You may have just developed a love for boating and you don’t have a choice but to learn to launch a pontoon boat. As a newbie, you may have doubts about it. Fret not as there’s always a way out if you’re willing to learn.
You can still do it without help from another person. As long as you have the necessary items like mooring lines and fenders, safety precautions are observed for everyone and your boat. The correct tuning of maneuverability is also necessary to utilize them based on their purpose. It’s best to comprehend every step to achieve your goals so continue reading this article on how to launch a pontoon boat by yourself.
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Is Launching a Pontoon Boat Easy?
Are pontoon boats hard to launch? You’ll find it easy to launch your pontoon when you have prepared well. It gives you enough confidence to do it and there will be no stress once you’re on the launch ramp.
Just like with everything else, you won’t be pressured once you make preparations. This happens when you’re sure of what you’re doing. If you’re the only boater on the ramp, you can undoubtedly save time in successfully launching your pontoon.
The Things that You’ll Need When Launching a Pontoon Boat By Yourself
When launching your pontoon all by yourself, you can take advantage of the help of some items.
- A clamp and rope – They’re attached to the truck or other types of vehicle.
- A pre-launch checklist – It’s the most recommended for novice boaters.
- Stake or stick – They’re used to hook with the boat while driving.
- Boots – They’re generally optional but a must if you don’t like your feet to get wet. You can get benefits from them if you don’t want to stand on the tongue or if the latch is absent.
The Ultimate Guide in Launching a Pontoon Boat Alone
This part is not only covering pontoon boating tips but also a guide that will show you every step and detail. Take your time to go through all the numbers and you’ll be grateful for them later.
1. Preparation for pontoon boat launching
Before hitting the water, commit to the following things:
- Detach all the electric outlets.
- You’ll also need to unplug incandescent light bulbs.
- Keep mooring lines, transom straps, and safety equipment inside your pontoon.
- Set the fenders and mooring lines in a way that they can be utilized right away.
- When there’s a drain plug in your pontoon, it must be in place.
- Be skilled in slowly backing your pontoon in a straight line.
- Remove the transom saver.
- Check the drain plugs if they’re secured. Be wary that the pontoon can sink or nose dive if the tube is filled with water.
Beginners should spend some time practicing maneuverability before getting into a real situation. A vacant parking lot, spacious driveway, and other available open space can serve your intention.
A parking bay could be the ramp and it gives you a chance to have a good amount of practice. When you do it, you should find out that a little correction can make a big difference to the behavior of the pontoon trailer. It’s best to have your first attempt on the water that is just a bit over the trailer’s wheels.
2. How to approach the launch ramp
This may be a difficult part for any boater but practicing the reverse and backup actions can let you finish successfully. Be good in placing both the pontoon and trailer in a straight position.
You need to get the engine started and it’s also acceptable if you begin with a test run. It can be done while the pontoon is attached to the trailer. At this moment, you have the chance to check if the water pump works properly or not.
The water shooting from the lower unit will tell you that the pump works with no issues. After that, you have to unhook the straps and safety chains. Doing it alone requires you to back the trailer far enough to trade in parking your vehicle. The next thing that can happen is pushing the boat off so you can dock it right away.
For another option, you may attach a rope to the pontoon before reversing the trailer into the water. The rope keeps your pontoon close to the trailer until you’re all set to jump on board.
3. Backing up to the water’s edge
At this point, you’re on the straight line and at an appropriate angle. Slowly back up the ramp to the water’s edge as the water should just be above the wheels. Then, do these things:
- Drive slowly and carefully. Corrections on the steering method should be small but precise.
- You can drive a bit when there’s a need to straighten the trailer.
- Don’t let the boat get into the water.
Put on the brake for parking when you’re in the ideal position while the trailer’s rear wheels are in the water. Some pontoon boat owners commit mistakes by unhooking the bow even though they haven’t reached the dock’s edge yet. Beware of this as it can cause an accident.
4. Pulling the pontoon back to the dock with a rope
I prefer to connect the rope in the front of my truck. You should be able to see these things at this point:
- The trailer is in the water except for its tongue.
- The boat is detached from the trailer.
- The rope is now connected to the truck bed.
If you checked all of them, you’re all set to launch. It’s time to back up for launching.
It only takes a tiny momentum to back up and launch with an abrupt stop. Then, the boat can release itself from the trailer that will stay in its place because it’s connected with the vehicle. It may also float behind the trailer.
You may find a lot of slack in the line. Just pull the boat in or attach the rope to a tree or a branch. This will allow the boat to sit and you can pull the trailer at the same time.
5. Parking a trailer
There will be a time that you need to park your trailer and go to your boat after that. When backing your boat, the motor should be trimmed high. Don’t worry about overheating if you see ‘peeing water’. Back up in a slow space then you can leave.
6. Loading
This is crucial in launching a pontoon boat. Begin with driving to the shore slowly. There’s no need to rush things. Even though the wind blows a bit strong, you still need to grab your rope and fasten it on land.
You can affix the rope at a certain point by using a rock, stake, pole, tree, or other objects with sufficient weight. It’s fine to leave it as it is if the waves are calm. In most cases, there’s no need to tie it.
Move and back up with your vehicle. Adhere with the right procedures so you can line up your boat correctly when landing the boat. Moreover, you have to avoid backing up the trailer too far. It will cause the boat to float surpassing the guide.
Some Things that You Have to Consider When Launching a Pontoon Boat By Yourself
You may be talking about this topic to someone and that person would insist that you take someone with you when sailing with your pontoon. But the guide above is quite enough to convince you that you can do it safely and properly by yourself. It sure is hard work but you can do it by being attentive to details.
Think about being independent and don’t let the pressure get to you even if there are other boaters behind you waiting to launch their boats as well. The feeling of pressure and rushing may impel you to make mistakes or worse, cause an accident.
When launching a pontoon by yourself, you have to take it slowly and carefully. Prioritize safety among other things and keep in mind that there’s no need to rush.
Last Words for Launching a Pontoon by Yourself
It may take some time to practice how to launch a pontoon boat by yourself but it’s a huge advantage once you pull it off. You’ll only think about enjoying the waters and no longer worry about this process. Additionally, you and your pontoon will be safe when launching.
Read now the detailed guide on launching a pontoon boat by yourself.
“I am James Harvey – founder of Boating Basics Online. It is established with the drive to help out first-time boaters, which are those desiring to explore their way through the water. So if you are new to boating, start from here with me. “