I disconnect my trailer lights before backing into the water (to each their
own). The boat will sit proper on the bunks (and rollers) if the trailer is
level side to side in the water. I see the occasional boater with trailer
one side higher than the other going up and down the ramp, in and out of the
water, with the wife and kids trying to push that 3000 lb boat level ...
good luck with that. And after a year or two, you won't be so particular
that it sit "perfectly" on the trailer :-). I leave the drain plug in the
boat while it's in the laneway (except over winter) mainly so I don't lose
track of it, or forget it. And before leaving home for an outing I check the
bilge for rainwater, whatever, and then drain accordingly checking that no
debris is preventing the bilge from completely draining ... and then replace
the plug :-). I keep the boat key in the boat toolbox ... one of those small
rubbermaid things ... that comes into the house when not in use ... and put
the key in the ignition before leaving home, and install the fish
finder/depth sounder. If you haven't, you should consider a toolbox ... and
spare prop, and hub in my case. And that fish finder is excellent company
.... shows a nice rolling picture of the bottom ... along with the depth ...
nice to know. Since I put locking nuts on the trim cylinders, I am no longer
concerned about losing them ... almost lost one, new standard locknuts too
.... got back to the dock and it was hanging by the front mounting point ...
scary. So maybe give the outdrive a quick look for loose, missing parts :-)

Oh yeah, make sure the outdrive's trimmed down after launch, and trimmed up
before retrieval :-)

And I guess the main thing is to take your time ...

"Bryan" wrote in message
...
Here's my plan for my first singlehanded launch. The boat is a Sea Ray
185
Sport. Trailer has bunks.

The dock will be on the port (left) side of the boat.

Arrive and prep boat for launch. Drain plug in. Fenders over port side.
Transom tie downs removed. Stern and bow lines attached to boat. Bimini
down to allow more access to boat. Load stuff onto boat.

Back trailer down to dock (I can get real close). Back trailer into water
until stern floats. Unhook bow safety chain. Release winch hook (or
should
I keep it attached and just let out several feet of winch strap). Grab
bow
and stern lines and walk boat back along dock and tie off to dock cleats.
Park truck/trailer. Start bilge blower. Start motor. Have a nice day on
the water.

Tie boat off at dockwith fenders and dock lines in place. Retrieve
truck/trailer. Back trailer alongside dock. Walk the boat onto the
trailer. Attach winch strap. Winch bow to bow stops. Attach safety
chain.
Pull trailer out of water watching boat for centering.

Perform my solo act on a slow weekday.

Have I got it? Did I miss anything?

Bryan
Sea Ray 185 Sport