the pump may) so if the boat is on a lift or trailer i take the plug out.
Check air pressure of spare and lube bearings on trailer.
While boat is off, check tightness of bolts around bunk boards.
While unloading…make sure outboard(s) are peeing.
