Man....that backing instruction was confusing! Too many mistakes. Nearly everyone backs or should back up a vehicle by using the mirrors. If not, you should learn how. Then, like someone else posted, you push the bottom of the steering wheel in the direction you want the trailer to go. Too many hand gestures too. Looks like you had 15 cups of coffee before taping this.
NEVER drop the tailgate! that is unless your trailer has an extra long tongue. Do this with a short tongue trailer, a newbie, and try to turn to go park. What happens folks? Yep you guessed it, tailgate gets crunched by the upright on the trailer. So... if you absolutely must drop the tailgate to launch properly, just remember to put it back up before you head back up the ramp.
RE the comment on getting wet while launching: Of course you don't always have to get wet, but it sure felt good on that 90-degree day! The reason we did was due to the raised bunks, and the shallow ramp angle. We could not back down far enough to float the boat, so we had to rock it off the bunks. Roller bunks would have helped. I should also add that we kind of shot this video in the early going of BoatingLocal, and really should have been more thorough. We have plans to produce a new one.
Hey all: answers to a couple recent questions: Re tilting the engine: yes, this probably is the safest route if you are unfamiliar with the ramp grade and the height of your trailer bed. In this case, we knew it was safe to launch and haul Bill's boat at the Weymouth Ramp with the engine lowered, but it would be best to play it safe by tilting the engine up when hauling and launching.
I will respond to the comment on getting wet to launch your boat in the next comment box. --Tom, BL
My Boat is a newer (2009 Sea Ray 185 Sport Boat). I use the motor to launch and retrieve the boat with out using the winch at all. I don't even have to get wet. I noticed that you wade in the water to launch and retrieve the boat. Is it because of the type of boat or the launch ramp that prohibits the use of the boat motor to launch and retrieve? Just wondering.
Bought my first boat a few weeks ago, launched it today for the first time, this video helped a LOT, I had no idea what I was doing but after watching this video several times I was confident but still a little nervous. My first launch went well, only took about 5-6 minutes. Thanks for taking the time to make and post this video.
I dont have a trim tab so I was wondering about the skeg hitting the floor. I have a similar tri hull im almost done with and I've been searching for this exact video for sometime, lots of help.Thanks
Nice tip about the tailgate. I would have never thought of that.
Instead of saying which way to turn you wheels, it's easier to say which way to turn your hand.
If your hand is at the bottom of the wheel and you want to move the trailer to the right, simply move your hand to the right. The ensuing equal and opposite reaction will move the wheels left, but it's much less confusing to move your hand in the direction you want the trailer to go as opposed to thinking in opposites.
Man....that backing instruction was confusing! Too many mistakes. Nearly everyone backs or should back up a vehicle by using the mirrors. If not, you should learn how. Then, like someone else posted, you push the bottom of the steering wheel in the direction you want the trailer to go. Too many hand gestures too. Looks like you had 15 cups of coffee before taping this.
Madridme3 2 weeks ago
Why would u undo the whinch?
flyers5450 2 months ago
One step he over looked get the engine running before backing off never push or get it until your sure she'll run
OFFSHORERACEING 2 months ago
NEVER drop the tailgate! that is unless your trailer has an extra long tongue. Do this with a short tongue trailer, a newbie, and try to turn to go park. What happens folks? Yep you guessed it, tailgate gets crunched by the upright on the trailer. So... if you absolutely must drop the tailgate to launch properly, just remember to put it back up before you head back up the ramp.
Tater79bj 3 months ago
turn the BOTTOM of the steering wheel the SAME direction you want the trailer to go
pooper2000 3 months ago
RE the comment on getting wet while launching: Of course you don't always have to get wet, but it sure felt good on that 90-degree day! The reason we did was due to the raised bunks, and the shallow ramp angle. We could not back down far enough to float the boat, so we had to rock it off the bunks. Roller bunks would have helped. I should also add that we kind of shot this video in the early going of BoatingLocal, and really should have been more thorough. We have plans to produce a new one.
boatinglocal 6 months ago
Hey all: answers to a couple recent questions: Re tilting the engine: yes, this probably is the safest route if you are unfamiliar with the ramp grade and the height of your trailer bed. In this case, we knew it was safe to launch and haul Bill's boat at the Weymouth Ramp with the engine lowered, but it would be best to play it safe by tilting the engine up when hauling and launching.
I will respond to the comment on getting wet to launch your boat in the next comment box. --Tom, BL
boatinglocal 6 months ago
My Boat is a newer (2009 Sea Ray 185 Sport Boat). I use the motor to launch and retrieve the boat with out using the winch at all. I don't even have to get wet. I noticed that you wade in the water to launch and retrieve the boat. Is it because of the type of boat or the launch ramp that prohibits the use of the boat motor to launch and retrieve? Just wondering.
badcompanyCDN 6 months ago
shouldnt the motor be up because you might snap the skeg off
MsJimpy 6 months ago
u forgot to say to turn on the blower
cbwein333 8 months ago
nice video, cheers for uploading
hzj79 8 months ago
Bought my first boat a few weeks ago, launched it today for the first time, this video helped a LOT, I had no idea what I was doing but after watching this video several times I was confident but still a little nervous. My first launch went well, only took about 5-6 minutes. Thanks for taking the time to make and post this video.
twoods450 8 months ago
I dont have a trim tab so I was wondering about the skeg hitting the floor. I have a similar tri hull im almost done with and I've been searching for this exact video for sometime, lots of help.Thanks
bessell76 9 months ago
Glad it helped you
boatinglocal 10 months ago
Yes, that is indeed a concern on many boats (although not in this case), and should have been mentioned. Thanks for pointing it out.
boatinglocal 11 months ago
Yes, that is indeed a concern on many boats (although not in this case), and should have been mentioned. Thanks for pointing it out.
boatinglocal 11 months ago
You forgot to trim up the outboard. You dont want skeg or prop damage.
earlstafari 11 months ago
Glad the video was helpful, Shatros. Good luck with your new boat. And please keep visiting BoatingLocal for more how-to boating articles and videos.
Tom Richardson
boatinglocal 1 year ago
Thank you so much for posting. I am planning to buy my first boat soon and this has been a huge help.
shatros 1 year ago
Nice tip about the tailgate. I would have never thought of that.
Instead of saying which way to turn you wheels, it's easier to say which way to turn your hand.
If your hand is at the bottom of the wheel and you want to move the trailer to the right, simply move your hand to the right. The ensuing equal and opposite reaction will move the wheels left, but it's much less confusing to move your hand in the direction you want the trailer to go as opposed to thinking in opposites.
damontoney 1 year ago