Before You Reach the Boat Ramp: A Launch Preparation Checklist

Work through the maintenance and towing checks appropriate to your equipment. Examine the hitch connection, restraints, tyres, lights, brakes, and winch for problems. Secure the boat and its contents for road travel; the bow winch alone is not a complete transport restraint system. See Boat Ed's pre-travel checks.

Leave your intended route and expected return time with a trusted person ashore. Agree on what they should do if you are overdue, and let them know when you return or change the plan. See Boat Ed's float-plan guidance.

• □Hitch and the applicable safety connections checked.
• □Boat transport restraints and loose equipment secured.
• □Tyre condition and pressures checked against the relevant specifications.
• □Lights and braking equipment checked.
• □Winch and its strap or cable inspected.
• □Engine or drive secured in the transport position specified for the setup.
• □Any defect affecting safe towing resolved before departure.

Use a written equipment list for your particular boat and trip. Check that your required safety equipment is aboard, serviceable, and accessible. Put keys and essential items somewhere deliberate rather than distributing them between whichever bags happen to be nearby.

• □Boat keys and any required engine-stop lanyard packed.
• □Suitable life jackets available for everyone.
• □Required safety equipment checked against the applicable requirements.
• □Communication equipment charged and ready.
• □Fuel and other operating supplies checked for the planned journey and reserve.
• □Lines, fenders, and normal launch equipment ready.
• □Relevant documents available.
• □Drinking water, sun protection, and personal medication packed as needed.

Pause before joining the launch queue. Look at the actual approach and the space available, and read any notices. Decide whether you can both launch and retrieve here with today's conditions.

If something important remains uncertain, resolve it before reversing. You can choose a different ramp or postpone the launch.

• □Ramp access is open and permitted for your use.
• □Approach and turning space suit the vehicle and trailer.
• □Surface, slope, and usable submerged section assessed from a safe position.
• □Wind, waves, and water level are suitable for your setup and abilities.
• □Parking arrangement confirmed on site.
• □A permitted place for the boat to wait while the driver parks identified.
• □Crew know their roles and where to stand.

Put the supplies aboard and make the last checks that do not require occupying the ramp. If applicable, check the drain plug. Prepare control lines, keeping them clear of wheels and other moving equipment. Keep the bow winch attached until the proper release point in your equipment's launch procedure. See Boat Ed's launch preparation guidance.

Move into the lane when you are ready. Follow your vehicle's procedure for securing it on a slope before leaving the driving position. Keep hands and feet clear of loaded winch equipment, and stop if you lose communication with your helper.

• □Gear stowed and the boat's own pre-launch checks completed.
• □Drain plug checked where required by the boat's design.
• □Lines and fenders ready for the chosen launch arrangement.
• □Restraint-release sequence understood for this boat and trailer.
• □Driver and helper agree on signals, including an immediate stop signal.
• □Passengers, children, and pets are clear of moving equipment.
• □Anyone working aboard or at risk of entering the water is wearing a suitable life jacket.

After retrieval, the boat needs to be properly secured for towing again. Complete the remaining packing, lighting, and transport checks in a suitable area clear of the launch lane before driving on the road.

Save this checklist with your own additions. Put the items you tend to forget near the top, and make it short enough that you will actually use it.