Taking a Boat Out of the Water

You decided to buy a boat. You paid for a ball hitch to be put on the back of your truck, and you figured out how to hook up the trailer onto the back of your truck. You learned how to drive your truck with a trailer on it, and even figured out how to back up in a straight line. This one feat alone should be something to be congratulated on. Now that you are a boat owner, all you have to is to figure out how to put your boat in the water.

Just like you started before, you have to back your truck up 2 the boat ramp. Pilot your boat so that it is parallel to the dock. Tie it off, and get off of your boat. Get your truck and slowly back it down the boat ramp until the trailer is half way in the water. When you're putting your boat back on the trailer, it's easier to if you can get the whole trailer submerged. A lot of this depends on your skill of a driver, the ability to have a helping hand, and the condition of the boat ramp. As before, place your truck in park and put on the emergency brake.

It is possible there will be a number of people at the boat dock, so this might make piloting your boat a little difficult, but it is equally doable. Walk over and get on your boat. Pilot it up to the trailer, and drop the throttle about 6 feet before you get tot your trailer. The momentum of the boat will carry you the rest of the way. If you set yourself up straight and true, you should be able to walk out onto the bow of your bopat and grab a rope. As you get closer to the back of the trailer, throw your rope over a piece of the trailer. If you don't do this, your boat will hit your trailer, bounce back, and float out into the marina. It may take a few times throwing the rope, but the more you practice the easier it will be. This is another point where a friend would be very helpful; unless that friend is in the truck making sure that your truck doesn't slide into the water.

After you have hooked your trailer, jump off the boat and strap the boat onto the trailer. this is easier said then done, since your boat is freely floating and your trailer is 2 feet underwater. It helps to drive your truck up a few inches or a foot to help this processes out, but you might find it easier just to deal with the problem and attach it while it's in the water. when you have it all attached to the trailer, get in your car and drive off the ramp. Pull into a nearby parking spot and get your boat set up perfectly on the trailer. Most trailers are padded or lined with a non-scratching agent, so that pulling and pushing on the trailer will not hurt your bottom paint.

For most people this is the end of your boating day and all you have to do is drive home and have a beer. However, remember, water is a corrosive element. If there is a complimentary hose or water spicket, it's a good idea to rinse off your boat right away. You don't want that water, algae, seaweed, or microorganisms on your boat any longer than they need to be. If this service isn't available, make sure you do it as soon as you get back home. Congratulations, you have successfully pulled you boat out of the water, and now you can call yourself an official boater or sailor.