"10
Tips for easier boating."
Author - John E. Brady, Hanover PA-USA
Copyright 2001
e-mail - jeb@jebswebsite.com
Boating can be an enjoyable experience once you get the boat in the water. However trailering, launching and loading it can be a nightmare at times. Here are some tips that I use that I hope will help you get your boat to and from the water a little easier.
Tip #1 - Develop a routine for rigging and de-rigging your boat, then do it yourself. A routine will insure you do all of the necessary steps each time. Doing the job yourself will insure you don't miss any steps.
Tip #2 - Loading a boat onto a trailer when towing with a truck with limited visibility can be a challenging situation, especially if the rig is not yours and your not use to backing it up. If the trailer is completely invisible when looking out the back window or even through the mirrors while backing up, open the tailgate (and or the cap window) to get a full view of the trailer through the rear window. This will resolve any guess work as to where the trailer is situated while you're backing down the ramp.
Tip #3 - Launching a boat by yourself can be a tricky experience. To make this chore much easier, attach a long rope to a bow cleat, and the other end to the trailer winch crank. Take the excess rope and lay it on the bow of the boat in a way that allows the rope to uncoil as you drop the boat into the water. Ease the rig into the water to allow the boat to float off the trailer far enough to enable you to drive the trailer back up the ramp a short distance out of the water. Now disconnect the rope from the winch crank and tie the boat up to the dock until you park your trailer and vehicle.
Tip #4 - To take the guess work out of knowing which way to turn the steering wheel when backing up your boat, place your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel. With your had on the bottom of the wheel, you can now turn it in the same direction you want the boat to turn.
Tip #5 - To make loading your boat onto the trailer easier, first lower the trailer into the water until the loading bunks are completely submerged. This will give the boat a slicker bunk to load onto and avoid "bunk burn" from the carpeted pads. Also every so often before backing the trailer into the water, spray the bunks liberally with silicone spray. This occasional treatment will insure easy loading every time.
Tip #6 - If your accustom to taking out your drain plug after boating and have had the misfortune of forgetting to replace it before launching again, use a metal shower curtain hook to attach the plug to one of your rear tie down straps. With the plug clearly visible on the strap, you will be reminded to put the plug in when you take off the tie down straps.
Tip #7 - When launching or loading a boat in the dark, turn your lights off (down to parking lights) when you are on the launching pad. This will help to keep from blinding other anglers that may be attempting to launch or load their rig.
Tip #8 - To help keep your trailers tail light bulbs from corroding and failing prematurely, apply a light coat of white grease to the contacts on the bulbs and sockets.
Tip #9 - You can make submersible tail lights out of standard ones by applying a small bead of silicone caulk around the perimeter of the lens. Unscrew the lens, clean it thoroughly, then apply the silicone around the edge that makes contact with the light casing. Then simply screw the cover back on, and wipe off any access silicone that may have seeped out.
Tip #10 - If your motor has a removable gas line hose, disconnect the hose while the motor is still running after you load the boat on the trailer and let the motor run out of gas. This will empty the carburetor and help eliminate oil and varnish deposits to build up inside which can cause hard starting and rough idling.
Applying some of these tips should help make your boating experience more enjoyable, and allow you to concentrate on your ultimate goal of catching fish.
"After all they call it fishing, but the goal is catching."