Low Water Trailer Launching Ideas Needed

[JoyRide28]

Hello All, Here in Southern Oregon we are due for very low lake levels this year. Once the lake water gets low enough, we run out of concrete launch ramp. The rest of the lake bed is mud, making it a tough (impossible) launch and retrieve…

My boat needs ±5ft of water to launch/retrieve. [It draws 3'9", but the keel sits about 16-18" off the pavement when on the trailer.]

So the question is: does anyone out there know of a Travel Lift type rig that can be run into the water, on mud? Or any other ideas as to how to launch and retrieve a trailered sailboat.

Some ideas I had:
1) An up/down controlled submersible dock/barge that the trailer could be driven on to.
2) A very long-arm crane.
3) Etc.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts/ideas/links, etc!!

 

[bffatcat]

low water

Here`s a comment but its not going to help you launch a 28 boaton a trailer that draws almost 4 ft in low water off a ramp The boat is not a trailer sailer Consider a mooring My opinion. If this is a one time launch you can probably find a travel lift.

 

[newage1461]

We hire a large crane to come and lift in all of our large boats. Price not bat when there is a bunch of boats to go in or out. About $5 per minute for each boat.

 

[JoyRide28]

newage, thanks! We have considered that option. bffatcat, Our lake does not allow boats in the water between Nov 1 and April 15. Freezing mountain weather conditions. We do have season-long mooring/dock during the time allowed. Still need to get boat in and out, Spring & Fall...

 

[TLW]

On numerous occasions we have unloaded sailboats from the transport using the boom on a wrecker that was designed to rescue semi-trailer tractors on the highway.The boom is extendable so has great reach and designed for much greater weights that your P-28. These guys may not be used to moving boats so you will have to supervise - the straps need to have a spreader between them so they don't put pressure on the sides of the boat.

These wreckers should be cheaper than a large crane.

Your local police can tell you who they call to have semis moved.

 

[AWalker]

Pressure the lakes authority to put down rock to extend the ramp. Get other boaters to chip in for the same. Since the water will be low already, pressure them to pour more concrete. You could likely get 1-3 feet per ton of AB of single lane ramp.

 

[geek_guy]

We used to have the same situation. We had two ways to get around it. Our first solution was a length of aircraft cable. We would chock the trailer, attach the cable to the trailer. Unhook the trailer. Drive tow vehicle forward. Attach cable to tow vehicle. Pull forward and take out chocks. Roll tow vehicle and trailer backward fast enough to over come that nice rough surface and mud. The trailer had a third wheel. Never enjoyed this method much, but it did work. The second trailer we had had a tongue extension. Again chock the trailer. Drive tow vehicle forward. Pull out the tongue extension and hook back onto the tow vehicle. Then back or forward like you were attached to the normal trailer hitch. This had much better control, but didn't give as much distance.

 

[Just Ducky II]

low water

You might try traction mats. I have a friend who uses large ones (@ 5 X 8 ft) to move his heavy equipment into swampy areas. Several manufacturers are out there his are from a co called Rain for Rent. Another product that can do the job is made by Sikorsky, but they're quite expensive!

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[Crazy Dave Condon]

I have launched boats in various ways to include over a bridge, beside a sea wall, laid matting for a crane and so on.

Regarding a bridge, you would have to get permission from your dept. of highways with the bridge weight allowing. Using the long straps can be done but one attachement point and spread out. Make sure you tie the straps so they will not spread out and come off at one end. Have a power or bass boat standing by in the event the wind would push the boat back toward the bridge. Only do this with experienced people as this is not something I would recommend to anyone without that experience particularly the crane operator.

If you are at a seawall, make sure you have the depth. Insure that you have an experienced crane operator following advice above but also making sure he does not boom out so far as to cause the crane to fall over. I have seen that once happen. Also a chase boat no matter what.

If you are able to get a crane onto the sand or mud, make sure first that the surface is not wet but dry and could hold the weight. YOu will need mats or traction mats as suggested so the crane will not sink into the ground while driving to set up and of course for the outriggers as well.

All this of course will be determined by what you have as to accessibility, dry ground, depth and so on. Use of any crane will need experience and forget the advice from weekend warriors. The use of straps will need to be tied to each other so not to slip out from the curvature of the hulls. As for backing any trailer into the water far from the ramp will sink into the soft ground whether sand, mud or whatever.

I speak from experience as I have done all the above as a dealer and most dealers will not do that. Again I do not know your area and above all common sense, safety for equipment and personnel is the top most important factor as you can always replace a boat but not human life.

crazy dave condon

 

[mauruuru]

Now would seem the time for the marina to extend the ramp. That solves the problem now and into the future!

 

[Benny17441]

I would forego that lake until the water levels return and launch and dock/moor the boat at a different location. A change of scenery and sailing venue is usually a good thing.

 

[jrussnogle]

If you're in an agricultural area, I'd look for a farmer with a large, 4wd tractor. Can easily put you in/out and if you coordinate with other sailors the cost can be fairly cheap.

 

[alexco38]

Sorry to have to suggest this:

Trade in for a MacGregor 26(D/S/X/M). You can blow the ballast with a hand air matress inflator. The boat only draws 12 inches with the tank empty and keel up.

Only takes 2-3 feet to launch and retrieve the boat.

 

[jmf]

Use a boat trailer lay down planks into the water, (like a railroad track), you may need to stake some, add temporary front wheels to the trailer and winch it down and into the lake.

Good luck!

 

[Gudenuph]

Another idea that doesn't appear to have been offered would be to skid the boat and trailer over the mud on a pair of over-sized skies. Fix them under the trailer axle(s) just inboard of the wheels and blocked such that they are 3 or 4 inches above the bottoms of the tires. The skies (sled?) would need cross bracing to keep things parallel. The whole shebang would then be winched off of the end of the ramp to an offshore anchor. I haven' tried this out full scale and offer it here only as a possible concept. It may be possible to test the concept on some wet grass ashore to get an idea the the forces involved. Be slow and careful!
FWIW, George

 

[sunman]

IMHO I dont have any new Ideas other then whats been presented here, but I will say I'm glad I got a D,
never intended to lake sail, but I didnt intend to go Blue Water either, it was the ability to shallow draft in 18in.of shore-line that sold me on the Macs, Ive heard enough jokes and snicker's about them, but they do have their place.
if one is going to piddle around in lakes, along the coast etc. dose one truly need a Keel boat for that?
just the thought of having a boat that I can dunk in a few ft. of water, means I can go sailing just about anywhere, except back'n into a muddy slip,
consider a Mac if U intend on staying in your present situation.
in a few yrs when I fully retire, I plan on hopping around both coast of Fl. and staying in the boat vs Motel 6 when Im on the road, their just plan all-around neat boats!

 

[LANCE ON CLOUD NINE]

How about a really long extension chain between tow vehicle and boat trailer, and a couple of ski boats with heavy line hooked to the rear of launch trailer - to help pull it out more? You could pull very gently as the trailer rolled back it would quickly be lighter as the boat began to float. Maybe have the gang team together as a group and help push on the trailer tongue at same time.

 

[alexco38]

I used to take a M26S to Georgian Bay where anchoring holes are beautiful.
The one I really like has a 18 inches entrance depth. (the M26S keel swing up)
It was so funny to watch some big power cruiser hit their prop trying to come in.
Must be strange for them to see 2 sailboats anchoring inside the little bay.

 

[psheppard]

Lake Champlain is usually high in the spring, so no problem getting in, it's the getting out in the fall, after the lake has dropped 6' or so. For that, I usually push the trailer out as far as I can, funny how there's no one around for this part, then dig holes in the sand so the wheels sit down to the axle, I have a skid plate that goes into the ball hitch and then hook a chain, (60'+) to that and keep the truck on dry land, load the boat and pull her out. Sounds simple, but it still sux...

 

[Perfect Excuse]

Having had this same issue with two boat, I simply had a tongue extension made to add about ten feet to the existing tongue. I used four inched square tubing with a hoop and pin on the existing trailer hitch.
An friend who needed six foot depth, built dolly wheels (a pair of trailer wheels) mounted to the trailer. To launch he, backed the trailer in as deep as he could. He had a power boat attach a line to the rear of the trailer and a long line to the front of the trailer. With one person aboard the sailboat and trailer, he had the power boat pull the sailboat and trailer into water deep enough to float the boat off the trailer. He would use the front line to pull the trailer back to shore. It took a couple of hours but worked well. He reversed the process in the fall.