Loading on the trailer in high wind

Joe Blizzard

Joe Blizzard

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Feb 5, 2009
255
Gloucester 20 Kanawha River, Winfield, WV
To make a long story short, it took three of us to manhandle my boat onto its trailer Tuesday with 25 knot gusts blowing across the ramp. It probably would have gone better if we'd all resigned ourselves to getting wet from the start, but that's one of those live and learn things, I reckon. We ended up with my wife operating the winch, my son holding the bow centered, and me along side keeping the stern from swinging out over the trailer. Short of waiting for better conditions, is there something else I should have done? Anybody got any tips on this sort of thing?
 
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Chief RA

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Nov 26, 2012
2,315
Catalina 250 Bodega Bay CA
No, My wing keel was really a mess to get it on the trailer and drop the mast with high winds Monday at Bodega Bay Ca. It took 4 tries backing down over and over loading and centering the boat. The wing keel even drug the trailer sideways under the water with the boat stern being blown up against the pier. After loading, we lined her up in the parking lot inline with the wind and lowered the mast. Almost lost the mast with it drawing over to one side but made it with a helper. Without him I would probably have lost it. Bear in mind that my boat is 27' long, 2.5 ton+ weight and 32' mast! I worked 10 hours that day!
Lesson learned: I am never going to haul her again with winds!
Chief
 
hawk232

hawk232

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Apr 1, 2010
398
Cal 33 and Sea Pearl 21 . Crystal River, FL
ideally you would have a nice keel guide that would align the boat for you as you pull it on the trailer. unfortunately that takes time and planning.

should you find yourself out on a windy day again. try putting the trailer in way shallow and pull the boat up to it. start winching and when you start feeling resistance, have the driver slowly back in a couple more feet. This should help to keep the boat aligned and from blowing all over the place.
 
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LloydB

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Jan 15, 2006
927
Macgregor 22 Silverton
I tie a continuous line at the bow and stern then stand on the upwind/current dock and float it onto the trailer like a kite with the helper catching the bow eye the last 2 feet then winching in. I've had more trouble when trying to hurry than when taking my time which btw has been faster.
It's a swing keel and I don't recall that much wind but once and it wasn't a cakewalk. take a look here for some great ideas from Sumner http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor/trailer-mods-6.html
 
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Chief RA

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Nov 26, 2012
2,315
Catalina 250 Bodega Bay CA
Some good concepts but piers at Bodega are 60' apart and can be busy on both piers. Note that a wing keel has trailer guides around the wing but drug trailer stern sideways, underwater, to the pier! Chief
 
greenminnow

greenminnow

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Sep 28, 2005
56
-Florida Bay Boat Co. -Peep Hen Minnesota
You may not have this option where you sail, but I have several lakes and ramps to choose from in my area. I choose a ramp on the side of the lake where the wind comes from so the landings are usually calm. I have had too much of the drama you described in the past and don't need it anymore.

Keep On Sailing, Brian
 
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Chief RA

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Nov 26, 2012
2,315
Catalina 250 Bodega Bay CA
One ramp in my area. I must have at least 6' to retrieve or launch as I am wing keel. I think the answer is, wait for a good day and do it early as winds pick up in afternoon at Bodega Bay! Chief
 
All U Get

All U Get

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Oct 2, 2008
3,811
Pearson/ 530 Strafford, NH
I've watched powerboaters keep their trailer shallow and come in fast. This ramp is on a river that has strong cross-currents. Those that are timid fight many times to get on their trailers. Takes some nerve just to watch them.

All U Get
 
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Chief RA

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Nov 26, 2012
2,315
Catalina 250 Bodega Bay CA
In my case, I think the advice to lower the trailer, move up the boat, lower, move, lower, move until drawn all the way up is good. (Thanks Hawk 232) I am still learning with this particular boat as it is the largest sailboat I have owned. It is definitely a BIG trailerable!
It only goes into the water in the Spring and out in late Fall: thank God!
Chief
 
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Benny17441

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May 24, 2004
7,174
CC 30 South Florida
Different ramps offer different challenges and may require different techniques. In a shallow angle ramp you can leave the bunks just under water and pull the boat with a line tied to the bow eye. In a steep angle ramp where the stern of the trailer will quickly disappear you may need some sort of lateral restraint to prevent the stern of the boat from swinging out. Trailer guides, spring lines, dock poles etc. It helps to get on the leeward side ramp of a dock. Every time a plan is needed and if sound and executed well it will look effortlessly. Get to know your boat and trailer and how they interact. We sometimes found that to leave a crewman on board helped with setting lines and even aborting a maneuver to a start a repeat approach.
 
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Chief RA

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Nov 26, 2012
2,315
Catalina 250 Bodega Bay CA
All due respect Benny but with a boat like mine I know it will never be "effortless"! I agree that planning helps but sometimes the wind arrives as you are retrieving the boat as in my case. Chief
 
Sumner

Sumner

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Jan 31, 2009
5,254
Macgregor & Endeavour 26S and 37 Utah's Canyon Country
Meriachee

Meriachee

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Aug 1, 2011
3,972
Catalina 270 255 Wabamun. Welcome to the marina
Chief- keel guides. Even something as large as the 270 behaves when it can't be sucked sideways.
 
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dscribner

dscribner

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Nov 9, 2008
1,338
Pearson-O'Day 290 Portland Maine
Sum always has it figured out! Some of the best modson the forum in full color with circles and arrows!

The easiest way to control the boat in high winds, with one person? Use the other side of the dock. Sure, you may need to apologize to some impatient, unsypathetic powerboater with hairy nuckles but your boat will be safe and you may stay dry.
 
justsomeguy

justsomeguy

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Feb 20, 2011
8,060
Island Packet 35 Tucson, AZ/San Carlos, MX
dscribner said:
Sum always has it figured out! Some of the best modson the forum in full color with circles and arrows!

The easiest way to control the boat in high winds, with one person? Use the other side of the dock. Sure, you may need to apologize to some impatient, unsypathetic powerboater with hairy nuckles but your boat will be safe and you may stay dry.
Click to expand
The OP didn't mention that there was a dock at his particular ramp. That would surely help, if available.

Yah, I've been wet a few times.
 
Joe Blizzard

Joe Blizzard

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Feb 5, 2009
255
Gloucester 20 Kanawha River, Winfield, WV
justsomeguy said:
The OP didn't mention that there was a dock at his particular ramp.
Click to expand
There's a dock, but it's perpendicular to the ramp and too far away to be of much use in launching and retrieving. They build 'em that way around here so the bass boaters have a place to park the boat while they move their trucks and trailers.

My normal routine is to attach a ski-rope to my bow eye and then push my boat out away from the dock backwards. Then I walk the rope over to my trailer and pull the boat in. Works great when the wind, current, and wakes are minimal.

I have a roller trailer which is kind of self-centering, but first I have to get the boat between the roller trucks and pointed in the right direction.
 

Attachments

justsomeguy

justsomeguy

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Feb 20, 2011
8,060
Island Packet 35 Tucson, AZ/San Carlos, MX
Joe Blizzard said:
There's a dock, but it's perpendicular to the ramp and too far away to be of much use in launching and retrieving. They build 'em that way around here so the bass boaters have a place to park the boat while they move their trucks and trailers.

My normal routine is to attach a ski-rope to my bow eye and then push my boat out away from the dock backwards. Then I walk the rope over to my trailer and pull the boat in. Works great when the wind, current, and wakes are minimal.

I have a roller trailer which is kind of self-centering, but first I have to get the boat between the roller trucks and pointed in the right direction.
Click to expand
Well, short of really long lines (interfering with everyone else between the line handler on shore and the boat), those trailer goalposts, a la Sumner, could be the way to go.

Here's to warm days (and warm water) when hauling out. ;)
 
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Chief RA

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Nov 26, 2012
2,315
Catalina 250 Bodega Bay CA
Mariachee: I have trailer guides, they are underwater on each side of the wing keel. The wind even blew the boat AND trailer stern sideways against the pier! My parallel 2nd dock is 60' away so not practical to use it. Great response guys! Thanks, Chief
 
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