{"id":11160,"date":"2023-10-25T10:59:49","date_gmt":"2023-10-25T17:59:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog2.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/?p=11160"},"modified":"2024-05-21T14:45:25","modified_gmt":"2024-05-21T21:45:25","slug":"what-to-do-after-retrieving-a-boat-onto-a-trailer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/what-to-do-after-retrieving-a-boat-onto-a-trailer\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is the First Thing You Should Do After Retrieving Your Boat Onto Your Trailer?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You’d be amazed at how many boat accidents<\/strong> occur on land after<\/em> the boat has been retrieved from the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most mountaineering accidents occur on the way down the mountain for the same reason. Once you think you are “home-free,” you drop your guard…and that is when accidents occur.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, here’s a list of what to do before <\/em>you crack that celebratory beer and start sharing fishing stories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Retrieving Your Boat…<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you are new to boating, retrieving<\/strong> your boat refers to the process of maneuvering your boat onto your partially submerged trailer and pulling it up the launch ramp (and out of the water).  As a newcomer to the boating world, remember that loading a boat onto a trailer<\/a> is serious business.<\/strong> In the same way that you’d follow boating safety tips<\/a> in <\/em>the water, be sure to prioritize safety out of the water, too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Power loading<\/strong> (using your engine to get onto your trailer) is a classic boat ramp no-no.<\/strong>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thou shall not power load. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Always use the winch <\/strong>when you load a boat onto a trailer.  Also, don’t forget your parking brake.  Just saying.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But we’re not here to tell you how to retrieve your boat – we want to lay out the steps you need to take after<\/em> your retrieve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step #1: Rinse Off Your Boat, Trailer, and Riggings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No one likes this step, but it will definitely extend the lifespan of your boat<\/a> <\/strong>(and your trailer).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you boat on freshwater<\/strong>, there are plenty of microbial plants, bacteria, and crustaceans eagerly waiting to colonize your boat. They will have a field day in storage, so rinse those little intruders off!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We love boating on saltwater<\/strong>.  Salt, however, is public enemy #1.  You can think of salt exposure like sun exposure:  a short amount of time in the sun is great.  Too long in the sun, and it becomes toxic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Salt causes rust,<\/strong> which many boat owners call a “cancer”:  Once it starts, it’s hard to stop.  Prevention – rinsing off your boat – is the best defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your boat catches a lot of splash, start with the interior. Next, move to the top and finish with the bottom.  Make sure to thoroughly rinse out all of the nooks and crannies on your trailer, which is metal and not optimized for use in water. (Check out this boat maintenance guide<\/a> for more information on properly cleaning your vessel).<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, you may want to rinse off your tow vehicle<\/a> if any saltwater splashed on it during retrieval.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those sailors out there, if your sail caught even one single splash of salt water, all that canvas<\/strong> has to be washed off…and dried.  (We’ve yet to meet a sailor who actually likes de-rigging.  It’s a hassle – but a necessary one.) <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don’t forget to wash off all of your lines\/rigging<\/strong>, lifejackets, and any part of your boat that got wet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You also need to dry your boat.  The drive home is a nice opportunity for an air dry – if you don’t mind water-spotting on the hull<\/a>.  If you want to keep your hull spotless, wipe it down with a microfiber towel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How Neighbor is changing boat storage<\/h2>\r\n\t\t <\/header>\r\n\t\t
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Transparent monthly savings<\/h3>\r\n\t\t

Renters save 30-50% on boat storage, on average. No rate hikes.<\/p>\r\n\t\t <\/div>\r\n\t\t

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Keep your boat nearby<\/h3>\r\n\t\t

With locations in every state, the perfect boat spot is already near you.<\/p>\r\n\t\t <\/div>\r\n\t\t

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Storage made simple<\/h3>\r\n\t\t

Don't settle for stone age tech and long contracts. Neighbor makes it easy.<\/p>\r\n\t\t <\/div>\r\n\t\t <\/section>\r\n\t\t