Hooking Up Boat Trailer
- Check that you have boat keys
- Check that you have boat documentation
- Check required equipment (PFD’s, lights, horn, extinguishers, docking lines & fenders)
- Check trailer tire pressure
- Measure engine oil level
- Check fuel supply, lower unit oil, power steering fluid and trim tab fluid levels
- Attach trailer to vehicle’s hitch and secure safety chains, back straps and trailer lights
- Check trailer lights’ function
- Raise lower unit to trailering position before moving on roads
- Walk around inspection
Launching Boat in Water
- Check boat ramp for adequate depth and conditions including current
- Check drain plug
- Remove back straps and detach trailer lights’ receptacle from vehicle
- Check navigation lights and raise radio antenna
- Deploy fenders and dock lines, as required
- Back trailer into water
- Check for water in bilge and test bilge pump
- Bring lower unit to 1/2 down (for I/O), or to full down (for outboard)
- Turn on blower (if inboard or I/O) for 4 minutes and smell for gasoline fumes
- Start engine and warm up 3 minutes
- Check forward and reverse gear shift function
- Detach safety chain and winch strap
- Back boat away from trailer
- Depart ramp area allowing for water and current conditions
Returning Boat to Trailer
- Back trailer into water at boat ramp
- Raise lower unit to 1/2 up (for I/O) and approach trailer allowing for water and current conditions
- Drive or winch boat onto trailer
- Secure boat to trailer using trailer winch and safety chain
- Pull trailered boat out of water
- Attach back straps
- Raise lower unit to trailering position before moving on roads
- Take down bimini top, secure boarding ladder and lower radio antenna
- Attach trailer lights receptacle to vehicle and check trailer lights’ function
- Walk around inspection
Storing Boat in Yard
- Position trailer in yard and deploy trailer jack support
- Detach trailer from vehicle
- Lower engine’s lower unit or outboard motor
- Flush engine with fresh water, wash trailer, boat and drain bilge, leaving drain plug out
- Turn off battery
- Grease trailer wheel bearings
- Replace boat cover
David Walsh, original author
Charleston Sail and Power Squadron
Engine Maintenance Course
Last revised May 2016
May be reproduced in print form or on-line for non-commercial purposes only;
please add our copyright statement & website address:
CharlestonsBoatingClub.org
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