It can be stressful, and that can lead to rushing, and that can lead to mistakes.
One time I forgot the plug, not the end of the world, head the bilge pump kick on and I realized it right away and jumped overboard and plugged it in.
One time I thought I forgot my key but was really just rushed and forgot where I had put it.
One thing we started doing a certain lakes is paying the boat launch fees vs using the free ones. Wabamun can easily be a 1h launch and 1h retrieval or a $20 fee and no lines. its much less stressful to pay the $20.
Also creating a checklist really helped me. I laminated it and have a pre leaving home checklist, a launch checklist, and a retrieval checklist.
here is mine, anyone wants to add anything please do, Im new to this as well.
PRE-TRIP LIST
-Fuel up
-Batteries check fluid and charge
-Check oil
-Do a run up
-Check tire pressure
-Check remote batteries
-Check life jackets
-Load rods and tackle
-Confirm boat key
-Confirm you have both remotes
LAUNCHING LIST
PRE LAUNCH
-Remove/stow cover and poles in truck
-Anything anyone wants to bring goes in the boat now
-Wallet in boat (fishing & boating licence)
-Everyone's life jackets out of the boat and on their person
-Remove stern tie downs
-Insert drain plug
-Remove rods from locker and stow in vertical holders
-Put out buoys
-Get retrieval rope ready
-Mount trolling motor
-Plug in trolling motor cables (power, foot pedal, iPilot link)
-Reset all 3 power breakers
-Get life jacket on
-Key in ignition
LAUNCH
-Hummingbird on
-Unplug trailer wiring
-Wind both Windows all the way down
-Backup trailer until it is in the water
-Unclip safety strap on bow
-Push boat off
-Wife pulls boat over to dock/shore and secures
-Park truck
LOADING
-All rods in vertical positions
-All individuals in their seats
-Wife upfront
-Turn fuel pump off
-Turn motor off
-Turn off huminbird
-Buoys out
-Raise leg as much as you can
-Coast beside dock, hop off and secure boat
-Everyone out
-Back trailer into water until back rollers submerged
-Unwind winch strap to back of trailer
-Pull boat in
-Clip on winch and winch boat onto trailer
-Hookup safety bow chain
-Drive to staging area
-Plug trailer wiring back in
-Test lights
-Remove drain plug
-Attach stern tie downs
-Turn off all 3 breakers
-Store both remotes
-Store buoys
-Store retrieval rope
-Store lifejackets
-Stow rods
-Place cover back on
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