"David Purvis" wrote in message
.. .
I turn on the blower before I back down the ramp that way I know it has run
at least five mins. When I know the ramp will be very busy I will run the
boat at home with the muffs on to warm up and check for oil/water leaks and
spin the prop at low speed to check for noise e.t.c. with drive down
turning outdrive left to right.
When I launch motor is warm and ready to go.
I always beat the time to load/unload that most can do with help.I do the
same as you , float on/off. If the boat sits off centre, the first bump
and it falls in place. I have boat guides on the trailer so I just have to
use a bow line to pull the boat back on. Wind cannot blow the back of the
boat away with them.
For safety and sure footing I put safety tread tape on the trailer
anyplace I might step on so not to slip off.

Should I start a thread about the pros and cons of boat guides? Are boat
guides the vertical poles I see at the back of some trailers? Are they
commercial bolt on items or custom weld ons?