Tips For Towing A Boat

There’s nothing like a day on the water to make the most of great weather, but unless you live right next to the water or store your boat at the dock, getting the boat there can be tricky. Towing it safely from home to your preferred body of water takes some care, so we here at Nisswa Marine have put together a few tips for doing just that. For more information, or to see the boats we have for sale, contact our store in Nisswa, Minnesota, today!

Inspection

As with any process involving vehicles and heavy objects, your first step is a thorough inspection of the trailer and tow vehicle. The tires especially need to be in top condition, meaning properly inflated and with enough tread to maintain traction. You should also make sure your tow vehicle has a full tank of gas and clean oil, then make sure all electrical connections to the trailer are secure and functioning. 

Secure The Boat

Of course, you’ll also want to be careful to keep your boat secured to the trailer. Ratchet straps and rope are common ways of ensuring your boat stays right where you need it. Once it’s all tied down, jostle it to make sure it doesn’t move at all.

Practice With The Trailer

Whether you’re new to towing in general or are just a bit out of practice, it can be good to take your loaded boat trailer to an empty parking lot or other unused pavement space to get back up to speed. Practice reversing, turning, braking, and parking. If you have cones or other highly visible objects, you might even want to set up an obstacle course to practice backing in to avoid holding up the line at the water.

Prepare Yourself

Your tow vehicle and trailer aren’t the only things you need functioning at full capacity. You yourself should avoid driving on an empty stomach or while dehydrated. You should also make sure to get plenty of sleep the night before. Driving a larger and more dangerous setup than you’re used to is even more dangerous when your mind is fuzzy. Do yourself and everyone around you and be at your best before you head out.

Safe Driving

Even more than usual, it’s vital to practice defensive driving. That means staying predictable, signaling properly, and following all rules of the road. You should also travel at or just below the posted speed limit at all times, and you should increase your follow distance to account for longer braking times. Stay in the right lane whenever possible.

We hope these tips help get you and your boat to the water safely! For more help, or if you’re in need of a boat to try this with, contact us at Nisswa Marine. We proudly serve the people of Minneapolis and St. Cloud, Minnesota—let us serve you today!