Operator`s manual

12213 1200.01
10
OPERATING INFORMATION AND PRE-TRIP CHECKLIST
Always tie the boat securely at the bow and stern. Do not rely solely on the winch
cable/strap to secure your boat.
I. TOWING VEHICLE INFORMATION
Check with your marine dealer to determine the proper towing vehicle capacity for the size
load to be trailered. Most vehicles require a trailer towing package. Refer to your vehicle
manufacturer to determine if your tow vehicle is properly equipped for your intended use.
You may also wish to have a tachometer, vacuum gauge, transmission temperature gauge
and/or an engine oil gauge installed.
II. LAUNCHING YOUR BOAT
Skill and practice will allow proper handling of a boat at the loading ramp.
Stop before reaching the ramp area, without blocking traffic, and remove any tie-downs
securing the boat. Tilt the engine or drive unit up, replace the transom drain plug, etc. It
is recommended that a safety line be attached to the boat so that it can be held in place after
launching. IMPORTANT: Do not disconnect the winch line or bow safety chain until you
are at the water and ready for launch.
Once prepared for launch, slowly back the rig down the ramp to the water. At this point,
secure the tow vehicle on the ramp by placing in park and setting the parking brake.
Check that the safety line is clear and moved to the proper side of the boat for launching
depending on ramp position. Proceed to unfasten the bow safety chain. Securely hold the
winch handle, reverse the winch lock and begin unwinding the line.
Care must be taken at this time to hold the winch handle securely. A free-spinning winch
handle can be very dangerous. If the winch handle begins to free-spin, DO NOT attempt to
stop it by hand.
On an average ramp grade, the boat should gently roll back into the water. If the boat does
not move, unwind 6 to 8 inches of winch line, lock the winch, and give the boat a shove.
Once the boat begins to move, unlock the winch and wind the boat down into the water.
III. LOADING AT THE RAMP
As in launching, prepare for loading before reaching the ramp. Attach the winch line to the
bow eye of the boat and winch the boat onto the trailer. Never allow the winch line to unreel
all the way. Always keep at least 3 turns of the cable around the drum of the winch.
On full roller trailers it is not necessary to have the boat in perfect alignment with the trailer
before loading. Given sufficient time and patience, the boat should self-align as it is being
winched on the trailer. Wind and water conditions can affect alignment. Connect the bow
safety chain as soon as it reaches the bow hook.
Bunk type trailers are designed to load by floating the boat onto the trailer. The trailer should
be submerged so that only the very front of the bunks are visible above water.
Once the boat is completely on the trailer and the bow safety chain is attached, pull the
trailer away from the ramp area, and out of the way of other boat trailers.
Proceed to fully secure the boat to the trailer before exiting the ramp parking lot.
The boat should be tied down at the transom and bow, separately from the winch
cable/strap.
IV. LOADING MISALIGNMENT
Occasionally a boat will load and be misaligned with the trailer centerline. Below is a partial
list of some possible causes:
A. Trailer rollers are not equally spaced from one side of the trailer to the other.
B. Ramp is slanted from one side to the other. Angling trailer into the water will
sometimes help this situation.
C. Boat does not float level in the water in unloaded position.
D. Occasionally, a boat hull is not sitting squarely on the assembly jig as it is bolted to the
deck. This results in a hull with a slight twist through its longitudinal axis. This situation
normally does not affect the performance characteristics of the craft.
Wind, tidal, wake, current, or other environmental conditions could float the hull off trailer
center while loading.