Trailer Tips
Labor Day has come and gone and many boaters are now engaged in the annual haul-out process.
Local yards use cranes and travel-lifts to take larger craft out of the water, while owners of smaller boats use trailers and local boat ramps to get the job done. Both ways are effective, however, from observing many small boat haul-outs recently, there seems to be room for improvement in the latter area. Here are four points that might prove valuable.
One, make sure the trailer is in good operating condition prior to use. Water, especially salt water, can corrode axles to the point of breakage, brakes to seizure, and winch cables to separation. Check all critical points before heading for the ramp.
Two, consider practicing your trailer ramp technique in the driveway or local high school lot so that you develop a basic understanding of how the vehicle and truck interact prior to retrieval time
Three, try to dip as little of the trailer in the water as possible, submerging perhaps ½ of it. When the trailer is only partially submerged the rollers or bunks can guide the boat as you winch it on the trailer, eliminating the seemingly endless back and forth motion up the ramp to gain proper alignment.
Four, once the boat is on the trailer, move your rig to high ground, out of the way of other boaters, so that you can secure the boat in a relaxed manner, while others can take your place at the ramp.
Trailers are a great way to extend your cruising range and keep a cap on winter storage expenses. Just a little bit of forethought will go a long ways towards ensuring a trouble-free experience. Watch Smart Boating videos #43 and #54 to learn more useful pointers.
