Winnipesaukee Forum - View Single Post

longisland60 · 05-25-2006, 08:43 AM

Hey JBess,

Best of luck to you. An 18 footer shouldn't be too much trouble launching, although I have an easier time backing in my boat (24') trailer than I do my jetski trailer. All those tips from other posters are good ones. As you mention, it is a great idea to teach your wife to also back in the trailer. That serves two purposes:

1. Gives you a helper when you are taking the boat out, especially for those busy times at the ramp when you cannot always tie up while waiting.

2. It'll reduce the smart comments when you look like the VI ;-) And, it'll give you an opportunity to give back the grief you'll take the first few times you do it yourself.

As for sources for gear, I, too, use Parafunalia when I need something small or just quickly. Otherwise, I will use West Marine, www.westmarine.com, and buy things online. I have had great luck with them. Their prices are generally the best around, they have free shipping (for purchases over $100), and I haven't had to return anything I've bought from them. I've bought water skis, fenders, manuals, dock assessories, floodlights, life jackets, maintenance supplies, etc.

I'll also relate a story from when I was a teenager. Don't let this happen to you. My dad and I were in line to lauch our boat down on Narragansett Bay. In front of us was a guy launching about a 25 foot cruiser. He packed up the boat with all their gear while it was on the trailer, put his two kids on the boat, and handed his wife a bow line to hold. He backed the trailer in, launched the boat, pulled the trailer out, and the wind promptly started blowing the boat away. His wife got pulled into the water, dropped the line and away went the boat. My dad and I ran down a dock and I managed to hop on the boat and toss another line to him where he tied it off. Luckily the only damage was to the poor guys' pride. Of course, the kids thought it was the funniest thing.

So, the moral(s) of the story are:

1. Take your time, don't rush just because there are people waiting. We're used to it, and we have all been in your shoes.

2. Don't underestimate the power of the wind and don't overestimate your ability to hold on. Always use a good long line and tie it off to something.

3. Always look out for the other guy, and don't be afraid to help. No matter how many times we all do this, there will always be a time when something goes wrong, we forget to do something, or we do something dumb. Same goes for on the water...

05-25-2006, 08:43 AM	#23
longisland60 Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 27 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Other source for gear and hints from past mistakes... Hey JBess, Best of luck to you. An 18 footer shouldn't be too much trouble launching, although I have an easier time backing in my boat (24') trailer than I do my jetski trailer. All those tips from other posters are good ones. As you mention, it is a great idea to teach your wife to also back in the trailer. That serves two purposes: 1. Gives you a helper when you are taking the boat out, especially for those busy times at the ramp when you cannot always tie up while waiting. 2. It'll reduce the smart comments when you look like the VI ;-) And, it'll give you an opportunity to give back the grief you'll take the first few times you do it yourself. As for sources for gear, I, too, use Parafunalia when I need something small or just quickly. Otherwise, I will use West Marine, www.westmarine.com, and buy things online. I have had great luck with them. Their prices are generally the best around, they have free shipping (for purchases over $100), and I haven't had to return anything I've bought from them. I've bought water skis, fenders, manuals, dock assessories, floodlights, life jackets, maintenance supplies, etc. I'll also relate a story from when I was a teenager. Don't let this happen to you. My dad and I were in line to lauch our boat down on Narragansett Bay. In front of us was a guy launching about a 25 foot cruiser. He packed up the boat with all their gear while it was on the trailer, put his two kids on the boat, and handed his wife a bow line to hold. He backed the trailer in, launched the boat, pulled the trailer out, and the wind promptly started blowing the boat away. His wife got pulled into the water, dropped the line and away went the boat. My dad and I ran down a dock and I managed to hop on the boat and toss another line to him where he tied it off. Luckily the only damage was to the poor guys' pride. Of course, the kids thought it was the funniest thing. So, the moral(s) of the story are: 1. Take your time, don't rush just because there are people waiting. We're used to it, and we have all been in your shoes. 2. Don't underestimate the power of the wind and don't overestimate your ability to hold on. Always use a good long line and tie it off to something. 3. Always look out for the other guy, and don't be afraid to help. No matter how many times we all do this, there will always be a time when something goes wrong, we forget to do something, or we do something dumb. Same goes for on the water...