Look Out!

donnamatrix · 05-24-2006, 12:52 PM

Just beware that the Center Harbor docks are now about 2 inches under water, so it's a bit tricky dockside. Don't worry about everyone else (easy to say) watching. It's kinda like the first hole in a golf game, everyone is waiting to tee off, so they have nothing to do but critique your performance while they wait their turn. I agree you should load the boat before you launch, ensure all safety equipment is onboard, the plug is in (duh!) and lines/fenders are in place. From your post, I hope you are not planning on entering Winni from Lake Opeechee, that woudl be very tricky.

Over the years, before we permanently moved up here, we launched at just about every place, and Christmas Island is pretty protected area, and not busy at all. Also, they have space to park your vehicle and trailer. Another good spot is in Meredith, at the dock that is located at Shep Brown's Marina, they also have spot for storing car/trailer.

Good luck and have fun!

islandAl · 05-24-2006, 01:27 PM

tip hold the bottom of your steering wheel and turn your hand in the direction you want the tailer to go.
Try practicing in empty parking lot if you can.
If you think backing up with the boat on is hard, wait until you try backing just the trailer alone. maybe on flat ground you can see it, but once the trailer starts down the ramp, you lose sight of it. Hard to do, but the only way to see it, is with the side mirrors.
Good luck and enjoy.

gtxrider · 05-24-2006, 03:22 PM

I have seen this first hand

1. Check to see if the drain plug is installed.

Boats fill up fast.

2. Remove the tie downs from the transom.

I watched as a person backed down a ramp and the water poured over the transom.

3. Make sure you have a rope tied to the boat that is long enough to reach the dock next to the ramp.

Nothing worse than watching your boat float away.

4. Make sure the parking brake is on before you get out of the tow vehicle.

I remember a car and trailor backing down the ramp and disappearing below the surface.

5. Take it slow and have FUN!

ITD · 05-24-2006, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtxrider

I have seen this first hand

1. Check to see if the drain plug is installed.

Boats fill up fast.

2. Remove the tie downs from the transom.

I watched as a person backed down a ramp and the water poured over the transom.

3. Make sure you have a rope tied to the boat that is long enough to reach the dock next to the ramp.

Nothing worse than watching your boat float away.

4. Make sure the parking brake is on before you get out of the tow vehicle.

I remember a car and trailor backing down the ramp and disappearing below the surface.

5. Take it slow and have FUN!

6. Don't wait until your boat is backed into the water on the trailer to try to start for the first time this season. Especially if you don't bother to winterize the season before. Saw this last year at Center Harbor, then the guy pulls out his tool box while a line of boats are waiting to get in. Fortunately the attendant got to him before he got to far with the tool box.

Anyway thats my vent, you took the time to ask for pointers so I'm sure things will go well for you. Ask for help if you need it at the ramp. Good luck.

Merrymeeting · 05-24-2006, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ITD

6. Don't wait until your boat is backed into the water on the trailer to try to start for the first time this season.

But don't do this unless you have "earmuffs" and a supply of water running through them. You can easily fry you impellor (the fins that make your water pump work) if you run it dry for even less than 1 minute.

jbess · 05-24-2006, 05:01 PM

Wow, this great, thanks for all the info!!

The trailering and backing stuff won't be the problem, as I do a fair bit of it at work. The concerns I have are with the wife and her ability to get up to speed asap. I will definately be teaching her how to back.

I will keep Christmas Island and Lakeport in mind as well as the launch next to Sheps. I just thought that somewhere out of the way like Opeechee would be better. Just to mess around in.

One last question, Good spots to get gear (saftey stuff, pfd's, etc...) lake charts??? Thanks Again!

Joe

ITD · 05-24-2006, 05:28 PM

I like Parafunalia in Gilford, good luck.

Mee-n-Mac · 05-24-2006, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ITD

I like Parafunalia in Gilford, good luck.

I'll second that.

WINNOCTURN · 05-24-2006, 06:12 PM

Check with the Dealer you purchased the boat from. They usually have a “BOAT KIT” that will have the essential equipment needed , an ore, fire extinguisher, sounding devise, a couple of PFDs and a signaling device. Make him through it in as part of the sale. He can afford it. You may do better price wise to try Walmart or Sports Paraphernalia in Gilford. The closest marine discount store, West Marine, is in Seabrook.

The State puts out a booklet known as The Boaters Guide of New Hampshire. It has every thing in it you will need to get started and it’s free. Most Marinas, Bait Shops and places that do registration have them. You can also go on line and read it. Go to http://www.boat-ed.com/nh/handbook/toc.htm
You can also down load it. It is in a PDF format. The first thing you should do is register for the safe boating class. Any one driving the boat is required to have a Safe Boater Education Certificate.

Have fun and boat safely on the BIG LAKE.

WINNOCTURN

05-24-2006, 12:52 PM	#1
donnamatrix Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonboro Posts: 833 Thanks: 24 Thanked 258 Times in 120 Posts	Docks under water Just beware that the Center Harbor docks are now about 2 inches under water, so it's a bit tricky dockside. Don't worry about everyone else (easy to say) watching. It's kinda like the first hole in a golf game, everyone is waiting to tee off, so they have nothing to do but critique your performance while they wait their turn. I agree you should load the boat before you launch, ensure all safety equipment is onboard, the plug is in (duh!) and lines/fenders are in place. From your post, I hope you are not planning on entering Winni from Lake Opeechee, that woudl be very tricky. Over the years, before we permanently moved up here, we launched at just about every place, and Christmas Island is pretty protected area, and not busy at all. Also, they have space to park your vehicle and trailer. Another good spot is in Meredith, at the dock that is located at Shep Brown's Marina, they also have spot for storing car/trailer. Good luck and have fun!

05-24-2006, 01:27 PM	#2
islandAl Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mountonboro Posts: 200 Thanks: 12 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	trailer backing tip hold the bottom of your steering wheel and turn your hand in the direction you want the tailer to go. Try practicing in empty parking lot if you can. If you think backing up with the boat on is hard, wait until you try backing just the trailer alone. maybe on flat ground you can see it, but once the trailer starts down the ramp, you lose sight of it. Hard to do, but the only way to see it, is with the side mirrors. Good luck and enjoy.

05-24-2006, 03:22 PM	#3
gtxrider Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Piscataway, NJ Posts: 1,030 Thanks: 2 Thanked 46 Times in 24 Posts	Always remeber and never forget I have seen this first hand 1. Check to see if the drain plug is installed. Boats fill up fast. 2. Remove the tie downs from the transom. I watched as a person backed down a ramp and the water poured over the transom. 3. Make sure you have a rope tied to the boat that is long enough to reach the dock next to the ramp. Nothing worse than watching your boat float away. 4. Make sure the parking brake is on before you get out of the tow vehicle. I remember a car and trailor backing down the ramp and disappearing below the surface. 5. Take it slow and have FUN!

05-24-2006, 06:12 PM	#9
WINNOCTURN Deceased Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Moultonboro Posts: 849 Thanks: 350 Thanked 351 Times in 193 Posts	Boat Stuff? Check with the Dealer you purchased the boat from. They usually have a “BOAT KIT” that will have the essential equipment needed , an ore, fire extinguisher, sounding devise, a couple of PFDs and a signaling device. Make him through it in as part of the sale. He can afford it. You may do better price wise to try Walmart or Sports Paraphernalia in Gilford. The closest marine discount store, West Marine, is in Seabrook. The State puts out a booklet known as The Boaters Guide of New Hampshire. It has every thing in it you will need to get started and it’s free. Most Marinas, Bait Shops and places that do registration have them. You can also go on line and read it. Go to http://www.boat-ed.com/nh/handbook/toc.htm You can also down load it. It is in a PDF format. The first thing you should do is register for the safe boating class. Any one driving the boat is required to have a Safe Boater Education Certificate. Have fun and boat safely on the BIG LAKE. WINNOCTURN

05-24-2006, 05:01 PM	#6
jbess Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Waterbury, Ct~Laconia, NH Posts: 31 Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Wow, this great, thanks for all the info!! The trailering and backing stuff won't be the problem, as I do a fair bit of it at work. The concerns I have are with the wife and her ability to get up to speed asap. I will definately be teaching her how to back. I will keep Christmas Island and Lakeport in mind as well as the launch next to Sheps. I just thought that somewhere out of the way like Opeechee would be better. Just to mess around in. One last question, Good spots to get gear (saftey stuff, pfd's, etc...) lake charts??? Thanks Again! Joe

05-24-2006, 05:28 PM	#7
ITD Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 2,925 Thanks: 476 Thanked 691 Times in 387 Posts	I like Parafunalia in Gilford, good luck.