09-17-2012, 07:52 AM
This will be my last post with captain on board stuff. We seen a few of his stories and post and can all agree, well they are great. Visit Captainonboard.org for a daily read. Give him some love on the site, we would love to keep seeing stories and reports going like this wouldnt we? Visit captainonboard.org for your daily reads. If he is on the mainland there will be something on the site.
Launching Your Boat Like a Pro
Posted on September 16, 2012 by Captain Jeff Jones
Reply
Does the thought of launching your trailer boat conjure up memories of embarrassing moments or heaps of frustration? Do you dread launching and retrieving your boat so much that you don’t get out as much as you thought you would when you bought the boat? Have you ever wondered how “that guy” with seemingly magical powers, launched his boat and is gone before you even begin backing down the ramp? Well, I have some tips for you that will help with your confidence and safety. You too will be “that guy” and be through the gate and down the main channel before most guys finish being in everyone else’s way.
Make sure launching YOUR boat is a one man show. It’s your truck, and your boat, and it really is a one man deal. The sooner you figure that out, the better off you will be. Your wife, kids or best fishing buddy my learn from watching you, but you cannot depend on someone else knowing exactly what needs to be done. Things may get forgotten, or done wrong, creating a dangerous, frustrating situation. If you must, make a check list to scan over until it becomes second nature. There is not a boat around that takes two guys to launch, so figure it out, and get it done.
Prep everything BEFORE you head down to the ramp. Put the ice chest on board and load it, stow things where they go, and hook up the fuel to the motor and make sure it’s primed and ready to go. The plug should be in, and anything that can be ready beforehand is done, BEFORE you leave your house or where the boat is stored. Obviously you can’t drive down the street with the VHF antennae up, or the bait pump running. At least do what you can so only the absolutely necessary things remain. If you regularly spend 15-30 minutes loading the boat in the launch ramp parking lot, then you are definitely not “that guy”.
Before backing down the ramp, try taking the bow strap and loosen it a bit. If the boat does not slide while you are backing, loosen it some more the next time. Real hot shots at the ramp take the hook off completely when backing down. Thats what I do, and it’s never been an issue. Just check first, and never try this if you have an Easy Loader Trailer with rollers. A single dock line midships is your handle for grabbing the boat when it floats off the trailer. Back down, get out of the truck, walk down the dock and grab the dockline. Walk the boat back and tie it off, then go park the truck and lock it. You’re off, and it takes just minutes.
If your boat has occasional mechanical issues or is hard to start, please run the boat the day before you plan on coming to the ramp. Hook up the freshwater and run the thing, making sure it will not give you fits at 5am in front of an angry mob. Of course the batteries are all charged, and you have tested all the electronics and pumps, like any responsible boater. I cannot express enough how important this is. If you are taking your kids fishing and they experience your frustration everytime, the chances are they will not grow up to enjoy fishing at all. Please, do not use the launch ramp as the place to figure out what needs to be fixed. I am simply blown away at how many guys get their boats down to the ramp only to find out there is a major mechanical issue.
If the ramp does not have docks, like Davies Launch in Long Beach, then loosen the bow strap but leave the hook on. When you back down the boat will float off the trailer, but not float away. Climb up your rear tire and out onto the tongue of the trailer to get on your boat. Lower the motor and start it, then remove the bow hook. Anything left to be done should be done on the way out. Lifting antennas, turning on bait pumps and placing rods in rocket launchers can be done underway, and should not be done at the dock or launch ramp. You are just in some more prepared guys way.
I’m not going to even try to explain how to back a trailer down in print. If you struggle, go practice. Find an open parking lot and spend the time necessary to figure it out. Go slow and be patient. If some of these guys I see can do it, so can you. As far as pulling out of the ramp, be sure to learn how to drive with both feet. One foot on the gas and one on the break. Again, practice this. Put the truck in drive (or low gear) and press down hard on the brake. Then, take the parking brake off and give it some gas. When the truck lurches forward, ease up on the brake so the truck slowly creeps up the ramp. Keep your foot over the brake pedal, as this helps both rear tires stay engaged so one tire does not spin out.
When you return from your trip, lower the antennae and stow the rods on the way in. Not only will this save you time, but sometimes save you the headache of being checked by DFG. Grab a bucket of soapy water and do some scrubbing on the way in, even if its salt water. Then grab your truck keys and be ready to jump when the boat hits the dock. Make sure to tie it off (obviously) but keep it running if you need to power the boat onto the trailer. You have practiced backing down with a trailer, so you can put it wherever there is a free space. Forget manners here, as other guys are still loading/unloading their stuff, and who knows how long that will take. You’ll be just a minute, so get it in and get out of there.
Once the boat is on the trailer, cinch up the bow strap tight, and shut the motor off. Tilt the motor up and you are done. The bait pump was turned off on the way in, and everything stowed. Do not do these things at the ramp! Pull the boat out as described above and stop at the top of the ramp, where your boat is at the most radical angle possible (stern down). Get out and pull the plug first, then do whatever else NEEDS to be done while a little water drains out of the bilge. Transom straps are attached, and trailer lights re-connected if (you unplugged them like a good boy) and the motor support is engaged. All this is done quickly and efficiently.
Now leave the launch ramp parking lot completely! Don’t stop to talk to the DFG, or weigh your fish in front of a crowd. You are done here, and it’s time to go. If you keep your boat at a storage yard with no washdown facilities, stop by a coin op car wash or your house. The less time you spend at the launch ramp, the more you’ll like launching your boat.
The key here is speed, but don’t forget safety and organization. Prep before you go, and on the way in, and you’ll be miles ahead of the other guy.
Launching Your Boat Like a Pro
Posted on September 16, 2012 by Captain Jeff Jones
Reply
Does the thought of launching your trailer boat conjure up memories of embarrassing moments or heaps of frustration? Do you dread launching and retrieving your boat so much that you don’t get out as much as you thought you would when you bought the boat? Have you ever wondered how “that guy” with seemingly magical powers, launched his boat and is gone before you even begin backing down the ramp? Well, I have some tips for you that will help with your confidence and safety. You too will be “that guy” and be through the gate and down the main channel before most guys finish being in everyone else’s way.
Make sure launching YOUR boat is a one man show. It’s your truck, and your boat, and it really is a one man deal. The sooner you figure that out, the better off you will be. Your wife, kids or best fishing buddy my learn from watching you, but you cannot depend on someone else knowing exactly what needs to be done. Things may get forgotten, or done wrong, creating a dangerous, frustrating situation. If you must, make a check list to scan over until it becomes second nature. There is not a boat around that takes two guys to launch, so figure it out, and get it done.
Prep everything BEFORE you head down to the ramp. Put the ice chest on board and load it, stow things where they go, and hook up the fuel to the motor and make sure it’s primed and ready to go. The plug should be in, and anything that can be ready beforehand is done, BEFORE you leave your house or where the boat is stored. Obviously you can’t drive down the street with the VHF antennae up, or the bait pump running. At least do what you can so only the absolutely necessary things remain. If you regularly spend 15-30 minutes loading the boat in the launch ramp parking lot, then you are definitely not “that guy”.
Before backing down the ramp, try taking the bow strap and loosen it a bit. If the boat does not slide while you are backing, loosen it some more the next time. Real hot shots at the ramp take the hook off completely when backing down. Thats what I do, and it’s never been an issue. Just check first, and never try this if you have an Easy Loader Trailer with rollers. A single dock line midships is your handle for grabbing the boat when it floats off the trailer. Back down, get out of the truck, walk down the dock and grab the dockline. Walk the boat back and tie it off, then go park the truck and lock it. You’re off, and it takes just minutes.
If your boat has occasional mechanical issues or is hard to start, please run the boat the day before you plan on coming to the ramp. Hook up the freshwater and run the thing, making sure it will not give you fits at 5am in front of an angry mob. Of course the batteries are all charged, and you have tested all the electronics and pumps, like any responsible boater. I cannot express enough how important this is. If you are taking your kids fishing and they experience your frustration everytime, the chances are they will not grow up to enjoy fishing at all. Please, do not use the launch ramp as the place to figure out what needs to be fixed. I am simply blown away at how many guys get their boats down to the ramp only to find out there is a major mechanical issue.
If the ramp does not have docks, like Davies Launch in Long Beach, then loosen the bow strap but leave the hook on. When you back down the boat will float off the trailer, but not float away. Climb up your rear tire and out onto the tongue of the trailer to get on your boat. Lower the motor and start it, then remove the bow hook. Anything left to be done should be done on the way out. Lifting antennas, turning on bait pumps and placing rods in rocket launchers can be done underway, and should not be done at the dock or launch ramp. You are just in some more prepared guys way.
I’m not going to even try to explain how to back a trailer down in print. If you struggle, go practice. Find an open parking lot and spend the time necessary to figure it out. Go slow and be patient. If some of these guys I see can do it, so can you. As far as pulling out of the ramp, be sure to learn how to drive with both feet. One foot on the gas and one on the break. Again, practice this. Put the truck in drive (or low gear) and press down hard on the brake. Then, take the parking brake off and give it some gas. When the truck lurches forward, ease up on the brake so the truck slowly creeps up the ramp. Keep your foot over the brake pedal, as this helps both rear tires stay engaged so one tire does not spin out.
When you return from your trip, lower the antennae and stow the rods on the way in. Not only will this save you time, but sometimes save you the headache of being checked by DFG. Grab a bucket of soapy water and do some scrubbing on the way in, even if its salt water. Then grab your truck keys and be ready to jump when the boat hits the dock. Make sure to tie it off (obviously) but keep it running if you need to power the boat onto the trailer. You have practiced backing down with a trailer, so you can put it wherever there is a free space. Forget manners here, as other guys are still loading/unloading their stuff, and who knows how long that will take. You’ll be just a minute, so get it in and get out of there.
Once the boat is on the trailer, cinch up the bow strap tight, and shut the motor off. Tilt the motor up and you are done. The bait pump was turned off on the way in, and everything stowed. Do not do these things at the ramp! Pull the boat out as described above and stop at the top of the ramp, where your boat is at the most radical angle possible (stern down). Get out and pull the plug first, then do whatever else NEEDS to be done while a little water drains out of the bilge. Transom straps are attached, and trailer lights re-connected if (you unplugged them like a good boy) and the motor support is engaged. All this is done quickly and efficiently.
Now leave the launch ramp parking lot completely! Don’t stop to talk to the DFG, or weigh your fish in front of a crowd. You are done here, and it’s time to go. If you keep your boat at a storage yard with no washdown facilities, stop by a coin op car wash or your house. The less time you spend at the launch ramp, the more you’ll like launching your boat.
The key here is speed, but don’t forget safety and organization. Prep before you go, and on the way in, and you’ll be miles ahead of the other guy.