Just purchased a '89 C22 with a wing keel. I expected to launch and retrieve the boat myself. Looking through the owners manual the first thing I see is that it recommends the fixed keel C22 to be launch by picking it off the trailer with slings only. My trailer does have a tongue extension. Looking for any suggestions or or experience on launching a Wing keel boat.
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Erik
Launching wing-keel boat
I trailer and sail a wing keel Capri 18. The draft is 2 1/2 ft. My trailer has a 5 1/2 ft extending tongue. When I launch, I put the trailer in until my truck's rear tires get a few inches of water under them. I usually use the *roll-back-slowly-and brake-hard* method of launching. The bow line has several feet of slack so the boat doesn't go very far when it slides off the bunks. A great accessory for launching is a pair of rubber hip boots. I usually need to wade in a bit to unhook (and hook-up) the bow eye winch hook. Recovering the boat is a matter of backing the trailer in a far as previously mentioned, hooking up the winch strap, and pulling the bow over the forward roller and up to the v-stop. The trailer's (Trail-Rite brand) keel guides make for effortless centering every time.
I trailer and sail a wing keel Capri 18. The draft is 2 1/2 ft. My trailer has a 5 1/2 ft extending tongue. When I launch, I put the trailer in until my truck's rear tires get a few inches of water under them. I usually use the *roll-back-slowly-and brake-hard* method of launching. The bow line has several feet of slack so the boat doesn't go very far when it slides off the bunks. A great accessory for launching is a pair of rubber hip boots. I usually need to wade in a bit to unhook (and hook-up) the bow eye winch hook. Recovering the boat is a matter of backing the trailer in a far as previously mentioned, hooking up the winch strap, and pulling the bow over the forward roller and up to the v-stop. The trailer's (Trail-Rite brand) keel guides make for effortless centering every time.
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mg
launch carefully
i've got an 89 22 too . and did the same as eric when i had the 18. the 22 needs the extension or you wont get it off the trailer. and even with the rear wheels just up to the hubs i have to push to get it off the trailer. loading is the same i go a little deeper to clear the bottom roller . i'm on army corp ramps which are only 10:1 slope ratio. pretty pitiful if you ask me.the low slope is great for moss build up so i use a 4x4 to get out of the ramps . i found that the extension flexes and is difficult to unextend due to the slight permanent bow put into it due to the stresses involved. i will be changing this this winter . right now the extension gets stuck when pulling it out or in. a little pressure down helps but im sure after several launchings it will be too far gone to ever go back. oddly enough greasing it makes it worse. i've posted on this in the past so check the archives for a clean extension design . i use waders too . in cold water life is so much nicer. also a finger pier right next to the boat is required. i used to launch the 18 with no pier but had to crawl up the bow from the trailer after it was floating off the trailer. motor off and then tie to a dock run back over and then get the truck out of the water. what a pain. especially at a busy ramp. yeah you could get some one to help pull the truck out, but you are still stuck running back and forth, and loading back is tough . i broke a bunk one time and the trailer was as deep as it is on other ramps but with a cross wind i needed a little more speed.... well you get the picture. good to hear from other singlehanders . i'm now to the point that im only going to trail the 22 where there is a travel lift and pay the 100 dollars for a load in and out. heck ill make it up in bearings in no time !! i used to sail more out of the way locations but found that the sailing was not as good . so i've found that if the sailing is worth the time to trail them there is usually a lift nearby. hope this helps
i've got an 89 22 too . and did the same as eric when i had the 18. the 22 needs the extension or you wont get it off the trailer. and even with the rear wheels just up to the hubs i have to push to get it off the trailer. loading is the same i go a little deeper to clear the bottom roller . i'm on army corp ramps which are only 10:1 slope ratio. pretty pitiful if you ask me.the low slope is great for moss build up so i use a 4x4 to get out of the ramps . i found that the extension flexes and is difficult to unextend due to the slight permanent bow put into it due to the stresses involved. i will be changing this this winter . right now the extension gets stuck when pulling it out or in. a little pressure down helps but im sure after several launchings it will be too far gone to ever go back. oddly enough greasing it makes it worse. i've posted on this in the past so check the archives for a clean extension design . i use waders too . in cold water life is so much nicer. also a finger pier right next to the boat is required. i used to launch the 18 with no pier but had to crawl up the bow from the trailer after it was floating off the trailer. motor off and then tie to a dock run back over and then get the truck out of the water. what a pain. especially at a busy ramp. yeah you could get some one to help pull the truck out, but you are still stuck running back and forth, and loading back is tough . i broke a bunk one time and the trailer was as deep as it is on other ramps but with a cross wind i needed a little more speed.... well you get the picture. good to hear from other singlehanders . i'm now to the point that im only going to trail the 22 where there is a travel lift and pay the 100 dollars for a load in and out. heck ill make it up in bearings in no time !! i used to sail more out of the way locations but found that the sailing was not as good . so i've found that if the sailing is worth the time to trail them there is usually a lift nearby. hope this helps
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Larry W.
Launching a C-22
Greg; I used to trailer-sail a C-22. I built an eight foot extension from square tube. Don't try to use the sliding extension in salt water. Take it completely off/out and bungee cord it to the trailer. Have the extension modified with a ball on one end, and mount a small tire on a tiltable arm well forward on the trailer so the extender is not flexed too much. The set-up I worked out functioned great. If you like, contact me at svmoondance@hotmail.com for further info. Larry W.
Greg; I used to trailer-sail a C-22. I built an eight foot extension from square tube. Don't try to use the sliding extension in salt water. Take it completely off/out and bungee cord it to the trailer. Have the extension modified with a ball on one end, and mount a small tire on a tiltable arm well forward on the trailer so the extender is not flexed too much. The set-up I worked out functioned great. If you like, contact me at svmoondance@hotmail.com for further info. Larry W.
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Randy
4.5 foot draft
I own a New MKll with a fixed fin, draws 4.5 foot and takes a good 6 foot or better of water to get it off the trailer.... I single hand it with no problems..I've mounted a detachable winch to the rear of the truck...disconect the boat and hit the button...the boat and trailer go for a swim...when it floats...reverse and the trailer comes back out of the water.... I've got 70 feet of cable on the winch and have used every inch on some ramps......
I own a New MKll with a fixed fin, draws 4.5 foot and takes a good 6 foot or better of water to get it off the trailer.... I single hand it with no problems..I've mounted a detachable winch to the rear of the truck...disconect the boat and hit the button...the boat and trailer go for a swim...when it floats...reverse and the trailer comes back out of the water.... I've got 70 feet of cable on the winch and have used every inch on some ramps......
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Vicki
I need pictures
Randy, I'm not sure I follow how you rig the winch to your truck so that the boat and trailor both go swimming. Are you able to complete this task with all truck wheels dry? Do you get to stay dry too?
Randy, I'm not sure I follow how you rig the winch to your truck so that the boat and trailor both go swimming. Are you able to complete this task with all truck wheels dry? Do you get to stay dry too?
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Scot Mathis
Extension required
We bought a C22 wing earlier this year. The trailer is not the standard one, and does not have a tongue extension. When we launched the boat, I backed down way to far (water lapping at the rear hatch of my lifted Jeep). I still had to get into the chest deep water and shove one the bow until the boat floated free. I'm going to make an extension before it's time to pull the boat out again. Otherwise, it was pretty simple. Scot
We bought a C22 wing earlier this year. The trailer is not the standard one, and does not have a tongue extension. When we launched the boat, I backed down way to far (water lapping at the rear hatch of my lifted Jeep). I still had to get into the chest deep water and shove one the bow until the boat floated free. I'm going to make an extension before it's time to pull the boat out again. Otherwise, it was pretty simple. Scot
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