Boat trip checklist

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boat trip checklist

prepare

• check weather including marine weather
• check tides
• plot routes on OpenCPN
• check/charge battery
• uncover and clean boat
• check for life jackets and paddle
• load cushions
• add lures to tackle box
• add tools to tackle box and put in boat
• put in plugs
• check gas
• inspect trailer
• put in the ball hitch
• connect to trailer
• make sure trailer support is folded and secured by strap
• make sure pin is in ball latch
• twist chains so they don't hit the road and attach
• connect wiring
• put impact driver (charged) in car
• remove chocks under wheels
• check engine is sitting in its travelling support
• check GPS is there
• check key is in side holding area
• check whistle is in side holding area
• add fishing poles, cooler, dry-bag (chairs and umbrellas)
• make sure everybody has warm clothes
• make sure you have enough water

driving

• get gas if you need it
• check for things about to blow out of the boat
• keep looking for smooth spinning trailer wheels in mirrors
• swing wide on turns so trailer wheels don't go over curbs

at ramp

• pull up in a semicircle, so the boat is heading straight toward the ramp
• uncover bimini to and raise
• raise motor and fold in the travelling support then lower a little
• untie the boat tiedown at the license plate side. extend it up along the other side towards the front, tying it to the trailer frame
• check that the front and back plugs are in
• load the boat with stuff
• back trailer down until the bottom roller is ~6in underwater
• undo the chain holding the boat
• release and undo the winch hook
• don't have the bumpers out, they hit the trailer guides
• ease the boat down, holding the front line, careful to toss it over the trailer lights

running

• make sure the motor is down
• pump the bulb on the gas line
• put up the idle lever
• turn the key while pushing in (to choke)
• push the choke in again if it seems to be about to die
• done let it idle too high
• push the idle arm all the way down
• turn on the power button and the GPS
• shift like you mean it, don't delay between gears, hold up the red thing in the handle as you shift