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Launching Your Boat in Florida

Boats for sale in marina
Owning a boat opens up a world of adventure, freedom, and fun. And if there’s one place where boating reaches its full splendor, it’s Florida. With its sunny weather, miles of coastline, and numerous freshwater springs and rivers, Florida is a boater’s paradise.

However, for new boaters (or seasoned sailors in need of a refresher), the actual process of launching a boat can seem a tad overwhelming. But don’t worry—it’s easier than it looks once you know the techniques and safety tips.

Best Boat Launch Spots in Florida

Florida offers countless boat ramps and launch areas, catering to every kind of boater, from anglers to water-skiers to those just looking to enjoy a day on the water. Here are some top-notch Florida boat ramps you’ll want to check out:

  • Haulover Park Marina (Miami)
  • Destin Harbor Boat Launch (Destin)
  • Lovers Key Boat Ramp (Fort Myers Beach)
  • Fort De Soto Park Boat Ramp (St. Petersburg)
  • Lake Tohopekaliga (Kissimmee)
  • Ortega River Boat Ramp (Jacksonville)
  • John’s Pass (Madeira Beach)
  • Curry Hammock State Park (Marathon)

Safety Always Comes First

Boating offers an unmatched sense of freedom, but safety should always be the top priority. Here are some essential tips to keep in mind as you launch and enjoy your time on the water:

  • Wear Life Jackets: Florida law requires children under six to wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets, and it’s smart for adults to follow suit
  • Check for Safety Equipment: Ensure you have flares, a fire extinguisher, and navigation lights
  • Check the Conditions: Before you launch your boat, make sure to keep track of the weather and tides to ensure you can launch your boat safely

Launching Your Boat Like a Pro

Launching a boat isn’t rocket science, but it does require focus, preparation, and a bit of patience. Follow these steps to make the process as smooth and safe as possible:

Prepare Your Boat Before Reaching the Ramp

Don’t wait until you’re at the ramp to get everything set—use the staging area before the ramp to organize. Here’s what to do:

  • Inspect your boat and trailer for any visible issues
  • Load your gear ahead of time
  • Insert your drain plug- this is a small but critical step often overlooked
  • Disconnect the trailer lights and secure loose equipment

When you’re ready, your boat is just one step away from the water

Launch Ramp Etiquette

Boat-launch areas can get busy, especially in Florida’s prime boating season. Always be courteous:

  • Wait your turn without blocking access
  • Have your boat ready to go before pulling onto the ramp
  • Pull away as quickly as you can after launching to free up space for others

Back the Trailer into the Water Slowly

This is when things start to feel real. Back your trailer down the ramp at a controlled pace. Make sure the stern (rear) of your boat is in the water while the bow (front) remains secured.

Pro Tip for New Boaters: When reversing with a trailer, remember this rule—turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction of where you want the trailer to go.

Release and Secure Your Boat

Once the boat is in the water:

  • Unsnap any remaining straps that secure the boat to the trailer
  • Slowly guide the boat off the trailer using the winch strap or push it gently if safe
  • Secure it either to a dock or another safe spot before parking your vehicle

Starting Your Boating Adventure by Selling Your Old One

Launching your boat in Florida is more than a process—it’s the first step in an unforgettable adventure. By mastering the essentials of boat launching and exploring Florida’s diverse waterways, you’ll be well-equipped to enjoy the very best of boating.

However, if your boat has seen better days or wants something different, you can sell it to Sell Us Your Boat!

What About Launching a Bigger Boat?

For Bigger Boats, the preparation and launch can take a bit more effort. Using a Boat Lift, for example. This allows you to clean the bottom of the boat (as illustrated below) before putting it in the water. This sailboat is being prepared for launch in Fort Lauderdale, FL for example. We’ll cover this in subsequent articles!

Preparing for Boat Launch in Fort Lauderdale

Reasons Why Wearing a Life Jacket is Important

Whenever you are on a boat, it is required by law to have life jackets for everyone. Life jackets are an essential safety tool to keep you from drowning in the water. That may seem to be obvious, but we’ve all heard stories of senseless tragedies.  Even the most confident and skilled swimmers can become drowning victims. However, many people believe that riding in a boat precludes you from wearing or having a life jacket on you. However, this is not the case at all. Whether you are riding in a boat or within a shallow area, having a life jacket available is important.

The Importance of a Life Jacket

Life Jackets on a fishing boat

You and your friends decide to take a fishing trip on your new fishing boat. As your friend reels in the fish that they’ve caught, you notice that they’re leaning over the boat as it is moving. Suddenly, your friend goes overboard. Panic is setting in before your friend safely resurfaces due to the life jacket they are wearing.

This entire scenario would be different if your friend was not wearing the jacket. It is amazing how a single decision can be the difference between being safe and drowning. There are few ways that life jackets are fundamental to have and wear on boats.

Life Jackets Saves Lives

Every year, hundreds upon hundreds are saved by life jackets. Life jackets are meant to be a floatation Whether it be from drowning, hypothermia, cardiac arrest, or trauma, life jackets are generally the #1 reason for survival.

Life Jackets Keep You Warm

What many people don’t know is that life jackets are customized to help keep our body temperatures warm while we’re out on the water. It doesn’t matter how cold it is outside, the life jacket can act as an extra layer against the cold and prevent you from freezing up in the water.

Life Jackets Can Turn You Around

If you happen to fall into the water with a life jacket on, please do not panic. Life jackets are made to turn your body around the right way and in the right direction.

Boat Buyers in Florida

As you can see, life jackets are beneficial to the boating community. Although they can be bothersome, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Looking for boat buyers in Florida to take your fishing boat? We’ll take it off of your hands! Contact us today for more information.

Hurricane Season and How to Protect Your Boat

Hurricane Season

With Fall here, the hurricane season is about to get worse and the Southeast United States will deal with more intense storms. This is especially a bigger concern for people who own boats on the coast. Last year, the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season was the fourth-most active season on record! There were 20 named hurricanes in 2023, with the most damaging storm occurring in late September. So, what type of damage should expect from these types of storms and how can you protect your boat?

Hurricane Damage to Boats

Without a doubt, hurricanes can cause an incredible amount of damage. Just last year, Hurricane Idalia caused $1 billion in damages alone. Although many of the hurricanes last year were regarded as “fish storms,” it’s still capable of destroying a boat. If a boat is caught up in a hurricane, you can expect damage such as:

  • Structural
  • Engine
  • Electronics

You can also expect machinery failures, damage to steering systems and engine controls, and water damage that can lead to rot. To show what kind of state boats can get stuck in, let’s look at Hurricane Ian. During Ian, there was a billion dollars worth of damage to boats. These boats were left piled up on each other, lodged into buildings, and stuck in trees months after the hurricane struck. Without a doubt, your boat is going to get destroyed if it’s left at the mercy of a hurricane.

How Can You Protect Your Boat

If you have a boat in Florida or another Southern state, you might be wondering what you could do to protect your boat from a hurricane. The best way to protect your boat from flying into the nearest tree is by getting it out of the water. If you have a trailer, then you should remove your boat and relocate it to a safer destination that is far away from the coastline. You can store your boat in a garage or another storage facility.

If you cannot remove your boat from the water, you need to secure your boat and reduce the boat’s surface area. You can secure the boat to the dock with thicker lines to keep the boat from swaying and chafing gear to protect the structure of your boat. You should remove expensive electronics to ensure they are not damaged by water and close your hull valves to prevent internal damage.

Before the storm hits, you should record the state of your boat for insurance purposes and make sure everything is closed. Yet, all of these measures do not mean your boat will be safe.

Sell Your Boat Before a Hurricane Hits

We Buy Damaged Boats!

Without a doubt, hurricane season is stressful and expensive for many people. Not many people can get insurance for their boat. Even taking protective measures can be expensive and still does not guarantee that your boat will be one piece after the storm. So, before you have to sell your boat for pennies on the dollar, you should sell it to us!

Sell Us Your Boat will give you the best quote for your used boat! We even buy damaged boats!