Hello for the last time, aspiring boaters! This will likely be my final blog post, so since you know the basics of the law and the how-to’s of water sports, there is one final thing I would like to share my tips about: dock etiquette. However, please stay home as your state/country directs and stay safe!
I’ve shared where you can go and what you can do, but successfully getting out onto the water of your choice is just as important. My family has our routine nearly down to a science, allowing us to be as quick and efficient to allow more time to enjoy ourselves. A lot of people struggle, but following a few tips can make your life easier.
launching your boat
When you arrive at the ramp of your choice with your boat in tow, pull into the correct spot to prepare for launching. If there is a line that allows enough delay to give you time to fully prepare your boat for the ramp, feel free to join the queue. If not, pull off to the side so others can get around you or pull into a long parking space to get your boat ready.
If you have vehicles other than your truck, SUV, etc. that pulls your boat, park in the visitor spaces that are separate for those without trailers. Preparing your boat is mostly up to your personal preference. Make sure you take the cover off and undo the straps at the back, but you otherwise can just load up your boat with all of the snacks and accessories (and people) you’re taking with you.
Once your boat is ready to go into the water and it’s your turn to launch, back down the ramp carefully, staying to your side and conscious of others’ space. It’s best, though not imperative, to have at least two adults when docking: one to back the trailer down the ramp, with the other to drive the boat. Make sure that you’re qualified to drive a boat with the proper certifications; refresh your memory by checking my law overview.
Depending on the ramp and your boat, a general guideline is having the water covering the trailer fenders. It should be deep enough for most of the boat to be in the water, though you shouldn’t quite be floating. The person in the vehicle should then get out to unhook the nose strap in the front.
When both parties are ready, start the boat and lower the sterndrive about halfway, depending on the water depth, and back the vehicle down a bit farther for it to slide off. Reverse the boat and drive out of the way of the dock to wait for your driver to park the vehicle.
There should be a dock for the driver to come out on for the boat to pull up to the side of the dock. To prevent scraping, tie some buoys to the edge and if necessary, tie the boat up to keep it steady. They can jump on the boat and off you go!
getting off
The process is relatively the same (in reverse) for getting off the lake. You can drop off your vehicle driver at the dock and they back in. Drive the boat up onto the trailer as straight as you can. Since it’s on an incline, you will have to gun it a bit to get up. If it’s just not working, adjust the depth of the trailer.
Hook the front strap on and once the boat is secure with the sterndrive up, pull off the ramp and into a parking spot or designated dry off area. To keep your boat nice, dry the water and possible dirt off with rags and towels. Let down the sterndrive (though don’t let it touch the pavement) for it to drain, but don’t forget to put it back up!
Unload the boat of most, if not all, of your belongings, though feel free to leave life jackets, towels, etc. Put the cover and appropriate straps on, then you should be good to go. If possible, store your boat somewhere with a roof or awning over it to keep it from being weathered or damaged.
extra tips
- Do not tie up your boat on the inside of the dock where the ramp is
- Do not stay at the ramp or tied to the dock for a long period of time; it’s okay to wait somewhere close, but be out of the way
- Be considerate of others and their time
- Communicate with other boaters when you’re going up to the dock or ramp
That’s it for what will likely be the last post! Thank you to those that have been keeping up with me; if you joined halfway along, check out my blog feed to read past posts! If you have any topics you’d like me to cover, leave a comment down below and I could very well continue making sporadic posts. Feel free to follow me on social media and tag me in your boating adventures this summer (once we can go outside)!
Have fun and be safe everyone!
Advice for the Aspiring Boater 