I know most of us know this stuff - but if it makes a difference for one boaty, I think it's worth it:

Well, the silly season is upon us, with finer weather and end of year pay cheques and dreams, people will be buying their first boat.

Also, as far as I'm aware, there's no book on launching and retrieving your boat and I still see lots of people doing it the wrong/hard/inconsiderate way.

Sadly, the DPI RST (Recreational Skippers Ticket) Handbook doesn't even cover this.

I'm no expert (who is), but the following may save a lot of headaches and cause less frustration at the ramp (where most of any agro is going to occur) and avoid spoiling what should be a good day out on the water.

BOAT PREPARATION AND RAMP ETTIQUETTE

1) KNOW YOUR RAMP - If possible, get to know your regular ramp, most are marked with directional arrows for vehicular movement directly in front of the ramp and parking bays adjacent. So, go down and check it out first.

2) BOAT PREPARATION

 - Make sure everything is working the day before and kick the motor over (VERY briefly if dry) - or better still connect the hose adapter or muffs and run her.

- Have all your gear organised - use a checklist if you like. Take spares - fuses etc and all the tools you may require.

- Make sure the bolts fastening your anchor are tight.

- Put the bung(s) in.

- Check you trailer lights/LEDs are working.

- Securely fasten your bow to stern rope. (Interestingly, the DPI RST handbook advocates a bow and stern rope - but that's one hand each on a separate rope - easier to drop one - then you've lost control of the boat. (This is for launching alongside a finger (jetty) )

- Check all gut straps, tie downs etc are secure.

- How's the pressure in the trailer tyres?

YOUR TRANSCEIVER

- Know your radio protocol and the requirements of your local sea search and rescue - there is a variation in what base stations require. So call them and ask - then make up a card with the protocol and the details they require - which may include a mobile telephone number and/or car rego.

- If practical - for the first time - radio Sea, Search and Rescue from your boat at home and ask them for a radio check - don't feel silly - they'll appreciate your preparedness. Your radio is a tranceiver, that means it transmits as well as receives, so, especially for transmitting - the airial needs to be tuned to the frequency you are using - most helically wound radio antenaes come pretuned these days - but best to check - including catering for loose connections.

- Know your radio protocol - including courtesies, listening before you press the hammer, silent observation periods etc.

ARRIVING AT THE RAMP

Most ramps are going to start getting very busy, so the less time you spend launching and retreiving the boat, the better it will be for you, and the more appreciated you will by fellow ramp users. Besides, you'll look like you know what you are doing.

- Position the boat well clear of the ramp approach area - even in a car/boat bay first.

- Prepare the boat for launching - everything stowed and securing straps/ ropes/tie downs off. DO NOT start loading the boat once you've launched it. All this should be done well away from the ramp and certainly not tied up/held to, at the finger. Aerials Up, everything stowed away, motor up (should be already) , GPS/Sounder/Transceiver turned on, rods in rocket launcher. An organised and tidy boat is a safe boat.

- New crew? - give them a safety overview - where everything is, what it’s for and how and when to use it.

- Explain to your deckie what you are going to do.

- Observe the ramp before you approach - make sure the side you pick to launch is clear - pay special attention for any boats coming in.

- Position your Car/Boat/Trailer ready for reversing and make sure your deckie has the bow to stern rope under control. ON THIS POINT - ENSURE THE ROPE IS UNDER THE BOW RAIL, BETWEEN THE STAUNCHINGS AND NOT ABOVE - if the rope drops and you run over and snap it, you won't bend a bow rail.

- Personally, I NEVER remove  every connection securing your bow loop to the trailer. I’ve seen to many boats some off their trailers.

- I also never do a 'break launch'. I’ve seen far to many go wrong - anyway, if you have a good boat to trailer match - this simply is unnecessary risk.

- SLOWLY back the boat into the water, allowing your deckie to aside walk down with full control of the bow to stern rope.

- Launch the boat and have someone either tie up the boat, or jump in and secure along the finger.

- Have everyone ready to embark.

- Smartly park your boat/trailer.

- Jump on board, start the motor (don't forget to lower it!) - BEFORE YOU CAST OFF - if you cast off before starting the motor and the motor won't start. You do the 'silly drift'.

- Cast off and get well clear of the finger, then radio in.

THEN GO FISHING/BOATING

Retrieval is basically the reverse of the above. Again, prepare the boat for travelling/emptying gear etc – AFTER you have the boat well clear of the ramp.

The above is by no means an exhaustive step by step list - but should give some heads up for a better ramp experience.

OH - And one final comment - DONT motor on to your trailer if at a public ramp - often it's not aloud and if you do it wrong, or even half right, you can cause problems with the soft bed at the end of ramp.