My Boat Launching Checklist
As I mentioned in my Boat Trailering Checklist Blog, when I first got my boat , the learning curve for me was pretty steep. However, after some reading, learning, and trial and error, I eventually developed a system of my own that works for me and gives me the confidence to take my boat anywhere and know I can easily launch it, even without a proper ramp or dock.
As with my Boat Trailering Checklist, I keep this one in the Notes App on my phone and pin it, so I know right where to find it when I need it.
I’m sharing it here in the hope that it will help someone move through the learning curve a little faster than I did.
DRAIN PLUG, DRAIN PLUG, DRAIN PLUG - Not taking the time to double-check that you’ve installed and properly tightened your drain plug can be the difference between a good and a REALLY bad day on the water, so take the couple of minutes to check and check again.
Trim the Motor Up - Making sure your motor is trimmed good and high will mean you don’t need to worry about hitting or damaging your lower unit as you launch your boat.
Roll the Launch Vehicle’s Windows Down - In the event the worst happens and you somehow find your vehicle in the water (it happens more than you might think), leaving your windows rolled down provides a relatively quick way to escape the vehicle.
Put Your Tow Vehicle in 4 High or All Wheel Drive - An extra caution in the event you encounter a slippery ramp or need to pull the boat back up the ramp unexpectedly. It’s also less likely that your vehicle will move in the event you need to put it in park and get out while on the ramp, as I often do, since I do a good amount of solo fishing.
Install Fish Finders - I remove my fish finder control heads between trips and so I use this list to remind myself to put them back on before launching. This is especially important in an unfamiliar body of water, where you may not be familiar with all the hazards you might encounter.
Attach Dock Lines and Fenders - if where you are launching has a dock that you intend to tie off onto (until you park your tow vehicle, etc.), then it is helpful to make sure you add the lines and fenders before launching the boat.
Remove Trailer Cover - self explanatory - if you travel with your trailer cover on like I do, you will need to remove it to use the boat (not sure why I feel I need to remind myself about that).
Remove Transom Straps - Before the boat goes into the water, you will need to remove the transom straps. I usually undue mine when the back of my trailer is right at the water’s edge on the ramp, and not before, to help prevent my boat from shifting or coming off the trailer while on the ramp, especially steeper ramps.
Remove Winch Strap and Bow Safety Chain - Much like with the Transom Straps, I usually wait until the back of the boat is at the water line on the ramp before removing the winch strap and bow safety chain - again to reduce the likelihood that my boat will come off the trailer before I want it to.
Disconnect Lights - Some people prefer to disconnect the lights from the tow vehicle, so they are off when they are submerged. I used to do this, but haven’t had any issue with my lights, so no longer take this step.
Lock Truck/Tow Vehicle - You will likely be leaving your vehicle unattended for a bit, so make sure you lock your vehicle and store your keys somewhere they won’t end up in the lake. I have a routine of putting mine in the glovebox on my boat, but anywhere safe and secure will do.
Turn on Vesselview Mobile - I have Vesselview Mobile installed on my Mercury outboard, so I connect it at the ramp as soon as I turn on the motor and use it to ensure it is up to operating temperature and everything looks good with no faults showing, etc. before I even finish unstrapping the boat from the trailer - in case I find an issue.
I hope you find this list helpful. Check out My Boat Trailering Checklist as well.
Pro Tip: Prepare as much as you can in a staging area/an area away from the ramp. Don’t go to the ramp until you are prepared to launch. While many days on Nova Scotia boat ramps aren’t particularly busy, be cognizant of not tying up the ramp to do things that can be done away from the ramp. That way, if someone comes who is ready to launch or if the launch does happen to be busy, others who are ready to launch are able to access the ramp, while you’re still prepping.
