Aaron Goodchild from Brisbane Yamaha teaches someone who has never reversed a trailer in their entire life so that we can learn how to do it confidently when it comes time to back your boat into the water.
When you turn up to the boat ramp there's always a few things you need to be aware of in terms of etiquette. Some days can be very busy and stress levels can be high with a queue of people waiting to put their boat into the water, so before you approach the ramp. Typically there are rigging areas at a boat ramp which have around a 15 minute time limit. This area is perfect to remove your straps, ensure your bungs are in, set your bimini/canopy, If needed tie a rope onto the front of your boat to help with retrieving your boat when it slides off the trailer, etc, and use this time to put everything in the boat that you're planning to take out, and also put all of the people into your boat that you're taking on the water as well, they will be able to assist you in backing your boat if needed.
You should be able to launch a boat in under 5 minutes, and after the instructions in the video there's no reason you shouldn't be able to.
Once you've checked everything is ready to go, start lining your boat up to the ramp. It's important to line the boat up as straight to the boat ramp as possible. Always check your surroundings.
One of the main tricks to learning to back your boat is to get used to your mirrors. You may get confused if you simultaneously use your mirrors, then turn your head to look behind as the movement of your hand/eye coordination has now switched, so try to stick with your mirrors as much as possible and only look over your shoulder when needed(primarily to check your surroundings instead of actually backing the boat).
Another trick to make backing your trailer more simple is to put your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel, what this means is if you want the boat to turn to the left, you move the steering wheel to the left, and vice versa. This is much more easy than the conventional way.
The last trick which will really help you is to always remember if the trailer has gone way out of the direction you want, just drive forward! And it will align perfectly straight. Always remember this to keep your confidence levels up. You can always get out of a difficult situation just by DRIVING FORWARD!
If you have never reversed a trailer, we recommend you practice in a car park prior to going to the boat ramp, as shown in the video. This gives you an environment which allows you to develop these skills and tricks without the stress and it reduces the threat of causing any damage. It's always handy to have another person to watch out for you.
As you will see, Telissia who had never backed a trailer in her entire life has successfully backed this Quintrex 481 Top Ender with ease and after only 10 or 15 minutes of instruction.
In Telissia's own words, the trick that worked best was always remembering to put your hand to the bottom of the steering wheel when you're having a bit of trouble.
If you need advice, call Brisbane Yamaha on 3888 1727. And remember we're Austrlaia's largest Yamaha and Quintrex dealer! We have hundreds of new and used boats in stock at all times!
See you on the water!
Music: www.purple-planet.com