Look Out!

lfm · 05-24-2006, 08:14 PM

jbess,

Lots of good advice as usual on this forum. My 2 cents, Ames farm in Gilford is an excellent place to launch. Two wide ramps, and ample parking. It can be busy if they are hosting a fishing tournement, but the fisherman are in early and you can ask about the tourney end time and plan your retrieve accordingly.

Christmas Island may not offer parking for your trailer if you are not a guest there. At least that was their policy two years ago.

As for backing an empty trailer down the ramp, when I was new to boating I was having trouble since I couldn't see the trailer without the boat on it. A helpful boater at the ramp suggested I lower the tailgate on my pickup, and that simplified putting the empty trailer in the water since I could see the trailer.

Good luck!

jbess · 05-24-2006, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Ames farm in Gilford is an excellent place to launch. Two wide ramps, and ample parking.

Thanks Ifm, I will definatly check it out!

Kevin C · 05-24-2006, 11:56 PM

Unless your trailer light are sealed, I would suggest that you unplug your trailer lights before you back the trailer into the water. When the hot bulb is immersed in cold water the bulb can fail.

Take it slow and easy....you'll do just fine!

Yankee · 05-25-2006, 07:24 AM

Don't forget to take care of your trailer. Make sure that your trailer is equipped with a set of bearing buddys

http://www.bearingbuddy.com/

upnorth · 05-25-2006, 08:21 AM

My trailer has surge brakes that are deactivated when I put the vehicle in reverse. (Apprarently, there is some sort of solenoid valve in the surge brake system that is energized when the back-up lights come on -- the wire from the trailer plugs into a lead that is tapped into the reverse lights).

So, I think I need to keep the trailer plugged in so I can back up. Unless the advice would be that given the trailer clearly should be urged away from the truck once I'm at the ramp so that the brakes shouldn't come on (i.e., heading down away from the truck), it would be ok at that point to unplug the trailer??

Thoughts?

Mee-n-Mac · 05-25-2006, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upnorth

My trailer has surge brakes that are deactivated when I put the vehicle in reverse. (Apprarently, there is some sort of solenoid valve in the surge brake system that is energized when the back-up lights come on -- the wire from the trailer plugs into a lead that is tapped into the reverse lights).

So, I think I need to keep the trailer plugged in so I can back up. Unless the advice would be that given the trailer clearly should be urged away from the truck once I'm at the ramp so that the brakes shouldn't come on (i.e., heading down away from the truck), it would be ok at that point to unplug the trailer??
Thoughts?

Well the advice to unplug the trailer so the hot lights won't pop if exposed to cold water is sound but in your case perhaps you have no real choice. Most of the time the light bulb is (should be) sealed off from the water. If it isn't then you run the chance that the bulb will pop. In your case I say bring spare bulbs and a screwdriver and let them pop. Leaky housings should be replaced anyway (when you get a chance) and I'd replace them with LED taillights, which you don't have to unplug.

lfm · 05-25-2006, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upnorth
My trailer has surge brakes that are deactivated when I put the vehicle in reverse. (Apprarently, there is some sort of solenoid valve in the surge brake system that is energized when the back-up lights come on -- the wire from the trailer plugs into a lead that is tapped into the reverse lights).

So, I think I need to keep the trailer plugged in so I can back up. Unless the advice would be that given the trailer clearly should be urged away from the truck once I'm at the ramp so that the brakes shouldn't come on (i.e., heading down away from the truck), it would be ok at that point to unplug the trailer??
Thoughts?

My trailer is equipped with a solenoid that locks out the surge brakes when the vehicle is in reverse. (Its activiated by a lead off the back up lights). However, there is a pin that can be inserted in the coupler to manually lockout the surge brakes. Just make sure that once you are going to pull instead of push your trailer, you remove the pin so that the brakes are active.

Btw my trailer is a Four Winns, but I'd check and see if you can disable the brakes if you're lights aren't sealed and you want to extend their life.

upnorth · 05-25-2006, 08:52 PM

Duh! Of course. I almost forgot, (but would have remembered when I saw the set up -- after all, its been 6 months)

. I too have a four winns and yes I can use the pin.

Thanks for the "reminder"

tbutler · 05-26-2006, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mee-n-Mac

Well the advice to unplug the trailer so the hot lights won't pop if exposed to cold water is sound but in your case perhaps you have no real choice.

He probably still does. The brake lockout isn't particularly important when
backing down a ramp, where there will be little or no pressure on the
coupler to push the boat/trailer.

That being said, if the lights are sealed, there's no reason to unplug them.
I never unplug mine. Nor have I ever needed to use the manual brake
lockout on my trailer. I expect I would if I were to back up a hill though.

jbess · 05-31-2006, 05:26 AM

After a ton of reading here, we went and picked up our GX185 on Saturday. The tech at the marina was very helpful and patient with us as we had many questions. Got her back to the camp and spent the rest of saturday reading and turning things on and off, making lists of things to get. Man that day went by fast!

Spent Sunday morning at church, had some lunch, then it was off to Parafunalia for "stuff". Went down the street a few miles and took a look at Ames Farm Inn. As mentioned earlier in this thread, it is a nice, wide, quite spot for the first timer to launch. Get back to camp, put all of the "stuff" away in the boat, do some more reading.

Monday comes. Uncover the boat. Stow everything. Load up a cooler with soda and lunch. Invite the in-laws to join us (they do), take off for Ames Farm. Get to the launch, take off stern straps, check bilge plug, disconnect lights, brief wife and father in-law how I think its supposed to work, hand wife bow line, put daughter and mother in-law in boat (shes a bit skeptical at this point) and back down the ramp. Father in-law lets off winch strap, hmmm, nothing. try to give it a push, nothing. Back in another foot or so, and it slid right off. Parked truck, loaded up, and were off! Man we had a blast. My daughter tried out her new tube (I thought the water was kind of cold) and loved it. In-laws loved just tooling around. Headed down towards Alton bay and back. Back at the dock, getting back on the trailer was pretty easy. Backed the trailer in, walked boat over with bow line, and pulled her up enough so I could hook up winch strap, and cranked it up tight.

Was I nervous launching and recovering? Beyond belief

!! But with the advice of many here, we just took our time and no one got hurt. All in all it went smooth, but there is still a bit of practice needed. Can't wait to get back in the water! Thanks again, Joe

Dave R · 05-31-2006, 07:33 AM

Congrats! Sounds like a great day on the lake.

I would like to offer one bit of advice, always use two lines when launching the boat, you cannot fully control a boat with just a bow line. A stern line as well will make the boat vastly more easy to control on a windy day.

JTA · 05-31-2006, 09:30 AM

Congrats Joe (and family). If everyone did your amount of prep the lake would be a better (and safer) place. Now that you were successful, the only thing that is likely to screw you up is wind.
I assume that you observed the temporary 600' no wake declaration when you did your tubing?

LIforrelaxin · 05-31-2006, 11:10 AM

Glad to hear your first day of boating went well......Just remember it only gets easier....and never be afraid to ask for help....Pretty much anybody I have ever met at a ramp or on the water is willing to help out.......And just remember no matter what happens it has happend to someone else before.....

ossipeeboater · 05-31-2006, 11:20 AM

I also launched my boat for the first time at Ames Farm and the ramps there are great to use. You definately get used to the trailer in fact I can put my 24 foot boat in places easier than my jet ski trailer. Have a great summer out there.

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...

05-24-2006, 11:56 PM	#3
Kevin C Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Billerica, Ma Posts: 103 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Tip #7 Unless your trailer light are sealed, I would suggest that you unplug your trailer lights before you back the trailer into the water. When the hot bulb is immersed in cold water the bulb can fail. Take it slow and easy....you'll do just fine!

05-25-2006, 07:24 AM	#4
Yankee Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 150 Thanks: 19 Thanked 38 Times in 23 Posts	Tip #8 Don't forget to take care of your trailer. Make sure that your trailer is equipped with a set of bearing buddys http://www.bearingbuddy.com/ __________________ __________________ __________________ So what have we learned in the past two thousand years? "The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of Obamunism should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest the Republic become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance." . . .Evidently nothing. (Cicero, 55 BC augmented by me, 2010 AD)

05-25-2006, 08:21 AM	#5
upnorth Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 64 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Unplug the trailer?? My trailer has surge brakes that are deactivated when I put the vehicle in reverse. (Apprarently, there is some sort of solenoid valve in the surge brake system that is energized when the back-up lights come on -- the wire from the trailer plugs into a lead that is tapped into the reverse lights). So, I think I need to keep the trailer plugged in so I can back up. Unless the advice would be that given the trailer clearly should be urged away from the truck once I'm at the ramp so that the brakes shouldn't come on (i.e., heading down away from the truck), it would be ok at that point to unplug the trailer?? Thoughts?

05-31-2006, 05:26 AM	#10
jbess Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Waterbury, Ct~Laconia, NH Posts: 31 Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Well we did it! After a ton of reading here, we went and picked up our GX185 on Saturday. The tech at the marina was very helpful and patient with us as we had many questions. Got her back to the camp and spent the rest of saturday reading and turning things on and off, making lists of things to get. Man that day went by fast! Spent Sunday morning at church, had some lunch, then it was off to Parafunalia for "stuff". Went down the street a few miles and took a look at Ames Farm Inn. As mentioned earlier in this thread, it is a nice, wide, quite spot for the first timer to launch. Get back to camp, put all of the "stuff" away in the boat, do some more reading. Monday comes. Uncover the boat. Stow everything. Load up a cooler with soda and lunch. Invite the in-laws to join us (they do), take off for Ames Farm. Get to the launch, take off stern straps, check bilge plug, disconnect lights, brief wife and father in-law how I think its supposed to work, hand wife bow line, put daughter and mother in-law in boat (shes a bit skeptical at this point) and back down the ramp. Father in-law lets off winch strap, hmmm, nothing. try to give it a push, nothing. Back in another foot or so, and it slid right off. Parked truck, loaded up, and were off! Man we had a blast. My daughter tried out her new tube (I thought the water was kind of cold) and loved it. In-laws loved just tooling around. Headed down towards Alton bay and back. Back at the dock, getting back on the trailer was pretty easy. Backed the trailer in, walked boat over with bow line, and pulled her up enough so I could hook up winch strap, and cranked it up tight. Was I nervous launching and recovering? Beyond belief !! But with the advice of many here, we just took our time and no one got hurt. All in all it went smooth, but there is still a bit of practice needed. Can't wait to get back in the water! Thanks again, Joe

05-31-2006, 09:30 AM	#12
JTA Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Fort Pierce, Florida Posts: 233 Thanks: 34 Thanked 25 Times in 21 Posts	Good job! Congrats Joe (and family). If everyone did your amount of prep the lake would be a better (and safer) place. Now that you were successful, the only thing that is likely to screw you up is wind. I assume that you observed the temporary 600' no wake declaration when you did your tubing?

05-24-2006, 08:14 PM	#1
lfm Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 96 Thanks: 29 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	jbess, Lots of good advice as usual on this forum. My 2 cents, Ames farm in Gilford is an excellent place to launch. Two wide ramps, and ample parking. It can be busy if they are hosting a fishing tournement, but the fisherman are in early and you can ask about the tourney end time and plan your retrieve accordingly. Christmas Island may not offer parking for your trailer if you are not a guest there. At least that was their policy two years ago. As for backing an empty trailer down the ramp, when I was new to boating I was having trouble since I couldn't see the trailer without the boat on it. A helpful boater at the ramp suggested I lower the tailgate on my pickup, and that simplified putting the empty trailer in the water since I could see the trailer. Good luck!

05-25-2006, 08:52 PM	#8
upnorth Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 64 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Duh! Of course. I almost forgot, (but would have remembered when I saw the set up -- after all, its been 6 months) . I too have a four winns and yes I can use the pin. Thanks for the "reminder"

05-31-2006, 07:33 AM	#11
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,984 Thanks: 246 Thanked 743 Times in 443 Posts	Congrats! Sounds like a great day on the lake. I would like to offer one bit of advice, always use two lines when launching the boat, you cannot fully control a boat with just a bow line. A stern line as well will make the boat vastly more easy to control on a windy day.

05-31-2006, 11:10 AM	#13
LIforrelaxin Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Texas, Lake Ray Hubbard and NH, Long Island Winnipesaukee Posts: 2,870 Thanks: 1,037 Thanked 892 Times in 524 Posts	Glad to hear your first day of boating went well......Just remember it only gets easier....and never be afraid to ask for help....Pretty much anybody I have ever met at a ramp or on the water is willing to help out.......And just remember no matter what happens it has happend to someone else before..... __________________ Life is about how much time you can spend relaxing... I do it on an island that isn't really an island.....

05-31-2006, 11:20 AM	#14
ossipeeboater Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 157 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	I also launched my boat for the first time at Ames Farm and the ramps there are great to use. You definately get used to the trailer in fact I can put my 24 foot boat in places easier than my jet ski trailer. Have a great summer out there.

05-25-2006, 08:43 AM	#15
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...