| Trailering and towering your pontoon boat doesn't | | | | and give yourself plenty of room. The length will |
| have to be a dreaded chore. As a matter of fact, | | | | affect your turning ability as well as how much |
| if you follow a few simple tips, not only will you | | | | room you need to complete lane changes. |
| expand the opportunities you have to visit a | | | | Overcompensating in these cases is much better |
| wider variety of waterways, but you'll enjoy the | | | | than cutting a turn too short or clipping the front |
| drive as well. Towing obviously begins with your | | | | end of the vehicle you just passed. When |
| tow vehicle. It is extremely important that you | | | | someone passes you, flashing your lights when |
| keep this vehicle in tip-top shape. Change oils and | | | | they've cleared your vehicle is the safe and polite |
| filters more often than you would under normal | | | | way to go. |
| driving conditions. In must cases, it's a safe bet to | | | | When you've arrived safely at your destination, |
| do it twice as often as regular maintenance | | | | don't despair. Most boaters hate and fear the |
| requires. Tire pressure is another thing to check | | | | launching of their boats more than anything else. |
| on a regular basis. While it's not a good thing to | | | | When you think about it though, as drivers, we're |
| have overflated tires, its even worse to drive a | | | | usually taught to keep our vehicles as far from |
| vehicle with low tires. Don't forget tune-ups, | | | | the water as possible. The important thing to |
| services or your cooling system. All brake lights | | | | remember is that you're not alone. Once you |
| need to be in working order. | | | | drive up to the ramp, you're probably in line with |
| Once you're confident that your tow vehicle is in | | | | many others who are just as apprehensive as |
| good working order, move on to the trailer itself. | | | | you are. Most fellow boaters won't mind lending a |
| To reduce the possibility of swaying, | | | | hand and a second set of eyes can make your |
| manufacturers recommend that the tongue | | | | launch a piece of cake. Since most boaters tend |
| weight of the trailer (boat included) is 5-7 percent | | | | to hit the ramps in early morning and late |
| of the total tow package. (Boat, motor, trailer and | | | | afternoon, it's important that you launch quickly to |
| all your gear.) Make sure you have adequate tie | | | | avoid creating a back up. When you arrive at |
| downs on your boat and trailer. If you're traveling | | | | your destination, stop away from the launch. |
| from one state to another you may run into | | | | Transfer the necessary items from your vehicle |
| different regulations regarding the use of tie | | | | and take the time to walk over and do a quick |
| downs in different states. Make sure you know | | | | inspection of the ramp itself. It's also a good idea |
| what they are in your state and any states that | | | | to disconnect your trailer lights prior to moving to |
| you may be traveling through. Again, when towing | | | | the ramp. The lights don't last that long to begin |
| a boat, it's always smart to err to the side of | | | | with so by disconnecting them before you put the |
| safety. Four straps will allow you to conform to | | | | trailer in the water; you may be able to extend |
| regulartions almost everywhere. If you use one | | | | the life of the bulbs. |
| strap to tie down the bow, two straps at the | | | | Before you approach the launch ramp you should |
| transom and one strap on the gunwale, you'll be in | | | | prepare your pontoon or deck boat for launch. |
| excellent shape. Remember to use straps that | | | | Park well away from the ramp and transfer any |
| are weather resistant and as strong as you can | | | | and all items from your vehicle into the pontoon |
| buy. Straps with easy lock and release buckles | | | | or deck boat. Walk over to the ramp and inspect |
| allow you to tighten them and control the slack | | | | the surrounding area. A few important things to |
| with a minimal effort. If your boat didn't come | | | | note are how the ramp lies in comparison to the |
| with a cover, buy one. It'll not only keep the dust | | | | road and whether or not you'll need someone to |
| and debris off your boat when you're driving but | | | | guide you down. If you're alone, (which isn't ever |
| it'll serve to hold everything in place and protect if | | | | recommended when you're on the water) ask |
| from the sun. The last thing you want to see are | | | | someone to help you. You'll also want to check |
| your seat cushions floating down the highway | | | | for any obstacles and whether or not there's a |
| behind you. Covers will also reduce wind | | | | place to dock while you park your vehicle. When |
| resistance and thereby increase your mileage. | | | | backing down the boat ramp, the most important |
| Once you've determined that your tow vehicle is | | | | thing to remember is to take your time. Moving |
| ready to go, your boat is securely on the trailer | | | | your hands to the bottom of the steering wheel |
| and your lights are in working order, it's time to | | | | will allow you to turn the wheel in such a way |
| hit the road. When towing any vehicle, it's | | | | that your boat will follow the same direction |
| important to stay alert while driving. Although you | | | | automatically. Boat ramps are often uneven. If |
| may be very comfortable pulling the trailer, other | | | | you notice this, shift your approach a few feet to |
| drivers have no idea what kind of an impact their | | | | compensate. When your day ends, simply reverse |
| actions can have on your safety. On the | | | | the procedure. The only thing that you need to |
| interstate system, for example, semi-trucks can | | | | remember when putting your boat back on the |
| create enough of a wind to literally blow you off | | | | trailer is not to back up too far into the water. |
| the road. With the added length and weight of | | | | With a pontoon boat, it will load more easily if the |
| your boat and trailer, it's a good idea to take | | | | undercarriage is between 1/3 and 1/2 of the way |
| things slower than you normally would without | | | | forward. Water in the tail pipe can also cause your |
| them. The added weight will decrease your | | | | tow vehicle to stall. |
| stopping distances tremendously so brake early | | | | |