Towing and launching a boat isn’t just about getting from A to B - it’s about doing it safely, smoothly, and with the right setup. From the road to the ramp and everything in between, a bit of know-how goes a long way in protecting your gear, your vehicle, and everyone around you.

Here are five key areas to get right when towing and handling your boat.

Whether you're taking your boat 100 metres down to the boat ramp or 100km north to the bach, you need to know how to drive properly while towing a trailer. The basics are not going more than 90kmh, keeping a four-second gap between you and the car in front and avoiding making sudden changes in direction. The AA has a good guide to towing and Burnsco stocks important driving accessories such as trailer lighting and towing mirrors.

It's vital you understand your car's towing capacity; something which ought to be included in its owner's manual and make sure it has a properly mounted and maintained towing hitch. But remember that your boat will usually be described as a certain 'dry' weight so when determining whether your car is fine to tow your boat, add on extra kilos to account for fuel, accessories and all your gear that you've stowed away in storage. When driving make sure you have the right equipment (such as tiedown straps) to prevent your load from shifting about.

Weight, height, width and length will all determine how much power you need to be able to successfully launch and retrieve your boat – both in terms of your vehicle and you. Make sure you have enough people on hand to handle the boat in the water and your vehicle is able to contend with the steepness of the boat ramp or the soft sand if you’re launching off the beach. It’s also important that you have a suitable winch and cable for the weight of your boat.

Because your trailer and lights are underwater at least twice during every boat trip you take, it’s important you keep everything in as good a condition as you would your boat. Keep the hubs well-greased; make sure your brake, main and indicator lights are in working order before every trip; rinse the trailer every time you use it in salt water; check you have a spare tyre and jack which fits the trailer as well as your car; and check that all your rollers, stops and blocks are in good working order so they don’t mark or damage your boat.

Getting your towing setup right comes down to preparation, awareness, and regular checks. If you take the time to understand your vehicle, load correctly, maintain your gear, and follow safe driving and launching practices, you’ll spend less time worrying and more time enjoying your day on the water.