| Launching your boat will become a simple
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| | weekday morning for your first launch.
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| task with a little practice. However, if
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| | The first rule when launching a boat is
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| you are new to boating you might want to
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| | being prepared before you pull onto the
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| hitch up your boat trailer and head to an
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| | launching ramp. That means having all
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| empty parking lot to gain some practice.
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| | your gear safely stowed, the boat key in
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| I don't recommend arriving at the boat
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| | the ignition, the boat drain plug in, the
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| ramp and attempting to launch your boat
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| | tie-down straps off, the trailer lights
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| before you know how to reverse a trailer.
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| | disconnected and a safety line connected
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| So, let's look at some of the principles
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| | to the boat's bow. It can be very
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| of reversing a trailer ...
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| | frustrating watching someone loading
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| Start with your vehicle and the trailer
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| | fishing or picnic gear into their boat or
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| as straight as possible and about a
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| | apply sunscreen to their kids while their
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| trailer's length from the area into which
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| | boat is parked on the launch ramp!
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| you want to reverse. Watch the trailer
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| | Keep the trailer's winch strap and safety
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| out of the driver's window while
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| | chain connected until you reach the
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| reversing slowly, and start turning the
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| | water's edge. It will only take a few
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| steering wheel to the right. Be gentle
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| | seconds to disconnect them prior to
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| with the steering it is easier to add
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| | launching.
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| more steering than to correct it too
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| | Back the boat down the launch ramp and
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| much. Some guides to reversing suggest
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| | stop before the stern of the boat hangs
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| grasping the steering wheel at the very
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| | over the water. Unlock the winch strap
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| bottom. This should prevent you from
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| | and remove pins or other devices used to
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| over-turning the wheel and if your
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| | prevent the outboard motor from tipping
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| steering wheel is in a straight position
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| | down. Now back the boat down until the
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| to start with, you will know throughout
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| | trailer wheels are submerged.
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| the reversing maneuver, without having to
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| | When the boat is ready to float off the
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| look, that at the lowest point your
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| | trailer, have your boating buddy hold the
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| steering wheel is again straight.
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| | bowline or tie the line to your vehicle
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| As soon as the trailer starts to turn you
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| | or winch handle.
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| can begin straightening up while still
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| | Once the boat has floated free of the
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| reversing. Don't leave straightening up
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| | trailer either beach the boat or tie it
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| too late or the trailer will jackknife.
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| | off to the dock with the bowline. A
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| Eventually you begin steering in the
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| | confident boater will have someone start
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| other direction while still reversing.
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| | the motor and move the boat away from the
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| Bring the vehicle's nose around to follow
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| | dock until the driver has parked the
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| the trailer and keep an eye on where the
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| | vehicle and is ready to board.
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| trailer is in case it needs correction.
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| | Either way, try to launch quickly as a
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| Continue to reverse in a straight line
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| | courtesy to your fellow boaters.
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| using the side mirrors. Reverse slowly
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| | The same rules apply when putting your
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| and carefully. When more of the trailer
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| | boat back onto the trailer, but there are
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| appears in one mirror, steer towards that
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| | a few hazards you should be aware of,
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| mirror to start the trailer going the
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| | especially if you're tired or feeling
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| other way. Remember that a correction
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| | rushed.
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| only requires a small steering movement.
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| | When you tie up at the dock, have your
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| Pulling forward to straighten the trailer
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| | vehicle keys in your pocket, retrieve
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| is often an easy option before continuing
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| | your vehicle and claim a spot in line.
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| to reverse.
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| | Before you pull your boat out of the
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| Once you are able to back up a few
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| | water ensure the engine has been tilted
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| hundred feet without jackknifing your
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| | up.
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| trailer or rear-ending anything you are
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| | Many launching problems will be avoided
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| probably ready to launch your boat at a
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| | by making sure everything on your boat is
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| boat ramp. If possible, select a quiet
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| | in working order before you leave home!
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