Just bought my 1st boat, How about some tips.

Remember that you need to launch the boat deep with the trailer as far in the water as you can go and the[U] load the boat onto the trailer shallow[/U].

If you launch deep the boat will come of the trailer easier and you will avoid going backwards suddenly because you had to rev the motor high to pull it off.

When loading, load shallow and drive the boat onto the trailer. This does not mean getting a running start at the trailer!! Idle up to the trailer and position the bow in the center. Make sure your motor is straight and gradually add speed to push the boat up on the trailer. Avoid getting the trailer too deep where the boat is actually floating over the trailer. With wind, current and wakes the boat will not stay centered if it is floating over the trailer. The boat should be resting on the trailer with the trailer in the water. You can always back the trailer in a little farther if you find it difficult to winch or get the boat all the way up to the stop. Too deep and you will find yourself going up out of the water to find the boat sideways on the trailer and I have seen people go up and down the ramp 6 or 7 seven times trying to get the boat straight. Finally they get lucky and catch the boat straight.

Also as a new boat owner I would recomend getting a bigger checking account.

Alot of good advice on here that is going on my 3x5's in my glove box. I completely understand deep in, shallow out....makes sense, and wouldn't have put it all together until about three or four times I had to get tout to adjust the boat. This eliminates that waste of time. Thanks for all the input fellas. Keep going, I am only learning while not being in anyones way.

oh and when you put your boat on the trailer and pull out. always pull the hell out of the way and strap everything down in the parking lot so somebody else can launch. that pisses me off to no end sitting there waiting while 3 guys BS while slowly putting all their stuff away while im sitting there 10 ft away waiting for them to move and them not giving a ****

Good tips from everyone.
AT HOME
1. Hook up trailer and make sure your hitch is [U]over[/U] the ball and seated correctly. Insert pin or as I do, a padlock for the hitch.
2.Connect lights and make sure they work on the trailer and tow vehicle.
3. Connect safety chains from trailer to tow vehicle.
4.Double check rear tie downs and bow strap, and chain from bow eye hook to trailer.
5. Check tire pressure on trailer and tow vehicle.
6. Check grease in trailer bearings.
7. Is key and bilge plug in boat?
8. Anything in boat that could blow away on the road?

AT THE RAMP
1. In the prep area,untie rear tie downs and insert plug. Insert plug. Insert plug. Did I mention to insert plug? Now is the time to also remove your transom saver if you have one.
2. Unhook your trailer lights.
3. Load boat with gear.

LAUNCHING:

1.Back to water's edge and even have your trailer wheels in the water. Now you can unhook your bow strap and safety bow chain.
2. Some people fire up the motor at home on muffs. If you "trust" your motor and are confident it will start, now you can start your motor (skeg and water pick up in the water) and fire up the motor.
3.Partner can now back up tow vehicle and you can launch boat with trailer "deep".
RECOVER:
1. Recover boat with the trailer "shallow". With my rig, the fenders are about 2 inches above the water.
2.Be sure to raise motor and turn all power switches off.
3. You or partner can now attach bow strap and safety chain.
4.Pull up to prep or recovery area and and reverse the launching procedure.

I know I've probably left a step or two out, but you should be getting the idea now.

Allot of great tips for you but one I haven't read was make sure you have GOOD full coverage insurance!!!! Theft, accidents - the works. Most guys that have made great points on here have had insurance claims at one time or another. It is fairly cheap compared to the price of a lower unit or replacing $2K in stolen tackle.

- Use the right oil for your boat, if you don't know which is best... ask?
- Use the right/best spark plugs
- if you have an evinrude learn how to decarbon your motor and index your plugs
- Hamby's keel protector!!!
- Stabil Marine gas additive - use it!!
- Before winterizing your boat fill the tanks with gas and add the stabil this will help reduce moisture
- Always walk down the vehicle and make sure your lights are working - all the way around your rig.
- Fix the little things as they happen because it'll get costly trying to fix a bunch at one time.

And last but not least, enjoy yourself. there are alot of guys who "wish" they had a boat, there are alot of guys who had a boat and HAD to sell it, so be thankfull for your blessings and when your rig is running smooth and the sun shines down on you, you feel like a king. Remember how you felt standing on a bank watching the boats go by... so be curtious

Rule #1, keep your boat on TOP of the water!

Besides that, keep a spare boat key in your glove box or somewhere else in the vehicle you're going to tow with. Nothing worse than getting to the boat ramp and realizing you forgot the key to the boat.

Along with that, make sure you separate the two keys that come with the trailer lock. That way when you leave the key on the bumper of your truck and drive off, you'll still have the 2nd one to get the trailer off when you get back home. But if you do that and keep them together, you'll need a saw. (anyone know how I could market a magnetic bumper?)

SPARE TIRE...........I learned that the HARD WAY also.

Lucky for me, theBassMan30 and I have close to the same boat, and I was able to use his spare to limp home on.......

Later,

Geo

Hope I'm not repeating a previous comment but if you buy a vertical spare tire mount, be sure to install it on the starboard side of the trailer. That way you're away from traffic when you're in the emergency lane of a highway. Also won't block the running lights on the trailer wheel well (if so equipped) on the most critical side (the one facing oncoming traffic).

ELNUTS....I have read at one point you saying DE-ICE is a must for Winter time boat use. What other tips for Winter Time Boat Use does the float~n~fliers have for some of us trying to get out there this year.

A little trick when backing down the ramp using only your mirrors,,keep the hand you steer with on the bottom of the steering wheel and move it the direction you want the boat to go.

[QUOTE=mybentrod;386280]ELNUTS....I have read at one point you saying DE-ICE is a must for Winter time boat use. What other tips for Winter Time Boat Use does the float~n~fliers have for some of us trying to get out there this year.[/QUOTE]

If your boat does not have a widshield, get one of those grinding or sandblasting full face shields at Tractor Supply. Its a clear full face protector that will flip up when you need it to. Has an adjuster for the head band to tighten it up to stay on in high wind. That wind on the water at 40 mph can really bite!!! This shield will keep the wind off your face.

Also get an inflatable PFD. They are not as bulky when you are already wearing layers of clothes and in the worst case you have it on to inflate. A foam PFD over a heavy coat is just too bulky to be comfortable and to be able to fish with.