Launching A Larger Boat: 18-Footer's First Voyage

Launching an 18-foot boat can be a daunting task, especially for beginners. It is important to be well-prepared and familiar with the process to ensure a smooth and safe launch. This includes checking that the boat motor is in good condition, packing the necessary gear, and ensuring the boat plug is properly installed. When approaching the boat ramp, it is crucial to move slowly and carefully to avoid any mishaps. With the right preparation and attention to safety, anyone can successfully launch an 18-foot boat and enjoy their time on the water.

Prepare the boat

Preparation is key to launching an 18-foot boat. It is important to prepare as much as possible while the boat is still on the trailer and on dry land. Here is a checklist to help you prepare the boat for launching:

• Prepare the engine: Ensure that the engine is in good operating shape.
• Fuel: Check that you have enough fuel for your trip.
• Safety gear: Gather all the necessary safety equipment and load it onto the boat.
• Mooring lines: Get the mooring lines ready and ensure they are easily accessible for immediate use.
• Fenders: Attach the fenders to the dock side of the boat.
• Trailer equipment: Ensure all trailer equipment is in good working order.
• Boat gear: Gather all the necessary boat gear, such as fishing tackle, coolers, tubes, and skis.
• Boat plug: Ensure that the boat plug is properly installed.
• Antenna: Fix your antenna to its upright position.
• Battery switches: Turn on your battery switches.
• Personal gear: Load all personal gear and essentials for your trip.
• Tie-downs: Remove all safety straps and tie-downs, leaving the winch strap loosely connected.
• Drain plug: Double-check that the drain plug is installed correctly.
• Towing light assembly: Unplug the trailer towing light assembly from the vehicle's electrical system, especially if you are launching into salt water.

Once you have completed this checklist, you are ready to move on to the next steps of launching your 18-foot boat. Remember to be considerate of other boaters and launch quickly and efficiently to avoid causing delays.

Plan with guests

Planning with guests on board requires a different approach to launching a boat solo. Here are some detailed instructions to ensure a smooth launch with your guests:

Brief your guests on their roles and responsibilities during the launch. It is important that everyone knows what to do and where to go. Ensure that all guests are safely inside the boat before you begin the launch process. This includes the boat operator, who should be the last person to board. By doing so, you avoid anyone having to jump into the boat after it is launched.

If you are bringing children along, it is important to keep them supervised by an adult away from the boat launch ramp. Young children and pets should not play or loiter near the ramp, as it is a potential hazard.

Involve your guests in the preparation process. Ask them to help with loading the gear, including safety equipment, food and water, and any other essentials. Ensure that the boat plug is properly installed, and check that the boat motor is in good operating shape.

When you arrive at the launch site, find a staging area away from the ramp to finalise your preparations. Fix your antenna to its upright position, turn on your battery switches, and load any remaining gear.

As you approach the boat ramp, one guest can act as a spotter to guide the driver when backing down the ramp. This person should be positioned so that the driver can see them in the left-hand mirror. It is important to back down slowly, giving yourself time to correct if needed.

Once you are in position, set the parking brake and put the vehicle in park. At this point, guests can assist with tasks such as tying dock lines, attaching fenders, and removing safety straps. Always ensure that children are supervised and away from the boat during this process.

With your guests on board and all preparations complete, you are now ready to launch the boat and enjoy your day on the water!

Back the trailer down the ramp

When you're ready to back down the ramp, align your vehicle and trailer so that you can reverse in a straight line. If you have a helper, they should stand in a position where you can see them in your left-hand mirror.

Reverse slowly down the ramp. This gives you more time to react and correct the trailer if it starts to go off course. A good trick to help you steer the trailer is to place one hand at the bottom of the steering wheel and watch the trailer in your mirrors. If you want the trailer to go left, move your hand left; if you want it to go right, move your hand right.

Continue reversing until the trailer's tyres are in the water. You want the cooling water intake holes on the lower unit of the engine to be submerged, but be careful not to get the axle bearings wet. If you can't tell when the stern is floating, have a crew member on the dock to signal when to stop.

Put your vehicle in park and engage the parking brake, but leave the engine running. Now you can release the trailer winch and safety chain.

Crank the engine

Cranking the engine is the final step in the process of launching an 18-foot boat. Before you get to this stage, you will have already reversed your trailer to the water's edge, connected a dock line, and released your boat from the trailer.

Now, you are ready to crank the engine.

Firstly, ensure that your boat is in neutral. Most boats must be in neutral for the engine to start. Check the gear shift and make sure it is in the middle position between forward and reverse.

Next, turn the key to the 'on' position. At this point, you should check that the battery is connected and switched on. If the engine doesn't crank, check that the outboard's main fuse is intact.

If the engine cranks slowly or doesn't crank at all, you may have a battery issue. Use a voltmeter to check the battery's voltage. If it reads below 12 volts, your battery is likely the problem and may need to be jumped or replaced.

If the battery is in good condition, the cables or connectors may be faulty. Check the battery terminals and connectors for any corrosion buildup and clean them if necessary. Inspect the cables for any cracks or other signs of wear, and replace them if needed.

Once you have addressed any battery issues, try cranking the engine again. If you hear a clicking sound or a low whine, the starter solenoid may be the issue. Try tapping the starter motor lightly with a hammer before turning the key again.

If the engine still doesn't crank, you may need to consult a mechanic.

Secure the boat to the dock

Once your 18-foot boat is in the water, you'll want to secure it to the dock. Here are some detailed steps to help you with this process:

Prepare your mooring lines and fenders

Before you launch, it's important to have your dock lines and fenders ready for immediate use. Make sure you have a line attached to your boat that is long enough to secure it to the dock. If the dock is low and easy to reach, a shorter line will suffice. However, if the dock is higher or further away, you'll need a longer line.

Secure the boat

When your boat is in the water, tie the mooring lines to cleats on the dock. Use fenders to prevent the hull from being scratched. The fenders should be attached to the dock side of the boat before launching.

Pull the vehicle out

After securing the boat to the dock, slowly pull your vehicle out of the water. Boat ramps can be slippery, so take care not to let your vehicle's tires spin. Once the boat is afloat and secured, drive the vehicle back up the ramp and park it in the designated area.

Final steps

Before you leave the dock, ensure that you have pushed the boat away several feet from the dock. This will give the stern ample room to turn without scraping the side of the hull. Now, you can enjoy your day out on the water!

Frequently asked questions