BIA Victoria - Launching and Retrieving
Launching and retrieving tips
For trailer boat owners, often the most nerve wracking experience with boating happens before you even put your boat in the water!
It is vital to gain skills and confidence necessary to launch and retrieve your boat with confidence.
Towing
Before buying your dream boat, give consideration to the towing limit of your car. Towing ratings should be found in the vehicle handbook of your car, however contact your manufacturer if you are unsure.
A few things to remember when towing
- Towing decreases your vehicles braking performance and acceleration
- Towing reduces vehicle manoeuvrability
- Allow for extra fuel consumption while towing
- Safety Chains on your boat trailer connecting to your vehicle are compulsory and they must be strong enough to prevent your boat trailer hitting the ground should the trailer become unattached from the tow ball
- All trailers over 750kgs must have effective brake system fitted
Driving tips
- Allow for extra length and width of the trailer when entering traffic
- Avoid applying the towing vehicle's brakes if the trailer begins to sway or snake. Continue at a steady speed until the sway stops
Reversing your trailer
When reversing your trailer your are now dealing with three axles, two for your car and one for your boat. This means your boat will go in the oposite direction when backing than if you were backing without a trailer on.
It might be helpful to have someone helping out at the water's edge to help with directions when reversing.
To launch quickly and effortlessly as possible, prepare your boat for launching away from the ramp. Some things to consider include:
- Check no damage was cause to your boat on the way to the ramp
- Check your bungs are in
- Straps are untied
- You have everything you need for a good days boating on board
- Inspect the ramp for hazards such as pit holes or slippery oil spills
- Attach a line to the bow and the stern of the boat so that the boat cannot drift away after launching and it can be easily manoeuvred to a docking area
Above: A short lapse in thinking left this boater stuck between a rock and a hard jetty at St Kilda Marina last year
Boat Handling Courses
The Club Marine Melbourne Boat Show offers a free boat handling course with every boat sold at the Show. For more information on boat handling courses contact info@biavic.com.au
The free boat show Boat Handling Course is a comprehensive half day course at a location that suits the new boat owner covering areas such as
• Boat Trailers – maintenance
• Reversing – boat trailer
• Launching safely and efficiently
• Close quarter manoeuvre rs
• Coming alongside
• Use of fenders
• Use of lines
• Safe boat operation
• Retrieving vessel back on the trailer
• After use care of the vessel
The bottom line is practise! A lot of credible boat dealers offer Boat Handling courses with new boat purchases. These are a great idea. You can gain skills and practical handling skills with your boat.
Ask about a Boat Handling Course before you consider your next purchase from a BIA Member