Level II: 17' Boston Whaler

Prerequisites for Level II: 

  • California Boater Card
  • Stanford affiliated and approved driver from Stanford Risk Management
  • MOTC or USCG Licence
  • Checkout with the BSO or a designated skipper by the BSO:
    • Demonstrate all procedures described below to the satisfaction of the boating safety office

Level II checkout sheet for the 17' Whaler: 

Prior to trip

  • Complete Boat Project at least one month prior
  • Fill out float plan and tell your plan to a shore contact who will be around to notice if you're not back on time.
  • Get Whaler and truck keys from the TRAKA Box
  • Check that the plugs are in the bilge and in the anchor well.
  • Check oil in motor.
  • Make sure there is sufficient gasoline for the planned trip.
  • The Whaler must have the following items on board:
    • Whaler box containing up-to-date signaling devices, VHF radio,  and fire extinguisher
    • GPS/depth finder
    • One life jacket per person (in dive lockers) plus one throwable flotation device, i.e life ring (stays on board)
    • Paddles, bailing device (bailer and hand pump in console), horn (in console box)
    • If diving: AED, dive flag, O2, and a first aid kit
    • Anchor (check to make sure it is properly stowed and attached at the bitter end)
    • All-around light on extender pole if using between dawn and dusk (kept in dive-locker back cabinet).
  • Load weight belts, tanks, or other heavy gear towards the bow for trim.
  • Stow gear so that safety equipment, dock lines and anchor well are accessible.

Hooking up the Whaler trailer

  • Use the 2" ball on the truck hitch.
  • Make sure the coupler is fully seated on the ball, then lock latch in "down" position.
  • Crank up the wheel jack, swing it up and lock securely into horizontal position.
  • Cross chains under trailer tongue and hook to truck with "S" facing back.
  • Connect trailer-light cable, and check to make sure lights work.
  • Raise the outboard motor and lower it onto the brackets.
  • Check that stern tie-downs are securely fastened, the bow safety cable is attached, and winch ratchet is set properly. Bow roller should be snug against bow.
  • Perform SAFETY CHECK: walk around trailer, and do a final visual check before driving it anywhere.

Launching

  • Unhook bow safety cable and stern tie-downs; put stern tie-downs in truck. Undo motor mount.
  • Back down the ramp.
  • When trailer wheels are in the water, undo winch hook and safety cable, have someone take both bow and stern lines, and back the truck a little further, using the surge to help lift the boat off the trailer.  Bunk glides and hitch extender make it easy to keep the truck dry. If there is a lot of surge, use patience and timing, or launch at a site with less surge (e.g. Harbor Master's Office ramp at Monterey Harbor instead of Breakwater ramp).

Start-up

  • Check that the kill-switch cord is connected (on console).
  • Vent gas tank, pump bulb
  • With the engine lowered, put throttle lever in neutral, turn key.
  • Warm the engine up at idle for at least 3 minutes.

Motoring

  • Brace heel of hand on throttle mount to avoid sudden throttle movements.
  • No wake in harbor - go slowly. Once outside harbor, get on a plane.
  • Look for constant stream of water from motor; listen for engine alarms.
  • Match speed to conditions, and avoid porpoising.
  • Never go full throttle when boat has a light load.

Retrieval

  • Turn off engine; raise the motor and rest it on the brackets.
  • Float boat onto trailer, connect winch strap to bow eye and winch remainder of distance, keeping stern of the boat squarely on the trailer, not tilted or crooked.
  • At top of ramp, winch any slack so bow is against roller, attach safety cable to bow eye, attach stern tie-downs, pull all plugs, walk around trailer and visually inspect before trailering.

Clean-up

  • Lower motor, flush with hose connected to flushing fitting for at least 5 minutes, watching for steady stream of water from motor. Motor can be run if "bunny-ears" are hooked up, watch for steady steam of water. Use salt-away if possible.
  • Fill out the boat log (in plastic container in console).
  • Close out your float plan.
  • Raise motor and lower onto brackets, remove key and return. Turn motor to starboard to protect greased steering rod.
  • Rinse truck springs, wheels, brakes thoroughly if they got even slightly wet.
  • Rinse the motor, boat, and trailer thoroughly. Flush the bilge with fresh water while running the bilge pump. Rinse the trailer springs and the insides of the wheels. Soak the carpeted boards. Rinse anchor and line. Unwind, rinse, and rewind winch strap if it was immersed or twisted during recovery.
  • Cover the boat, using pole and straps during rainy season.
  • Park the trailer properly and lower the motor. If the trailer wheel jack is cranked high the motor fin can scrape the ground, so tilt the motor up just enough to avoid this.
  • Put hitch back in garage; put boat box, GPS/depth finder, life vests, all-around light (if used) back in dive-lockers

Normal Operations of level II boats: 

Project Proposal/Boat Use Request and Float Plan For Level II: 

Boat Projects 

For any boat use, operators must submit a Boat Project through the WebBoater website for review by the Hopkins Boating Safety Committee. This proposal should be made no less than one month before the start of the project. The proposal must be approved by the BSO. If significant questions exist, a full meeting of the committee will be held to consider the proposal. 

Float Plans

For Level II boat use, in conjunction with the Boat Projects. Users must fill out a float plan 24 hours before the intended use. This is a USCG requirement and allows the BSO to have a "flight roster" of the use of the boat. Please use this Float Plan form. For each departure complete this form and submit it to the BSO before your launch -- and give a copy to your designated shore contact. If your trip is expected to extend beyond the anticipated return time, notify your shore contact. Remember to close out your float plan (i.e. notify your shore contact) upon your return.

Additional Policies for Level II: 

Hopkins boats must not be kept off-site or unavailable to other users for more than 2 weeks at a time, except by agreement between all users. Trailering Hopkins boats to launch sites other than Monterey, Moss Landing and Santa Cruz must have approval from the Boating Safety Committee in addition to meeting the off-site time limit.