How to Tow a Boat: Everything You Need to Know

When set up properly, towing your boat can allow you to go to new places and explore new horizons. That being said, ensuring your towing system is set up correctly with the right accessories is essential for both road safety and the protection of your vessel. If you’ve ever wondered how to tow a boat so it’s safe and secure, we’ve compiled everything you need to know to start towing your boat like an expert.

Understanding How to Tow a Boat

Before you start towing your vessel, it’s important to understand the basics. Consider following these guidelines to improve your safety on the road.

Do a Trailer Pre Check

Before loading your boat onto your trailer, start by inspecting your trailer for potential problems. Ensure your tyre pressure is correct, your brake lights and indicators are functioning and your hitch is properly assembled and secure. It’s also important to note the towing capacity of your vehicle and to ensure the weight of your boat and the trailer does not exceed this amount.

Load Your Vessel

Once your trailer is set to go, slowly reverse your trailer down the loading ramp. The distance you need to reverse will depend on the size of your vessel and the design of your trailer. If permitted at your launch location, gently accelerate your vessel towards the trailer and cut your engine before gliding onto your bunks. Alternatively, you can glide your vessel onto your bunks using your trailer winch strap. Secure your vessel by clipping your winch into the bow of your boat and slowly drive forward until your boat is fully removed from the water.

Secure Your Boat

Once your boat is removed from the water, ensure it’s centred on your trailer and that your winch is correctly positioned. Using your tie-down straps, secure the bow of your boat to your trailer and complete a full trailer check once again. To avoid congestion at the boat ramp, always complete your trailer and boat checks in a cleared area, away from those waiting to use the ramps.

Staying Safe on the Road

When towing your trailer and vessel, it’s important to take the right precautions to ensure the safety of yourself and other vehicles on the road. Consider the following tips:

Complete your trailer check: For long-haul driving, stop periodically and complete a trailer check. This will ensure you catch any problems before they occur on the road and that you can re-secure your boat if movement has happened during travel.

Remember your dimensions: As with any type of towing, it's important to remember to give yourself extra width when making turns and changing lanes. Always tow in the slow lane of major roads and give yourself plenty of distance between vehicles to allow for slow breaking time.

Reduce your starting speed: When towing a boat, starting quickly is not only hard on your engine but can put unnecessary strain on your trailer, towball and couplings. Always accelerate slowly and check for movement on your trailer in the event you need to brake or accelerate swiftly.

Shop Durable Trailer Accessories and More

At Bias Boating, we stock a wide range of trailer accessories, perfect for getting your vessel on the road. From boat loaders to tow balls, shop everything you need in our collection. With our range of top brands, you can get the best in the industry for less.

https://bnbfishing.com.au/tips-from-move-boat-trailers-2/
https://www.boataccessoriesaustralia.com.au/blog/our-blog/how-to-launch-a-boat-a-guide-to-getting-your-boat/
https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/waterways-safety-and-rules/towing-and-boating/towing-a-vessel-by-road
https://fishingworld.com.au/how-to/ten-top-tips-for-launching-your-boat/