Westworld Alberta
Issue link: http://westworldmagazine.ama.ab.ca/i/309330
MT ACTIONS PHOTOGRAPHY S U M M E R 2 0 1 4 | W E S T W O R L D A L B E R T A 43 1. PRIME YOUR VESSEL Before you pull up to the launch, test your boat's motor, ll the fuel tank and stow everything you need for the day – rst-aid kit, life jackets, food, toys, sunscreen. Raise the boat's motor so that it doesn't drag. 2. STOP THE DRAIN Check that the boat's drain plug is rmly in place, or your day on the water could become a dip in the water. 3. UNFASTEN Unplug the trailer lights and remove the boat's hold- down straps. If the trailer has its own brakes, release them. 4. INSPECT Make sure the ramp is free of obstructions. 5. EASE DOWN Straighten the tow vehicle and slowly back the trailer down the ramp, with a spotter outside directing you. "Walkie-talkies are great for this," says Rick Lang of AMA Driver Education. " e spotter can be a long way from the launch and still have excellent communication with the driver." Remember: in reverse, the trailer will turn in the opposite direction of the steering wheel. Pull forward if you need to straighten out. 6. SLOW YOUR ROLL Stop when the boat and trailer are in the water, just before the tow vehicle's back wheels reach the edge. Set the parking brake, but leave the vehicle running and don't get out. 7. FLOAT AND RELEASE e boat should now be oating – have your buddy ease it away from the trailer. 8. BON VOYAGE Release your vehicle's parking brake and smoothly accelerate back up the ramp so that the next boater can launch without delay. And have a great day on the water. W TOYS OF SUMMER BOATS Launch Like a Boss You've seen those Youtube videos of yahoos bumping boats, or accidentally submerging their pickups, lakeside? Yikes. But don't worry, you've got this: just follow these steps for a safe, smooth boat launch: Test your Insurance IQ Q What happens if someone steals my Jet Ski from the dock? Would my home insurance cover that? IQ Your home insurance covers watercraft, and any personal items stored in them, up to an amount speci ed in your policy. If you have a pricey vessel, you may want to consider a personal article oater – an item-speci c policy add-on – for extra coverage. Get Out and Play Whitecourt Jet Boat Poker Rallies One reason there are so many jet boat owners in Alberta? The sheer length of the Athabasca. The 1,538-kilometre river is one of only four in the world long enough to host international jet boat races. But you don't have to be a world- class racer to enjoy the open water. Case in point: sport cruisers and high-performance boaters gather every June 14 and August 23 in Whitecourt to participate in the town's annual jet boat poker rallies. Boaters stop at several stations along a 64-km river course to collect cards toward a hand. Pack a pair of binoculars for close-up views of wildlife such as moose, elk, bears and bald eagles. A western-style steak barbecue awaits boaters at the end of the long day. Free camping is available at the boat launch. Whitecourt.ca –Tracy Hyatt iPad and online users: Check out more tips for safe boating. p39-47ToysOfSummer.indd 43 14-05-06 8:11 AM