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Of all the challenges facing a new trailer boater, actually towing your power boat and maneuvering the trailer has to be one of the toughest. For someone who has never towed anything with their vehicle, it can be extremely difficult, and that’s in just the actual towing. The many other things that go along with towing a power boat also will challenge a newbie. Just like with anything else, though, the more you prepare and practice, the better you’ll get at it. Once you become adept at towing, the more you’ll want to get out on the water and the quicker you’ll become a better boater captain. To help you with learning how to trailer your power boat, here are some tips from Discover Boating. -- Until you get a routine going, use a written checklist to make sure you’ve got everything done. At the top of the list should be making sure you put your drain plug back and that your boat is properly strapped to the trailer. Other stuff on your checklist, or smart phone notes, should be are the lug nuts tight, are the tires properly inflated, are the runaway chains attached, are your lights working and is the motor in the upright towing position. All that is before you leave the house. Before you leave the dock, just follow the list (however, this time remove the drain plug). -- Turning is an especially tricky part of towing a boat. If you’ve got to get fuel or supplies, you’re going to face a tight turn off the road. If you’re just barely making the turn with your vehicle, you’re in trouble because your trailer won’t make it. Remember you have to turn wide, so make sure there’s nothing coming up behind you and then make that wide turn. -- Another thing to remember, especially if you have a full fuel tank and have packed coolers on your boat, you are pulling a heavy load. You must stop well before you usually would with just your vehicle. If you are in heavy traffic, drive carefully because you won’t be able to make sudden stops. You have to be able to gradually apply the brakes. -- Backing the trailer can be difficult unless you remember a simple little bit of advice. Keep your hands on the bottom of the wheel, and then move them in the direction you want the trailer to go. Use your rear and side mirrors to guide you down the ramp. If you want to avoid the embarrassment of your first time at the ramp, find a big empty parking lot and practice maneuvering the boat. If you practice a little patience, you’ll be able to back a trailer like a pro in no time. The key to all of this is so that getting from your house (or storage area) to the boat ramp and your power boat into the water takes up as little time as possible so you can spent more time on learning to navigate your power boat on the water. EdgeWater Power Boats hopes these tips help you become an expert at towing one of the premium boats it manufactures for cruising, diving, fishing and skiing.
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