re: Boating Courses

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The Navy would like to have a word with you.

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The Marines’ bus drivers.

The Big Dan Show.

When I was learning I would go to the spillway boat launch because it was usually empty for hours at a time. I was able to sit on the launch as long as I needed to get it down

I would advise going with a friend who knows what they're doing and making a check list of things to remember. When you're new it's easy to forget something like undoing a specific strap or unplugging the lights from the truck and causing issues because you're in a hurry.

Find a buddy that has a 16-20 ft utility trailer that will let you borrow it. Practice backing up in a parking lot until you get good at it. Then go from there.

Props for asking for help. My advice is go with a friend who has a boat and ask him if you could take the wheel (or tiller handle) just to get a feel for it. As far as launching and loading, my best advice is small corrections. The trailer is going to respond with even the slightest turn of your truck’s wheels. You can practice backing it up in a parking lot or somewhere. It doesn't have to be at the boat launch until you feel confident enough to launch. If you launch alone always remember to tie your bow line onto the trailer so when it hits the water it doesn't float away. Loading, depending on what type of boat you have, is probably the most difficult. Line up with the trailer and don’t be afraid to give it a little gas to make sure the stern of the boat gets all the way on the trailer. You can learn all this in under an hour, you just have to start somewhere.

Yeah i do the same but immediately shut it down unless the outboard is hooked to a hose pipe. Also always make sure an outboard engine is “pissing” water when its running.

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the 'Big Dan Show' on Youtube

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fenders about half way submerged

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Big Dan show says most back the trailer in too deep.