Launching tips

Launching a boat for the first time is quite exciting. Every boat owner has experienced it, there's a long line, the trailer takes on a mind of its own as soon as your car backs up and there is a crowd watching or giving tips. To make “the launch” as fun as possible, there are a number of simple things that you can pay attention to...


  • Make sure to keep calm in the case of a busy boat ramp to avoid damage to the boat, car or trailer.
  • Bring a friend. Once the boat is launched, one can moor the boat while the other parks the car.
  • Check the boat ramp length, angle and smoothness beforehand to make a good estimate. Check whether the boat ramp extends underwater long enough.
  • Make sure the boat and trailer are ready before driving to the ramp so others don't have to wait:
  • - Pay a fee first in case of a paid ramp
  • - Check if the key is in the ignition and if the battery is full
  • - Remove the lightbar from the trailer and straps from the boat
  • - Fix the fenders and a line for mooring
  • - Trim the boat's engine to the correct position
  • - Check that the drain plug is in place
  • - Put all necessary items in the boat (fishing gear, coolbox, waterskies)
  • Watch out for children, make sure bystanders keep a safe distance and certainly don't stand behind or between a driving combination.
  • Drive with trailer and boat off the boat launch, don't drive too far down the ramp! Are the first rollers wet? That is often far enough. Do not drive your wheels into the water if you only have rear-wheel drive on a slippery boat ramp.
  • Apply the parking brake to the car!
  • Have someone hold the line at the dock.
  • Launch or push the boat with the winch.
  • Place the boat in a spot so that there is room for the next one to trailer.
  • Drive the car to a parking space, put it neatly in the parking space and lock the car and trailer.
  • Get out again? Get your boat out of the water using the winch, “Power-Loading” often damages the boat but also the boat ramp by washing away sand at the bottom of the slip.
  • Enjoy your day!

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Boating safety

At least 4,439 boating accidents occurred in 2021, resulting in 658 deaths and 2,641 injuries. These accidents are almost always preventable. The USCG statistics show that the following circumstances were the top 10 contributing factors in boating accidents:


  • Inattention

  • Inexperience

  • Improper lookout

  • Machinery failure

  • Excessive speed

  • Alcohol use

  • Force of wave

  • Navigation rules violation

  • Hazardous waters

  • Weather


This safety information is brought to you by Brown & Crouppen, read more on: brownandcrouppen.com

Safety-Equipment

Boating equipment checklist

Emergencies can occur suddenly while you are on the water, and the proper equipment is crucial to ensuring the safety of everyone on board. The USCG recommends bringing the following equipment aboard every time you venture out onto the water. Some of this equipment is required by law:


  • Life jackets for each person

  • Personal flotation devices

  • Fire extinguishers

  • Visual distress signals

  • A sound-producing device

  • Ventilation ducts

  • Backfire flame arrestors

  • Anchors and chains

  • Buckets

  • Oar or paddles

  • First aid kit

  • VHF radio

  • Extra water and fuel

  • Tool kit

  • Sun protection

  • Flashlight



Maintain your trailer

If you have a boat trailer it is important to maintain it regularly. The weight of the boat and regular use can damage parts of the trailer. If you don't use the boat trailer for months, the lubricants will dry up and the tires will wear out. Contact with salt water is harmful to the boat trailer. Use these tips so that you can safely hit the road with the trailer.

Trailer

Trailer

maintenance_nosewheel

Nose Wheel

maintenance_whinch

Winch

maintenance_wheels

Tires

lmaintenance_brakes

Brake

maintenance_lights

Lighting