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