A successful exit from the water at the end of a day at sea can be anticipated. Even if you've been sailing for a long time, it's late, the crew is tired and you have other things on your mind, take the precaution of looking around. The hold you used safely that morning may have changed with the tide. Mud, seaweed and crowds can make things very difficult.
Prepare car and trailer
- When you pick up your car, take the precaution of letting the engine warm up for a few moments. You'll be asking for a lot of effort to get it back up!
- If your trailer is articulated, unbolt the bolt that allows you to "break" the drawbar. This tilting allows you to lower the first roller without backing up too much, and therefore without submerging the axle.
- Back your hitch into place and make sure the winch cable is clear, sufficiently unwound and the winch pawl is in place for the lift.
Mount the boat on the trailer without a hitch
- When the boat comes in, stow the hook and center the nose of the boat on the first roller.
- If the depth allows, the crew member on board will remain engaged in forward gear in order to keep the bow in place.
- Winch to tension the cable, until the boat climbs over the first few rollers. The person on board then turns off the motor and pulls it up.
- As you go up the hill, make sure the boat is aligned and riding well on the trailer rollers.
- With boats that have an embryonic keel, it may be necessary to have a helper on either side of the boat to hold the boat in balance as it begins to rise.
- If there is a little water in the boat, we will open the bung as soon as possible, which will allow to empty it quickly thanks to the slope.
- Once the boat is wedged against the bow stop, clear the hold: once on the flat, you will have plenty of time to stow what needs to be stowed and prepare your hitch for the road.
Take the time to prepare the boat for the road
- Disconnect the fuel supply and close the air vent. Secure the key and kill switch and secure the engine in the transport position. Take in everything that could fly away: cushions, vests, etc.
- The boat should be carefully strapped in place, but without exaggerating the tension so as not to deform the hull.
- On the trailer side, we will put the lights back in place and we will not fail to check their good functioning.
- Don't forget, of course, to re-clamp the tilting drawbar and check that the jockey wheel is locked in the upper position and does not risk loosening while driving.
- Stop at a fresh water source to rinse the trailer of salt, paying special attention to the wheels and hubs.
