The Boat and the Trailer

Parking your boat in a marina is the most convenient option when you own a boat. After all, you don't have to lug it around behind your car when driving to and from the water. You will also need to find space for parking the boat on your yard. However, parking the boat on the yard will mean that you avoid marina fees as well as slip rentals. Because you will need a trailer, it will also allow you more mobility when it comes to choosing which body of water to skim on for your next trip. Going to and from landlocked bodies of water to open water is going to be a cinch.

If you' ve never owned a trailer or drove with trailer before, there are several things you should know and consider. The first thing is the towing capacity of your truck, car, or SUV. You can easily find this information in the owner's manual provided for your vehicle. Generally speaking, small cars or family sedans aren't suitable for towing, although small boats may not be a problem if you have the proper towing equipment installed on the car. Most standard trucks or SUV's can tow boats up to 25 feet, although you'll need to check the owner's manual to be sure.

In your boat's owners manual, you'll find the dry weight of your boat. The dry weight is the weight of the boat without fuel or gear. Always make sure you assess your vehicle's towing capacity, and add a few hundred pounds to the dry weight to cover these types of extras.

As the weight, length and beam of a boat increase, so does the power requirement needed to retrieve and launch it. Smaller boats may be easier for one person to handle, although larger boats will require more than one person. If you need extra help, don't be afraid to ask for it as trailer boaters are always ready to give you a hand if you need it.

When on the road, try to avoid swerving the vehicle as this can cause the trailer and the boat to fall over. When making sharp turns, compensate for the presence of the trailer by turning wide on corners just like bus and semi drivers do.

A good vinyl tarp will do to get your boat covered and protected from the sun. It would be nicer if you could build a garage for it.