HOW TO LAUNCH YOUR TRAILER BOAT FAQ AVAILABLE

[mckechg-adm]

http://piscatorialworshippers.com/faq/FAQ001_how_to_launch_a_boat.pdf

[Steve-G]

Grant graciously left off the final line of my draft of the "How to launch" document,For my benefit here it is.
:D The opinions contained are the ramblings of a seriously deluded wan***e fisherman and should not be taken as gospel. :D
Steve Gard

In other words don't blame me, I'm still practicing as well. :oops:

[grant]

two more posts and you will no longer be a bait fish and become a pilchard!

you are an old hand by all counts.

g./

[Steve-G]

U beaudy I always wanted to be a small smelly but sometimes useful fishy thing.
Funny thing is tho I use Pilchards as baitfish.

[Steve-G]

Yahoo :P I have evolved. :twisted:

[theantspants]

I have read your tips on launching a boat
and they are pretty good but...
your mention that the motor should be test started
prior to launching may get newbies to dry start thier motor
which is not good. Whilst i'm sure thats not what you meant
(I start my boat at home in a drum before I leave home)
It may misslead people who are new to boating

Here is a little tip I use when not driving of the trailer
The bow rope should be at least a few metres longer
than the distance to the jetty or pier.
my wife holds the rope while standing on the pier
the other end is attatched to the bow
before I undo the winch i run the rope around
the top of the winch post three times
then back the winch off untill the rope pulls tight
around the pole then unhook the winch
that way I can unhook the winch from the
boat with out getting wet as the rope only allows
the boat to go back about one to two feet
then you simply unloop the rope and let the boat slide back
(do not tie it to the post just loop it around three times)
I may need to add photo's to this at a later date
To further simplify it
Cheers Ant

[Steve-G]

Good point, Ant.
To clarify.

It's a good idea to test fire your motor in the water b4 launching off the trailer, and moving your car.
You can use the excuse that your an expert and you are going to drive off.
If for some unforseen reason the motor wont fire up, at least you wont have to retrieve.

[grant]

I will update the bits steve gave me the other day and the rope which is a very good point. I will also mention to shut the otor off as soon as it starts.

g./

[triman]

Another quick pont for those of us with sterndrives. Start your bilge-blower when you start the pre-launch preparations at the ramp. This way the engine bay should be well ventilated when you coem to srat the engine.
regarding starting the engine before launch I do this for 2 reasons;
a) To ensure the thing will start,
b) To warm it up before I get to the ramp. Me engine requires about 5 minutes at idle before it's happy to rev up in gear. While chasing fishing mates out of bed, hooking up to the car, laoding people aboard the car and generally egtting ready to leave home I idle the engine on the muffs so it's warm.
After launching it only requires about a minute before I can clear the ramp and pontoon area, leaving it for others.