Traveling by marine route is a choice for many people, and some even decide to purchase their own boats. Statistically, the sales count for new boats increased at a 40% rate in 2020, averaging 320,000 units sold, as per the National Marine Manufacturers Association, U.S.
In this context, proper boat maintenance is an important point to focus on. Not only should we take the right safety precautions while boating on the water, but also during its hauling process. This is especially important for boat relocations during rough weather conditions.
So, here are some of the most important steps you should take for appropriate boat hauling, specifically in bad weather.
Tips for Boat Hauling in Rough Weather Conditions
While traveling through turbulent weather, the delivery period can be slightly affected due to a lack of roadside visibility, sleek roads, and more. Consequently, we should take certain measures to ensure the cargo is safe and there is no damage to the boat’s structure.
Inspecting the rig
Before starting the journey, we carefully check the rig and conduct a thorough safety inspection. Certainly, the trailer and the truck should mate perfectly. For this, we check the light plug, brake safety cable, hitch for the latch, safety pin, and chains.
We should ensure that the chains and safety cables are crossed to support the trailer’s tongue in case of hitch failure. Also, securing the boat’s safety chain and bow strap is vital.
Furthermore, running annual boat hauling practices assures better maintenance in case of sudden issues like weather changes.
Placement of gear
Besides checking the boat itself, it is best to get on the boat once after connecting it to the truck to see that all of the loose items are fully secured. These include loose clothes, life jackets, and other smaller, unfastened items that might fall off the boat.
In fact, if there is heavy gear available, putting it in the center of the boat is useful. Make sure that it is closer to the trailer’s axle top.
Load weight management
It can become difficult to balance the trailer and the load during harsh weather conditions due to slippery roads and rough winds. So, we should ensure that the load in the trust is at the right level and keep the tongue weight at 10-15% of the load.
Otherwise, the trailer will sway more dangerously, and it will be difficult to manage during bad weather.
Taking careful turns
Long-term experts in the boat hauling industry are very careful with the driving process, especially in harsh weather conditions. Indeed, our team knows to drive slowly and take wider turns to avoid obstructions or clipping the curbs. Additionally, taking outside lanes on multi-lane roads is best, especially with low visibility conditions.
Check the lights
Another important step for a safe hauling process is to check the functioning of the lights and other driving components. Thus, we check the running, brake, blinker, and tail lights to see if all are in working condition.
Covering the item
Using a tarp or cover is important during boat transportation to avoid the rain soaking into the boat. So, instead of leaving it open and causing potential damage, we should cover it with transportation-specific boat covers.
Therefore, choosing the appropriate cover is vital to avoid the cover slapping against the boat’s surface or causing scratches.
Acceleration
The wind blast can push the rig sideways in extremely harsh weather conditions. So, we should take the foot off of the accelerator to balance the impact and avoid stepping on the brakes.
Careful support after reaching the destination
After reaching the boat ramp and even during mid-way pit stops, we should check the trailer hubs by hand. Notably, if they seem hot, the bearings need better service immediately.
Also, removing the safety chain or winch strap is not recommended until after backing the boat into the water. This can become more difficult to handle in rough weather, so we take the step cautiously.
Is it Possible to Handle Boat Hauling in Bad Weather When Using the Water Route?
For boat hauling, some companies prefer water-based transportation via inland barges for longer distances. Reportedly, a typical type of barge holds 15 times higher capacity than a rail car.
So, for huge water vehicles or long distances, this is suitable. While we at Goodwin Marine Services mainly cover in-road transportation, we also suggest some water-based transportation tips.
To specify, important points include safety garments for all people on board. Close the openings, like doors, hatches, windows, watertight compartments, and more. Also, aligning the barge’s speed with the wave speed during rough weather is important to avoid accidents.
Conclusion
It is important to ensure that the boat’s hauling process during relocation is handled well. We should carefully check the condition of the boat, trailer, and truck before traveling with the items in rougher conditions, like bad weather. Also, keeping track of the weather predictions before starting the drive should help.
We at Goodwin Marine Services offer high-quality professional boat hauling services that people can opt for!