Trailering Your Sailboat Chapter 6 Trailering Your Sailboat Courtesy of National Marine Manufactures Association photo by Jim Bartlett

Lesson Objectives Safety essentials Selecting a trailer Safety equipment Care and maintenance Legal requirements Preparing for travel Storage Preventing theft Float plan SSSpptChpt06Traileringyourboat040609.ppt

Legal Considerations Width Brakes Lights Licenses Mirrors Safety chains SSSpptChpt06Traileringyourboat040609.ppt

What should you consider when buying a trailer? What to consider when buying SSSpptChpt06Traileringyourboat040609.ppt

Trailer Weight Rating Weight of boat should not exceed 85% of trailer rating Tires run cooler/last longer Wheel bearings run cooler with less failure Long trips justify higher trailer ratings SSSpptChpt06Traileringyourboat040609.ppt

Boat Bottom Support Selecting your trailer Skid supports or Bunks Roller supports SSSpptChpt06Traileringyourboat040609.ppt Courtesy of Trail “N” Sail Sailboat Trailers

Care of Your Trailer Maintenance problems: Tires Wheels Bearings Brakes Springs Bunks and rollers Tongue Wiring SSSpptChpt06Traileringyourboat040609.ppt

Care of Your Trailer SSSpptChpt06Traileringyourboat040609.ppt

Care of Your Trailer SSSpptChpt06Traileringyourboat040609.ppt Courtesy of Bearing Buddy, Inc

Other Considerations What else when trailering? Lights Motor Support Tie downs SSSpptChpt06Traileringyourboat040609.ppt

What Should You Consider When Buying a Tow Vehicle What to consider when buying Deferred maintenance? Age Road-worthyness Brakes, lights, tires, bearings, etc. Licensing SSSpptChpt06Traileringyourboat040609.ppt

Hitches Bumper hitches Weight carrying hitches Weight distributing hitches Trailer ball and coupler SSSpptChpt06Traileringyourboat040609.ppt Courtesy of Cequent Towing Products

Hitches Coupler and ball sizes Ball must equal coupler size 1 7/8” 2” 2 5/16” Ball must equal coupler size Size determined by GVWR Padlock prevents theft and ensures coupler stays on ball SSSpptChpt06Traileringyourboat040609.ppt

Balancing the Load 5 -10% of weight on tongue To shift weight Shift contents of boat Shift boat forward or backward on trailer SSSpptChpt06Traileringyourboat040609.ppt

Handling Your Trailer Practice in open area Remain sensitive to unusual sounds Frequent stops to check trailer Practice backing One hand at bottom of steering wheel Move hand in the direction you want trailer to go Post someone to look out Work out hand signals SSSpptChpt06Traileringyourboat040609.ppt

Pre-departure Checklist What do you include on checklist? SSSpptChpt06Traileringyourboat040609.ppt

Preparing to Launch Things to remember when launching SSSpptChpt06Traileringyourboat040609.ppt

Launching Before backing down ramp Backing down Drain plug in Out drive/motor up - motor off No one in boat Lines to dock Backing down Make sure way is clear SSSpptChpt06Traileringyourboat040609.ppt

Launching Launch position Apply parking brake and wheel chocks Remove winch line Launch the boat SSSpptChpt06Traileringyourboat040609.ppt

Set brake and wheel chocks Attach winch line Winch on to trailer Retrieving your boat Lift outdrive/motor Back trailer to boat Do NOT “power load” Set brake and wheel chocks Attach winch line Winch on to trailer Drive away from ramp SSSpptChpt06Traileringyourboat040609.ppt

Storing Your Boat/Trailer Remove valuable equipment Winterize motor Jack up axles to take weight off wheels Raise tongue for drainage Cover boat if stored outside SSSpptChpt06Traileringyourboat040609.ppt

Theft Prevention Has anyone had theft problems with a trailered boat? SSSpptChpt06Traileringyourboat040609.ppt

Theft Prevention What are some precautions to take? Mark HIN in safe place Take an inventory Mark equipment Have insurance SSSpptChpt06Traileringyourboat040609.ppt

Theft Prevention At launch site Lock up valuables Park in well lighted area Use trailer hitch lock SSSpptChpt06Traileringyourboat040609.ppt

Theft Prevention What are some precautions at home or on the dock? Secure vessel Put it in garage Chain to permanent structure Remove a trailer wheel Remove equipment Remove or lock motor to boat SSSpptChpt06Traileringyourboat040609.ppt

Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Any ANS species in this area? SSSpptChpt06Traileringyourboat040609.ppt

Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) What are some steps to stop the spread of ANS? Bottom paint selection Use only approved bottom paint Exterior cleaning/boat and trailer Eliminate trapped water Empty bait container and bilges on shore Remove weedy material from boat/trailer Mix chlorine bleach in washing mixture Remove all mud, flora, fauna from equipment Don’t use bait from one body of water in any other SSSpptChpt06Traileringyourboat040609.ppt

Float Plan Why file a float plan? Best way to get rescued Sooner or later, you’ll be glad you did Tell someone who cares about you “who, what, where, when” When trailering, put a note under windshield wiper of your car: “J. Jones, alone, fishing off Big Point, back by sunset, cell: 123 456 7890 Cancel your float plan when you return SSSpptChpt06Traileringyourboat040609.ppt