Boating and Sailing.pdf - Moja ladja

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Part 1: Getting Started in Boating
The basic thing to remember about backing a trailer is that the trailer goes in the opposite
direction of the back end of the tow vehicle. The no-brainer way to remember this is to
grip the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand. (Not that hard! No need for white
knuckles here.)
To make the trailer back left, move your hand left. To make it back right, move your hand
right. Make these movements small unless you’re trying to back around a corner (not recommended
for beginners).
If things get completely out of whack, simply pull forward, get the trailer and the tow
vehicle in a straight line again, and try once more. You can also make small adjustments by
stopping, pulling forward a bit, and then backing up again, during your approach to the
ramp or garage.
With practice, you’ll be able to back the rig around sharp corners, but beware of getting
“jack-knifed,” which is when the angle between the trailer tongue and the car becomes so
sharp that the vehicle bumper starts to push the trailer sideways. Keep an eye on how close
you’re getting through the side-view mirrors (if your vehicle doesn’t have them and you
trailer your boat frequently, invest in a pair of large ones).
Highway Trailering
Pulling a trailer down a highway is fairly straightforward except you have to remember you
have less acceleration than normal, so taking off takes longer. You also have more weight
to stop, particularly if the trailer does not have brakes, so it will take longer to stop.
Look Out!
If you can’t keep up
with traffic and it’s stacking up
behind you, do other motorists a
favor and pull over to let them
pass!
Keeping Your Cool
Air blast from passing trucks can make a trailer swerve.
If this happens, hold your course and speed and don’t hit
the brakes, and the trailer will straighten out.
When trailering a boat, you also have to change lanes
more gradually and allow twice as much room when
passing before you pull back in. Getting up to passing
speed may take three times longer, too. Remember not
to cut corners too close. The trailer will go over the
curb or hit the fire hydrant on the corner if you don’t go
around the corner wide.
The added load of trailering can be hard on your tow vehicle. Make sure the cooling
system is full and working properly before you start a long tow. If the system starts to
overheat, turn off the air conditioning. In a worst case, turn on the heater until the engine