But they’re not unavoidable. For every boat towing problem, there’s a solution! In fact, a lot of solutions are preventative. So let’s have a look at some of the more common boat towing problems, and how to fix them.

Wheel bearings: This boat towing problem can have serious consequences, but the fix is easy

If you see a boat trailer with its hazards on beside a highway, there’s a fair chance it’s experiencing wheel bearing issues. Wheel bearings are a simple, but pivotal component of all boat trailers. They allow the wheels to rotate freely, and without friction. However, wheel bearings don’t last forever. Like almost every moving part of a trailer, wheel bearings have a shelf life.

The key to avoiding problems is to ensure that your wheel bearings are replaced before they fail! Wheel bearing failures can be serious. In some cases failure can generate enough heat to destroy the hub, and even cause the wheel to detach! For a lot of people, wheel bearing replacement is second nature – it’s a DIY fix. But it can be complicated, and it’s always a dirty job! So see the experts for help.

Trailer rust: this is a boat towing problem that can occur without you realising – here’s why

Rust affects almost all boat trailers at one point or another. Worse still, it’s insidious. Rust can start on the inside of a trailer, and work its way out just like termites do. That means that by the time you see it, the damage is done, and your trailer has lost its structural integrity.

Naturally, that will cause pretty significant problems while you’re towing your boat! To avoid rust, give your trailer a thorough clean with fresh water after every use. Make sure it’s not sitting in the weather for too long too. However, the only way to know for sure that your trailer won’t rust is to get an aluminium one.

Electrical failures are a serious boat towing problem, and they can take several forms

Electrical failures are relatively common on trailers, and they create a boat towing problem for you. Saltwater can corrode electrical wiring and components, which can cause indicators and brake lights to fail. That creates a boat towing problem for you, and for other road users.

The problem can be more serious, though, if you have a big boat. A lot of big trailer boats requires electrical braking systems to be towed safely. If you have a boat like that, then electrical failures can compromise your braking ability, while towing. To avoid that, test your trailer electrics before every use, and get a professional opinion each service.

Trailer blowouts are the most common boat towing problem, and you can help avoid them!

If there’s one boat towing problem more common than wheel bearing failure, it’s tyre blowouts! Luckily, these are the easiest to fix: simply change the tyre! Better still, check your tyre pressure and condition before each use. And keep in mind that a lot of trailers don’t come with spare tyres. If yours falls into that category, then get yourself a spare or two. It could save you from being stranded roadside, in a boat towing mishap!

Most boat towing problems arise out of poor maintenance – that’s why professional servicing is key

Keeping your boat trailer in good condition is the best way to avoid towing problems. So get your trailer seen to by the experts before your next big trip!

The post 4 Common Boat Towing Problems and How to Fix Them appeared first on Almac Trailers.

Storms are not good news when boating. There’s no cause for panic, though, if you do see an imminent storm looming. All you need to do is prepare, and ride it out. Here’s how!

#1: Always keep the kill switch lanyard on your person when boating in a storm

In high seas, it’s often best to keep your boat moving. Large waves, which are often thrown up by storms, can often capsize a stationary vessel with greater ease than a moving one. But actively boating in a storm can pose its own risks. A common one is balance. If you’re navigating rough seas, there’s a heightened risk of going overboard. That’s why you should always have the kill switch around your wrist. That way, if you do end up in the drink, your boat won’t carry on without you.

#2 Do your passengers know where the lifejackets are? They need to if you’re boating in a storm!

Lifejackets: they should really be on you and your passengers whenever possible. But, of course, we often find ourselves on the water with our lifejackets below deck. If a storm comes, the lifejackets should be out and on as soon as possible. So you need to be sure that everyone on the boat knows where they are.

Before you embark on any boating adventure, you should give your passengers a quick safety briefing. Time is everything when the weather turns on the water! Make sure your crew are ready for action, no matter how calm it seems at the time.

#3 Carrying an EPIRB is a must when boating – keep it close in a storm

EPIRBs are a boating safety revelation. They have saved countless lives, and will save countless more. Perhaps even yours! If you’re boating in a storm, you should have your EPIRB at hand. Of course, you should only use it when there’s an imminent threat to life. But if that threat arises, there’s no time to waste! If the weather descends on you, while you’re on the water, we suggest placing your EPIRB somewhere securely within reach. Alternatively, you could secure it to your person if you are the sole skipper!

#4 Can you make it to sheltered water? Always know the nearest calm water when boating in a storm

Navigation is an important skill, and it can get you out of all sorts of trouble. That is sure to become clear if you find yourself boating in a storm! Knowing where your nearest safe harbour is, can mean the world in a storm. Ideally, your safe harbour will be dry land – such as an island, or the shore. But if that’s not available, nearby reefs, bays, or coves are all options. Always keep an eye on your location, and the location of possible safety around you. That way, you stand a chance of beating the storm to safety!

#5 Boating in a storm can be frightening, but no matter what, stay calm!

Finally, the most important tip to boating safely in a storm is to remain calm! That is especially important if you have passengers, but it’s true if you’re alone as well. If you keep your boat in good condition, and your safety gear at hand, you are at a far lower risk of running into trouble. Just remember, most storms pass quickly! Staying safe is just a matter of preparation and action.

For more boating safety tip and all your boat trailer needs, get in touch with the experts at Almac Trailers on (07) 4152 3737. 

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And when it comes to boating, there’s not much room for mistakes. Luckily, most boating mistakes are easy to avoid. So we’ve put together a quick list of some of the more common boating mistakes we see. We’ve also added some tips on how to avoid them!

Heading out at night? Don’t make the common boating mistake of forgetting your lights!

If you’re heading out at night, proper lighting is essential. Without the right lights, your boat effectively becomes a hidden hazard on the water. Sure, it might be audible when the engine is running. But on a dark night, there’s absolutely no way for any other mariners to see you. That’s why you need to take a three-point approach to your night-time lighting. The first and most important tip is to check your navigation lights.

They must be turned on while your boat is in motion, and it’s not a bad idea to leave them on when you’re stopped, too. Then there’s the anchor light. If you stop and anchor at night, you must have an anchor light by law. It’s basically just a bright light that sits well above the gunwales of your boat. Finally, we recommend a safety torch. It’s not uncommon for marine electrics to corrode over time, and leave you without lights. A safety torch will help other boats see you when you’re heading back in.

Poor navigation is a common boating mistake – here’s why you need to avoid it

There’s a bit of a trick to navigation. But luckily, in this day and age, we have so many advanced tools of navigation at our disposal. The most useful is GPS. It’s not only good for marking fishing spots! It’s also vital if you’re boating in open water. What a lot of people don’t know, though, is that GPS can also be very useful in tidal systems.

If you’re in a bay, a harbour, or an inlet, there are still plenty of hazards that you can miss. A common boating mistake in Queensland is running aground in a river mouth or bay. Such accidents can have serious consequences, too. That’s why we always recommend GPS – even for tidal boating navigation.

There are some places you just can’t fish – here’s how to avoid an expensive boating mistake

Fishing is regulated all across Australia. In Queensland, we have an extensive zoning system that governs where you can fish, and how you can fish there. Of course, there’s only one way to come to terms with where each zone is: zoning maps. You can get zoning maps for free throughout Queensland. You can also get them downloaded to your GPS. Often, a combination of the two is best. Maintaining a good understanding of your fishing zones is the only way to avoid a potentially costly – and illegal – boating mistake.

Do you have a two-stroke engine? Running it with a poor mix is a common and costly boating mistake

Two-stroke engines need the right mix of oil and fuel to function properly. A common boating mistake we see is forgetting to finetune that mix. It’s easy to think that your engine is in good condition if it’s running. But two-stroke engines can run without a proper mix of fuel and oil. When they do, irreparable damage can occur. That’s why we suggest speaking to an outboard mechanic if you’re unsure of the ratio you should run.

Going on a long trip without checking your trailer is a common boating mistake – here’s how to avoid it

Finally, let’s talk about trailers. After all, you can’t go boating without them! A common boating mistake we come across is trailer neglect. It can have serious consequences, too. That’s why we advise budding boaties to get a good quality trailer and maintain it regularly. Professional servicing is the best way to do so!

Get in touch with the experts at Almac Trailers for more expert boating tips and for all your boat trailer needs.

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Dimensions Short Shaft:  925x255x320=7kg

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Mounts directly into your canopy.

Dimensions:  1100x315x307=12kg

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The most important boat safety tip is to ensure that all your safety gear is in good condition

Before you hit the water, you need to start preparing. The best bot safety tip we can give is to check your safety gear. Make sure you’ve got all the gear you need to keep you safe wherever you’re going. And remember, there are laws surrounding the safety equipment you need in different areas.

So check your bag for the basics: flares, v-sheet, life jackets, paddles, EPIRBs, and any other safety devices that you need. And don’t just make sure you’ve got them – make sure they’re in working order! It’s one thing to have the gear, but if it doesn’t work when you need it to you could find yourself in some strife.

Even on a busy weekend, the conditions can turn: monitoring the weather is a vital boat safety tip

Just because everyone else is on the water, you can’t be guaranteed a perfect run. The weather doesn’t always follow the rules, and it can turn pretty quickly regardless of how many boats are out. That’s why it’s an important safety tip to keep an eye on the weather while boating. If you’re heading into open water, watch the forecast right until you leave the ramp. And once you hit the water, keep an eye on the conditions.

Is the wind picking up? Are there any suspicious clouds in sight? If you have any concerns, play it safe. You can always use your radio to get weather updates, or call a friend to check for you if you’ve got phone signal.

Boating at night? A great safety tip is to check your electronics before you go

Sometimes, you can find yourself out on the water on a busy night. There are boats coming and going, and some are bigger and less manoeuvrable than others. How do you stay safe under challenging conditions like that? The most important safety tip for night boating is to check your electronics.

At night, you need three things: navigation lights, anchor lights, and GPS navigation. You can’t rely on landmarks to navigate at night, and you need to be sure other boats can see you when you’re moving, and anchored. Making sure all your electrics work is the only way to do so.

Patience is the key to safe boating on a busy weekend – here are some common mistakes to avoid

Boating on a busy weekend can sometimes be frustrating. All you want is to get away from it all, but there are people at every turn. It’s important to stay patient on the water. In fact, patience is an invaluable boating safety tip. Try and slow down when you pass anchored boats. If someone’s in your fishing spot, take the chance to explore some new ground. If you do your best to boat courteously, people will likely stay out of your way.

Ramp safety is important when boating – here are some safety tips for getting on and off the water

Finally, let’s turn our minds to the melting pot – the centre of business on a calm day: the boat ramp. The ramp is where you’ll need to put all your patience to the test. To make sure everything goes smoothly, de-rig and re-rig your boat in the designated areas. Try not to spend too much time hosing down if there’s a queue – sometimes it’s best to save that for home. Also, make sure your trailer is in good condition, so you can get on and off the water safely and quickly, without causing any delays.

For more boat safety information and all your boat trailer needs, get in touch with the experts at Almac Trailers.

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Is your dog riding in the trailer on your boating trip? A good trailer is key for your dog’s safety

First, let’s take a quick look at getting to the ramp. If you don’t have a ute, there’s a good chance your dog will ride in the boat trailer on the way to your next boating trip. And that’s a pretty comfortable way to travel. At least, it is if your trailer is in good condition. Keeping your boat trailer well maintained is essential if you’re going to be carrying a canine passenger. Make sure wheel bearings are in good condition, alloy components are secure, and the trailer is free from corrosion. A quick safety check will ensure your dog’s safety. It’s also essential to secure your dog for the journey and make sure there’s adequate shade.

Dog’s don’t know much about estuarine waterways: consider these things when boating with dogs

If you’re going boating in the northern reaches of Queensland, there’s a unique hazard: crocodiles. Estuarine waterways have consistent croc populations in central and north Queensland. Often, dogs are at the top of their menu. Keep your dog well away from the water, at all times. Make sure your dog doesn’t swim at the boat ramp, too. Crocs are stealth predators, and you never know when they’re near. So take care of your dog; they don’t have the same sense of water safety as us.

Dogs are good swimmers, but if you’re boating somewhere with currents, keep a close eye on them

Dogs are good swimmers. They can swim a fair distance, and stay afloat for a fair while. However, compared to humans, they’re not all that swift through the water. If you’re going for a swim with your dog on a boating trip, stick to the calm waters. Dogs aren’t well suited to swimming against currents, as their legs are only short. If swimming across currents is a necessity, try and secure your dog to you with a rope. Better still, consider leaving your dog at home for that particular trip.

Fishing hooks are a dog’s worst enemy; keep all hooks packed away when boating with dogs

Fishing hooks are big problem for dogs. Often, they only see a tasty seafood morsel; they don’t see the hook hidden within it. They also don’t always get out of the way when you’re casting a line. The result, in either case, is a nasty hook injury for your dog. So take some care, and avoid a trip to the vet. When you’re boating with your dog, always be aware of where it is, and where your hooks are. Make sure the two don’t meet!

Make sure your dog has plenty of water! Those summer boating trips can get very hot

Finally, take plenty of snacks and water! Your dog will need to eat and drink, just like you will. And in those hot summer months, boating trips and dehydration go hand in hand for you and your dog. A good rule of thumb is to ensure that your dog is drinking as often as you are. If it’s particularly hot, your dog may also need to take a quick dip if it’s safe. Some breeds of dog don’t handle the heat particularly well, and a cooling swim is a perfect remedy. But make sure the conditions are right for a swim first!

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Rockhampton Expo

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So when the time comes to choose your boat loader, how can you be sure you’re getting the best possible set up? Well, if you follow this approach, you can ensure that your boat loader is perfectly matched to you, your boat, and your 4wd!

What makes boat loaders such a perfect solution for 4wd vehicles? They will get your boat anywhere!

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of choosing boat loaders for your 4wd, let’s look at why you should choose a boat loader. Boat loaders are a low profile boat storage solution that combine safety and practicality. Essentially, they allow you to utilise the abundant space on the top of your vehicle, to transport your boat.

Sure, tinnies may be light – but loading and unloading them from the top of a car is impossible without help. And what better to help you than a boat loader? Of course, in addition to safety, they offer one thing that no other boat storage system offers: freedom. With a boat loader and a tinny, you can get to waterways that would otherwise be completely inaccessible by road. That means more fish, and fewer worries!

Before you think about boat loaders for your 4wd, think about what sort of boat you’re after

When you choose a boat loader, there are two things to think about: your 4wd, and your boat. So if you’ve not yet got a boat, you’ll need to think about that first. It’s much better to match a boat loader to a tinny, that it is to match a tinny to a boat loader! So shop around, and find the perfect tinny for you. It should be lightweight, and small enough to fit on the roof of your car. Generally, something no longer than 3.5m is ideal.

When you’re choosing a boat loader, make sure it’s rated to support the weight of your boat

Now you’ve got everything lined up: you’ve picked a boat, and you’ve got a 4wd. Time to choose a boat loader! The first consideration is weight. Check your tinny’s specifications, and make sure you’re clear on how much it weighs. That is important because different boat loaders are rated to different weights.

You want to be sure that your boat loader is suitably constructed to handle the weight of your tinny, and more. That’s where professional input is vital. Chat to the experts, and let them know precisely what boat you have.

Think about safety as well: choose a boat loader that will allow you to safely unload on any terrain

With a suitable boat loader, you’re ready to go. But where are you going? If you’re just heading to the local dam, then chances are unloading will be relatively straightforward. But what if you’re going somewhere a little further off the beaten track? Like your 4wd, your boat loader should allow you to go just about anywhere.

That includes terrains that are steep, rocky, uneven, or overgrown. Of course, boat loaders won’t be able to unload safely everywhere; they still have their limits. But if you’re a hardcore adventurer, make sure you choose a boat loader that can safely unload on a variety of terrains.

Again, make sure you chat to the experts before getting yours fitted. They’ll be able to offer you the advice you need to safely unload your boat on a number of different terrains.

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