{"appState":{"pageLoadApiCallsStatus":true},"articleState":{"article":{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-26T21:21:19+00:00","modifiedTime":"2016-03-26T21:21:19+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:10:02+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33809"},"slug":"home-auto-hobbies","categoryId":33809},{"name":"Sports & Recreation","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34001"},"slug":"sports-recreation","categoryId":34001},{"name":"Power Boating","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34026"},"slug":"power-boating","categoryId":34026}],"title":"Checks to Make before You Launch Your Power Boat","strippedTitle":"checks to make before you launch your power boat","slug":"checks-to-make-before-you-launch-your-power-boat","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Before you launch your power boat, it pays to run through a short checklist to make sure that your boat is ready for the water and ready to disengage from its t","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"<p>Before you launch your power boat, it pays to run through a short checklist to make sure that your boat is ready for the water and ready to disengage from its trailer. Doing the checks in the following list can save you from making embarrassing, and potentially harmful, mistakes:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n <li><p class=\"first-para\">Is the bilge plug in?</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\">Have you disconnected and removed the transom straps, and locked them in your tow vehicle?</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\">Have your loosened the bow winch just enough so that the strap has a few inches of slack?</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\">Are fenders and docklines attached?</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\">Is all last-minute gear loaded?</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\">Is the battery switch on (if you have one)?</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\">Have you double-checked the battery charge level? (Turn on the key just long enough to hear the engine fire, and then quickly turn it off.)</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\">Is the engine trailering support bracket disengaged?</p>\n </li>\n</ul>","description":"<p>Before you launch your power boat, it pays to run through a short checklist to make sure that your boat is ready for the water and ready to disengage from its trailer. Doing the checks in the following list can save you from making embarrassing, and potentially harmful, mistakes:</p>\n<ul class=\"level-one\">\n <li><p class=\"first-para\">Is the bilge plug in?</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\">Have you disconnected and removed the transom straps, and locked them in your tow vehicle?</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\">Have your loosened the bow winch just enough so that the strap has a few inches of slack?</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\">Are fenders and docklines attached?</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\">Is all last-minute gear loaded?</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\">Is the battery switch on (if you have one)?</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\">Have you double-checked the battery charge level? (Turn on the key just long enough to hear the engine fire, and then quickly turn it off.)</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\">Is the engine trailering support bracket disengaged?</p>\n </li>\n</ul>","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":10357,"name":"Randy Vance","slug":"randy-vance","description":" <b>Randy Vance</b> is a lifelong boater who has made a career of writing about boating. As the operator of a small resort and marina in Missouri for more than 20 years, Vance hosted or appeared on many radio and television programs covering boating and fishing topics. During his tenure at <i>Boating Life</i>, the magazine and some of Vance's articles have won awards in many publishing circles.","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10357"}}],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":34026,"title":"Power Boating","slug":"power-boating","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34026"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":[{"articleId":175788,"title":"Trig Identities for Pre-Calculus","slug":"trig-identities-for-pre-calculus","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","math","pre-calculus"],"_links":{"self":"/articles/175788"}},{"articleId":147241,"title":"How to Use the Z-Table","slug":"how-to-use-the-z-table","categoryList":["academics-the-arts","math","statistics"],"_links":{"self":"/articles/147241"}},{"articleId":192609,"title":"How to Pray the Rosary: A Comprehensive Guide","slug":"how-to-pray-the-rosary","categoryList":["body-mind-spirit","religion-spirituality","christianity","catholicism"],"_links":{"self":"/articles/192609"}},{"articleId":232914,"title":"The Flop, Turn, and River Cards in Texas Hold'em","slug":"flop-turn-river-cards-texas-holdem","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","card-games","poker"],"_links":{"self":"/articles/232914"}},{"articleId":193770,"title":"How to Play Rummy: All You Need to Know","slug":"rummy-understanding-the-rules-and-starting-a-game","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","games","card-games","general-card-games"],"_links":{"self":"/articles/193770"}}],"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[{"articleId":209006,"title":"Power Boating For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"power-boating-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","sports-recreation","power-boating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/209006"}},{"articleId":192417,"title":"Following Right-of-Way Boating Rules","slug":"following-right-of-way-boating-rules","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","sports-recreation","power-boating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/192417"}},{"articleId":192414,"title":"How to Determine the Seaworthiness of a Power Boat","slug":"how-to-determine-the-seaworthiness-of-a-power-boat","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","sports-recreation","power-boating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/192414"}}],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":209006,"title":"Power Boating For Dummies Cheat Sheet","slug":"power-boating-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","sports-recreation","power-boating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/209006"}},{"articleId":192417,"title":"Following Right-of-Way Boating Rules","slug":"following-right-of-way-boating-rules","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","sports-recreation","power-boating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/192417"}},{"articleId":192414,"title":"How to Determine the Seaworthiness of a Power Boat","slug":"how-to-determine-the-seaworthiness-of-a-power-boat","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","sports-recreation","power-boating"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/192414"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":false,"relatedBook":{"bookId":282491,"slug":"power-boating-for-dummies","isbn":"9780470409565","categoryList":["home-auto-hobbies","sports-recreation","power-boating"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0470409568/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0470409568/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/0470409568-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0470409568/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/0470409568/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://www.dummies.com/wp-content/uploads/power-boating-for-dummies-cover-9780470409565-203x255.jpg","width":203,"height":255},"title":"Power Boating For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":"<b data-author-id=\"10357\">Randy Vance</b> is a lifelong boater who has made a career of writing about boating. As the operator of a small resort and marina in Missouri for more than 20 years, Vance hosted or appeared on many radio and television programs covering boating and fishing topics. During his tenure at <i>Boating Life</i>, the magazine and some of Vance's articles have won awards in many publishing circles.","authors":[{"authorId":10357,"name":"Randy Vance","slug":"randy-vance","description":" <b>Randy Vance</b> is a lifelong boater who has made a career of writing about boating. As the operator of a small resort and marina in Missouri for more than 20 years, Vance hosted or appeared on many radio and television programs covering boating and fishing topics. During his tenure at <i>Boating Life</i>, the magazine and some of Vance's articles have won awards in many publishing circles.","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/10357"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{"key":"cat","values":["home-auto-hobbies","sports-recreation","power-boating"]},{"key":"isbn","values":["9780470409565"]}]\" id=\"du-slot-632218fa9f6d2\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{"key":"cat","values":["home-auto-hobbies","sports-recreation","power-boating"]},{"key":"isbn","values":["9780470409565"]}]\" id=\"du-slot-632218fa9ff55\"></div></div>"},"articleType":{"articleType":"Articles","articleList":null,"content":null,"videoInfo":{"videoId":null,"name":null,"accountId":null,"playerId":null,"thumbnailUrl":null,"description":null,"uploadDate":null}},"sponsorship":{"sponsorshipPage":false,"backgroundImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"brandingLine":"","brandingLink":"","brandingLogo":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0},"sponsorAd":"","sponsorEbookTitle":"","sponsorEbookLink":"","sponsorEbookImage":{"src":null,"width":0,"height":0}},"primaryLearningPath":"Explore","lifeExpectancy":null,"lifeExpectancySetFrom":null,"dummiesForKids":"no","sponsoredContent":"no","adInfo":"","adPairKey":[]},"status":"publish","visibility":"public","articleId":192416},"articleLoadedStatus":"success"},"listState":{"list":{},"objectTitle":"","status":"initial","pageType":null,"objectId":null,"page":1,"sortField":"time","sortOrder":1,"categoriesIds":[],"articleTypes":[],"filterData":{},"filterDataLoadedStatus":"initial","pageSize":10},"adsState":{"pageScripts":{"headers":{"timestamp":"2024-10-21T10:50:01+00:00"},"adsId":0,"data":{"scripts":[{"pages":["all"],"location":"header","script":"\r\n<script src=\"https://cdn.optimizely.com/js/10563184655.js\"></script>","enabled":false},{"pages":["all"],"location":"header","script":"\r\n<script>var _comscore = _comscore || [];_comscore.push({ c1: \"2\", c2: \"15097263\" });(function() {var s = document.createElement(\"script\"), el = document.getElementsByTagName(\"script\")[0]; s.async = true;s.src = (document.location.protocol == \"https:\" ? \"https://sb\" : \"http://b\") + \".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\";el.parentNode.insertBefore(s, el);})();</script><noscript><img src=\"https://sb.scorecardresearch.com/p?c1=2&c2=15097263&cv=2.0&cj=1\" /></noscript>\r\n","enabled":true},{"pages":["all"],"location":"footer","script":"\r\n<script type='text/javascript'>\r\n(function(){var g=function(e,h,f,g){\r\nthis.get=function(a){for(var a=a+\"=\",c=document.cookie.split(\";\"),b=0,e=c.length;b<e;b++){for(var d=c[b];\" \"==d.charAt(0);)d=d.substring(1,d.length);if(0==d.indexOf(a))return d.substring(a.length,d.length)}return null};\r\nthis.set=function(a,c){var b=\"\",b=new Date;b.setTime(b.getTime()+6048E5);b=\"; expires=\"+b.toGMTString();document.cookie=a+\"=\"+c+b+\"; path=/; \"};\r\nthis.check=function(){var a=this.get(f);if(a)a=a.split(\":\");else if(100!=e)\"v\"==h&&(e=Math.random()>=e/100?0:100),a=[h,e,0],this.set(f,a.join(\":\"));else return!0;var c=a[1];if(100==c)return!0;switch(a[0]){case \"v\":return!1;case \"r\":return c=a[2]%Math.floor(100/c),a[2]++,this.set(f,a.join(\":\")),!c}return!0};\r\nthis.go=function(){if(this.check()){var a=document.createElement(\"script\");a.type=\"text/javascript\";a.src=g;document.body&&document.body.appendChild(a)}};\r\nthis.start=function(){var t=this;\"complete\"!==document.readyState?window.addEventListener?window.addEventListener(\"load\",function(){t.go()},!1):window.attachEvent&&window.attachEvent(\"onload\",function(){t.go()}):t.go()};};\r\ntry{(new g(100,\"r\",\"QSI_S_ZN_5o5yqpvMVjgDOuN\",\"https://zn5o5yqpvmvjgdoun-wiley.siteintercept.qualtrics.com/SIE/?Q_ZID=ZN_5o5yqpvMVjgDOuN\")).start()}catch(i){}})();\r\n</script><div id='ZN_5o5yqpvMVjgDOuN'></div>\r\n","enabled":false},{"pages":["all"],"location":"header","script":"\r\n<script>\r\n (function(h,o,t,j,a,r){\r\n h.hj=h.hj||function(){(h.hj.q=h.hj.q||[]).push(arguments)};\r\n h._hjSettings={hjid:257151,hjsv:6};\r\n a=o.getElementsByTagName('head')[0];\r\n r=o.createElement('script');r.async=1;\r\n r.src=t+h._hjSettings.hjid+j+h._hjSettings.hjsv;\r\n a.appendChild(r);\r\n })(window,document,'https://static.hotjar.com/c/hotjar-','.js?sv=');\r\n</script>","enabled":false},{"pages":["article"],"location":"header","script":" <script src=\"//get.s-onetag.com/bffe21a1-6bb8-4928-9449-7beadb468dae/tag.min.js\" async defer></script>","enabled":true},{"pages":["homepage"],"location":"header","script":"<meta name=\"facebook-domain-verification\" content=\"irk8y0irxf718trg3uwwuexg6xpva0\" />","enabled":true},{"pages":["homepage","article","category","search"],"location":"footer","script":"\r\n<noscript>\r\n<img height=\"1\" width=\"1\" src=\"https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=256338321977984&ev=PageView&noscript=1\"/>\r\n</noscript>\r\n","enabled":true}]}},"pageScriptsLoadedStatus":"success"},"navigationState":{"navigationCollections":[{"collectionId":287568,"title":"BYOB (Be Your Own Boss)","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-entry-level-entrepreneur-287568"},{"collectionId":293237,"title":"Be a Rad Dad","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/be-the-best-dad-293237"},{"collectionId":295890,"title":"Career Shifting","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/career-shifting-295890"},{"collectionId":294090,"title":"Contemplating the Cosmos","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/theres-something-about-space-294090"},{"collectionId":287563,"title":"For Those Seeking Peace of Mind","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-those-seeking-peace-of-mind-287563"},{"collectionId":287570,"title":"For the Aspiring Aficionado","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-bougielicious-287570"},{"collectionId":291903,"title":"For the Budding Cannabis Enthusiast","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-budding-cannabis-enthusiast-291903"},{"collectionId":299891,"title":"For the College Bound","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-college-bound-299891"},{"collectionId":291934,"title":"For the Exam-Season Crammer","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/for-the-exam-season-crammer-291934"},{"collectionId":301547,"title":"For the Game Day Prepper","hasSubCategories":false,"url":"/collection/big-game-day-prep-made-easy-301547"}],"navigationCollectionsLoadedStatus":"success","navigationCategories":{"books":{"0":{"data":[{"categoryId":33512,"title":"Technology","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/technology-33512"},{"categoryId":33662,"title":"Academics & The Arts","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/academics-the-arts-33662"},{"categoryId":33809,"title":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/home-auto-hobbies-33809"},{"categoryId":34038,"title":"Body, Mind, & Spirit","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/body-mind-spirit-34038"},{"categoryId":34224,"title":"Business, Careers, & Money","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/books/business-careers-money-34224"}],"breadcrumbs":[],"categoryTitle":"Level 0 Category","mainCategoryUrl":"/category/books/level-0-category-0"}},"articles":{"0":{"data":[{"categoryId":33512,"title":"Technology","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/technology-33512"},{"categoryId":33662,"title":"Academics & The Arts","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/academics-the-arts-33662"},{"categoryId":33809,"title":"Home, Auto, & Hobbies","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/home-auto-hobbies-33809"},{"categoryId":34038,"title":"Body, Mind, & Spirit","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/body-mind-spirit-34038"},{"categoryId":34224,"title":"Business, Careers, & Money","hasSubCategories":true,"url":"/category/articles/business-careers-money-34224"}],"breadcrumbs":[],"categoryTitle":"Level 0 Category","mainCategoryUrl":"/category/articles/level-0-category-0"}}},"navigationCategoriesLoadedStatus":"success"},"searchState":{"searchList":[],"searchStatus":"initial","relatedArticlesList":[],"relatedArticlesStatus":"initial"},"routeState":{"name":"Article3","path":"/article/home-auto-hobbies/sports-recreation/power-boating/checks-to-make-before-you-launch-your-power-boat-192416/","hash":"","query":{},"params":{"category1":"home-auto-hobbies","category2":"sports-recreation","category3":"power-boating","article":"checks-to-make-before-you-launch-your-power-boat-192416"},"fullPath":"/article/home-auto-hobbies/sports-recreation/power-boating/checks-to-make-before-you-launch-your-power-boat-192416/","meta":{"routeType":"article","breadcrumbInfo":{"suffix":"Articles","baseRoute":"/category/articles"},"prerenderWithAsyncData":true},"from":{"name":null,"path":"/","hash":"","query":{},"params":{},"fullPath":"/","meta":{}}},"dropsState":{"submitEmailResponse":false,"status":"initial"},"profileState":{"auth":{},"userOptions":{},"status":"success"}}

Checks to Make before You Launch Your Power Boat

By: Randy Vance and

Updated: 03-26-2016

From The Book: Power Boating For Dummies

Power Boating For Dummies

Explore Book Buy On Amazon

Before you launch your power boat, it pays to run through a short checklist to make sure that your boat is ready for the water and ready to disengage from its trailer. Doing the checks in the following list can save you from making embarrassing, and potentially harmful, mistakes:

Is the bilge plug in?
Have you disconnected and removed the transom straps, and locked them in your tow vehicle?
Have your loosened the bow winch just enough so that the strap has a few inches of slack?
Are fenders and docklines attached?
Is all last-minute gear loaded?
Is the battery switch on (if you have one)?
Have you double-checked the battery charge level? (Turn on the key just long enough to hear the engine fire, and then quickly turn it off.)
Is the engine trailering support bracket disengaged?

About This Article

This article is from the book:

Power Boating For Dummies ,

About the book author:

Randy Vance is a lifelong boater who has made a career of writing about boating. As the operator of a small resort and marina in Missouri for more than 20 years, Vance hosted or appeared on many radio and television programs covering boating and fishing topics. During his tenure at Boating Life, the magazine and some of Vance's articles have won awards in many publishing circles.

This article can be found in the category:

Power Boating ,

Article Categories

Book Categories

Collections