Boating Western Australia Inc.
10 Years of service to the Western
Australian Boating Public
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Mission Statement BoatingWA
e-mail; secretary@boatingwa.com.au
Office
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So you want a day out fishing or just enjoy
a family day on the water. Trailer boating is the most popular form of boating,
but it is also the cause of most people experiencing trouble whilst on the
water. The following is a guide to ensure you can minimise the possibility of
getting into trouble. A day out in a trailer boat is broken into
five segments. At
Home
Prior
to leaving for the days outing a number of checks are required. These checks can
be done on days prior to the actual ‘outing’ day.
It assumes the ongoing preventative maintenance is undertaken. It does
not depend on the distance you travel, as the checks are standard for any
distance travelled. # Start to
monitor the weather reports days prior and up to the day of the outing. Obtain
the latest weather report prior to departure. 1900 955 350 #
Load your vessel with the appropriate safety equipment. This is a double
check on the condition of your equipment and ensures you have the correct
equipment. Consult W.A. Dept. of Transport Boating guide. #
Ensure you have a full fuel tank and your spare tanks are full. Fuel,
especially ”Unleaded” fuel deteriorates within three months. It may mean
emptying your vessel fuel into the car and refilling the vessels tanks with
fresh fuel. #
Load your esky’s filled with food and drinks and any other gear onto
the boat at home. Always take two (2) 2-litre containers of fresh water ¾ filled. NB.
If you are not sure of the total weight on the trailer do a check load of
your boat and have the boat and trailer weighed on a weighbridge. It costs up to
$10 and a certificate is supplied. #
Start your engine at home
undertaking a pre-departure test run. Undertake
the appropriate engine checks. This is a good time to check your battery as well
by doing a “hydrometer” test. #
Ensure the engine is raised upright and turned to Port. The engine should
be resting on the trailer support latch. For safety reasons tie a “RED”
rag onto the propeller. #
Put bungs in. #
Check running lights. #
Check anchor and lines. For a trailer boat there should be at least six
lines.
#
Prepare a detailed trip plan and leave it with somebody responsible. It
should include a current description of your vessel. Photographs are a great
help. Include a list of people going and their telephone contact numbers. #
On hitching the trailer to the car check your trailer lights. Ensure
safety chains are attached. For information obtain “How to Tow a Caravan or
Trailer” brochure from the Police Department. #
Check you brakes. #
Check tyre pressures. #
Check your tow ball trailer hitch lever is down and locked. A small
padlock can be used. Launching
#
Upon arrival at the ramp prepare for launching well away from the ramp.
The only loading should be people upon launching the vessel. #
When launching and retrieving I strongly recommend the wearing of dive
booties to protect your feet. #
Have somebody else check the bungs. #
Prepare engine for lowering. Remove red rag and support latch. # Attach fore
& aft line at the bow and stern on the upwind side of vessel. To find what
side, feel the wind in relation to the ramp. At certain ramps, with no finger
jetties, the fore & aft line may be required to be attached to either stern
quarter on the upwind side and a separate bowline also attached. #
Make loose the safety chain shackle, but do not detach. #
Ensure winch handle is readily available. # Remove
taillights if required to do so. Disconnect tail light lead “at all
times” at the light connection on the vehicle. If you do not your
car electrics may be shorted out. Cover the connection with a small piece of
plastic and elastic band to protect it from the salt water. #
You can use “break back” for launching only. #
Reverse down the ramp until the water level reaches just below the wheel
bearings. At the ramp detach safety chain and loosen winch cable. # Launch vessel and tie up to the finger jetty or face vessels bow into waves if no finger jetty . #
Upon retrieval of the trailer, prepare for retrieval by having winch
cable and hook ready at rear of trailer. Ensure car & trailer is parked well
away from high tide water level or in an appropriate parking bay. NB
If you are leaving the car and trailer overnight it may be advisable for
somebody to take the car and trailer home and return the next day at your
predetermined return the next day. On
the Water
#
Board the vessel. #
Lower the engine and start it. #
Depart from the jetty or beach. # Log on to the local Volunteer Marine Rescue unit if available. Initial
contact is on 27.88Mhz on 27 Marine Band or 16 VHF. Information to be supplied
is;
NB.
At any time you deviate from your current position notify the VMR unit. Enjoy
the day and your activity !
Retrieving
#
Upon arrival back at your
departure point Log off from the V.M.R. unit. #
Prepare for coming alongside with a fore & aft line. Place fenders
out. Confirm side by checking wind direction and use the downwind side of the
jetty, i.e. the upwind side on the boat. If no finger jetty and depending upon
wave conditions you may have to use your anchor, with a trip line attached. In
this instance you anchor well off the beach and let out the anchor line until
vessel is close to the beach. This keeps the bow into the waves and prevents “broaching
or pooping”. #
Come along side and tie up or ensure anchor secure. # Turn engine off
and raise it. Ensure it is turned to Port before doing so. #
Disembark all persons. #
Collect car and trailer. Ensure winch handle or electric winch is
available for immediate use. #
Reverse down the ramp until water level is below the wheel bearings. #
Untie the fore & aft line and allow the boat to float away from the
jetty. Line boat up with trailer and manipulate boat towards the trailer. If
retrieving without the use of a finger
jetty, trip the anchor and turn the boat around. It would be advisable to have
somebody stand at the stern to ensure vessel turns. Upon retrieving the boat
ensure the anchor line is fully retrieved. #
Upon completing the winching fasten the safety chain. #
Depart from the ramp to an area well away from interfering with other
people launching and retrieving their vessels. #
Undo bungs. # If available at
the ramp, wash the vessel, trailer and stern of the
car down with fresh water. Flush the boat engine with fresh water
according to manufacturers requirements. NB.
Always flush after each use while the engine is still warm as the salt
has not had time to crystallise within. #
Reattach lights and check for operation #
Depart for home. Upon
Returning Home
#
Unload all the loose gear. #
Unload safety equipment. This reduces the opportunity of theft and allows
you to check for condition of equipment should replacement be necessary. Store
separately in a safe lockable storage room. #
Unload removable fuel tanks. #
Unhitch boat. Ensure a anti-theft lock is on the trailer hitch. #
Undertake a thorough washing of the boat, trailer, lifejackets and
engine. Run engine again. Wipe down where necessary. #
Log engine hours and any maintenance required in a vessel logbook. #
When fully dried cover the boat with a protective cover if not stored
within a garage or shed. You
cannot cover all of the different types of vessels and activities undertaken
with the use of trailer boats. What has been presented is a good guide for an
enjoyable days outing on the water. Is
that not the aim of boating?
Grant
Hunt. |
