How to Launch a Boat

BoatingLocal's Tom Richardson helps a novice trailerboater launch his boat for the first time.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Trailering
• Trailerboater
• Launching
• Novice
• Instruction
• Instructional
• How-to
• How to
• Weymouth
• Massachusetts
• Back River
• Ramp
• Boston Harbor
• Boating
• Cruising
• Learning
• video game environment

[boatinglocal]

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]

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]

Glad it helped you



[boatinglocal]

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]

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]

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

[Madridme3]

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.

[flyers5450]

Why would u undo the whinch?

[OFFSHORERACEING]

One step he over looked get the engine running before backing off never push or get it until your sure she'll run

[Tater79bj]

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.

[pooper2000]

turn the BOTTOM of the steering wheel the SAME direction you want the trailer to go

[badcompanyCDN]

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.

[MsJimpy]

shouldnt the motor be up because you might snap the skeg off

[cbwein333]

u forgot to say to turn on the blower