Canadian Yachting — June 2017

62 C a n a d i a n Y a c h t i n g JUNE 2017

• Make sure you have predetermined places to stow all
  your gear so you will know where to find it when you are
  ready to take the boat out of the water


• Establish a pre-launch and retrieval procedure that
  works for you and covers all the bases


• Remove and stow all of the tie down straps but DO
  NOT disconnect the bow winch strap - leave that
  attached until you are ready to float the boat off the
  trailer


• Too often a boat has ended up on the launch ramp or
  floating away with no immediate means of retrieval


• Lock the winch handle


• A handle that begins to spin unexpectedly can cause
  serious injury and the winch is usually not needed dur-
  ing launch


• Attach a bow line so the boat can be handled as it is
  floated off the trailer


• Check the drain plug and if you have not already
  installed it, do so


• How often have boats begun to fill up with water as
  soon as they are launched because the drain plug has
  not been installed? Sometimes you may not even be
  aware of this until you have begun your journey


• Disconnect the trailer electrical cable, this will help
  avoid tail light burn outs and problems with electric
  brakes


• For outboards, remove the engine support; leave the
  engine or stern drive tilted up for the launch


• Did I mention the drain plug?


• Load the boat and stow the gear


• Make sure you have all the required safety equipment
  and it is in working order


• Remember batteries for portable electronic equipment
  and flashlights


• Attach all dock lines and fenders


• Stow any lines that you won’t be using during the launch
  so they don’t fall overboard and get tangled


• Check the battery connection and that all the lights are
  working


• Hook up portable fuel tank connections and ensure fuel
  shut off valves are turned on


• For inboards or inboard/outboards, open the engine
  compartment and check for any spilt fuel smell - start
  the blower; for outboards, prime the fuel line


• One last check for the drain plug


• It is time to back down the launch ramp


• If you plan on powering off the trailer, the driver should
  board just before you back the trailer into the water


• Ensure everyone is wearing their lifejacket or PFD
  
  
  • When using a spotter, work out a system of hand signals
    in advance for stopping, backing up, moving forward,
    and turning left or right
  
  
  • Proceed slowly, making sure the spotter is always
    within sight
  
  
  • Just before you back the trailer into the water, have the
    spotter unhook the winch cable and take hold of the
    bow line
  
  
  • Back the trailer into the water slowly and as soon as the
    boat is floating free and clear and the spotter is ready,
    drive the trailer back up the ramp
  
  
  • If you are launching or retrieving solo, it is even more
    important to have a launch and retrieval system and pro-
    cedure ready in advance so you are not working things
    out at the last minute and taking too much time on the
    ramp
  
  
  • Assuming there is a dock beside the ramp, attach a 15m
    dock line to the bow cleat and run it through the rear
    hatch or window of the truck so you can release the
    winch strap and ensure the boat will not back off the
    trailer prematurely
  
  
  • Back the trailer down the ramp slowly and when you are
    ready to take the boat off, stop the engine, set the gear
    in park, set the parking brake, and then get out of the
    vehicle while still holding the bow line
  
  
  • Slide the boat off the trailer and tie it up securely before
    parking the vehicle and trailer
  
  
  • Again, you will want to ensure in advance that there is a
    proper parking space for both the vehicle and trailer and
    that you can leave them there for the required time
  
  
  
  

If you are launching a sailboat, you will probably want to pre-

rig the boat before backing down the ramp. When raising the

mast, be sure that there are no overhead wires or obstructions

between you and the bottom of the launch ramp. Make sure the

centre board and rudder are in the raised position and locked so

they don’t hit anything when you are backing down the ramp.

The Retrieval

Most of the retrieval process is the same as the launch process,

but in reverse. Secure the boat, remove the drain plug, redistrib-

ute and secure the load in the boat, secure the engine, hook up

the electrical, check the bearings and tire pressure, etc.

Here are a few steps to consider when retrieving the boat:

• As in the launch, proceed slowly and take care to
  remember all the steps


• Dock the boat and disembark passengers with as much
  gear as is practical


• Prepare the trailer and have all necessary tie downs and
  cover ready


• Back the trailer down the ramp and into the water; shut
  off the engine, put in park, set the hand brake, and get
  out of the vehicle