If you’ve ever been at a busy boat ramp, you know it can be a stressful undertaking. With lines of boats just waiting to get into the water, and all eyes on you, you start to feel a little like Charlie Sheen (minus the winning). But with your tiger blood, you brave through it—even though there’s more stress there than two and a half men can handle—and you get your boat in the water.

A few weeks ago, we talked about how not to launch your boat. Today, we are going to share some tips to help your boat launch this spring be filled with a little less movie-star drama and a little more winning (duh!).

The best advice we can give you is to prepare ahead of time. Don’t get caught fumbling around with a line of angry boaters giving you the evil eye.

The following checklist covers items you should get ready before you get to the boat launch:

• Load all personal items onboard. This includes: coolers, picnic supplies, ice, food and snacks, pets, etc.
• Double check your fuel. I know this seems like a no brainer, but the launch ramp is the last place you want to discover an empty fuel tank.
• Get your buoys ready, and make sure your lead line is not tangled or in knots.
• You and your family should have life vests on before you reach the launching dock.
• For sail boats, get your mast up, boom and sails hanked on, and mooring lines and fenders on.

We hope that this list serves as a catalyst to help you create your own checklist—one that you accomplish long before the boat ramp spotlights are on you.

What are some items you would add to the list above?