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Make Your Boating Dreams a Reality!

If you’ve been dreaming of days on the water, now is the perfect time to turn that vision into reality. Woodard Marine, your trusted Bayliner dealer, is excited to bring you Bayliner’s “The Big One” promotion! Now through March 31, 2025, you can save up to $7,000 on select in-stock 2025 and older Bayliner models.

Experience the Bayliner Difference

Bayliner is renowned for its exceptional quality, comfort, and versatility. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly runabout or a feature-packed fishing boat, there’s a model designed to fit your lifestyle. And with these exclusive savings, there’s never been a better opportunity to own the boat you’ve always wanted.

Act Fast—These Deals Won’t Last!

These special offers end March 31, 2025, and inventory is limited! Don’t miss your chance to save big on your next adventure. Call or text us at 802-265-3690 or visit Woodard Marine today to explore our available models and find the perfect boat for you.

Hurry—once they’re gone, they’re gone!

MILITARY DISCOUNT PROGRAM*
EXTENDED TO MEDICAL COMMUNITY AND FIRST RESPONDERS

This program applies to all new in-stock 2023-2024 Bayliners. Discounts are listed below by model.

VR Series

EL Series

EF / Trophy Series

DX Series

*See Woodard Marine for all details.

Power Up Your Adventures

Get a Bonus Battery When You Buy an Avator 7.5e

To help you power up your boating adventures, Mercury wants to DOUBLE your range and runtime with a new Avator® 7.5e electric outboard. From October 14-December 31, 2024, if you buy an Avator 7.5e kit with battery from a participating Mercury Authorized Dealer, Mercury Marine will send you an additional 1kWh battery at no charge. That’s a bonus offer worth more than $1,000 retail!

Additional Program Details

Learn more by contacting us at sales@woodardmarine.com and we can walk you through the program or text us at 802-265-3690.

Avator 7.5e “Power Up” Retail Promotion available October 14, 2024 - December 31, 2024. All Avator 7.5e kits are eligible for a spare (additional) 1KWH battery – more than a $1,000 retail value! This additional 1KWH battery (8M6010612) will be sent directly to the consumer at No Charge when their 7.5e kit is registered. All eligible 7.5e kits must be registered to the consumer. Registrations must be received by January 15, 2025. Please allow 4-6 weeks for shipping. Excludes Avator 20e/35e, government, donations, as well as motors sold for commercial, camp or resort applications, guide and outfitter registrations. Sales/registrations outside the United States are excluded. Also excludes any non-U.S. resident or address outside of the U.S. Excludes sales from non-authorized dealers. Backorders do not qualify. Motors originally sold to a Boatbuilder are also excluded. Motors on the Angling or Sponsorship program do not qualify. Units eligible are limited to available new stock in dealer inventory. Cannot be combined with any other retail rebate offers. OFFER VOID WHERE RESTRICTED OR OTHERWISE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

Calling all boat enthusiasts! Woodard Marine is thrilled to unveil a limited-time offer on our latest shipment of loose boat trailers. Whether you have a fishing boat, a bowrider, or a pontoon, we've got you covered with trailers designed for boat types spanning from 18 to 25 feet. Time is of the essence – don't miss out on substantial savings that could keep your wallet afloat. Act swiftly to secure your dream trailer and sail away with the deal of a lifetime!

Curious if your boat will find its perfect match for any of the trailers listed below? Complete the form now to dive into the details and discover the perfect trailer fit. Your aquatic adventure awaits with Woodard Marine!

YEARTYPEMAKEDESCRIPTIONSALE PRICE
2022TOON 2 TUBEShorehaven18-20ft toon with 60 hp or less$3,450
2022TOON 2 TUBEShorehaven18-20ft toon with 60 hp or less$3,450
2022RUNABOUTVenture18-19ft boat 3000 # capacity$3,995
2023RUNABOUTVenture18-19ft boat 3000 # capacity$3,995
2023RUNABOUTVenture19-21ft boat 3500 # capcity$4,750
2023PWC DUALYachtClub$3,200
2023TOON 3 TUBEYachtClub23-24 FT TT KIT AND RAILING TOON$6,700
2023TOON 3 TUBEYachtClub24-25 FT TT KIT AND RAILING TOON$7,200
2022FISHINGKaravan16-18ft Fishing boat$3,300

Submit Your Boat Details: And We Will Find Your Perfect Trailer Match!

Trailers SOTW (#43)

Unless you’re buying your boat, docking it, launching it, and storing it all at the same marina (like Woodard Marine), chances are you will need to transport your boat from point A to point B. 

Trailering a boat can be complicated, especially if you don’t understand all the requirements or what equipment you need. In this article, we’ll give you a brief overview of everything you need to safely transport your boat and why they’re important. 

The right trailer for your type of boat

Boat trailers come in different styles, lengths, and weight limits, so it’s important to make sure you buy one that’s made for your type of boat. Characteristics to consider include: 

If you’re not sure what type of trailer your boat requires, be sure to ask your dealer. 

The right class of trailer hitch

If you already have a trailer hitch on your vehicle, it’s important to be aware of its class. Class III hitches are the most common and can typically handle loads up to 5,000 lbs. If the combined weight of your boat, trailer, and cargo is more than that, you will need a Class IV or V hitch (and a large vehicle for towing). 

A drawbar and tow ball

You may also need to make sure you’re using the correct drawbar and tow ball for your trailer. The drawbar should be at the right height to make your trailer level with the ground. As for tow balls, trailers typically have the correct ball size engraved on the tongue for easy reference. 

Two safety chains

Safety chains hook from your vehicle to your trailer, crossing over once in the middle, under the hitch and coupler. They act as a backup if either your tow ball or coupler were to fail, and will help prevent damage to your boat and trailer (and other vehicles on the road). Remember to purchase a set of chains with a high enough weight capacity for your needs, and check them often for wear and tear. 

A balanced tongue weight

You also need to be sure that your trailer has a balanced tongue weight, which is the amount of downward force put upon the hitch. The rule of thumb varies, but it should be somewhere around 10% of the combined weight of your boat and trailer.

Having too much or too little will make the trailer tilt forward (too much) or backward (too little). If the tongue weight is off, your boat can fishtail (too light) or make it hard to steer your vehicle (too heavy). 

You can determine the weight by using a tongue weight scale or a vehicle scale. If the numbers are off, you can redistribute the weight of your boat forward or backward to increase or decrease the weight on the tongue. 

A trailer jack

A trailer jack goes under the tongue to raise it up so you can connect or disconnect it from your vehicle’s hitch. They come in different lift capacities, so you must make sure to use one that’s able to handle your tongue weight.

Trailer jacks aren’t known to be the longest-lasting towing accessory, so it’s a good idea to regularly inspect yours for wear and keep a spare one on hand.  

A trailer electrical plug adapter

A common mistake when trailering your boat is forgetting to bring a trailer plug adapter, which are fairly inexpensive, but serve an important purpose. The plug adapter runs power to your trailer’s tail lights, brake lights, and turn signals. It’s illegal to drive a trailer without working lights, so you could get pulled over if you forget to use a plug adapter. 

More importantly, remember that when you’re towing a boat, other drivers likely won’t be able to see the lights on the back of your vehicle. Using a plug adapter to power your trailer’s lights can help prevent an accident. 

Depending on your trailer, the adapter plug also powers your trailer’s brakes, making it doubly important not to forget it. 

The right kind of vehicle for your boat

It doesn’t matter what kind of trailering equipment you have if your vehicle isn’t physically capable of pulling the weight of your boat and trailer. 

You might be surprised that it doesn’t necessarily take a large truck or SUV to trailer a boat; it just depends on the weight of your boat and your vehicle’s towing capacity. Many cars and crossovers are capable of towing smaller boats, especially if you purchased a towing package when you bought it. 

Check your owner’s manual or online to confirm your vehicle’s towing capacity (and whether towing is recommended at all). Be sure that your combined boat, trailer, and cargo weight remains safely below the capacity so you don’t risk damaging your car.

Need a trailer or trailering equipment? We’ve got you covered!

If you need a new trailer or trailering equipment in order to safely transport your boat, reach out to Woodard Marine’s service department. We can order just about any trailering equipment you need and give you advice on how to use it! 
Send us a message, give us a call at (802) 265-3690, or visit our Parts & Service department at 615 Creek Road, Castleton, VT.

Wake boats and other speed boats are popular with people who love watersports, such as wakeboarding and wakesurfing. But boaters have to remember that they are responsible for their wake. It’s important to practice wake sports in a way that’s considerate to others using the lake, especially when it comes to safety. 

The Water Sports Industry Association’s (WSIA) Wake Responsibly campaign highlights three standard recommendations for wake safety. Let’s take a look at what they are and how they can keep the lake fun and safe for everyone to enjoy. 

Keep at least 200 feet from the shore & others

A 2015 study showed that 200 feet is the safest minimum distance to stay away to lessen the impact of your boat’s wake. Passing by any closer than this distance can pose a safety threat to nearby boaters and swimmers. Waves created by wakes are much less powerful after 200 feet, reducing the risk of other motor boats or watercraft (including SUP boards or kayaks) rocking and capsizing, passengers falling overboard, or swimmers being struck by unexpected waves. 

Another reason for the 200 feet rule is that the waves created by boat wakes can erode the shoreline. Over time, this can have a negative impact on private property, docks, beaches, and the lake’s natural habitat. Keeping your distance from the shore minimizes the effect your wake has on the surrounding area. 

Disobeying this recommendation isn’t just unsafe; it could also result in a fine if you’re caught being irresponsible with your wake. And if you cause damage to someone else’s property, they could sue you for the cost of repairs. 

Don’t make repetitive passes

In the same vein as the previous recommendation, avoid passing back and forth by one stretch of shoreline too many times in a row. Repeatedly waking in the same area churns the water too much, which can cause both environmental damage to the shoreline and property damage to docks and docked boats. 

It’s best to switch up the lines you run often, and return back to a stretch of water only after it’s had the chance to calm. 

The 2015 study also found that the wake is more powerful on the surfing side of the boat. It’s considered a best practice to surf on the side farthest from the shore, to further reduce your wake’s reach and impact on the lake.

Be mindful of your music volume

Waking responsibly doesn’t just mean being safe and protecting the environment; it also means being considerate. And being considerate applies to your sound waves, too. 

Play your music loud enough so you can hear it, but don’t crank it all the way up. If you can hear it 80 feet back from your boat, it’s likely playing loud and clear for everyone else nearby. 

Not everyone goes to the lake for watersports; some would rather relax and enjoy the peace and quiet of being at the lake. Play your music at a respectful volume so it’s not distracting for homeowners, swimmers, anglers, and other boaters, and so it doesn’t disturb nearby wildlife. 

Wake responsibly at Lake Bomoseen

As boating and watersports enthusiasts, we love the fun wakeboarding and wakesurfing brings to Lake Bomoseen. But we love nothing more than seeing everyone enjoy the lake, whether they’re kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing, swimming, or just taking in the sights and sounds of the Taconic Mountains. 

We hope that you’ll follow these three guidelines during your time at Lake Bomo to make your visit, and everyone else’s, more fun and safe! If you’re interested in brushing up on the guidelines, check out the WSIA’s Wake Responsibly Compliance Exam, a free, 11-question test on water sports etiquette. 

Need to rent a boat or water toys? Woodard Marine offers runabouts, pontoons, wakeboards, waterskis, kneeboards, and tubes. Check out our boat rentals!

Getting your boat ready for winter is an important part of boat ownership, no matter where you live, but especially here in Vermont. Winterizing your boat before storing it for the off-season is critical to preventing damage to your boat’s engine or plumbing system while it sits idle in below-freezing conditions. 

But should you hire someone (such as our team at Woodard Marine) to winterize your boat or should you try to do it yourself? Let’s review what winterization involves, what we do for our customers at Woodard, and things to be careful about if you decide to go it alone. 

What’s winterization?

Winterization prevents your boat from damage due to freezing temperatures, corrosion, mold, and mildew. Just as you would drain the pipes in a camp you were closing it up for the winter, all water needs to be drained from your boat’s engine, plumbing system, and bilge. Any water that sits in your boat over the winter will expand as it freezes and can potentially create cracks in your boat’s components. 

Complete winterization usually involves:

The risks of DIY winterization

Some boat owners would rather take it upon themselves to winterize their boats and save the cost of paying someone else to do it — but you can end up spending more in the long run if you don’t know exactly what you’re doing. Improper winterization can damage your engine and require you to make repairs to your boat before you can get it back on the water next year. 

You need to be sure that you’ve drained all components of the engine so they don’t freeze and develop cracks over the winter. Some types of boats are more difficult to winterize than others because they have more complex systems. Wake boats, for example, have a more complicated winterization process because there are more components involved. 

If your boat has heaters, ballast pumps, or water tanks for a bathroom or shower, you need to ensure that all of those components are completely drained as well. 

It’s also very important to use the correct type of antifreeze. The antifreeze you use in your engine is poisonous and can’t be used to winterize your plumbing or bilge systems because it can taint your running water and the lake. Instead, you’ll need to use special winterizing antifreeze that’s non-toxic. 

How we winterize your boat at Woodard Marine

At Woodard, we double winterize every engine by first manually draining the engine, then running it only on antifreeze, and then draining the antifreeze. 

As part of our winterization services, we fully prepare your boat for storage. We’ll inspect your battery, stabilize the fuel system and injectors, and check the gear lube and transmission fluid. We’ll then remove your boat’s propeller and inspect the shaft for debris, regrease it, and reinstall it. 

Upon request, we’ll also complete an oil and filter change — it’s an optional but highly recommended part of winterization. 

Then, if you choose to leave your boat with Woodard, we’ll also shrink wrap your boat to protect it from the elements (and moisture) and safely store it for the winter. 

Summary

Winterization is a complicated but crucial process to protect your boat from the elements during the winter months. Improper winterization can cause cracks, broken components, corrosion, mold, and mildew — so it’s important to make sure it’s done correctly. While you can attempt to do it on your own, it’s much simpler and safer to hire someone else to complete the process for you. 

At Woodard Marine, we provide our customers with complete winterization services, shrink wrapping, and storage to keep their boats safe all winter long — and ready to set sail first thing when warm weather returns. Call (802) 265-3690 to schedule your winterization today! 

At Woodard Marine, we’re frequently asked about Vermont’s rules for boating licenses and boat safety certifications, particularly when it comes to renting boats from us. 

In Vermont, a safety education certificate (also known as a Boater Education Card) acts as your boating license. Let’s take a look at who needs one, how they’re earned, and how the rules apply to out-of-state visitors. We’ll also explain Woodard’s company policies on safety education certificates for boat rentals. 

Vermont boater safety education requirements

According to Vermont state law, anyone born after January 1, 1974 needs to complete boater safety education and receive a Boater Education Card in order to legally operate a motor boat. Those older are grandfathered in and are not required by state law to have a safety certificate. Everyone can benefit from completing boater safety education, however, and we strongly encourage everyone to get certified.

While you’re free to drive your own boat without a certificate if you were born before 1974, it’s important to note that at Woodard Marine, we require a boating license or safety certificate to rent a boat from us, regardless of age. 

You need to be 12 years or older to take an online boater safety education course (or 10 years or older to take an in-person course). If you wish to rent a boat at Woodard, you need to be at least 24 years old. 

How to get a Vermont boating license or certification

The course can be completed online through a state-approved source, such as boat-ed or ilearntoboat, or in-person classes (typically given at local schools or fire stations). Online courses cost between $40 to $55 dollars. Classroom courses are typically a little more expensive. To find classroom courses near you, visit the Vermont State Police website. 

In-person classes last about 8 hours, while online courses take only a few hours and can be completed at your own pace. The course concludes with a final exam that you must pass in order to earn your certification card. 

After completing the course, you’ll receive a lifetime card that you’ll need to carry with you when operating a motor boat. Just like with driver’s licenses, if a law enforcement officer asks for your card and you don’t have it with you on the boat, you may be fined. 

Do you need a Vermont certificate if you’re from another state? 

Nope! As long as you’ve completed a course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) in another state and hold a Boater Education Card, reciprocity rules allow nonresidents to operate a motorized boat in the state of Vermont. 

The same rules apply to visitors from Canada; you can drive a boat in Vermont if you hold a Canadian Pleasure Craft Operator Card. 

If you aren’t certified and aren’t a Vermont resident, you can either take Vermont’s course, find the official course for your state, or complete the Canadian course. Although all states and provinces participate in reciprocity, some have different requirements. Because Vermont accepts any NASBLA-approved safety course, it might be most practical to take the course for your own state or province, if you plan on boating there as well.

Are you ready to rent a boat? 

We hope this article has answered most of your questions around boating licenses and certifications, and what you need to be able to drive and/or rent a boat in Vermont. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact our team. 
If you meet the state requirements for operating a motor boat and our requirements for renting, take a look at our available rentals, including pontoons, runabouts, fishing boats, and more. We hope to see you on the water!

Lake Bomoseen, the largest lake located entirely within Vermont, is a great place to spend a vacation (or staycation) enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Taconic Mountains. There are plenty of fun things to do in or around the lake, especially if you’re an outdoor enthusiast. 

We’re a little biased, but we love Lake Bomoseen. Check out a few of our favorite things to do during the summer season. 

Boating & watersports

The obvious (and best, in our humble opinion) way to enjoy Lake Bomoseen is to head out on the water on your choice of boat. If you’re bringing your own, there are several public boat launches from which to set out and transient slip rentals at Woodard Marine to dock your boat during your stay. 

If you need to rent a boat for the day, week, or weekend, Woodard Marine offers pontoons, runabouts, and fishing boats for daily rentals (and a 7 day rate if you’re really looking to relax on the water). If you love watersports, we have wakeboards, waterskis, tubes, and kneeboards you can rent along with your powerboat. We also rent out kayaks and SUP boards (stand up paddle boards) for those who would rather go for a relaxing paddle. 

Swimming & hanging out at the beach

Lake Bomoseen is an excellent lake for swimming; it’s clean and not too crowded. The lake’s swimming spots include two public beaches, Bomoseen State Park and Crystal Beach. Both are family-friendly and have plenty of amenities.

The sandy beach at Bomoseen State Park, on the west side of the lake, is complete with a picnic pavilion, grills, concession stand, playground, and volleyball net. Crystal Beach, on the east side of the lake, is smaller but also has picnic pavilions, a concession stand, and a playground. 

Fishing for the catch of the day

Lake Bomoseen is known for its brown trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, northern pike, and yellow perch. Other species you might encounter include rock bass, rainbow smelt, pumpkinseed, bluegill, black crappie, common white sucker, and brown bullhead. 

If you’re new to the lake, we highly recommend taking a guided fishing tour with our licensed guide, Captain Luke. A half or full day tour will help you get acquainted with the ins and outs of Lake Bomoseen and find the best fishing spots for the species you’re interested in catching. 

Camping under the stars

There are several campgrounds in close proximity to the lake, but two are situated right along its shores: Bomoseen State Park and Lake Bomoseen KOA Holiday. Both are family-friendly campgrounds with beautiful views of the lake. 

Bomoseen State Park, on the western shore of the lake, has tent, lean-to, and RV sites, a beach, a recreation area, a concession stand, hiking trails, and more. 

Lake Bomoseen KOA Holiday, on the northeastern side of the lake, has RV and tent sites, as well as cabins. The campground also features a swimming pool, splash pad, playground, and mini golf. 

Hiking the trails

There are plenty of hiking trails in the mountains, forests, fields, and wetlands surrounding Lake Bomoseen. Most are contained within Bomoseen State Park and Halfmoon State Park, including High Pond Trail, Glen Lake Trail, Half Moon Shore Trail, Slate History Trail, and Bomoseen Loop Trail. 

The trails vary from easy to moderate, but all offer beautiful views of the lake and the surrounding Taconic Mountains. 

Playing a round of golf

If you’d like to spend a relaxing afternoon with a round of golf, Lake Bomoseen has its own lakefront public course. The Bomoseen Golf Club is a 9 hole, par 35 course with beautiful views of the lake. 

The course was first opened back in 1933 and includes an onsite pro shop. They even have docks for visitors who prefer to arrive over the water. 

Visit us in Lake Bomoseen, VT!

There are so many activities to enjoy in and around Lake Bomoseen, especially during the summer season, and there’s plenty more to explore within a short drive as well.

If you’re planning your Vermont getaway and looking to get out on the water, we can’t recommend Lake Bomoseen enough. To learn more about boat rentals, dock rentals, fishing tours, or our pro shop, visit our website. We hope to see you soon! 

Thanks to supply chain delays, material shortages, and increased demand, the boating industry is facing some challenges right now. 

The biggest challenge, and the one that will ultimately impact boaters, is rising prices. Let’s take a look at why customers are paying more for boats and what to expect if you’re shopping for a new or used boat this year. 

Boats are in higher demand

There has been a boating boom over the past couple of years, mostly due to the pandemic. In light of canceled vacations, closed attractions, travel restrictions, and social distancing guidelines, an unexpectedly large number of Americans decided to take to the water. 

In fact, about 415,000 people were in the market for their first boat in 2020, propelling new boat sales to the highest they had been since the 2008 Recession and 13% higher than in 2019. According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), more than 300,000 new powerboats were sold in 2020. In 2021, there was a 4-6% decrease in sales, which still numbered over 300,000. And the momentum is still going strong: the NMMA predicts a 3% year-over-year increase in sales in 2022.

This high demand for boats has been a long-awaited change for the industry, which had never 100% recovered from the Recession. Unfortunately, the boating boom has coincided with COVID-related setbacks and supply chain issues, leading to shortages and production delays. 

There are more boaters in the market and fewer boats available for purchase, making for a competitive — and expensive — marketplace.

Boat manufacturers are raising prices

Last summer, the cost to buy a boat rose about 10% from the year before, and prices are still high as we head into the next boating season. Why? 

Almost every industry is feeling the effects of inflation, and boating is no different. Manufacturers have been increasing their prices to compensate for supply chain delays, material shortages, and rising material costs. 

Supply and demand is also playing a role. With so many new people interested in buying boats, but only a limited supply, manufacturers can raise prices to make up for increased costs and the boats will still sell. A similar situation is happening in the automotive industry. 

The used boat market has become more competitive

Rather than wait for new boats to come back in stock, many boaters have opted to buy pre-owned models, which has sent used boat sales soaring as well. According to Boating Industry, over one million used boats were sold in 2020, 8.6% more than in 2019 and breaking the one million mark, which was last reached back in 2006. 

Due to increased demand, the price of used boats has also gone up — which is great if you’re in the market to sell or upgrade your boat, but not so great if you’re looking for a steal. 

Pre-owned boats are, of course, still less expensive than new models. But buyers should be more careful than ever to select a boat that’s well-maintained and in good condition, to make sure they get the best value for their money. 

The impact on boat buyers

Dealers and marinas have had to raise prices on their boats since it now costs more to stock them. This is an unfortunate but unavoidable result of manufacturers raising their prices. Reputable dealers (like Woodard Marine), however, will only raise prices accordingly and don’t engage in price gouging. 

If you’re looking for a new boat, you’ll likely have to preorder it and wait months for it to arrive, instead of simply buying one off the lot — so it’s important to shop early if you want to be on the water this summer. Keep in mind that there is some pricing uncertainty, especially with longer wait times, so the price you end up paying once the boat arrives could vary. 

Long story short, boating has been — and likely will continue to be — the perfect summer pastime during the COVID pandemic, but the industry hasn’t been immune from inflation, supply chain delays, and shortages. If you’re willing to pay a bit more for your summer fun and order your boat ahead of time (or buy pre-owned), you should be ready to hit the water by the time boating season comes around. 

When you bought your boat, did you walk into your store (hopefully Woodard Marine) and point at the one you thought looked cool and say, “I’ll take that one?”  Of course not. Or maybe you did and regretted it later.  The point being, you took time, researched, and found the one that best suited you, your needs, and your situation -- right? Right. So, what we’re going to do today is educate you on: 

  1. The different types of trailers
  2. What to look for in a boat trailer
  3. And then answer some frequently asked questions
boat on trailer in grass

Let’s get things going, shall we? First --

Types of trailers

Despite what you may think, all boat trailers are not created equally.  Each one is for a specific size, with particular intentions, for certain types of water.  The four most common types of trailers are: 

Allow us to break down each for you--

Bunk Trailer

Bunk Trailers are probably the simplest of all the trailers. Deriving its name from the felt-like boards (bunks) used to protect the keel -- the bunk trailer is commonly used to tow boats no greater than 20 feet in length. 

The advantage to a bunk trailer is its aforementioned simplicity. Because of this, it’s relatively affordable and has fewer moving parts equating to less lifetime maintenance. 

A major con is the depth that the trailer must be submerged in order to load and unload the boat. Not only will this cause wear and tear to your trailer’s axle, brakes, hubs, and springs -- it will restrict locations you’ll be able to launch your boat. 

Roller Trailer

If you’re looking for ease and the ability to launch your boat on a small ramp or low tide -- the roller trailer may be the right fit for you. A roller trailer is composed of cylindrical rollers allowing the boat to be rolled onto the trailer as the trailer enters the ramp or is backed in the water.  


The pros to a roller trailer are not only the convenience of use. Because the trailer doesn’t have to go deep into the water, it will limit the lifetime wear and tear on components like your axle, brakes, hubs, and springs. 


Unfortunately though, with ease comes complexity. And by complexity, we mean parts. With all of these parts, it means there is a greater chance something may go wrong. Additionally, convenience does have a cost, essentially meaning a higher price tag. 

Float-On Trailer

Are you thinking about a pontoon or are you like Quint from Jaws and need a bigger boat? Then we may suggest for you a float-on trailer?  A float-on trailer is perfect for those who need a saltwater boat or the pontoon mentioned above. When it comes to usage, it’s very similar to a bunker trailer because of the need to submerge it quite deep into the water.  And since the way to load and unload the vessel is by floating onto the trailer, hence the name -- the trailer needs to go pretty darn deep. 

A great advantage to the float-on trailer is that it limits the amount of damage a boat will be subjected to when loading and unloading.  

The disadvantages are cost and, like the bunker trailer, how deep the trailer needs to go, that it will require more maintenance throughout its life.  

Keel Rollers

Last up are keel rollers. Keel rollers are not an actual trailer. Instead, they are added to existing trailers to reduce risk to the boat and provide more ease when loading and unloading.  

As mentioned above, the pros to the keel rollers are the safety they provide the boat.

However, they are not standalone trailers and require you to purchase or already possess a standard trailer.  

What to Look For in a Boat Trailer 

If your boat were to create a dating profile in search of the perfect trailer -- sure, looks would be important, but there are some essentials this trailer must-have, such as: 

In this section, we will go through each of these and tell you what you need to know about these “attributes.”  

Size

What is probably the most obvious factor to consider is that the size of your boat will determine the size of your trailer. The type of boat you're buying will also influence your trailer size. Like a pontoon boat, some larger boats will require more space between the back of the vehicle and trailer. This will protect both in the case of tighter turns. 


A good rule of thumb is that a single-axle trailer can accommodate 22 feet long and approximately 3,300lbs. 

But again, all of this is contingent upon the type of boat you own and where you’ll be launching. 

Weight

How much your boat weighs will determine how many axles your trailer will require. You also need to consider whether your trailer will only be used as a transport for your boat or will it be a bed for the boat during hibernation (winter). 

If you’re thinking about keeping your boat on the trailer during the off-season, we recommend looking into something more durable such as aluminum or galvanized steel. 

Lastly, and most importantly -- know both the weight of your boat and the trailer for the sake of your vehicle’s towing capacity. You don’t want to find out the hard way that your Honda Civic can’t tow a pontoon. 

Summary

When it comes to finding a trailer, it ultimately comes down to what type of boat you own, where it will be used, and how it will be used. Hopefully, we’ve provided you a bit of an education about boat trailers. We suggest you use this as a guide when you’re shopping for a new or used trailer. 


And as always, if you have any questions -- contact the experts at Woodard Marine today. Let us help you find the perfect boat trailer for you and your boat. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do boat trailers need plates?

A: Great question. The short answer depends on where you are. That’s why we provided this link that will show you all of the license plate requirements for all of the United States. Sorry, Canada. 

Q: What size trailer do I need for my boat?

A: As mentioned above, finding the right size trailer for your boat depends on the size of your boat, your intentions for the trailer, and where you’ll be launching your boat. We suggest contacting us, and we can set up an appointment to ask you a few questions. 

Docking your boat is a complicated task and can’t really be compared to parking a car for many reasons, but most importantly because there aren’t any brakes. As a result, you need to know how to stop forward motion and slowly bring your boat to a stop alongside a dock.

speed-boat-approaching-dock

1. Approach slowly

One of the golden rules of boating is to never approach the dock faster than you’d be willing to hit it. There’s no perfect way to slow your boat down quickly, so it’s important to lower your speed far in advance of reaching the dock. 

2. Check the current

Take note of what way the current (and wind) is moving, so you understand whether it’s pushing your boat towards or away from the dock. You’ll need to approach more carefully if the current is pulling you towards the dock, while you may need to use more power to get close to the dock if you’re working against the current.

3. Approach the pier at a steep angle

Point your bow towards the middle of your docking space and approach at an angle of about 30-45 degrees. This will enable you to slide into place alongside the dock and to get as close as you can without hitting against the pier.

4. Start shifting gears

When the dock is only about 100 feet away, turn your wheel away from it and shift into neutral. The stern should begin angling towards the pier and your boat should gently drift towards the dock because of its own momentum. 

5. Correct the angle

To bring your boat parallel to the dock, turn your wheel towards the dock once again, shift into reverse, and gently apply the gas to help stop forward motion and position the stern correctly. Then shift back into neutral and finish drifting close to the dock. 

6. Tie your line

Properly tied lines will keep your boat from moving forward (or backward) after you position it alongside the dock. 

7. Turn off your engine

Wait until your lines are completely tied before shutting off your boat, so you can easily reposition your boat if it moves around while you’re mooring.

Summary

Following these steps should help you to carefully approach and position your boat alongside the dock, while coming to a stop in a gradual and safe way.

Okay, you did it! You read our blog about what’s the Best Boat for a First-Time Boat Buyer, you contacted our expert staff, you pulled the trigger and bought the perfect boat for you. Now you just have one more thing before you’re out in the sun creating memories to last a lifetime -- You don’t know how to drive a boat.

No worries, friend -- we got you!  In this blog, we will show you:    

So, with that, let’s get started by, well, starting…

First, before we get into anything -- whatever and wherever your body of water is, it will more than likely have its own rules and regulations. Please make sure you do your due diligence and find whatever is required of you to operate your vessel. 

How to Start a Boat

While starting a boat is as simple as turning a key; unlike a car, there are a few other factors you need to take into account.

First, assuming your boat runs on gasoline and possesses an engine compartment -- you’ll need to run your blower, per the manufacturer’s instructions.  This helps assure there isn’t any buildup of fumes within the compartment. Check with your boat dealer for more information.

Next, you put the key in the ignition and check the emergency cutoff or “kill switch.”  This is typically located right next to the ignition. You want to make sure this is turned off or the boat won’t start. However, be sure to clip the lanyard attached to the kill switch to your life jacket. If anything were to happen to you while driving, the emergency cutoff would kill the engine.

Lastly, you have to make sure the throttle is in the right position -- which is neutral. Again, like our friend the cutoff switch, if it’s not in the proper position, your boat won’t start. Familiarize yourself with the throttle. The throttle is your power, your gas pedal. Tuck that away for later, though, because right now, let’s talk steering. 

How to Steer a Boat

Remember in the movie Dodgeball when Patches O’Houlihan threw a wrench at his team of rejects saying, “if you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball”? Well, if you can steer a car, you can steer a boat.

However, unlike a car, your steering a vessel on a moving surface. This surface also creates these things called waves. And these waves will vary in size, speed, and direction. Keep calm, and keep patient. You’re steering a large, heavy machine. So moving on these unpredictable impediments will take a second. 

Speaking of patience, without question the number one issue you’ll have with steering a boat is contending with other boaters. For example, say you’re on a smaller body of water, such as a lake, and that lake is excessively busy -- not only will you need to be fully aware of both your and their moves, you’ll also have to contend with a few more of your friends we mentioned earlier -- waves. But just like learning how to drive your dad’s sedan -- it will take time, patience, and practice.

And we can help too. Contact Woodard Marine and we can definitely steer you in the right direction...See what we did there?

Anyway, now that we’ve got starting and steering done, let’s talk about slowing down. 

How to Slow Down a Boat

To slow down a boat is much more than just tapping the brakes.  Especially since boats don’t have them -- brakes.  Remember earlier when we discussed the throttle? Well, the throttle plays a key role in slowing down as you must grasp the throttle and pull it back. You come to learn over time that manipulating the throttle will assist you in a variety of circumstances and situations as you drive. For example, approaching another boat’s wake or an oncoming wave.

Ultimately though, it will come down to you and your boat. After some experience with it, you will discover your stopping distance at different speeds.

However, if you’re in a situation where an abrupt stop is needed, you will simply --


Be sure to announce all changes in speed to your passengers. Remember, there are no seatbelts, just life jackets. And they will definitely be needed if you make an abrupt stop without fair warning.

FAQ

What is the best boat for a beginner?

There is no perfect answer for this as it depends on a variety of factors (What type of water will it be on? What will it be used for? How much experience do you have with boats? Etc). So we suggest you check the blog we mentioned earlier,  Best Boat for a First-Time Buyer. Then, contact our expert staff at Woodard Marine, and let them help you figure out what boat is best for YOU. 

What is the easiest boat to drive?

Let’s get this out of the way -- driving a boat should never be easy. You need to not only be fully aware of what’s going on inside of the boat but also what’s happening all around you outside of the boat.  With that, driving a boat is never easy, you just get better at it.

Is it difficult to drive a boat?

As mentioned before, there are different factors at play when it comes to driving a boat than driving a car. Meaning, it’s a matter of comfort. And like anything in life, the more you do, the more comfortable you’ll be.

Is it hard to drive a boat in the ocean?

Again, it depends on a variety of factors. If there are a lot of people boating on a small lake, it can be significantly more difficult than floating on a calm day in the middle of the Pacific. However, if you’re in the middle of the ocean and the weather drastically changes - you’ll be dreaming of a busy day on the local pond. 

Docking a boat can seem like a daunting task, but knowing what lines you need to tie can make the whole process run more smoothly. In this blog, we’ll outline how to tie a boat to a dock or in a slip, what lines and equipment you’ll need, the kinds of knots you need to know, and some helpful tips to keep your boat safe and secure.

Prepare your boat

There are several pieces of gear you’ll need in order to properly dock your boat. 

The number of lines you need depends on where you dock. For mooring parallel to a dock, it’s common to use one bow line, one stern line, and two spring lines. For mooring in a slip, you’ll likely need two bow lines, two stern lines, and at least one spring line. Each docking situation varies and it’s important to tailor your approach to fit your specific boat and the dock or slip.

If you have your own dock, it’s a good idea to leave your lines tied to the dock cleats (and coiled neatly so no one trips). This will make it quicker and easier to tie your boat to the dock. Just remember to keep enough lines on your boat to dock anywhere else you might stop.

You should have a second full set of lines on your boat. It’s always a good idea to have extra lines on hand anyway, in case one breaks or you need additional lines to better secure your boat in stronger conditions.

Tie a boat to a dock

If you’re mooring parallel to the dock, you’ll need to use one bow line and one stern line to secure either end of your boat, and two spring lines to keep your boat from moving back and forth. Unless you’re docking for an extended period of time or in rough conditions, these four lines are typically enough to safely tie up your boat. 

Your bow line should run from the cleat on your bow to a dock cleat ahead of your boat. Similarly, your stern line should run from the cleat on your stern to a dock cleat behind your boat. Your spring lines will run diagonally between your boat and the dock, aft (backwards) from your bow and fore (forwards) from your stern, crossing each other in the middle.

Tie a boat in a slip

If you’re docking in a slip, you will need to tie more lines than you would at a dock. Boats are often backed into slips, meaning that you’ll have the dock on one side and along the stern, and a piling on the other side of your bow. Use the lines to position your boat in the slip so it doesn’t hit into the dock or the boat docked in the other half of the slip. 

First you’ll tie two bow lines, one from the boat cleat closest to the dock to the dock cleat near the bow. The other bow line will run from the boat cleat on the other side of the bow to the piling in the middle of the slip.

You’ll then tie at least one spring line, running from a boat cleat near the stern to a dock cleat near the bow; this will help you position the stern relative to the back of the slip, and keep your boat from hitting into the dock. 

Finally, you’ll also tie two stern lines, using the boat cleats on either side of your stern.You’ll cross the two stern lines diagonally and tie them off to the opposite dock cleats at the back of the slip. This centers your stern and keeps it from moving back and forth.

If your slip doesn’t fit two boats and you have a dock on all three sides (instead of a piling on one), you’ll tie your boat just as you would if mooring parallel to the dock, but to both sides. You’ll tie two bow lines, two stern lines, and four spring lines.

Tie a boat to a piling or dock post

If you're mooring in a slip, or at a dock that doesn’t have cleats, you’ll need to tie off your lines to a piling, or dock post. Tie your lines lower rather than higher on the piling to reduce the amount of strain on the wood.

There are several different kinds of knots you can use to secure your line to a piling, including a round turn and two half hitches, a clove hitch, and a bowline knot. A round turn and two half hitches is a common and trusted method that ties the line tightly around the piling. A bowline knot creates a loop that’s tied somewhat loosely around the piling; it’s also a safe and secure option. A clove hitch is another tight knot that can be used instead, although it might be slightly less secure and should be followed by additional half hitches.

Tie a boat with a cleat hitch knot

In order to tie your lines to the cleat hitches on your boat and on the dock, you’ll need to master the cleat hitch. It’s a relatively simple knot that is strong enough to keep your boat safe and secure. The knot is similar to making a figure eight around the cleat and creates friction by securing the rope underneath itself.

For more information on tying a cleat hitch, check out another installment of Boating 101, How To Tie a Boat to a Dock Cleat.

Top tips

#1 Tie lines that are long but tight

To keep your boat from moving around, tie tight, long lines. This might mean skipping a cleat or piling and choosing one that’s further away. Making your lines long is especially important in tidal waters, because long lines allow your boat more freedom to move up and down even with a tight line. Short lines are less forgiving and can hang your boat from the dock, causing it to capsize and damage the dock. 

#2 Only tie breast lines temporarily

Breast lines are short lines tied from a cleat on the side of your boat to an adjacent dock cleat. They’re used to bring the boat right up against the dock, making it easier for passengers to board or disembark. Because they’re so short and tight, they should only be used temporarily, until everyone has gotten on or off the boat. This is particularly important in tidal waters — if the tide changes while a breast line is still tied, the boat can hang from the dock and capsize.

#3 Adjust line configuration for your boat or dock

Each boat and dock layout is different, so you’ll need to figure out the configuration that works best for you. For example, you might need to tie bow or stern lines that angle toward (not away from) your boat because of the length of your boat, the available cleats, or the length of the slip.

Summary

It’s important to use the right lines when docking your boat. For mooring parallel to a dock, you’ll likely need a bow line, a stern line, and two spring lines. To dock in a slip, you’ll typically use two bow lines, two stern lines, and a spring line.

For other helpful boating tips, check out more articles on our blog.

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