Tips for New Boat Owners - How to Launch Your Boat

If you just purchased a boat, congrats! Boating is a wonderfully gratifying activity and recreation. Nothing beats spending time on the water with friends and family, wakeboarding, waterskiing, fishing, or just cruising. To go out on the lake, you must first launch your boat from the trailer. Going for the first time may be a very intimidating experience, and it should be treated seriously. It gets automatic after a few times, but some things must be done.

There are a few things you can do to make your first time a bit less stressful. You should be able to locate a buddy who owns a boat and is ready to accompany you and coach you through the procedure. Nothing beats an experienced boater for doing it correctly the first time. They definitely learnt a few things the hard way, but perhaps you can learn from them.

Congratulations if you are the first person in your circle of friends to take the plunge into boating. I would suggest going to the ramp where you want to launch your boat and seeing other folks do it. Also, if anything is unclear, ask one of the boaters. Most boaters would gladly chat with you and offer you advice; everyone experienced a "first time" at some point.

One thing to keep in mind while watching boats launch is to look at the sort of boat. Concentrate on the vessels that are identical to yours. You may not want to follow the example of the local fishermen with the metal fishing skiff if you just acquired a lovely new fiberglass runabout boat.

The fisherman is unlikely to be worried about striking or scraping rocks, and he is likely to be using a modest outboard engine, while you may be using an I/O motor, which is completely different. You will also note that the ramps get quite packed on certain days and hours. If this is your first visit, make every attempt to attend when it is not crowded (i.e. -weekdays). The worst part is having a long line of boats waiting for the ramp, which makes it difficult to launch your own boat.

So, here are some pointers and things to keep in mind while launching your boat:

Before you launch your boat, do the following preparations:

1) Install the plug and double-check it. You do not want your boat on the water if it is not plugged in. Many boaters have been concerned as a result of this. So, make sure it's in there twice. Before the boat is launched, everyone on board should check for this.

2) Remove any engine supports or straps, as well as the trailer tie-downs and straps. It may seem apparent, but it is simple to draw up to the ramp and return down before removing these straps. Trying to get your boat off the trailer with the straps on is amusing afterwards, but annoying while on the ramp.

3). Load your equipment inside the boat. Loading towels, coolers, backpacks, and other items is typically simpler when the boat is immediately behind your truck.

4). Ensure that you have an adequate supply of life vests/flotation devices. Again, this may seem apparent if you are on a boat, but it is easy to overlook, and if you have visitors, be sure to have extras for them.

While your boat is in the water, you should:

1) Pull your boat trailer down the ramp and into the water. Place it in the water so that the engine/outdrive is submerged but the boat is not floating off the trailer. Before you remove the boat from the trailer, ensure sure it is started and everything is in working order.

2) Start the Blower - This will vacuum the engine compartment and ensure that there are no explosive gasoline vapors in there.

3). Check that the Kill Switch is set to Run - I believe this is something that everyone has encountered at some time. This is easily knocked over or pulled by the linked lanyard. Anyway, if you turn the key and nothing occurs, this is the first thing to look into.

4). Launch the boat. If necessary, use the driving mechanism just on the throttle. The propeller should not be rotating while you are on the trailer.

5). Interact with other drivers. During this technique, the boat driver and the vehicle driver must be on the same page at all times.

6) Release the boat. Remove the bow hooks that are holding the boat to the trailer. Only do this once the boat has started and is operating well.

Running the bilge is a good double check that I like to utilize. You have an issue if there is a lot of water pouring out. DO NOT START THE BOAT. Water should not enter your boat quickly enough to collect throughout the launching procedure.

7). The vehicle driver slowly lowers the boat down the ramp until it is afloat. At that moment, the boat driver may slowly reverse the engine to slide the boat off the trailer.

The boat launch in Lake Havasu is a popular place for people to come and enjoy the scenery. It is also a great place to fish or go boating. It's not too far from the marina, so it's easy to get there.