Boat launch and retrieval feature

At the ramp

The launch and retrieval of a boat can be easy, or difficult enough to cause problems for the novice boatie as well as entertainment for more experienced users at the ramp. However, with the right equipment and some acquired skills, you'll soon be an old pro in almost any weather.

LAUNCHING THE BOAT
While there are many trailer designs on the market, predominately drive-ons equipped with rollers, and float-on types with a long skid on either side to support the boat are the two most common. Skids actually support a boat reasonably well, but in Australia about 80 per cent of trailers are roller-based like the trailer shown here. These are easier to launch and retrieve from and don't need to be positioned as low in the water.

We asked Andrew Shirt from Central Marine in Hastings - phone (03) 5971 9608) - to demonstrate a launch and provide some tips for new operators. He explained that launching a boat is easy if it's on the right trailer and set up correctly.

"It'll just roll straight off the trailer", said Shirt.

When asked what's the worst thing he'd ever seen on a ramp, his answer was a brand new boat simply slipping off a trailer onto the cement, because the fledgling owner untied it before the boat was in position properly. So, there's the first tip - don't do that!

After you've mastered the art of reversing, in your private practice sessions, back your trailer down the ramp. Kevin Nestadt from Mackay Trailers said the water level should be just above the front axle.

Before backing down the ramp, untie the rear straps. The front safety chains can be unlocked once you are in control of the boat with engines started. Just enough throttle is required to allow your assistant to unhook the winch line.

Once the boat is free, set the throttle to neutral and the boat will simply roll off into the water. Many ramps will take two boats and also have close landings, so if it's your first launch, apply a bit of forethought to which way you're going to be steering to avoid other users and objects when you hit the water. Then select reverse and back out of the way. That's the easy part done.

COMING HOME
Retrieving your boat is more difficult than launching it. Your assistant should back the trailer down the ramp until it's at the correct depth as described previously. Trailers with rear Rocka cradles like the two Mackay models shown here actually allow for considerable variation in depth and less accurate aim. The tilting rear Rocka frame simply ‘catches' the boat, centres it and guides it onto the trailer, acting as a bridging element between whatever height the boat is at and the receiving rollers on the trailer.

The rear Rocka also increases the likelihood of a successful retrieval. The trailer design is generally more forgiving and allows retrieval from shallow ramps. For novices, these trailers are ideal. Plus, experienced boaters rave about the ease of retrieval.

Getting your boat onto the trailer is all about alignment. Andrew pointed out that apart from your ability to steer the boat accurately, "Wind and crosscurrents are your enemy. Even the wake from a boat next to you can push you off line." As far as wind is concerned, he suggested, "Minimise the surface area against which the wind can act upon, such as removing your clears, if you have them, before reaching the ramp."

Strong crosscurrents may mean that you need to set the boat at an angle to the line you want it to follow and then straighten it up just as you reach the trailer. We've probably all seen footage of aircraft landing in high crosswinds. They approach the runway at an angle to the direction in which they're really travelling and then, as the wheels make contact with the runway, the pilot straightens up the aircraft - same principle here. The alternative to this is coming in longitudinally aligned with your trailer but on an offset line, with the crosscurrent pushing you into alignment with the trailer just as you reach it. This is much harder to do and the presence of other boats may prevent it anyway.

If it seems like these conditions might be present when you get to the ramp, find a quiet spot elsewhere and get some practice by aligning the boat with something on the shore and trying to approach it on a straight line without drifting off to the side. Of course, don't beach yourself. Hopefully, none of this will prove necessary, because you'll have picked the perfect day for your first outing. Still, it pays to plan ahead for the worst case.

As you reach the trailer and make contact with it, apply just enough power to push the boat up onto it a couple of feet. Keep the throttle applied until your assistant has attached the winch line to the bow eye, then cut your engine. Winch the boat the rest of the way onto the trailer. Connecting your safety chain to the boat eye before you drive up the ramp is critically important. Many a winch strap or winch has failed at this point with damaging consequences.

We've seen these steps attempted without an assistant. However, leaving the motor on and going to the bow to hitch the boat to the winch yourself is dangerous. Really, don't try to run the boat fully onto the trailer in one go until you've gained a good deal more experience.

Next, drive off the ramp, out of the way and apply your rear tie-downs before leaving.

Obviously, there are many minor things we haven't mentioned and things that will be specific to your boat.

These are just some of the larger issues. Still, with a bit of practice you'll soon be running your boat right up onto the trailer and securing it in one smooth, brisk operation.

When you reach this stage, though, spare some sympathy for new converts to the pleasures of boating from trailers.

For more information, phone Mackay Trailers on (03) 9772 6166 or visit www.mackaytrailers.com