launching a hunter25

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May 19, 2012
8
hunter 25 Townsville, QLD, AU
Hi,
I am new to the Hunter world and intersted in buying a H25 on a trailer.
However, I live in Townsville, AUS and we do not have a lot of good and deep boatramps.
Can anyone tell me what the minimum required water depth is when launching a H25 off the trailer.

I estimated aprox 80cm at trailer wheel axles. Maybe I am wrong and is it less.


Thanks for your help.
 
May 24, 2004
7,175
CC 30 South Florida
I like to measure from rear high end of bunks to ground and add 6 inches. Sometimes a shallow ramp can be used if the trailer can be pushed out enough. Most trailers with fixed keel boats have a tongue extension to permit the trailer to be pushed farther back into the water. These are helpful if the ramp continues to gradually slope away from shore. Beware of those ramps that are to short and have a drop off or of those that may have unstable terrain beyond the concrete structure. I have seen some sailors tie a line or strap to the hitch and allow the trailer to slide back. Some times it is required to play the tides, launch and retreive at high tide.
 
May 19, 2012
8
hunter 25 Townsville, QLD, AU
Thanks Benny17441. Good Advice. Appreciated !

How do you guys keep your trailers in good condition if they are submerged after every every launch and just sitting at the boatramp for a couple of days (weekend). Most boatramps here in Queensland (AUS) have no washing facilities to get rid of the saltwater.
 
Sep 1, 2009
61
2006 Hunter 25 Lake Travis, Texas
on a new model 25 not very deep

If you are talking about a year 2005 or newer 25 with the shoal keel, it doesn't take much depth at all. I launch mine on standard ramps that powerboats use. I have never had to get the truck wet. My best guess is that the back of the boat needs to be in about 2.5 to 3 feet of water. No tongue extension is needed.
 

nickt7

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Nov 23, 2007
10
Hunter 25 Babylon, NY
Hello All,

I was also wondering how difficult it was to launch the Hunter 25. This is my first year attempting to launch my Hunter 25 on a local boat ramp for the summer season. In the past, I have always had a marina lift and launch it. I hope for it to be a painless process.
 
Jun 5, 2010
1,123
Hunter 25 Burlington NJ
I have seen a number of the gen-1 boats (especially when they were newer) delivered on 'launching' trailers but have never seen the operation taking place. Mine is 4 ft deep and that's a pretty big trailer!

I would think the real issue is not traiiler depth but tongue length. So long as there is enough ramp anything can be trailer-launched; but how deep will the back of your car be underwater by the time the boat floats free? A reasonable extension-- even if it's only bolted on for the launching operation and removed for the road-- would be simple enough to fit; and then there you are :)
 
May 19, 2012
8
hunter 25 Townsville, QLD, AU
True,
I was thinking of using a rope (connecting tongue and towbar) and slowly letting the trailer slip in the water. (have not figured out how to retieve the boat...) A temporary steel or aluminium extension is even better and makes retrieving easier. Need to work out how I am gonna do this. Does anybody has some sketches or photo's of such a temporary extension? Thanks.
 
Jun 5, 2010
1,123
Hunter 25 Burlington NJ
Dutch, it'll depend on the trailer itself. But surely an appropriate length of aluminum or steel U-channel can be made to serve-- much better than rope, anyway. Remember it's only for the boat ramp, not for the road; and though it has to reverse pretty well (attachments acting in compression) it doesn't have to go over 3 or 4 miles per hour. Whatever works works.

Remember with an extended trailer tongue you will have to be careful of the ramp itself-- you could foul the ground between the hitch and the boat due to too much length and not enough clearance beneath at the top of the ramp.
 

nickt7

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Nov 23, 2007
10
Hunter 25 Babylon, NY
Good day All,

As an update, I just launched my 2006 Hunter 25 for the first time. I launched it on a typical public use ramp, the water was at high tide and about 3-4 feet deep. It took one person to back the truck to the waterline with no tongue extension and another person guiding the boat off the trailer with a bow and stern line. Overall the launching was straight forward with no mishaps.
 
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