For most boaters, the fun starts once the boat is in the water. But getting there can be a real ordeal. Aligning the trailer tongue and the hitch ball can be tough. And then there is the dreaded moment at the landing when you will have to back the boat into the water in front of all the other boaters waiting for their turn at the ramp.

Maneuvering boat trailers is not intuitive, and there is no trailer education class in high school. Most boat dealers assume that if you buy a boat, you can maneuver a trailer, so don't expect guidance there.

You can't buy trailering skills, but some products that you can buy make trailering easier. Boating World found some products to do just that - turn a regular trailering schmo into a trailering semi-pro. We also have some tips to make your next launch successful.


1.Have clear communication with your spotter. The spotter needs to be seen and you need to hear him or her, so remember to open a window and turn down the music. In noisy environments, a walkie-talkie might not be a bad idea, either.

2.Practice steering your trailer in an empty parking lot. Backing up with a boat trailer requires turning your steering wheel in the opposite direction from where you want the boat to go. I recommend that if you are a new boat owner you practice in an open space to get the hang of it.

3.A good trick for backing a boat trailer is to put your hands at the bottom of the steering wheel. This way, you will intuitively turn the wheel in the right direction (steer opposite) to make the boat trailer go in the desired direction.

4.Keep your pivot point in mind while steering. Tow vehicle, boat and trailer require extra space for turning and backing up because the total length is now much longer. The pivot point is no longer toward the front of your vehicle but farther behind. Most rookie drivers drag their trailers over curbs and through ditches towing their boat.

5.Even if you're rushed, cover your bases. Often in the rush, some safety steps can get overlooked, such as failing to be sure that the boat trailer is locked to the hitch ball and the safety pin interlock is in place. Make sure your trailer's chains are attached and everything is tight.