Launching and loading your Switch pontoon

Your next epic day on the water can be over before it even begins if you don’t cover a few basic things before leaving home. Make sure you have the proper licensing, permits, and insurance for your pontoon and trailer, if required. This varies by location, so check the requirements with the local regulatory organization. More often than not, you can complete and pay for any registration documents online and print temporary documentation that will allow you to head to the water on the same day.

Make sure that you have all the necessary safety equipment stored on board, such as a marine fire extinguisher, personal flotation devices (PFDs) for all passengers, and a throwable flotation device stored on your pontoon. Your local Sea-Doo dealer can help you ensure that you're legally ready to ride with all the right equipment.

Don't forget things like dock lines for tying up, anchors for beaches and sandbars, a cooler filled with refreshments, and a couple of towels in case you decide to jump in!

When everything’s packed and ready to go, double-check that you have your Switch key tether. Also, take a quick look at your trailer tires to ensure they’re properly inflated, and check that your trailer is properly coupled to your tow vehicle. It's best to have a second person on hand to ensure the trailer lights are functioning correctly. Your next stop should be to top up with fuel if you haven't already, and don’t forget to top off those coolers with ice.

Arriving at the boat launch: Upon arriving at the launchpad, some regions may require you to wash down your Switch before putting it in the water. Double-check those regulations and pull off for a quick rinse if needed to ensure you're not giving any aquatic invasive species a free ride into a new body of water.

Next, pull off to the side, check that your drain plug is properly installed and load anything from your vehicle onto your Switch. Remove any covers, tie-down straps, and position your docking fenders if you have them. Attach the docking lines to the cleats so they’re ready to go, and connect a lead line (usually a long rope) to the rear of the Switch so you can pull it free from the trailer.

When it’s time to launch, unplug the trailer lights, pull around and through your launch lane far enough to give yourself a straight approach when backing into the water. The best advice here is to take your time. It may take a few tries to get back into the water, and that’s perfectly okay. The more you launch and load your pontoon boat, the better you'll get at backing the trailer.

As you back the trailer into the water, have another member of your crew hold the lead line and walk onto the dock as you go. Remember, boat ramps can be very slippery, so use caution when moving around the launch area.

Back far enough into the water so the rear of the pontoon boat begins to float. Put your vehicle in “park” and set the parking brake before doing anything else. With the parking brake set, you can exit the vehicle and disconnect the trailer winch line from the front of the Switch. Once disconnected, have the second person pull the pontoon free from the trailer with the lead line

When you’re done with your watery adventure, and you return to the coastline, ask one of your crew members to retrieve the vehicle and trailer while you wait with the Switch. Double check that the bimini top is lowered and any loose items are correctly secured before loading.

When it's time to load, back the trailer into the water using the same process as to when launching. While the trailer is backing in, have another person position the Switch for loading and connect a lead line to the bow.

Once the trailer is in position, pull the pontoon in line with the trailer bunks and connect the winch strap. Crank the it up until it's securely in place on the trailer. Slowly pull the trailer out of the water and clear of the launch. Park off out of the way and remove the drain plug and any weeds or other aquatic life off the trailer and pontoons. If there's a washdown station available, give your Switch a quick rinse to remove any aquatic life you may have missed.