Believe it or not, “How to launch a boat from a trailer?” is one of the most common questions asked by people who are interested in owning boats. It’s actually good that most people are inclined to ask it.
Once you learn how to launch vessels, it becomes relatively easy to do every time. On the other hand, not knowing how only means you’re risking damaging your prized possession.
Fret not, this guide ensures that you’ll always belong to the former group. It explains every essential step and anticipates different scenarios such as no-dock launching and solo launching.
Table of Contents
- What to Prepare
- Steps to Launch a Boat From a Trailer
- Step 1: Keep the boat balanced on the trailer, then position your trailer for backing.
- Step 2: Connect the launch cord to the trailer.
- Step 3: Pull the launch cord back to its maximum length then start coiling it up.
- Step 4: Time to launch!
- Step 5: Pull the trailer slowly back up, then release the rope’s end connected to the boat and round it up.
- Assisted Launching and Loading Are Always Preferred
- Tips to Launch a Boat From a Trailer
- Ways to Launch a Boat by Yourself
- What Should You Not Do When Launching a Boat?
- Conclusion
What to Prepare
- Boat launch rope
- Keel guard
To make your own boat launch rope, have the following:
- Marine-grade rope (at least 6’ longer than your vessel’s length)
- Bungee cord (the longer and stronger, the better)
- Carabiner hook
Regarding the launch cord, I often use a rope that I made from scratch by myself. If you have the time, I suggest you create one yourself.
It’s cheaper and doesn’t really take long to make. Here’s how:
- Tie a figure-8 knot on one end of the rope.
- Do the same for the bungee cord, but you need to tie its knotted end to the rope’s other end (not the figure-8 end) as you do so.
- Once you’ve connected the two, tie a figure-8 knot on the bungee cord’s other end then attach the carabiner hook to it.
Otherwise, you can just buy a finished one such as the Z-Launch rope available on Amazon.
With that out of the way, let’s begin discussing the actual launching from trailer steps. Overall, these steps work for launching without a dock, keep you dry, and are highly recommended knowledge for beginners.
Steps to Launch a Boat From a Trailer
Step 1: Keep the boat balanced on the trailer, then position your trailer for backing.
Even before you start backing down your trailer, make sure your boat is balanced and centered while seated on it. It’s best to ensure that it’s positioned correctly after you’re done loading a boat on a trailer (i.e. the moment you have secured the vessel in preparation for your trip).
Having it seated properly only makes sure that it will smoothly slide and stay straight as you launch or pull it out the next time you decide to go boating.
Once that’s done, you can now start getting ready to launch your boat. Position the trailer so that you’ll be able to back it down toward the water’s edge easily.
Step 2: Connect the launch cord to the trailer.
Before doing the next step, take the time to uncoil the launch rope and check for unwanted kinks and knots that might tighten up the moment pulling force is applied to it. Also, check out the first safety tip when launching a boat I shared below, and keep it in mind every time you’re tying the cord.
After that’s done, grab the end of the marine-grade rope with the figure-8 knot, then connect it to the trailer’s winch strap. Then, take the end of the bungee rope with the carabiner clip and hook it onto the D-rings.
Step 3: Pull the launch cord back to its maximum length then start coiling it up.
We need to coil the rope neatly, so it won’t get caught on something as we’re putting boat in the water.
Almost all trailers have spare tires at the front. You can place the bundled rope on top of your own spare tire.
Take note that this step and the one above apply to the Z-launch rope you can buy. If you decide to go that route, I can confirm that you can perform the same steps.
Step 4: Time to launch!
Now, you can start to back boat trailer into the water.
Launching a sailboat from a trailer can be done smoothly even if you’re alone, as long as you know the forces involved. In this case, it’s simply allowing the boat to slide by itself with the pushing force that the car applies as you back the trailer down.
The moment you back down the trailer, the boat should slide right off and start floating on the water.
Don’t pull up yet! Maintain a view of the rope; once it has extended to its maximum length, that’s the time to start pulling.
Now, I’ve heard a number of stories from folks asking me for advice on how to launch a boat properly. They said that their car or truck actually slid along with the boat onto the water!
For this, I suggest using a brake pedal depressor. It’s a tool you put on the pedal, and when you press it, it will lock all four wheels while you’re backing down the trailer.
Step 5: Pull the trailer slowly back up, then release the rope’s end connected to the boat and round it up.
This final step should be self-explanatory. You’ll only have to pull the trailer and the boat along with it so that the latter will gently rest on the shore.
Just drive your truck up enough for the boat to reach the shore, not hit the trailer! Afterward, you can now untie the rope from the boat.
For now, you can secure the boat with an anchor, so you can park your trailer at the designated spot. And, with that, you’re done!
Assisted Launching and Loading Are Always Preferred
Having someone to aid you will always be a good thing but not really necessary. Even so, I would never pass on having a helper every time. Assistance from others can go a long way, even if you’re no longer launching for the first time, and here’s why:
- If the dock is packed with people, there’s a risk that your boat may drift toward another vessel or float too far that it becomes hard to handle.
The same can be said if the launching space you’re working with is relatively small. Your boat may end up hitting the dock, for example, if it’s windy.
How will you be able to react quickly if you’re still in your car after backing the trailer?
- Every time you launch a boat by yourself, your attention will be divided. You may leave your car’s door open as you hurry to correct your boat on the dock.
The opposite is just as risky, as you can never say for certain that no one will come out of nowhere and ride your boat.
- I can say the same when loading large boat on trailer. You don’t really need to take extra steps such as tying the boat to the dock.
You just need to drive it up to the trailer, and assuming it’s configured correctly, the boat should self-center by itself. Having someone to secure it immediately with the winch strap is a god-send as shown in this video:
Ultimately, this is why I always appreciate a good deckhand, pro or casual, since he or she always allows me to easily launch and retrieve a boat. It just means encountering far fewer problems.
Tips to Launch a Boat From a Trailer
- Keep the winch in a forward position. I’ve lost count of times when I didn’t do this and the winch ends up releasing the boat prematurely.
- As you’re backing down your trailer, especially once it reaches the farthest point of submersion, I recommend you engage the hand brake or parking brake for added security.
- When backing down the ramp, you have to master using your side mirrors and knowing how and when your trailer has aligned with your boat.
- As part of boating etiquette, remember never to let your boat or trailer sit for a long time blocking the ramp. The problem is, in most launching sites, priority will always be placed on the trailer that’s on the ramp.
This is why it’s recommended to have a partner who will fetch your trailer, once you’re ready to load or launch the boat.
Ways to Launch a Boat by Yourself
If you have the privilege of having a dock, you can just use a marine-grade rope to launch your boat. Just tie one end on a cleat on the bow then the other end on a post on the trailer.
I can’t recommend a better video for this than this one:
Most of the steps are similar to the ones above. The only difference is that it’s a launch done on a dock, which is arguably easier.
What Should You Not Do When Launching a Boat?
- Not being aware of what’s going on in your surroundings. Be sure to keep a steady watch over your car and boat, especially if you’re alone.
- Not taking the time to learn boating etiquette.
- Not preparing beforehand and wasting other people’s time at the dock or ramp.
Conclusion
Based on my and other boaters’ experience, there’s more than one method on how to launch a boat from a trailer. To me, the one above takes the least amount of time.
If you’re in an area that gets plenty of traffic, people will always appreciate you for launching quickly, efficiently, and safely every time. Overall, these methods work like a charm, especially if you invest time in practicing them.
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