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Page 178 - LIT-18626-12-95
P. 178

    Trailering

           Keep the following points in mind when   sible, have a second person stand aside
           backing up                              as an observer. Stop when  the wheels
           z Back slowly. Make steering adjustments in  are at least halfway submerged. Set the
            small steps.                           parking brake.
           z Turn the towing vehicle’s wheels opposite  (5) Remove the bow line from the bow eye.
            the direction you want the trailer to go.  (6) Back the trailer farther into the water until
           z After the trailer begins moving, turn the  just the tops of the  fenders  show, and
            towing vehicle to follow it.           then reset the parking brake. Board the
           z Have a second person stand by to help di-  boat and start it. If possible, remain on
            rect you with hand signals.            the trailer until the engines are warm and
                                                   are responding to throttle.
           Launching                            (7) Back the boat out into the water, watch-
           As a courtesy to other boaters, prepare your  ing carefully for people, other boats, or
           boat for launching before using the ramp.  obstacles.
           Each launch may have particular differences,
           such as ramp angle, prevailing wind, waves,  Loading
           and water currents. If possible, watch a cou-  (1) Disconnect the trailer  lights from the
           ple of boaters launch their boats first to notice  towing vehicle.
           any problems. While every boater develops a  (2) Back the trailer down the ramp as close
           preferred launch procedure, here is a recom-  to 90° to the shoreline as you can. If pos-
           mended general procedure:               sible, have a second person act as an
                                                   observer while standing to the side of the
                                                   trailer. Stop when the tops of the trailer’s
                                                   fenders are  about  3 inches above  the
                                                   waterline.
                                                (3) With the boat moving at the slowest idle
                                                   speed, guide the boat onto the support
                                                   rails. Use throttle only if necessary for
                                                   steering ability.  WARNING! Using too
                                                   much throttle  can cause the boat to
                                                   jump  over the front of  the trailer,
           (1) Perform the pre-operation checks    which can result in injury to the boat
              shown on page 142 that can be per-   operator and bystanders.
              formed on land.                   (4) Make sure the boat is centered on the
           (2) Remove all trailering tie-down lines from  support rails and is headed straight for
              the boat and attach your docking lines  the bow stop (bumper board). Ease the
              and fenders, if used.                boat forward until the bow rests against
           (3) Disconnect the trailer  lights  from the  the bow stop. NOTICE: The winch line
              towing vehicle.                      is not designed to pull the boat onto
           (4) Back the trailer down the ramp as close  the trailer.
              to 90° to the shoreline as you can. If pos-

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