Launching a 25.5

[Bill Orth]

I moved my boat from Florida, where it was kept in the water at a private dock, to my back yard in Wi., where it has been on a trailer undergoing some hull work for the last three years. Docking for the season up here is pretty pricey, maybe next year, but I hear the call of the sea. So... I'm considering trying to launch from the trailer for a couple weekenders this year. With the three foot keel, it looks pretty complex. Any pointers on whether this is feasible and how to pointers would be appreciated.Bill

 

[Dan]

launching

I have launched my shoal keel 25.5 from a trailer last Summer. I have not tried to haul it out with the trailer yet although I plan to at the end of this Summer for maintenance and bottom job etc.You need a very long and/or deep ramp. I made a tongue extension to get the trailer in deep without having to back my vehicle into the water. You will probably need the extension as well. I know other people have done this before and I don't expect to have any trouble with mine once I make a guide for the keel on the trailer. You will need at the very least a full-size truck. I launched with a full-size van and I plan to pull it out with a full-size 4WD.Is there a yard that will hoist it on and off the trailer with a crane or travelift for a reasonable fee for the weekend?

 

[Bill O'Donovan]

Enjoy

Launching from a trailer is easy as long as you can back in far enough to float the boat without drowning the exhaust pipe. Go down to any public launch and watch a couple of guys do it to get a sense of the depth. For most people, the larger challenge is backing a trailer straight. If you can do that, the rest is easy. Coming back, it does help a lot if you mount PVC piping as "goalposts" that will guide the keel to a proper rest.

 

[Bill Orth]

Launching from the trailer

Thanks much for the encouragement. I drive semi for a living so backing should go ok. I'm pulling with a Jeep Grrand Cherokee V-8 so hopefully enough power. I was thinking of lining up, chalking the wheels, and hooking a cable to get deep enough, but I think I'll go to the ramp at an off time, back in, and see if the boat floats before the Jeep does. Thanks again. Yahoo!!!

 

[Dan]

extension

A tongue extension is fairly easy to make and not that expensive. I have made 2 of them now and neither of them cost me more $100. I think the first one cost me $60 in materials and the latest version cost me $90 (beefier). I have heard of other people trying the cable idea but I think the solid extension would be well worth the cost of materials to make for the ease of backing and retrieval. I can give you a general idea of how to make one if you e-mail me at dav8or@usa.com.Good luck and have fun.Dan

 

[Cliff Ruckstuhl]

Bill

I trailered my 25.5 and have 2 other freinds that have 25.5 and still trailer theres. I am now sailing a 28.5 no trailer. But we would use our trailer for winter storage and pulled the boat 300 miles for a vaction. We also had a Jeep but with the 6 cyl. IT was never a problem pulling the boat. or launching the boat. getting it out all depends on the ramp you will need to pretty much float it on and off. I installed a Bow Eye but never felt it was a good idea to try and crank it up onto the trailor. It's allot of boat. You will want a nice long ramp with the tounge extension. The tounge extension is a must have, and a ramp built for power boats with a drop off are not going to work. Even though the boats draws just 31/2 feet you will need about 41/2 feet of water to float it off. It was okay to do it for a weeks vaction but I am not sure I would do it for a weekend. It is allot of boat to put up and take down. E mail me off site for more cliffr@brite.net I can put you in touch with those who still do it.Cliff