I've read and heard several times that a rope, from trailer to the hitch on the vehicle, can be used to lower the trailer down the ramp far enough to float the boat without driving into the water. I launch my O'Day 192 on a fairly shallow ramp and have often had problems. With the vehicle's exhaust pipe just about under water, I usually have to have someone standing on the trailer tongue, pushing the bow of the boat to get it to slide off the bunks and into the water. I'd like to be able to launch it alone, but the procedure described above requires at least two people. Can anyone describe in detail or, better, show me how to launch with the aid of a tow rope?
Launching on a shallow ramp with rope?
- Thread starter JC192
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Tongue Extender instead of rope
JC192, I would think that the problem with using a rope from hitch to trailer would be how to keep the front of the trailer from leaving the ground. How about a tongue extender about 18 feet long, so that you could back the trailer fully into the water with out getting the exhaust pipe wet. You back the trailer just to the edge of the water, block the wheels, pull the tow vehicle forward, attach the extender, and back down as far as needed. No problem with the trailer leaving the ground, or the tow vehicle getting into the water. Probably available commercially. I have one that came with the trailer for my Victory 21.
JC192, I would think that the problem with using a rope from hitch to trailer would be how to keep the front of the trailer from leaving the ground. How about a tongue extender about 18 feet long, so that you could back the trailer fully into the water with out getting the exhaust pipe wet. You back the trailer just to the edge of the water, block the wheels, pull the tow vehicle forward, attach the extender, and back down as far as needed. No problem with the trailer leaving the ground, or the tow vehicle getting into the water. Probably available commercially. I have one that came with the trailer for my Victory 21.
think about this
Trailer hitch extension Make a square slip tube, the same size as the one on your hitch on your truck. The tube needs to be smooth (no weld) on the inside this is very important contact your local steel supply, they’ll know what you’re looking for. Make it reach the first cross member in the trailer. This is where you cut the tongue off and replace it with this tube make sure it’s welded in by a competent welder. The smaller tube can be made whatever length you want. You can drill a hole through the tube for a pin or bolt (you can use the dimensions from your receiver hitch this will be ample for any size boat you can put on a trailer) you also need to drill a second hole in the inner tube about 12 to 14 inches from the other end for full extension. The tongue can be bolted or welded on the end of the inner tube. This gives you the strongest permanent extend able trailer that looks like it was done from the factory and best of all you don’t have to unhook your truck to extend or retract it and if you use a spring loaded pin you can do it by yourself From the folks at P.W.T.Engineering
Trailer hitch extension Make a square slip tube, the same size as the one on your hitch on your truck. The tube needs to be smooth (no weld) on the inside this is very important contact your local steel supply, they’ll know what you’re looking for. Make it reach the first cross member in the trailer. This is where you cut the tongue off and replace it with this tube make sure it’s welded in by a competent welder. The smaller tube can be made whatever length you want. You can drill a hole through the tube for a pin or bolt (you can use the dimensions from your receiver hitch this will be ample for any size boat you can put on a trailer) you also need to drill a second hole in the inner tube about 12 to 14 inches from the other end for full extension. The tongue can be bolted or welded on the end of the inner tube. This gives you the strongest permanent extend able trailer that looks like it was done from the factory and best of all you don’t have to unhook your truck to extend or retract it and if you use a spring loaded pin you can do it by yourself From the folks at P.W.T.Engineering
Here is some links to look at
Here is a couple of links for you. It looks easy enough if you have enough hardware. The bottom link is about the best description. http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14809 http://www.bellsouthpwp2.net/t/o/tompotter/my%20web/page10.html http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14165&SearchTerms=Rope,launch Here is a page hwere he does it himself. http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/tech/tech250/fortu.asp
Here is a couple of links for you. It looks easy enough if you have enough hardware. The bottom link is about the best description. http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14809 http://www.bellsouthpwp2.net/t/o/tompotter/my%20web/page10.html http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14165&SearchTerms=Rope,launch Here is a page hwere he does it himself. http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/tech/tech250/fortu.asp
- Jan 22, 2008
- 519
rope launch
Here is a link to another forum that has a picture of a rope launch system. Prior posts also show a solid tongue extension. http://bbs.trailersailor.com/forums/tsbbcomp/trailersailor/index.cgi/read/586831 http://bbs.trailersailor.com/forums/tsbbcomp/trailersailor/index.cgi/read/586677
Here is a link to another forum that has a picture of a rope launch system. Prior posts also show a solid tongue extension. http://bbs.trailersailor.com/forums/tsbbcomp/trailersailor/index.cgi/read/586831 http://bbs.trailersailor.com/forums/tsbbcomp/trailersailor/index.cgi/read/586677
Easy
We have done this for years. We use 4" nylon strap for a Catalina 250. You could use 2". Last spring we used a 60' strap to launch because the water was so low. Here are the steps: 1. Back the trailer to the water edge. 2. Chock the trailer wheels. 3. Unhitch the vehicle and pull up about 25' 4. Tie the strap to the trailer "A" frame by passing the strap through its end eye loop. 5. Attach the other end of the strap to the trailer hitch. With a 2" strap we did this by removing the hitch from the hitch tube, put the strap eye into the tube, and then put the pin through it. 6. Pull the vehicle forward until the strap is tight. 7. Remove the chocks from the trailer wheels. 8. Back up. It is easy. Best as a two or three person job. No need for trailer extensions. If the trailer turns at all just pull the strap to straighten it out. This is very easy. Boats up to 30' do this routinely at our club. Big boats mount a full sized wheel at the front of the trailer but with a boat your size you can just use the jack/wheel. That is what we did when we had a Catalina 22.
We have done this for years. We use 4" nylon strap for a Catalina 250. You could use 2". Last spring we used a 60' strap to launch because the water was so low. Here are the steps: 1. Back the trailer to the water edge. 2. Chock the trailer wheels. 3. Unhitch the vehicle and pull up about 25' 4. Tie the strap to the trailer "A" frame by passing the strap through its end eye loop. 5. Attach the other end of the strap to the trailer hitch. With a 2" strap we did this by removing the hitch from the hitch tube, put the strap eye into the tube, and then put the pin through it. 6. Pull the vehicle forward until the strap is tight. 7. Remove the chocks from the trailer wheels. 8. Back up. It is easy. Best as a two or three person job. No need for trailer extensions. If the trailer turns at all just pull the strap to straighten it out. This is very easy. Boats up to 30' do this routinely at our club. Big boats mount a full sized wheel at the front of the trailer but with a boat your size you can just use the jack/wheel. That is what we did when we had a Catalina 22.
That's it!
Great description of a rope or strap launch. If the boat is properly positioned on the trailer, the CG should be forward of the wheels to give it tongue weight and thus the tongue should not want to rise - if anything, it will want to drop some. Of course, on a ramp the CG will shift rearward some, due to the down-angle of the slant. I have launched/retrieved many times using a rope/strap, with no problems.
Great description of a rope or strap launch. If the boat is properly positioned on the trailer, the CG should be forward of the wheels to give it tongue weight and thus the tongue should not want to rise - if anything, it will want to drop some. Of course, on a ramp the CG will shift rearward some, due to the down-angle of the slant. I have launched/retrieved many times using a rope/strap, with no problems.
Keep in mind....
...that your exhust pipe can go under water, AS LONG AS...and this is the big part, you don't shut off your motor. As long as your vechile is running, you can put that pipe three feet under water.
...that your exhust pipe can go under water, AS LONG AS...and this is the big part, you don't shut off your motor. As long as your vechile is running, you can put that pipe three feet under water.
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