LOADING YOUR BOAT
The most important thing to remember when getting your boat out
of the water is that often the ramp will be crowded. As you approach
the ramp, make a visual inspection of the traffi c, both at the ramp, and
all around you. This is an important time to use caution, courtesy, and
common sense. While you may feel it’s your next turn, another boater
may not be as courteous. Don’t insist on your rightful place in line; it
could lead to disastrous consequences in the confi nes of a crowded
boat ramp. If there is any perceived danger, stand off until you can
safely approach the ramp.
Back your trailer down to the water’s edge. At this point, it is a good
idea to let a suffi cient amount of line out of the winch to reach the
bow eye. Make sure your trailer harness is disconnected to keep the
bulbs from blowing out due to being submerged. On roller or bunk
style trailers, back up until the roller is at the water’s edge. This method
gives you a good starting point and helps keep the boat centered on
the trailer as it is reloaded. It may be necessary to further back the
trailer into the water to allow cranking up the boat.
Once the boat is positioned correctly on the trailer, have someone
hook up the winch cable hook to the bow eye. Also, this will help
keep the boat bow against the trailer roller. Shut down the engine and
run the stern drive up to the top of the trailer position.
With the bow snug against the roller, start to crank the boat up onto
the trailer. Make sure the hull bottom or keel stays in the center of
the trailer. Stop cranking the winch when the boat bow contacts the
bow roller. Be sure the winch is in the locked position. Stand back,
and make sure the boat is centered on the trailer.
10-12
Chapter 10
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