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How-to Transport Your PWC with a Trailer

Intro:
Over many years of living near a big lake, it’s not unusual to see life jackets, floats, coolers and the occasional bikini top on the road. Most of this jetsam was probably stowed in the bottom of a boat or insecurely secured to a trailer or tow vehicle. When the Fates are being particularly witty, I’ve seen loaded trailers, and sometimes boats without trailers—very bad karma at work, there.

The folks at Steadymate, a leading brand of premium tie-down products and accessories manufactured by Kinedyne, have some helpful advice on how to avoid strewing your goodies all over the highway while transporting your boat or PWC.

12 Trailer Tips for the PWC Owner:
1. Carefully follow the installation and operation instructions carefully that came with your trailer, watercraft and securement straps.

2. Towing a large load puts extra strain on your vehicle, so check fluids and tire pressure to be sure your drive is up to the task.

3. First and every time, check your trailer’s turn signals, running and brake lights and tire pressure.

4. Make sure your tire jack fits properly under the trailer, in case it’s needed.

5. When setting up your boat for transport, think of it as a triangle: proper balance, correct weight distribution and rated tie-down straps are required to keep your vessel upright and safe while in transit.

6. At the launch ramp, back the trailer into the water until about two-thirds of the rollers (bunks) are submerged. Put the tow vehicle in park and set the emergency brake. If your lights are not meant to be submerged, unplug them before the plunge, otherwise you’ll be buying new bulbs.

7. When retrieving your boat from the launch ramp, avoid or at the very least, limit the amount of engine power you use. Propeller wash can erode the bed just beyond the boat ramp creating holes and mounds—boats can run aground because of them.

8. The winch/cable line does not secure the front of your boat down to the trailer. For this, Steadymate recommends a Bow Strap to do the job right. Simply put, Bow Straps safely secures the “V” of your vessel’s bow down in the “V” of your trailer’s front rollers or pads preventing up and down motion.

9. Use at least three tie-down straps for boats up to 16 feet long—one strap such as a Steadymate Gunwale Strap over the width of the boat 10 feet from the bow, and two straps such as the company’s Transom Trappers at the rear. For longer vessels, place a Gunwale Strap every 10 feet along, with two Transom Trappers at the rear.

10. Don’t use the bed of your boat as extra “trunk” space. Not only might the extra weight increase the overall load weight, but unsecured cargo can also bounce out and put yourself, and other drivers, at risk.

11. Be certain to check that securement points on your trailer are structural members of the trailer’s body. If no suitable securement points exist on your trailer, secure the tie-down straps to the trailer’s frame, or purchase appropriately rated eyebolts or U-bolts from your local marina.

12. Take a couple of minutes at each fuel or rest stop to check your boat and trailer. Make sure that all tie-downs are securely in place, your lights are still functioning, and that your trailer tires are not too hot.

External link:
For more information on Steadymate and its products like the Steadymate Cinchtite Straps and Transom Trappers, visit the Steadymate site.