Launching boats with an outback?

[Northof60]

Hi all, I'm new to the forum. I'm looking for input and experience on launching and retrieving a sailboat with a gross weight around 3000lbs (trailer included), with a 2016 Subaru 2.5l outback.

I'm in the process of purchasing a trailer sailor to keep dry docked at the local yacht club until a slip becomes available (prob a year or two). I'm probably looking at something along the lines of an ODay22 or MacGregor 25. A buddy of mine will transport the boat to the yacht club but I am planning on launching it and retrieving it daily with my 2016 2.5l outback locked in 1st gear. Total distance from launch to parking spot is about 300ft.
Does anyone have any experience using an outback

 

[Project_Mayhem]

I'm guessing that you'll be OK but I'm hoping someone with Outback experience can chime in. You need a steady control of throttle more than torque. I have an Xterra and an O'Day 25 with a heavy trailer. Towing is a no longer done to Xterra's light suspension but the engine and transmission handled towing for a couple hours at a time. The first time I launched and retrieved were a nightmare. It was impossible to get any traction with my RWD SUV. I had to get another vehicle to help tow me and the boat up the ramp. Once I fabricated a tongue extension, it was as easy as driving up a small hill.

I also suggest getting some trailer boat guides if your future trailer doesn't have them. It saves time and hassle.

 

[Captain Larry-DH]

As noted by @Project_Mayhem, you’ll need to check the traction on the ramp. There are plenty of Youtube fails showing tow vehicles that ended up in the water.
Also, frequent launching of a trailer sailor is a non-starter for me. I learned back in my 20’s that it gets old quickly if you need to raise/lower the rigging and mount/demount sails each time. Lots of climbing on/off the trailer and it’s even worse after a day on the water when you’re covered in sweat/sunblock and already had too much sun. If your situation allows parking with mast raised, you need to be concerned about the entire rig with trailer blowing over in storms.

 

[Northof60]

Great advice. Thanks. I will definitely look into boat guides. And I'm thinking a tongue extension won't just make it easier to launch, but also put less weight on the car too.

From what I've seen the ramp has a lot of traction. Heavily grooved cement ramp. Id be leaving it all rigged up in parking, so the wear and tear from constantly rigging may not be an issue. Never thought about storms though. Something to keep in mind

 

[Sanfelice]

Subarus of that vintage have CVT transmissions are much different than a geared transmisson. I would ask this question on a Subaru forum. You will get better answers there rather than on this forum or from a dealer. Hopefully it will work for you.

 

[Justin_NSA]

Check out this thread -

Need towing weight of 1981 Mac 25

I'm looking for the Boat and trailer towing weight together without motor and gear. Macgregor 25 1981 model. Thanks

forums.sailboatowners.com

I'm guessing your 2.5 OB will be maxed out. From a '22 OB XT owner

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Even ramps with bumps in the concrete can be slippery in the water. Keeping your vehicle's tires dry will help a lot. Be sure to have a second hand, or event better, a second tow vehicle on hand for the first few launches. What will you do if your current vehicle doesnt work out?

 

[Justin_NSA]

Subarus of that vintage have CVT transmissions are much different than a geared transmisson. I would ask this question on a Subaru forum. You will get better answers there rather than on this forum or from a dealer. Hopefully it will work for you.

Most Subarus have the CVT now. My go-to Subie forum.

https://www.subaruoutback.org/

 

[Urban Hermit]

The weird Hermit strikes again: If another vehicle is available, or a secure post or tree off to the side of a direct line of pull and at least 50 feet from the tongue of the trailer, it is possible to hook a single block on the nose of the trailer, another single block on the off-center car, tree, or post, and run about 100-150 feet of line from the block on the trailer to the block on the tree/post/car, back to the trailer block, then straight out from the trailer to the hitch on the Subaru, but the Subaru will need a hundred feet or so of run. Pull it out on the nose wheel. Best to have the trailer nose lowered as much as possible to reduce stress on the nose wheel. Don't put the boat on the trailer and be sure the trailer won't roll down the ramp when it's uncoupled from the Subaru. (One method might be to snug the boat up to the trailer, tie the boat off so it can't move backward before uncoupling.) I've seen blocks and a light forklift used to move very heavy pallets and skids at the docks. Or if the off-center vehicle happens to be a diesel dually Ford Super Duty 450, borrow it. And maybe I've watched too many episodes of Highway Through Hell.

There's a really bad boat ramp on Dauphin Island, AL, where I've seen worse than this used to overcome a steep ramp, algae, a huge blow hole right off the ramp concrete, and 30-foot center consoles with a couple of 300 hp engines mounted. Damned entertaining. I could watch all day if it weren't for the stench of burning rubber and frying clutches.

 

[Richard19068]

https://www.quantrellsubaru.com/subaru-outback-towing-capacity/

Here's a chart of Outback towing capacity.

Back in the 70's we towed a Catalina 22 around with a four cylinder Volvo 245 station wagon, which I am pretty sure had far less towing capacity than a 2015 Outback. I'm not recommending the Volvo but it always got the boat up the ramp. Don't ask about stopping the thing going down steep hills though!

 

[smokey73]

Make sure you "understand" the geometry of your proposed ramp. A lot of factors can influence how easy it is to launch and retrieve.
Things to know:
Ramp slope: Too little slope and you have to back deep into the water to launch
A lot of slope means you may not even have to put the wheels in the water

Might also impact if the CVT transmission will have problems Can't imagine that pulling out an empty trailer would be a problem
but retrieval of a fully loaded boat on the trailer might be more than the CVT can handle

Water level changes: Tide or lake/river changes can impact when you can and cannot use the ramp

Ramp length: Where is the end of the ramp? If there is a drop off at the end and your trailer wheels drop off the edge you are in deep do-do

Will there be someone there to "rescue the Outback" if you get in trouble? With dropping of the end off the ramp with the trailer wheels, I saw a big truck, with rear wheel drive sit there spinning the wheels on the wet, algae coated ramp, frantically try to find somewhat to get a tow to help him. He did but lacking the help, with our 8 foot tides, he would have either had to watch his truck get fully submerged or just unhook the trailer while on the ramp and pull away until he could figure out how to get the trailer out later.

Know your ramp geometry and what "could go wrong"

Remember as I tell my kids, "All problems are solvable, you just might like the solution." For the purists, yes, I know there are currently 6 or so listed unsolvable (to date) math problems but I am not talking about math here.

 

[LloydB]

Probably a bit late for the OP but I think a good answer to their question would be to go to the ramp on a Sunday afternoon when others are pulling their boats out and see what they use and how well the retrieval goes. Most boaters are generally friendly folks and often are willing to discuss as to why doing it their way looks so
smooth.