I just got back from an afternoon on the water. So many people look forward so much to their time on the water, whether it be for fishing or boating. And so many people make the boat loading and unloading process a lot more difficult and time-consuming than it needs to be. If you do it the right way, it should take just a couple of minutes to get the boat on or off the trailer. Following are some ideas of how you can load and unload in a timely manner without blocking the ramp.

The most important thing is to take your time in getting ready to launch your boat. Everything should be ready to go when you approach the ramp and back your trailer into the water. The actual unloading process starts before you enter the water.

When you arrive at the boat ramp area, you should find a place out of the way to prepare for launching. This is where you remove boat tie-downs, transom-savers and tarps. This is also where everything that you will be taking should be put in the boat. Rods/reels, tackleboxes, coolers, anything that is in the truck that is going in the boat should be put in the boat now.

When you’re ready to go, one person should back the trailer into the water, another person should help with backing directions. No yelling, use hand signals. Shouting instructions to the vehicle driver can confuse other folks who are backing their rigs in. Concentrate on getting the trailer into the water, not on the kids or pets. Make sure that they stay quiet and out of the way.

When the boat is in the water, one person should idle the boat away from the dock while the vehicle driver parks the vehicle. You don’t want to block the dock or ramp with the boat while the vehicle is being parked. If you can’t drive the boat away from the dock because you don’t know how to drive the boat, learn to do so. It’s just a good practice that everyone in the boat has basic boat-driving abilities.

Now it’s time to load the boat. Drop the vehicle driver off at the dock and idle away. When the trailer is in the water, drive the boat on or to a position where it can be winched on to the trailer. Make sure the winch strap and safety chain are secure, trim the motor up, and pull the boat to a place where it can be unloaded and prepared for the road. It’s a quick and easy process.

Don’t cut corners on trailer quality. The ShoreLand’r trailers that I use permit a boater to get the whole job done in less than a minute usually, and they are very safe on the highway. A good trailer really is a wise investment.

Keep these few and simple tips in mind when you’re at the boat ramp and you’ll make the boating experience more fun for you and everyone else at the ramp.

For more fish-catching information, visit fishingthemidwest.com