Launching
Having a decent slipway is important — too steep and your vehicle might struggle, too shallow an angle and you might need to reverse a long way into the water. The ideal angle lets you reverse the trailer in without getting the axles underwater with enough depth for the boat to float but no further.
The wider the slipway, the more wiggle room you’ll have and the easier your job will be. It’s also worth checking the slipway at low water, as some can end unexpectedly abruptly. You need to know that your trailer wheels aren’t going to go off the end. If in doubt, talk to a local or wait for a tide. It’s also helpful to have a pontoon or jetty alongside the slipway to which you can tie the boat once launched. Without one, you’ll need a volunteer to stand in the water and hold the boat once it’s launched.
Reversing a car down a narrow slipway with a heavy trailer attached is a skill that is best practiced somewhere rather less critical. Try it out in a car park or driveway where the consequences will be less serious if you or the boat go over the edge. It’s easy to get confused or disorientated, so take it slowly. Have the car in reverse, though you
probably won’t need the accelerator, so the brake is the key pedal here. Rather than continually looking over your shoulder, focus on the wing mirrors.
An easy way to steer in the correct direction is to hold the bottom of the steering wheel, and move your hands towards the mirror in which you want to see more of the trailer. To turn to starboard, as it were, move your hands to the right hand mirror. The car will reverse to port side, sending the trailer to starboard.
Much like steering a yacht, small adjustments without over-compensating are the key. If you get stuck, or can’t correct it, stop and put the handbrake on. Then drive forwards up the slipway until you’re straight again. It might feel embarrassing if you’ve got an audience, but it will be a lot more awkward if you drive off the edge.
Launching with a jetty next to the slipway is a huge help. That way your crew can take a bow and stern line while the driver floats the boat off. The crew ties the boat to the jetty while the driver clears the slipway.
If there is no jetty, the boat will become subject to wind and tide, and you’ll need to take command of the vessel. With a crew of two, this will mean either launching the boat with a crew person on board to start the engine and steer the boat away, or it will mean someone wading out and climbing aboard, so have the bathing ladder at the ready. If you don’t fancy wading, you might need to add a dinghy into the mix.
With the boat detached from the trailer, slipway etiquette dictates that the car and trailer are moved off and the slipway cleared for the next boat as quickly as possible. You’ll need somewhere to leave the car and trailer, so make sure you’ve discussed this with whoever owns the slipway.
The driver can then either wade into the water and climb aboard or walk to a more convenient boarding place while the crew helms the boat round. Obviously, having an extra pair of hands never goes amiss. And you’re off! Make sure the rudders and keel are down, and if you have water ballast tanks, that these are full.