Lessons Sought

[paddy69]

Hi Raiders,

after years of research and nagging the "trouble and strife" I finally put a deposit on my first boat. A Stessco 420 Skipper powered by a 40hp 2 stroke (not good for re sale...I know), but the price was in my budget.

Anyway, if any raiders are heading out with a 4m to 4.5m tinnie and have the patients to have a "big fella" watch their every move on a launch (no need to go out) I would love to come out and watch/participate in a few launches before I get my early xmas present in December. The dealer has offered to take me out for the first run. But I would like a bit more experience as I will be taking the boat away camping down to Victoria over the xmas season and the more confident I am the less stressed the "cheese and Kisses" will be.

I am more than happy to buy andy one a

many thanks

Paddy

[numbnuts]

If you don't have any offers then I would suggest you go down to a boat ramp and just watch for a while or even help out with someone on their own.Most guys are more than happy to give advice to a newby.

[Blood Knot]

Hi Paddy - Cant help you out with lessons, but would recommend that you try to develop a standard proceedure for boat launch & retrieve.

1 - The pre launch drill - get it sorted before you take up a possie on the ramp. ie: prep / load your boat - eskies, tackle etc in the boat, transom strap off, bungs in, fuel line primer bulb pumped up, bow rope uncoiled and ready to hand when you push the boat off the trailer.

2 - Work out what you are going to do once the boat is off the trailer ie ; who is doing what next and who is hanging on to the boat.

3- Retrieving is not so hard - have the winch cable unwound and waiting at the back of the trailer so you can hook it straight up to the boat. Also remember to tilt the motor up on arriving at the ramp and dont dunk your trailer in that far that it runs off the end of the ramp and gets stuck.

4- Have some practice backing your trailer (if you need it?) makes it easier on a busy ramp if you can slot it in, between other boats/trailers as they come & go.

Proly left out heaps of good advice, but basically work out the launch / retrieve drill that works for you and stick to it.

Try doing a search on boat launching or similar on this site, seem to remember lots of good info on this topic from the past.

Hope this helps a little as it is not good to stress the wife on a maiden voyage.

John

Edited November 13, 2008 by Blood Knot

[Davemmm]

Heres a tip for you that has nothing to do with taking the boat out.

The frame of your trailer will be well galvanised but the bits and pieces attached to it wont be.

Before you even use the boat get a tin of Galmet and give all the nuts, bolts, screws, ubolts etc a once over. You wont regret it.

Dave

[glennmreid]

Heres a tip for you that has nothing to do with taking the boat out.

The frame of your trailer will be well galvanised but the bits and pieces attached to it wont be.

Before you even use the boat get a tin of Galmet and give all the nuts, bolts, screws, ubolts etc a once over. You wont regret it.

Dave

Hi Dave,

Where can you buy Galmet?

[Davemmm]

Hi Dave,

Where can you buy Galmet?

Any paint or hardware shop.

Dont buy the spraycan get a tin and whack it on thick.

There are other brands too. All you need is cold Gal

[glennmreid]

Any paint or hardware shop.

Dont buy the spraycan get a tin and whack it on thick.

There are other brands too. All you need is cold Gal

Thanks Dave.

[pelican]

When the dealer shows you the ropes just get someone to video it for you. You will be absorbed in what is going on and won't remember the how far he sunk the trailer wheels and what order he did things. Watch it later and write the list of things to do. 90% are before you leave home like check safety gear is there and petrol trailer hitched correctly and safety chain on. etc. The other 9% get done at the ramp car park and the 1%when you have actually revesed to launching position.

There was a video avaliable from Maritime on small boat launching and andling - don't know if they still do it - whoops showing my age - I mean DVD

Tell the dealer you are going to Vic and make sure he has the wheel bearings looked at on the trailer - even if it is from the factory ( often poorly adjusted) or arrange to drop by so he can check them after a few shorter journeys before your big trip. Whatch what he does - only takes a few minutes to jack up the wheel , feel for movement , check there is a split pin in there and enough grease . Yes I've seen them without split pins and grease Arrrrrghhhhh

A few ones that will save you hassle.

Don't rush

First time do it with someone experienced at a quiet time at the ramp - no family no hangers on - no pressure. A short run and then put it back on the trailer so you learn it without distraction or arguements.

Bungs - need I say it - put em in

Don't ever remove the safety chain from the bow till you are ready to push boat off the trailer. When retrieving don't drive up the ramp till it is attached to the boat

Trim motor up at ramp.

Always wear shoes at the ramp.

Do all the procedures yourself so you know they are done. If you allocate it to someone else check it was done.

If you have kids - boat ramps are dangerous places with reversing cars and boats so get them out of the car and welded to a bench seated where they stay until you call them over. I think all of us who have been around ramps have seen too many near misses with adults let alone kids.

Check you have a wheel wrench that will fit your trailer studs and check the wheel studs aren't done up so tight by a rattle gun you can't get them undone- I learnt those ones early - always happens at night.

Do search as I'm sure I have seen a launch list somewhere and we can possibly add to it or make it a "how to" thingy. Search is probably dumb things at boat ramps.

Enjoy the new boat..

Pel

PS what area are you in so people local to you can possibly get in contact.

Edited November 13, 2008 by pelican

[paddy69]

Pel, I am in Tempe

[pelican]

Join the fishing club on Bestic street there and use the non busy private ramp. Old blokes there will be more than happy to show you the ropes

Edited November 13, 2008 by pelican

[Flightmanager]

G'day Paddy ,

Whatever things you decide to check , you need a system , and you need to stick to it religously. Launching / retrieving a boat is not rocket science , but common sense.

I would be quite happy to provide the boat/trailer and system to give you a bit of a boost for your new boat , and hopefully , save you some of the embarrasment all new boat owners encounter at the ramp for the first time .

PM me if I can be of any help.

Ross

[robeebee]

Join the fishing club on Bestic street there and use the non busy private ramp. Old blokes there will be more than happy to show you the ropes

any idea how much membership is ?

[paddy69]

Thanks every body, you guys rock!

I will join the Fisho's. The membership is $11 plus $165 a year to use the ramp. I am going down there next week to join.

paddy