Nearly ready to splash my (new to me) revived H23. Looking through this forum I note the retrieval problems (as well as launching) associated with this model. I know when I bought the H23 it took some doing to get the boat moved forward on the trailer enough to have postitive tongue weight.
My question is: has anyone successfully launched and retrieved this boat with a crane? I have access to a crane at my sailing club and have launched many different boats. There are always some problems the first time with weight distribution and harness adjustments depending on the boat. For years I dry sailed a series of boats in the weekend races so have a lot of confidence in getting the boat into the water and then back onto the trailer efficiently.
I know people use two huge fabric straps to retrieve their 5.5s, Etchells, etc. This is problematic, especially getting the straps on the floating boat in such a way they do not become pinned between the trailer and the retrieved boat.
I always make up a dedicated bridle for the specific boat. I attach a lifting eye to the keel bolt and adjust tension fore and aft and side to side from this single lifting point. As this is what I know best, I am seeking advice from experienced sailors who know which keel bolt is the best bet for initiating the trial and error process of getting all the physics of to line up for a successful splash and retrieval. On one boat I had to cut an access port in the doghouse to get the proper alignment. In the interest of getting the boat back on the trailer and balanced for the highway, without resorting to come-alongs and multiple efforts to position a floating boat on a stationary trailer, who has some first hand advice on crane launching an H23? Specifically: which keel bolt do you use?Thanks for your insight.
My question is: has anyone successfully launched and retrieved this boat with a crane? I have access to a crane at my sailing club and have launched many different boats. There are always some problems the first time with weight distribution and harness adjustments depending on the boat. For years I dry sailed a series of boats in the weekend races so have a lot of confidence in getting the boat into the water and then back onto the trailer efficiently.
I know people use two huge fabric straps to retrieve their 5.5s, Etchells, etc. This is problematic, especially getting the straps on the floating boat in such a way they do not become pinned between the trailer and the retrieved boat.
I always make up a dedicated bridle for the specific boat. I attach a lifting eye to the keel bolt and adjust tension fore and aft and side to side from this single lifting point. As this is what I know best, I am seeking advice from experienced sailors who know which keel bolt is the best bet for initiating the trial and error process of getting all the physics of to line up for a successful splash and retrieval. On one boat I had to cut an access port in the doghouse to get the proper alignment. In the interest of getting the boat back on the trailer and balanced for the highway, without resorting to come-alongs and multiple efforts to position a floating boat on a stationary trailer, who has some first hand advice on crane launching an H23? Specifically: which keel bolt do you use?Thanks for your insight.