You have had a splendid day on the water. You do not want to end that day with an accident to file on you boat insurance. Pulling your boat out should not be an ordeal to cause anyone worry or anger. Being efficient at this process will get you home sooner, and allow other people to do the same.

Stage 1 – Tow vehicle retrieval
You will need to get off the boat away from the launch area. This will be the best time for you to re-scan the launch area for any changes. During your time on the water, several changes and debris could have built up in the launch area. You will want to take note of these changes now. This will save you any damage during the loading process that you will have to file with your boat insurance.

Give your trailer a quick safety check. You want to double check that your winch is in good working order. You do not want be in the launch area doing trailer repairs. Time for you to double check that you can easily, and safely, pull your trailer from its parking spot.

Back your tow vehicle into the water when it is your turn. It might be possible to find a dry line on the boat launch. Using this line can save you from wheel spinning as you pull your boat out. Pull your winch line for some slack to make loading that boat quicker.

Stage 2 – Load the boat
Pull your boat up to a safe distance that will allow you to attach the winch cable to the front of the boat. Winch your boat onto your trailer. This will allow you to verify that you are pulling your boat evenly onto your trailer.

Avoid power loading your boat. Power loading is the act of using the boat motor to power the boat onto the boat trailer. This is dangerous, can damage your boat, trailer, and tow vehicle. It can also cause harm, or death, to others in the launch area. It is best to just avoid this practice altogether.

Once your boat is on the trailer, pull your boat off the ramp and to a staging area. Do not just pull up a bit and start tying down your boat. This is inconsiderate to your fellow boaters.

Stage 3 – Staging your boat for the ride home
Just as you used the staging area to prepare your boat for the water, you will now use it to prepare it for the ride home. Tie your boat down to the trailer. Pull any drain plugs at this point as well.

You are free to unload all the items from your boat at this point as well. Make sure you have nothing in the boat that could fly out causing an accident on the road.

Launching and retrieving your boat are two of the most important steps to a great day on the lake. Take time to practice these items if you are new to boating. You don’t want to end that day with a call to the boat insurance agent.

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