All of the above is right on the money!!Stay calm! Think!! Safety First and foremost!!

THE PLUG... THE PLUG... THE PLUG. Don't forget the plug.

(My wife's last words before my son and I went to launch our brand new boat for the FIRST TIME ever.... and guess what we forgot?)

Yes, dont lollygag around when launching your boat, but dont take a chance on getting hurt or damaging your boat either, the way I look at it, .. if the guy waiting on me is in soo much of a hurry, he should have gotten to the ramp before I Did. Also, lots of lakes have launches with several ramps at one location, maybe go to those if you can, until you get the hang of it.

Also another thing that no one has mention is if you are a new boater please go take a boater safety course. Out on the water you can't undo a mistake. I wish that we should be required to have a boater license just to many people out on the water that don't have a clue.

I have already taken one... Thanks for all the great information!

I don't know if anybody mentioned it yet or not. But, pick a ramp that is out of the wind and waves. A cross wind can push you all over the place. But a wind blowing straight in to the ramp is the worse. The waves will roll over the back of the boat and swamp it before you can get it loaded. NOt to mention slam the boat up on the trailer. With experiance you will learn how far to back the trailer into the water. Most boats will load with 2-5 inches of the wheel well sticking up above the water. Put the front strap on the boat before you pull it out. I saw a boat almost slide off a trailer onto the concrete one time. It stopped and was tetter toterring on the trailer, they backed back in, but it was almost distaster.

Always back up slowly and watch for kids, they do tend to like to play while mom and dad are launching their boat.

When I first got my boat a few years ago I was very nervous to launch and load by myself. Now its nothing. I can do it in less than 2-3 min. All it takes is doing it a few times and not rushing yourself. Lots of good advise here. 2 things I always do....Be completely ready to back in the water when you arrive at the ramp and always get out of the way after you load. Nothing worse than having to wait on someone when they are in the way pulling there plug and putting straps on.

I went thru the same process a couple years ago when I got my first fishing boat.

Check the wind before heading out. Wind and waves make it tough to launch especially the first few times.

Go to a ramp that's not crowded so you can take your time and learn the ropes. Take a friend to help until you're comfortable. Ramps vary in difficulty to launch based on slope, docks and crowds.

Emergency brakes don't always hold on steep ramps with a manual transmission. Put manual transmissions in the lowest gear then kill the engine AND set the emergency brake. That will ensure your vehicle doesn't roll. Turn off headlights at night, parking lights only for courtesy to others.

Don't forget the drain plug!

Know what the wind is doing.

AS ONE OF THE MEMBERS STATED,YOU'VE BEEN GIVEN SO GREAT INFO!WHEN YOU'RE READY AND OUR SCHEDULES ALLOW,I HAVE NO PROBLEM COMING YOUR WAY TO HELP OUT W/YOUR PRACTICE RUNS AT THE RAMP,THEN WE CAN GO AFTER SOME SLABS!HOPE YOUR DR'S APPT WENT WELL,STILL PRAYING FOR YOU!

P.S. THAT WAS SUPPOSE TO READ SOME GREAT INFO....I'M SURE YOU GOT THE JUST OF IT....

I'm kinda confused. Is this correct?

While you're backing down the ramp you're holding a rope with one hand out the window of your truck and the other end of the rope is tied to your boat. When the boat hits the water, you slam on the brakes so the momentum will carry the boat off the trailer. Then you put the truck in park and run like hell to the water.

Is that what you're saying?

In addition to the things other members listed above.
Go to the ramp during prime time not to launch, but to watch.
You see plenty examples of what not to do.
Trust me I see probably 3-4 examples of what not to do every time I launch out of Westlake Park on the weekends.

Let's see what i've learned today?!

#1 Take your time, don't rush..
#2 Watch the wind, it plays a big factor on how succesful the launch goes.
#3 Don't forget to put the drain plug back in.

I think those are the main topics in this thread.