Launching A Boat With Just Two People

Launching a boat can be a stressful experience, especially if it's your first time. However, with proper preparation and practice, you can ensure that your boat launch goes smoothly. This introduction will provide an overview of the key steps and considerations for launching a boat with two people, covering topics such as pre-launch checklist, communication between the driver and captain, and etiquette at the boat ramp. By following these guidelines, you'll be able to confidently launch your boat and explore any body of water serviced by a ramp.

How to Launch a Boat with 2 People

Prep your boat: Check the drain plug, remove safety straps, load gear, and attach fenders

Prep your boat

Check the drain plug

Before you launch your boat, it's important to do a final check to confirm that the drain plug is in place. This is crucial because, without the drain plug, your boat will take on water and may sink.

Remove safety straps

While checking the drain plug, also remove the transom safety straps. If you forget to do this, you won't be able to reverse your boat once it's in the water.

Load gear

It's important to load all your gear onto the boat before launching. This includes items such as fishing tackle, coolers, tubes, and skis. It's also a good idea to check that you have all the necessary safety equipment on board, such as life jackets, flares, and a fire extinguisher.

Attach fenders

Before launching, attach fenders to the dock side of the boat. This will help protect the boat from scratches or scuffs when docking.

Use hand signals: Quick, clear communication between the driver and captain

When launching a boat with two people, hand signals are a quick and clear way to communicate between the driver and the captain. This is especially important when the boat is noisy or when the captain is in the water. Here are some tips for using hand signals effectively:

• Establish a clear line of sight between the driver and the captain. This will ensure that hand signals are easily seen and interpreted.
• Use standard hand signals to convey common messages. For example, a thumbs-up signal typically means "speed up", while a thumbs-down signal means "slow down". An "OK" sign usually indicates that the speed is good.
• Before beginning, review the hand signals with all parties involved to ensure everyone understands the signals and their meanings. This will help to avoid confusion and miscommunication.
• If the captain is in the water, they should use their equipment (such as a ski or wakeboard) to signal to the driver. This will help the driver to locate the captain and ensure their safety.
• Use hand signals to indicate the presence of oncoming wakes or other potential hazards. This will allow the captain to be prepared and take any necessary actions.
• When giving directions, the captain can use a karate-chop hand motion to indicate the desired direction. This clear signal will help the driver understand where to navigate the boat.
• In case of an emergency or injury, establish a clear hand signal that can be used to indicate that the boat needs to stop immediately. For example, a hand signal resembling a "Don't Walk" sign can be used to communicate "stop".
• If the captain needs to communicate that they are finished with an activity, they can use a hand signal such as a "slice across the neck" to indicate "cut motor".

Pull to the side: Finish loading gear and reviewing the launch plan

Pulling to the side and finishing loading your gear and reviewing your launch plan is an important step in the process of launching a boat with two people. This step allows you to be courteous to other boaters by not holding up the line at the launch ramp. It also gives you time to ensure that the boat driver and the vehicle driver are on the same page.

When you pull to the side, make sure you are in an open staging area away from the ramp. This is where you will finish loading your gear and passengers. It is important to do this away from the ramp to avoid blocking the way for other boaters.

Take this time to also review your launch plan and ensure that everyone involved is clear on the steps and their roles. This includes the boat driver and the vehicle driver. By doing this in advance, you can avoid any confusion or mistakes during the launch.

In addition to loading gear and reviewing the plan, there are a few other important tasks to complete during this stage. First, confirm that your boat's drain plug is in place. This is crucial to prevent your boat from taking on water and sinking. Also, remove the transom safety straps at this time. If you forget to remove these straps before launching, you won't be able to reverse your boat once it's in the water.

Finally, use this opportunity to double-check that all safety equipment is on board and easily accessible. This includes life jackets, fire extinguishers, and any other relevant safety gear. Once you are confident that all gear is loaded, the launch plan is clear, and all safety measures are in place, you can proceed with the next steps of launching your boat with two people.

Prep the car: Park, set the brake, put in 'park', and release the trailer winch

When preparing to launch a boat with two people, the driver should first park the car and set the brake. This is important because it ensures the vehicle is secure and will not roll, especially when launching on an inclined surface. The driver should then put the car in park, which is typically done by shifting the gear stick into the "P" position. This will lock the transmission and prevent the vehicle from rolling forward or backward.

With the car securely parked and immobilised, the next step is to release the trailer winch. The trailer winch is used to secure the boat to the trailer during transport. By releasing the winch, the boat will be free to move off the trailer and into the water. The driver should be careful to ensure that the boat is securely attached to the dock or another anchor point before releasing the winch, to prevent the boat from drifting away.

In some cases, the driver may need to get out of the vehicle and manually release the winch. This is typically done by pulling on a winch handle or lever to release the winch strap or cable from the boat. Once the winch is released, the boat will be one step closer to being launched.

Push the boat: Give the boat a final push into the water

Pushing the boat off the trailer is the final step in launching a boat with two people. Once the boat is in the water, the driver can finish backing all the way down the ramp and get out of the vehicle to give the boat a final push into the water.

The driver should put the vehicle in park with the parking brake on and release the trailer winch and safety chain. They should then use a bow line to give the boat a little push, sliding it slowly off the trailer so that it floats in the water.

If the ramp and tow vehicle allow, the driver can release the boat without having to stand in the water. However, it is advisable to wear footwear that can get wet, or boots, in case you need to enter the water.

With the boat off the trailer, the captain can now dock the boat. It is courteous to dock away from the launch site to make room for other boaters. The captain can pull into an open slip or idle away from the ramp while the driver parks the vehicle and trailer.

Frequently asked questions