Launching/Recovering Sailboat

[rcoleman67]

I'm a new owner of a Catalina 25 Wing Keel with 3' draft. I've been a freshwater bassboat owner all my life and have trailer/launch/recover my 19.5' boat thousands of times. I've watched a bunch of youtube videos reference launching sailboats and have observed some using extension bars and tow straps. Will I need an extension or will I be able to launch/recover without those devices? I'm assuming if I locate a steep ramp I'll be fine. My tow vehicle is a Chevy Suburban and/or Dodge Laramie 4x4. I'm also assuming I'll launch/recover just like I launch my bassboat(s). If I'm missing something please educate me! I appreciate ya'lls feedback/suggestions/guidance.

Would also like to know if any of you use additional straps to tie your boats down on your trailers. When towing my bassboat I've always had transom straps in addition to the bow hook/strap on the front.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Hi, I owned a C25 from 1987 to 1998, loved that boat, 1981. But it was a FKSR. I suggest you get to know these skippers, intimately.

Association Forum


Have fun with your new boat, know you will.

 

[Tedd]

First, a caveat: I have never launched a sailboat that didn't have a swing keel, so everything I say here is speculation so far as a boat with the keel in place is concerned.

I've been trailer-sailing with 26-foot sailboats for eight seasons now, first with a Macgregor 26S (classic, not a powersailer), and now with a TES 246 Versus, so I have made many launches and recoveries. My apologies if I say obvious things given your level of experience but I want to be sure to cover the details.

• You can estimate how far the boat will need to go into the water by sketching out the dimensions, for a given ramp slope. Below is an example of a sketch I made for my boat when making a tongue extension for my trailer.
• You'll need to get the boat far enough into the water that the water level is a couple of inches above the waterline at the center of mass. If the boat is correctly balanced on the trailer that will be about a foot ahead of the axle plane.
• When assessing how far the trailer will need to go into the water, be careful that the trailer wheels won't go past the end of the ramp. That's obviously something you'll have to consider on a ramp-by-ramp basis. With a lighter boat you might risk going off the end of the ramp when launching if the bottom is sound and there's little drop off. But, with the Catalina's displacement, I wouldn't recommend it. My TES is just a couple of hundred kg heavier than the Catalina and I would need to be pretty desperate to consider it. You definitely don't want to recover with the wheels off the end of the ramp.
  • I keep a record of the minimum tide level I need to launch or recover at each ramp I use. That's handy for planning.
• As you correctly identified, the slope of the ramp is a key parameter. They are generally around 9 degrees, in my experience, but I've seen nearly 12 degrees and as flat as 8 degrees. If you assume an 8-degree ramp in your sketch you should be fine.
  • I used to carry around a little jig I could mount my iPhone on to measure the slope of a ramp. But now I mostly eyeball it.
• If you're launching in fresh water, then you can afford to back the tow vehicle pretty far into the water. I've gone far enough to submerge the end of the tailpipe, which isn't a great idea for a variety of reasons but I have done it once or twice. In salt water you obviously want to avoid getting the tow vehicle wet if at all possible. I normally launch in salt water so I try to avoid even the back tires of my truck touching the water. But I can't always achieve that, so I have a fresh water wash system in the back of my truck that I can hose it off with.
• As you've also correctly identified, a tongue extension can help with keeping the tow vehicle out of the water. I've never used one but there are several posts on this forum about different designs, if you want to look into it.
• I use bow and stern straps on my boat when on the highway. When launching and recovering I only have the strap from the trailer winch plus a back-up chain and hook from the trailer to the bow eye.
• If it's an option, anything you can do to get the boat's waterline closer to the ground when it's on the trailer will help. For a 9-degree ramp, lowering the boat 1 inch on the trailer means over 6 inches less backing into the water.

 

[JoeWhite]

Teddy has a good idea. On my 1984 H25, I used a 13' extension with a 10" rorating wheel near the trailer hitch that I had created. This avoided the vehicl's rear wheels entering the water. Find where is the end of the ramp and do not let the trailer fall of the end of the ramp. Launch during high tide ( does not apply to lakes). Measure the hight of water line of the boat using a 10" PVC pipe while the boat is on the trailer, then walk onto the ramp dock and measure the depth of the water to findout how far you will have to back up to make the boat float. This will tell you if you need an extension. Most ramps are 12 degrees tapered. It is good that you have 4X4, make sure the ramp is not slimy.

 

[Timm R Oday25]

I've had to use a trailer extension on both of our sailboats . The extension for our 22' Catalina would just slide out
of a channel and give us ten more feet .
The extension for our 25' Oday is 20' of 2" square tube with a 1/4" wall . Thick ,heavy and cumbersome would be an apt description .
Once the extension is installed getting the boat deep enough in the water is never a concern .
It's just another 5 minute step in the launching process .
That's part of the biggest differance in sailing and powerboating. The setting up to launch a sailboat is typically about 45 minutes .
A powerboat...all of five minutes
However ,it is neccesary given the very shallow ramp we normally use for seasonal launching.
We have found big differances in the angle of the ramps even on the same lake .
However backing the trailer into the water is very easy ,given how long the tongue and trailer are .
From my understanding , us sailors can't just us the outboard to get us on or off the trailer .
Goal post are definitely helpful in getting the hull lined up .

 

[Tedd]

That's part of the biggest differance in sailing and powerboating. The setting up to launch a sailboat is typically about 45 minutes .
A powerboat...all of five minutes

I used to launch on one of two rivers wherein I had quite a long motor to get to sailable water. Both my trailer sailers have been set up with a mast-raising system that allowed the mast to be raised while on the water. So, I could pull up to the ramp and launch in minutes, just like a power boat, then raise the mast and rig the boat while motoring out. I highly recommend that for any trailer sailor who's in a similar situation.

Where I now live I can launch where there's only a minute or two of motoring, so I often rig the boat in the parking lot. However, because boat ramps can be quite busy, I still often launch the boat like a power boat and then motor to a spot where I can drop anchor to rig the boat. It's more relaxed that way and I'm not in anybody's way.

One of the things I like about doing it that way is that, once I'm on the water, raising the mast and rigging the boat doesn't feel like wasted time, it feels like just another part of sailing.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

My O'Day 25 was a struggle to launch without an extension. My Starwind 19 wasn't an issue except for getting it aligned in murky water. I eventually used a 10' long piece of steel to give myself an extra 8'. I went from RWD spinning tires like crazy (i actually had to get pulled out by another truck) to pulling the boat out of the water without waking up my sleeping passenger. Steepness of the ramp makes a big difference. Give it a try with a 4WD vehicle if you can. Dry tires make a big difference on an algae covered ramp

 

[JBP-PA]

How did the previous owner launch it?
Yes, with that wing keel you will need an extension or a launching strap on most ramps. An extension is far easier to use than a strap since you can't push or steer with a strap. There is also the option of going to a marina with a travel lift or crane.

Launching a sailboat is pretty much the same as a power boat, but retrieval is a bit different. You can't power onto the trailer. Also the keel needs to be supported and on some boats it can be a bit fiddly to get the keel in the right spot especially if the water is murky.

While towing, a tie down forward of the mast and another over the cockpit should be sufficient. You might want to remove an outboard if you are going far.

 

[Ben4195]

I owned a Catalina 25 WK for many years, loved that boat. Only sold it so I could get a bigger boat, but now I'm back down to a Capri 22. As others have said, a lot depends on the ramp. With my ramp, I would use a strap. My trailer also came with an extender, and it was just a bit too short to comfortably launch. I also launched and retrieved with a Suburban. That seemed like a suitable vehicle for towing/launching. One thing you might prepare BEFORE you launch, are guideposts, if your trailer doesn't already have them. That way, when you go to retrieve the boat later in the year or in the fall, the boat will line up easier on the trailer. For me that was a challenge, ESPECIALLY without the guide posts. A great resource for you would be the Catalina 25 User Group. A Google search of Catalina 25 National Association should get you there. They are a good group of sailors who are happy to help. Best of luck with the new adventure.

 

[Indysailor]

I've helped people launch with a chain rather than an extension, which works just as well. The thing is, you may need launching wheel that clamps onto the trailer near the tongue. Some extensions are made with a wheel. An extension that slides out often doesn't need one.
You can't drive around with the extension. Where I am, people back the trailer to the edge of the water, block it, remove the trailer from the hitch, install the extension, remove blocks and then back it down.
Watching your trailer completely disappear under water is scary. I attached a safety cable to the truck, just to be safe.

 

[Stu Jackson]

A great resource for you would be the Catalina 25 User Group. A Google search of Catalina 25 National Association should get you there. They are a good group of sailors who are happy to help.

Link was provided in post #2 of this thread.

 

[JBP-PA]

You can't drive around with the extension. Where I am, people back the trailer to the edge of the water, block it, remove the trailer from the hitch, install the extension, remove blocks and then back it down.

With a rigid extension, you can do all the prep in the boat ready area instead of on the ramp. Some ramps are quite busy and people queue up to use them. It is much less stressful in the ready area than on the ramp when there are 10 boats waiting behind you while you fiddle with chocks, straps, unhitching, etc.

 

[Timm R Oday25]

With our 20' extension ,it is most certainly possible to drive forward and backward with it coupled to the trailer coupler.
I've installed a 10,000 pound swiveling caster under the trailer tongue .
However ,if the ramps are busy ,I do as much prep work off the side and as far away from the ramps as possible
The ironic part is all the powerboat people who wander over and ask about stepping the mast and tuning the rigging
Most have never seen it done and think nothing of asking a great many questions
The funny part is when the women come over and find out there is a bathrooom on board , along with warm dry clean clothes
they ask their men how come their boat doesn't have these ...

 

[RussC]

The funny part is when the women come over and find out there is a bathrooom on board , along with warm dry clean clothes
they ask their men how come their boat doesn't have these ...

Which is when I say "I have room onboard if you'd like to go for a sail". let their men go fishing alone

 

[Benny17441]

I'm a new owner of a Catalina 25 Wing Keel with 3' draft. I've been a freshwater bassboat owner all my life and have trailer/launch/recover my 19.5' boat thousands of times. I've watched a bunch of youtube videos reference launching sailboats and have observed some using extension bars and tow straps. Will I need an extension or will I be able to launch/recover without those devices? I'm assuming if I locate a steep ramp I'll be fine. My tow vehicle is a Chevy Suburban and/or Dodge Laramie 4x4. I'm also assuming I'll launch/recover just like I launch my bassboat(s). If I'm missing something please educate me! I appreciate ya'lls feedback/suggestions/guidance.

Would also like to know if any of you use additional straps to tie your boats down on your trailers. When towing my bassboat I've always had transom straps in addition to the bow hook/strap on the front.

Not only steep, but long enough before any drop off. Yes additional straps are necessary to keep the boat on the trailer during towing. Don't know how you launch your bass boat but a sailboat is not driven or winched on to the trailer, a sailboat is floated on. Highly recommend trailer guide posts and once you figure out how deep to back the trailer make some marks on the guides for future refence. My process with a trailerable is to dock to the side of the ramp and tie up stern and bow lines leaving adequate space to back up the trailer in front of it. Then while holding the boat parallel to the dock with both lines in hand I push the boat out with my leg and start pulling forward to guide the bow inside the trailer guides, as soon as it is in I will throw the stern line back in the boat and walk down into the water and step on the trailer Tongue and pull the boat until I can hook the winch strap on it. If you have someone to assist you with the lines makes it a lot simpler. The last thing I do after pulling the boat of the ramp is to step on the brakes to let it settle properly against the bow stop. When using unfamiliar ramps, always look up and make sure there are no electrical lines or tree branches. In tidal waters make sure the ramp may be long enough to account for a lower water level upon return. Check your tides.

 

[Urban Hermit]

This might help -- if you're brave enough. When I trailer sailed years ago, as I am about to resume doing, I kept a rather long painter with a loop in the end I'd drop over the winch after I disconnected the winch cable. I'd back in with some elan and then, when I judged the boat was almost afloat, stop abruptly. Inertia would take the boat off the trailer and the painter looped over the winch gave me a feet-dry means of bringing it alongside.

 

[Indysailor]

With a rigid extension, you can do all the prep in the boat ready area instead of on the ramp. Some ramps are quite busy and people queue up to use them. It is much less stressful in the ready area than on the ramp when there are 10 boats waiting behind you while you fiddle with chocks, straps, unhitching, etc.

Agreed on the rigid extension. I think it depends on its length, construction, tongue weight, whether there are any humps to maneuver over, etc. that determines what can be done with it. I've launched a few boats where I didn't feel comfortable putting much downward/upward pressure on the extension. Plus, where I am, there is no way to access the ramp without a 90 degree turn that was always too tight for my trailer+extension, so I ended up doing everything at the ramp, which added about ten minutes. I only launch/haul for the season and am able to choose a time when the ramp traffic is low, though after doing this for many years, it's not too difficult and in fact when there is a delay it's usually some motorboat owner who backs down in a way that takes up room for multiple boats.

These days I have a gooseneck trailer that the previous owner modified with an extension that can allow a boat to float off with it. To say the least, it attracts quite a crowd because it looks like a disaster waiting to happen. It's really a good arrangement, just doesn't appear that way to onlookers.

 

[billjoye]

I'm responding from personal experience. I have a 89 Catalina 25 with wing keel, road king trailer with extension and keel guides. A few years ago I was 'That Guy' at the public ramp you see in YouTube videos. I was attempting to retrieve my boat at a public ramp by myself in less than ideal conditions. It was a total disaster.

Here is a summary of what I learned from the experience:

1. Wing Keel trailer guides are useless. Because of the 'wings', you need to fit the keel into the guides very much like a key into a key hole: but, the key is at an angle (the boat is flat, but the trailer is at an angle due to the ramp), and you are in the dark (because you can't see what's going on under the boat).
2. Trailer extensions are useless. The trailer needs to be deep in the water for the Keel to match up with the opening of the guides. Add tides, wind, and swell and it is like trying to insert a key into a lock while jumping on a trampoline at night.

My solution is to strap launch / retrieve and float the boat on / off the trailer. To do this properly, you need:

1. remove the keel guides off the trailer
2. install a 3rd wheel on the tongue (I recommend 'Pacific Trailer Spare Wheel' setup)
5-Lug Pivoting Hub Mounted Spare Tire Carrier/Mount (Baja-style) (#PBT
3. Install guide posts on the back of the trailer to control the stern of the boat and so that the keel will line up with the center board on the trailer.
4. You need at least 2 (or 3 people), one to control the bow, and one (or two) to control the stern (via lines).
5. 20' tow strap, control lines for the stern, chains on the tongue, and tire chocks!

 

[billjoye]

A note about transom straps: much debate about this one. I've done it both ways (including 1100 mile trip up the east coast a few years ago)

The boat weights approximately 6000 pounds, vs 1000 pounds for the trailer. The boat will go where it wants to, the only question is do you want the trailer to tag along with it? That much weight does not speed up, slow down, or change direction very fast. My current setup is bow strap, bow chain, and one strap across the cockpit, but only to insure the trailer is always under the boat, regardless where the boat is going. Do not recommend straps across the cabin or foredeck.

 

[Indysailor]

I'm responding from personal experience. I have a 89 Catalina 25 with wing keel, road king trailer with extension and keel guides. A few years ago I was 'That Guy' at the public ramp you see in YouTube videos. I was attempting to retrieve my boat at a public ramp by myself in less than ideal conditions. It was a total disaster.

Here is a summary of what I learned from the experience.....

2. Trailer extensions are useless. The trailer needs to be deep in the water for the Keel to match up with the opening of the guides. Add tides, wind, and swell and it is like trying to insert a key into a lock while jumping on a trampoline at night.

I don't think extensions are useless at all. I've launched my boat and several others, including wing keel Catalina 25s and 27s using extensions without any issues. But I do think you make an important point about conditions. I have certainly struggled to get a boat on a trailer when there are winds and waves.