Can a O'day 25 with c/b be launched on an average ramp. I am not to concered with hauling or the weight unless it interferes with DOT. We have a mariner know and next year would like to upgrade to something bigger. I can't afford i dock slip so i need a boat that can be launced. I like the older 25's because of size and cost, but if there is any other boats that would fit my needs i am open for suggestions.
O'day 25 trailer sailor
- Thread starter Daggwood
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Unfortunately the answer to your question is it depends on....
With a centerboard boat, the boat sits higher on the trailer than your average motor boat so needs more water to float off.
To get more water to float off you either have to have a ramp more steep than average or be willing to get your tow vehicle further into the water than average.
There are other ways too. I actually regularly used to launch a fixed keel J/24 on an average ramp using a 50' tow strap between my truck and trailer to get the trailer out to 5' of water where the boat would float off. Others have rigged extendable trailer tongues to push the trailer out to deeper water. Check out local sailing clubs in your area for different trailer launching ideas if simply backing your vehicle further into the water is not an option.
Good Luck and go for it!
With a centerboard boat, the boat sits higher on the trailer than your average motor boat so needs more water to float off.
To get more water to float off you either have to have a ramp more steep than average or be willing to get your tow vehicle further into the water than average.
There are other ways too. I actually regularly used to launch a fixed keel J/24 on an average ramp using a 50' tow strap between my truck and trailer to get the trailer out to 5' of water where the boat would float off. Others have rigged extendable trailer tongues to push the trailer out to deeper water. Check out local sailing clubs in your area for different trailer launching ideas if simply backing your vehicle further into the water is not an option.
Good Luck and go for it!
When I had my ODay 25 I launched and retrieved it several times with my Ford Ranger.
My trailer had a 10 foot or so tongue extension which I used and that was plenty enough
to float the boat. With the double axle trailer the truck didn't even strain much pulling the boat out. If I were you I would be more concerned about stepping the mast. That was the hard job for me. The 25 is not a boat I would choose to daysail off the trailer unless I could store it somewhere mast up. I loved my 25, but sold it due to lack of time to use it. If I hadn't found a great deal on a Catalina 27, I would buy another 25 in a heartbeat.
My trailer had a 10 foot or so tongue extension which I used and that was plenty enough
to float the boat. With the double axle trailer the truck didn't even strain much pulling the boat out. If I were you I would be more concerned about stepping the mast. That was the hard job for me. The 25 is not a boat I would choose to daysail off the trailer unless I could store it somewhere mast up. I loved my 25, but sold it due to lack of time to use it. If I hadn't found a great deal on a Catalina 27, I would buy another 25 in a heartbeat.
Sure it can be done!
Stepping the mast is "EASILY" a one person job! My girlfriend can do it even with the boat in the water . It is all technique.No strength required. A simple gin pole ,two adjustable ropes to the side plates and a block and tackle to the winch on the mast will have that mast up safely ,with very little money.
I've owned my 25 Oday for five years . I use a twenty 2 inch square stell tube that has 2" ball on one end and a trailer coupler on the other end. I pull up to the ramp .Thaen I chock the tires and pull forward.After inserting the extension I simply back down until it floats off.
Stepping the mast is "EASILY" a one person job! My girlfriend can do it even with the boat in the water . It is all technique.No strength required. A simple gin pole ,two adjustable ropes to the side plates and a block and tackle to the winch on the mast will have that mast up safely ,with very little money.
I know the mast on my mariner is approx. 24' 8", 40lbs and the 25 cb is approx 29', 60lbs. I can step the mast on the mariner by myself. i realize that 4' and 20lbs is going to make a difference, but i make my living as a farrier and my brother-in-law always crews with me. between the 2 of us I'm sure we'll get up there plus were both good at welding and fabricating, so i'm sure we can come up with something. I appreciate everyone comments i hope they keep coming. I hadn't gave the mast much thought until it was mentioned. I realy glad to see that everyone has been happy with the 25 also. Thanks so much you guys are realy giving me alot of ideas!
I launch my 25 oday from a trailer every time I use it. I have been lucky that all of the ramps that I have launched and loaded have had sufficient water. I do not use a tongue extension either.
I do have the luxury now of keeping my boat on the trailer with the mast up and my marina. That has been a fantastic benefit.
I do have the luxury now of keeping my boat on the trailer with the mast up and my marina. That has been a fantastic benefit.
Here is a gin pole setup that works very well and is quick and easy to use. Just in case you need any ideas.....
http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor/rigging-2.html
Since those pictures were taken I've added......................
............ a better rear support for the mast that allows us to raise the pop-top at night while trailering and it also works better to run the mast back on when you are..........
............... raising it......
http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor/outside-16.html
Considering your occupation I'm sure putting your mast up is going to be no big deal. I use to take care of some of our horses and man was that hard.
c ya and good luck with your boat, they look like nice boats,
Sum
Our Trips to Lake Powell, UT - Kootenay Lake, Canada - Priest Lake, ID
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I would suggest that you find a yacht club to join and put the O'Day 25 on a mooring, or maybe store it with the mast up on the trailer at the club when you're not using it. The O'Day 25 can be trailered pretty easy but it's going to be a hassle to get the mast up each time. Most of the O'Day 25s have a mast raising rig that involves using the boom for a Gin Pole and the mast goes up from the bow. You could rig your own Gin Pole and mast holding crutch on the stern rail, and raise it from the stern but it's still going to involve some work each time you want to go sailing. I did this for about eight years straight every week in the summer with my O'Day 222. I was younger back then and had more energy. Today I belong to a yacht club and have a mooring for the boat. My yearly membership dues are $420 which includes the mooring. We have a good ramp, 120' of dock, 29 moorings, and a club house with free ice. The great thing about belonging to a club is that I can go out to the bay for a few days cruise and not worry about my pickup truck. I had too many bad experiences at public ramps. It's something to think about. Here's some pics of the mast raising. The first three is my friend Ray's OD 26 and the last two are of my boat "Trinkka", an OD 222.
Joe
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Sure, You Can Ramp Launch An O'Day 25
I keep my boat in a slip and only pull it every two years for bottom cleaning and painting. My trailer is a piece of **** yard trailer. Using a 3/4 ton truck I am able to easily recover and launch the boat without any tongue extention. They ramp at my lake is moderately sloped.
I keep my boat in a slip and only pull it every two years for bottom cleaning and painting. My trailer is a piece of **** yard trailer. Using a 3/4 ton truck I am able to easily recover and launch the boat without any tongue extention. They ramp at my lake is moderately sloped.
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Trailering is a personal choice!
OK, my two cents worth. I live twenty miles west of Chicago. Last season I trailered my boat to/sailed her on: Illinois river, Winthrop Harbor (IL, Lake Michican) many times, Lake Muskegan (MI, Lake Michigan) many times, Clear Lake, MI, Mississippi river, Columbia river (OR) and the San Juans (Whidbey NAS, WA). I love doing little treks and probably sailed more than 75 days total. I love looking at the NOA weather reports for my area and going where the wind blows right.... for me. An hour at the front and end of each adventure was well worth it! I stay on my boat as many nights as I can... til the frost drives me off in the fall. EVERTHING is a tradeoff, don't kid yourself. Figure out what you want that trailer for and go for it! I lived 3 years in Alaska once. A friend confided to me, "If you come to Alaska and want to have a good time, you can't be cheap-skate." There is sailing and then there is SAILING. Take your pick and try it. It's OK to change your mind.. at least you tried!
I trailer-sailed for about eight years myself Robert, and I loved it. Of course, I trailered an O'Day 222 with a complete roller trailer and I could get the mast up in about twenty minutes, but he's talking about trailer sailing an O'Day 25 and there's a big difference. I'm not saying that it can't be done because I know of people on this forum who do it, but it's not easy and as you get older it become harder.
Joe
Joe
Wow, sounds like you had a great time. A good inspirational read. What kind of boat do you have?
We would love to spend some time on a bigger boat cruising at some point if that becomes a possibility, but we would never give up our boat with the trailer under it that will go about any place we could dream of.
I think you need to do Lake Powell this next year. Stop by when you do. We will put you up at the...........
............... marina in front of the house
,Sum and Ruth
Our Trips to Lake Powell, UT - Kootenay Lake, Canada - Priest Lake, ID
Our Mac Pages
Mac Links
The reason i picked out the 25 was just because the mariner doesn't have enough room. Atleast not for many overnights (i can't find a spot to even put our cooler ) I really don't need a 25' boat right know but if you look at the specs from the 22 - 25 there's not a really big difference in draft, and mast height. I really want to get into longer stays on the boat and figured the 25 (with the shoal keel) would be the ideal boat for what i want. If you have any boats that would work better i am open for suggestions. I would like to stay with an oday but wouldn't rule out other builders.
) I really don't need a 25' boat right know but if you look at the specs from the 22 - 25 there's not a really big difference in draft, and mast height. I really want to get into longer stays on the boat and figured the 25 (with the shoal keel) would be the ideal boat for what i want. If you have any boats that would work better i am open for suggestions. I would like to stay with an oday but wouldn't rule out other builders.
Not that they are a better boat, but if you are looking for something that sails well, is easy to launch, light to trailer, and that has enough room to more than overnight in look at the Mac 26 S and D's.
Of course I'm partial as it has been the perfect boat for our situation. If I didn't want to travel to different waters and lived near where I could sail I might look at something else. If you could afford a yard storage situation with the mast up and just had to back it down the ramp and the ramp at that marina was good to launch the boat I wanted to use, I might look at something with a fixed keel that sat higher on the trailer. That is a lot of ifs though.
We like going new and different places and the Mac sure makes that easy for us. I can't hardly think of another boat out there that would of allowed us to do what we have been able to do in our first year of sailing.
c ya and good luck,
Sum
Our Trips to Lake Powell, UT - Kootenay Lake, Canada - Priest Lake, ID
Our Mac Pages
Mac Links
You might want to look at the Catalina 25 as well. IIRC, it is a bit beamier than the O'Day and will have a bit more room. It trailers fairly easily and would fit your criteria. It would help if you said what your budget for the new boat is, since that may include or eliminate some boats.
I'd point out that you'll probably get a lot more use out of the boat and save a fair bit of money if you can leave the boat rigged on the trailer at a marina and use their ramp to launch it and retrieve it each time or put the boat on a mooring. Slips are expensive because they're very convenient... but I've found that launching and retrieving a trailerable boat and having to step and unstep the mast can be a royal PITA for a short daysail and that having it rigged and almost ready to go makes a big difference.
I'd point out that you'll probably get a lot more use out of the boat and save a fair bit of money if you can leave the boat rigged on the trailer at a marina and use their ramp to launch it and retrieve it each time or put the boat on a mooring. Slips are expensive because they're very convenient... but I've found that launching and retrieving a trailerable boat and having to step and unstep the mast can be a royal PITA for a short daysail and that having it rigged and almost ready to go makes a big difference.
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