Boat Towing Tips and Vehicle Guide
Whether you’re already a boat owner or you’re interested in purchasing your own personal watercraft, it’s essential that you practice safe towing habits before you hit the water. Both for your own safety and for the safety of others you share the road with, following some simple steps and planning accordingly can make a tremendous difference in your enjoyment of your time on the water.
From a single jet ski to a 35-foot pontoon boat – towing safely is universally important. Our team at the Germain Motor Company has created this handy boat towing checklist that covers some essential safety checks and tips to keep you and your loved ones safe on the way to your destination.
Boat Towing Tips Before Leaving Home
- The first step we recommend is to perform a basic walk-around of your truck, SUV, or other vehicle used for towing your boat. This includes checking tire pressures (when cold), wheel bearings and wheel bearing protectors, and ensuring that your vehicle’s exterior lights are functioning properly. It’s also a great time to install and/or adjust your vehicle’s tow mirrors.
- After verifying that your vehicle is ready to tow, it’s a good idea to inspect your towing hitch and receiver. Verify that all items are intact and working properly such as the safety chains, hitch ball, tongue jack, and adjustable-height draw bar.
- Now that we’ve covered the vehicle and tow hitch, the next step involves checking your trailer and associated equipment. Plug in your trailer wiring connector and ensure that your trailer lights are in good working order. Check trailer tire pressures and ensure that transom tiedown straps, bow straps, and your boat cover are tightly secured. Secure any additional cargo within the boat and lock outboard drive motors in place.
Perform a Basic Vehicle Walk-Around
Check Your Towing Hich & Receiver
Inspect Your Trailer & Accessories
Boat Towing Tips Before Launching Your Boat
- Many of the preparation steps involved with getting your boat ready for the water are easier to perform on dry land while still attached to the trailer. Things like removing the cover, attaching dock lines and finders, securing the drain plug, and raising antennas are easier to accomplish on a stable surface.
- Once you’re ready to launch your boat, take a moment to remove trailer lights, safety chains, tow straps, and other equipment. Perform a quick walk-around to ensure your boat is ready to launch. You can also turn on features like sterndrive blowers and pump primer bulbs so they’re ready for immediate use.
Prepare Your Boat
Disconnect Towing & Trailer Straps
Boat Towing Tips Before Trailering Home
- When you’re ready to head home after a long day on the water, start by attaching the bow strap and verify that your winch is in the correct gear to raise it out of the water. Double-check that the sterndrive or outboard motor is raised as well to prevent damage. Once out of the water, check that the hull of your boat is properly resting against the rollers or bunks of the trailer.
- Dry land is the best place to re-install any protective covers and support brackets for drive motors. Be sure to lower any antennas, flags, or lights before installing the cover. Accessories like coolers, life jackets, fishing rods, and other items should be stored safely inside the vehicle or in the boat itself.
- Perform one final walk-around once all necessary straps, chains, and tie-downs are installed before you hit the road for home. It can be an abbreviated version of the initial safety walkaround you performed before you left for the day. You can also take this opportunity to wash your trailer and/or boat in fresh water to remove any potential contaminants or invasive species from the water.
Safely Secure Boat to Trailer
Install Cover and Secure Cargo