Saturday, March 13, 2010

Want to Build a Trailer Boat? Find the Best Boat Plan to Guide You

Want to Build a Trailer Boat? Find the Best Boat Plan to Guide You

By F. Drake




Probably a trailer boat has caught your attention. Suddenly you thought that you would like to build one for yourself for your very own convenience. There are a lot of trailer boats available nowadays but most of them are for rent purposes. So, if you would be building one for yourself, the boat can now serve a purpose for your own needs.

If you are a first timer in building boats, you would need guidance in building the perfect boat that will serve you its purpose for a longer period of time. Then you should also have an idea on how to design one so you can integrate your own designing skills and design a trailer boat according to your preference.

There are certain things that you have to consider when building boats such as the materials, the capacity, measurements, the budget, the tools and the plan. The most important thing that you have to look into is preparing the design for the boat to guide you all the way. In searching for the right boat plan you may either make use of the traditional blueprint or a three dimensional software.

One of the best things that technology offered to boat builders is the availability of various resources where one can obtain a guide to build the perfect watercraft. With the use of a 3D boat design software, you can now build you boat without having to worry about how to design it.

A boat design software allows the builder to convert a 2D plan into a 3D plan where the designer will have the ability to view a trailer boat plan in a more realistic way. With accurate measurements and different angles to view, one can build simple or more complex boats according to their own preference.

In designing your very own boat you will be able to get a rewarding experience that you can treasure for some time. And if you have decided to make use of this tool to guide you, you don't have to worry about finding one because all you have to do is to do your homework in searching for the right software.

You may find softwares available online for you to take advantage of. However, since boat design softwares are not created equal, you may start your research by reading software reviews or boat plan reviews to get an idea on what options are available for you, and then you can decide from there.

Rest assured, I have tried 3D Boat Design and can personally recommend this product.

From my review I have found that 3D boat Design is easy to use, very flexible and is everything you need to design a boat, yacht or ship.

This is an amazing piece of software at a bargain price, you can not lose.

Francis Drake
Independent Reviewer
http://www.3DBoatDesign.net




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Monday, March 1, 2010

Avoid These Boat Ramp Mistakes

Avoid These Boat Ramp Mistakes

By George Halt




RULE NUMBER ONE at a public boat ramp is: Do NOT block the ramp! That is the biggest "no-no" in boat ramp etiquette.

The ramp is for one purpose...getting your boat on or off the trailer. It is not where you do boat maintenance, engine maintenance, load or unload the boat, or its passengers. With that over-arching rule in mind, everything else is easy.

Here are some tips for launching your boat successfully and quickly, while NOT blocking the ramp:

First, have the boat loaded before you leave your driveway. Put any gear that will be used on the water in the boat while it's still at home. This includes fishing poles, skis, tackle, coolers of food, etc. Anything that will not blow out of the boat driving down the highway should go in right away.

The rest of the gear should be loaded into the boat in the parking lot of the ramp, NOT on the ramp. Pull off to the side, where other boats and trailers can move around you. Load up the rest of the gear and any passengers before pulling up to the ramp.

Check to make sure the plug is in. Remove the straps that secure the boat to the trailer. Remove the chain but not the winch strap (but give it a little slack). Don't remove the strap altogether, or you run the risk of dumping the boat too early, onto the ramp instead of in the water. Prime the engine or do whatever you need to do to prep the engine for a quick start. Make sure that children have their life jackets on. Do ALL of this while parked in the lot at the ramp.

Have a person who is capable of safely navigating the boat go to the helm, ready to start the engine. Have one person in the truck, backing the boat down the ramp. As soon as the boat is in the water far enough to start the motor, fire it up. While the person is starting the engine, the driver of the truck should put it in park, secure the parking brake, and roll down the window. (You don't want to lock yourself out of your truck while on the ramp...that would be a big-time violation of the 'no-blocking' rule!) The driver should stand by the winch, ready to release as soon as the engine starts.

Once the engine is running, the pilot of the boat should back the vessel off the trailer. Once clear, the driver can then pull forward and park. The pilot should move the boat out of the ramp area, either to a nearby dock, out of the way, or hold the boat out in the water, out of the way of other traffic, until the driver walks back down to the dock. Then navigate the boat carefully to the dock to pick up the driver.

By following this technique, the trailer is on the ramp the absolute minimum amount of time possible, leaving it clear for other boaters.

Note: All electronics, the GPS, Radar, Depthfinder, under counter TV, VHF Radio, etc., should be installed in the boat and tested prior to pulling out of the driveway. Sitting in the ramp testing your equipment is a boat-ramp no-no.




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Thursday, February 25, 2010

Boat Trailer Winch Safety

Boat Trailer Winch Safety

By Rusty Duchuss




Getting a boat on and off the trailer is included in the fun of owning one. While boat trailer winches come in two varieties, manual and electric, the majority of owners will go with the electric style. It's not only easier, but if there is ever an issue with the electric operation, there is normally a manual way to operate it. It's almost like buying two winches in one.

Deciding on which size to buy depends mainly on the weight of the boat. You must also factor in the weight of the fuel and supplies loaded onto the boat after the manufacturer's specified dry weight. The electric winch will insure the ease of trailer the boat whether alone or with assistance. If possible, always trailer the boat with help.

As most boat ramps are angled fairly steep into the water and you are pulling the boat up from a distance, gravity lends it's assistance in making it even tougher to trailer your boat easily. Be sure to allow a line capacity that is much greater than the weight of the boat so as to include these other factors. Better too much than not enough.

Make sure to inspect the winch before each trip out. Insure that all parts are working and that any lubrication recommended by the manufacturer has been done. The last thing anyone needs is their boat stuck in the water because the trailer winch seized up. Testing the winch free of the boat will help insure this before leaving.

Lastly, never use the winch as a method of securing the boat to the trailer for transport. While the winch works well for pulling the boat, it will not keep it on the trailer going down the road. Utilize the trailer straps for this purpose.

It is very important to follow all safety precautions when operating a new boat trailer winch. Regular lubricating and maintenance will help with a long lasting relationship. If you are not sure to use a Standard Boat Trailer Winch or Boat Trailer Electric Winch then visit boattrailerwinch.net to get a completed guide.




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