Boating 101 | How to Launch a Boat

In this video I will walk you through how to launch a boat. We will go through the checklist at the top of the ramp all the way to how to get your boat off the trailer straight.

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Boating 101 playlist:

Boat Walk-Throughs playlist:

Wake Surf Tips playlist:

[TheLastSpartan]

Don’t even have a boat but I’ll be damned if I end up on a boat ramp fail compilation

[_texan]

IS THAT A SUPRA!?!? In all seriousness that’s a very beautiful boat

[lrognlie]

Well done. Get my first boat in a couple weeks and “launching anxiety” is real!

[tollyfoerstner]

One the best 'how to videos' for first timers I have seen and I've watched hundreds. Thanks !

[AstroEtherealDiscovery]

Dad didn’t get to teach me how to launch a boat before he took his life, I’m 20 and was so afraid to learn by myself but this eased my anxiety

[kirbyspencer]

Ah, I remember the first few launch micro-disasters with multiple boats so I have many words for the newbie... With my current outboard bass boat I quantized the pre-ramp checklist to Four in the Front, Five in the Back - Front: remove bow strap (leaving some slack and resetting it to winch in for later), unhook safety chain, unplug trailer lights, raise motor. Back: remove transom straps, insert plug, remove motor travel bar, connect battery, and hand pump gas to the carbs. Just by having a count on the number of things to do greatly helps in not skipping any of them, your counts [& items] may vary. Now load 'the middle' with ALL gear. Next, because my girlfriend won't back a trailer (and is terrified at the thought) I back the boat and trailer down to the water. I turn off the radio, lower windows, and put it in 4WD just before backing. I put the boat in as far as possible while still having a foot or two of dry ramp behind the truck (because getting your feet wet is not a good look). You have to have the boat and truck absolutely square to the launch at this point; this is so she is comfortable that she only has to go back, then forward without turning the steering wheel. Now, climb in the boat [you have welded a step to the trailer tongue, right?], lower the motor fully to ensure the lower unit is submerged, and start it. Check all gauges and put the motor in reverse. I have seen many boats cold idle fine in nuetral then stall when it is put in gear - not a good look. If all is well, I give the sign to back up until the boat disengages then immediately give her the hand sign to stop (don't rely solely on voice here, fully prebrief exactly what is going to happen and what the hand signals are, even if she has done it with you a dozen times - trust me, a rolling of her eyes at this point is a very small price to pay). Mentally note carefully how deep the trailer was in when the boat separated, you'll usually want to be slightly less deep when you recover the boat, and it differs from ramp to ramp due to angle and on how the boat is loaded (you'll instinctively get this part over time). Make sure you have fully cleared the trailer before giving her the go ahead sign to pull out. When she has pulled the boat and trailer forward enough to clear the water she exits the truck and she and the dog come out to sit/organize with the boat while I go park the truck (note: she is now comfortable parking the truck and trailer since all she really has to remember is to put it in 2WD and make very wide turns). When I have to launch by myself I do all of the above except I leave the bow strap slack but attached and back in until I see the ass end float - I then jump in the bed of the truck (not a good look!), through the bed, into the boat, lower the motor, start it, unhook the bow strap, then put it into reverse and gas it, sometimes with wet feet. Easy and faster to do than describe; sorry for the novel. --- I suppose I should now go find a video to comment on regarding recovering the boat by driving onto the trailer and running the carbs dry...

[JBAutomotive]

Just got my first boat, 93 Ragin Cajun Bass Boat. Excited about getting it out on the water for the first time. Thanks for the video, it helps us newbies alot!

[leoroberts]

Hey Chantel; My wife and I wanted to thank you for helping us. We watched 3 of your Boating 101 videos twice through and were able to gain a level of confidence with the basics before heading to the boat launch/dock. Super helpful and we're very grateful!

[pringals]

Nice video! Only two things I'd add. ... 1st when you are pre-launching and loosening up the which strap, be sure to re-lock the pin so the winch isn't still in free mode. Give the slack needed, but lock the pin so the boat doesn't drift off, unspooling the winch line with it. (Yes, this happened to me once haha). ... 2nd, ALWAYS use a wheel chuck or two behind your truck tires once you leave the vehicle and go to move your boat. No one wants to be docking their boat only to witness their truck and trailer drifting down the dock and into the water. Parking breaks aren't great and do tend to slip. Emergency breaks are a must, but when you are in a hurry, sometimes one forgets to set it. So I just have a habit to grab a wheel chuck and toss under the back wheel when I'm walking down to get in my boat and start it up. Harbor Freight has a couple big chunky rubber ones that are cheap. Get one, tie a rope to it, and keep it in the truck bed.

[jf]

Just bought a 2021 Supra SA 450, your videos have been really helpful, both before the purchase, and will be after as well. Great stuff.

[peterstatt]

Thank you! Great video! I sent this video to my daughter to reference as she launch’s the boat for her first solo trip to the lake.

[dirkgouge]

Nice video, boat ramp courtesy seems like its rarely taught. But a little hustle is so easy.

[seenyornaco]

Good job, as a experienced boat owner it’s nice to be reminded of best practices!

[authenticmind]

Nicely done, good instruction. I worked at a marina when I was a kid, the most entertaining and dangerous place in the marina was the boat ramp. People do not follow your steps and I have seen some crazy things. Your video is great!

[Mortgage-Smarter]

We were just at that boat ramp yesterday! Just bought a Tige R20 2018 wakesurf & boy is it different than our Yamaha twin turbo jet. We had no idea how different it drives. It was very stressful but these videos are amazing! Thank you!

[salinebayou]

Comprehensive and concise at the same time. The use of a drone helped by adding a visual to your instruction. It is always better to show what you are talking about rather than have the camera on the speaker. Excellent video. I'm subscribing.

[downwitakrowdy]

One thing that I have been doing more recently on my pre-check is to also check my bearings on the trailer with a slight hand tap near the bearing buddy to check for heat. If they are hot (untouchable) to touch that needs to be addresses immediately.

[timmoore]

Videography needs to be paid! Nice video. I love the checklist. I learned 4HI and parking brake is a must. Maybe even add chocks to your tires and a brake pedal depressor if your by yourself. Awesome video. 😎

[garrettnuncio]

Just subscribee!! Thank you so much for properly explaining it, without going into useless details that divert my attention..! Just buying a boat and this is helping tremwndously!

[lindabfit]

Thank you Chantel! We just bought a Moomba and I had to launch it with my husband the first time and I was visibly shaking. Wish I would have seen this video first.