How to safely tow a boat
Whether you’re heading away for a weekend getaway or transporting your boat for maintenance, ensuring a safe tow is crucial to protect both your boat and everyone on the road. You should also be sure to comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
Bishop Skinner Marine considers the essential steps to safely tow a boat, from choosing the right equipment to proper driving techniques.
1. Choose the right tow vehicle and trailer
Before you hit the road, ensure your vehicle is capable of towing your boat and advise your vehicle insurer that you will be towing. Check the following:
- Towing capacity – Your vehicle should have a towing capacity that exceeds the weight of your boat, trailer, and any additional gear.
- Trailer compatibility – Use a trailer that matches your boat’s size and weight, with working brakes and lights.
- Hitch and ball mount – Ensure the hitch is rated for your load and securely attached to your vehicle. Unhitched trailers must be secured with a hitchlock or wheelclamp when unattended, otherwise your insurance will not cover any theft.
2. Securely load and attach the boat
Properly securing your boat to the trailer prevents shifting or detachment while driving.
- Balance the load – The boat should sit evenly on the trailer, with about 10% of its weight resting on the hitch.
- Use safety straps – Secure the boat with strong straps at the bow and stern to prevent movement.
- Check the winch and bow stop – Ensure the winch is locked and the bow stop is correctly positioned to keep the boat from rolling.
3. Inspect your equipment before driving
A thorough pre-trip inspection helps prevent accidents. Before leaving, check:
- Trailer lights and brakes – Test brake lights, indicators, and hazard lights to ensure visibility.
- Tire pressure and condition – Inflate tires to the recommended PSI and check for any wear or damage.
- Safety chains and breakaway cable – Cross safety chains under the hitch in an "X" pattern and connect the breakaway cable to engage trailer brakes if it detaches.
4. Drive cautiously and adjust for towing
Towing a boat changes the way your vehicle handles, so adjust your driving accordingly:
- Allow for extra stopping distance – Braking takes longer when towing, so increase your following distance.
- Make wider turns – Trailers track inside your vehicle’s turn, so take wider turns to avoid curbs or obstacles.
- Consider your height – The trailer and boat will be taller than your vehicle, so pay attention to height restrictions and obstacles such as low hanging trees.
- Watch for swaying – If the trailer begins to sway, ease off the accelerator and steer straight – never overcorrect.
- Use lower gears on hills – Reduce strain on your brakes when going downhill by shifting to a lower gear.
- Keep it secure – If the towing vehicle is parked and out of sight, for example during a service station stop, you will need to fit a wheel clamp.
5. Launch and Retrieve Your Boat Safely
When launching or retrieving your boat, follow these steps:
- Back up slowly – Use your mirrors and take your time when reversing down the ramp.
- Engage the parking brake – Once in position, put your vehicle in park and engage the brake before unloading.
- Secure the boat before leaving – After retrieving your boat, drain excess water, remove the drain plug, and reattach safety straps.
Whilst towing a vessel, boat insurance would provide cover for both your trailer and vessel. Any damage caused to third-party vehicle or property would be covered by the towing vehicles insurance. For any boat insurance queries or to arrange cover, visit Bishop Skinner Marine or call 0330 818 2355.
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Bishop Skinner Marine is a trading name of Marsh Ltd. Marsh Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for General Insurance Distribution and Credit Broking (Firm Reference No. 307511). Copyright © 2025 Marsh Ltd. Registered in England and Wales Number: 1507274, Registered office: 1 Tower Place West, Tower Place, London EC3R 5BU. All rights reserved.