Hi gang! Today I wanted to write a little bit about launching your boat at a public boat ramp.

In my younger days, I use to own a lobster skiff in sunny Southern California and I saw a lot of mishaps that could of been avoided with a little advice from someone. Real simple things that make a difference. I use to get up early and head down to the boatramp and launch real early to get an early start on my trap pulling. I saw many different types of fisherman and saw many different things go on at that boat ramp over the years.

One thing is be prepared. Not only for launching your boat, but for going out on the water too. Safety is the prime concern here.Carry a life preserver for each person on your boat. Emergency equipment should also be carried. This is usually, a compass,mirror,flashlight,flare gun distress signals, fire extinguisher,etc. Ask the Coast Guard Auxillary for a complete checkoff list. Have some way of contacting land,via cell phone or VHF radio.Doesnt mater wether it's lake or ocean.

It seems the real pros show up early. If you show up early, you dont have to wait in lines. Things seem to go a lot smoother at the boat ramp. Always have a buddy to help you. Never go out in the ocean alone. Ya- you read about how this joker sailed around the world by himself. Well, trust me, that's utter non sense. One in a million. Most of the time these fellas end up sinking thier boat and have to be rescued by the Coast Gaurd, I kid you not.

Yes, Have a buddy. A good one. Not a hot head.A guy that's easy to talk to,in good shape, and with some experience. It matters believe me.Have a float plan.A float plan is a plan that you left with your wife or someone you know that tells where you are going,how long you will be out, who to call in case of emergency,when you expect to come back in and the nature of your business on the water. Wether it's a fishing trip,skiing,sightseeing,etc.Always make sure you have plenty of fuel aboard.Make sure your vessel is in good mechanical shape and that the motor does what its supposed to do.Dont chance your life on a finnicky motor. Remember there are NO GASSTATIONS OR REPAIR SHOPS out there.Check the weather. If it's nasty,abort the trip. Go next weekend. Take some food and fresh water with you.Always. IT doesnt matter if you are hungry or not. Take some. Forget about your diet. You can diet when you get in. Bring some aspirin and your normal medicine.A First Aid kit can come in handy. LEAVE THE DOPE AND BOOZE ON LAND. There is no place for this garbage on your vessel. O.K. Youre at the dock now, and it's your turn. Make sure you put the drain plug in your transom. I know it sounds funny, but I've must've seen it a thousand times, the fellas forget their drain plugs and sink their boat right on the dock! Have a paddle or oar in the boat, as well as an anchor with chain/rope. Dress appropriately. Bring a jacket and soft soled shoes or sneakers. NO HIGHEELS. I've seen gals get stuck in the cracks of planks at the dock, I'm not kidding!! I know they look sexy, but this is not the time..Girls if you want to work on that tan, fine, but bring along some spare clothes to cover up that bikini because you can burn. Typically, you will cook three times faster than on land due to the reflection of the water.Bring all the skin moisterizer,tanning lotion,sunburn creams ,etc, that you can muster. Everyone burns.I mean everyone. No matter what race you are. We all burn. Umm, I few hand tools are good. Not a lot, but maybe a pair of pliers,screwdrivers, a crecent wrench, a knife,some electrical tape and maybe a small spool of wire and a foot or two of hose or fuel line.A couple of spark plugs are kool too.Now then back your vehicle up in a stright line having your buddy walk with your boat holding a 3/8ths or 1/2 inch tether line,about  as long as your vessel.. DO NOT LOWER YOUR MOTOR OR OUTDRIVE YET.Slowly enter the water and watch as the boat lifts off the trailer.If it doesnt lift, you left your attaching devices tied to your boat and trailer. Stop the launch,pull forward and have your buddy remove them. Ask if the plug is in. Always,Always,Always double check this.DO NOT unhook your trailer winch until the boat is in the water. The trailer winch keeps the boat from sliding onto the asphalt or concrete. Believe it or not, I've seen this happen too.Now that your boat is in the water, Your buddy unhooks the boat from the winch,Guides the boat off the trailer BY HAND, NOT BY MOTOR, and ties the boat to the dock.He may or may not elect to lower your motor into the water. AFTER he has removed your boat from your trailer, THEN, and only THEN, do you pull your trailer from the water and up on level ground.Park your vehicle and trailer temporarily and go down and ask your buddy if everything is o.k. No leaks,problems,etc. THEN go park your truck and trailer in the parking lot.Lower your motor into the water and start your motor still tied to the dock. CHECK YOUR FUEL. If you have a female passenger going,other than your wife or girlfriend or someone you are intimate with, and you have no toilet facilties on your vessel other than a bucket, It would be wise to tell her to use the restroom NOW.It is very uncompfortable to be out on the water and have to do your business and there is no place to go. You will be surprised how many gals will never let on to what the problem is. The younger girls can put on a life jacket and dive in the water and do their thing. The older, more refined ladies, will not let on. Be gracious.Ask them. If they have to go, be a good captain and turn that boat around and take them to the fuel dock ASAP. They will thank you for it! Now then this info should be enough to get you around the harbor. Later on, I'll talk about actually putting to sea. Above all, Have fun and Be safe! Captain Mike Daniels