I would like to hear a few comments regarding ramp launching. Wanting to know if it's as easy as advertised.
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We launch our Ross 780....
....at the local boat ramp with no problems whatsoever. I'm not sure about the H260, but if we can launch our 26 footer that weighs over 2 tonne with just two of us, I'm sure that the H260 wouldn't present a problem. My wife handles a rope attached to the bow while I jump into the cockpit and start the motor and let the keel down and stuff while she (the boat, not the wife) just slides gently into the water. And retrieving is no great hassle either, providing it's not too windy. Just pick your time. Cheers Bing
....at the local boat ramp with no problems whatsoever. I'm not sure about the H260, but if we can launch our 26 footer that weighs over 2 tonne with just two of us, I'm sure that the H260 wouldn't present a problem. My wife handles a rope attached to the bow while I jump into the cockpit and start the motor and let the keel down and stuff while she (the boat, not the wife) just slides gently into the water. And retrieving is no great hassle either, providing it's not too windy. Just pick your time. Cheers Bing
Single handed...
I launch and haul single handed most the time. Really not too hard with a little practice. Fair winds, Tom
I launch and haul single handed most the time. Really not too hard with a little practice. Fair winds, Tom
launching
I have a 240 that I tow behind a Chrysler Town And Country. I launch it by myself. The extend tongue on the trailer helps out a lot and depending on the ramp, whether or not I put the mast up before or after I launch. Some ramps are either too crowded so I'll put it up later. Or if the trees have not been trimmed, I'll put it later. I tie a 50 foot nylon line to the bow cleat and loop it on the trailer. Push the boat off, tie the boat to a dock or pull it up on the sand. Go park the car and then go sailing. With 2 people it should should be a cinch to launch and retreive, even a 260. If your boat is a water-ballasted one, leave the valve closed until you get it in the water and off the trailer. Otherwise you have to be superman to get off the trailer.
I have a 240 that I tow behind a Chrysler Town And Country. I launch it by myself. The extend tongue on the trailer helps out a lot and depending on the ramp, whether or not I put the mast up before or after I launch. Some ramps are either too crowded so I'll put it up later. Or if the trees have not been trimmed, I'll put it later. I tie a 50 foot nylon line to the bow cleat and loop it on the trailer. Push the boat off, tie the boat to a dock or pull it up on the sand. Go park the car and then go sailing. With 2 people it should should be a cinch to launch and retreive, even a 260. If your boat is a water-ballasted one, leave the valve closed until you get it in the water and off the trailer. Otherwise you have to be superman to get off the trailer.
Done it without a hitch
I dock my boat, so I haven't done it often, but the couple of times I did it it was pretty straight forward. I have a water ballasted model with a swing keel, so I did not need an extender even, but our launch ramp is step as well so you launch into relatively deep water.
I dock my boat, so I haven't done it often, but the couple of times I did it it was pretty straight forward. I have a water ballasted model with a swing keel, so I did not need an extender even, but our launch ramp is step as well so you launch into relatively deep water.
All ramps are not created equally
Lots of questions about the 26s lately. Loading the 26 on the trailer can be simple or a disaster depending on the ramp. The best ramps are wide with the concrete going pretty deep. As discussed below, its not simple and requires a bit of patience and a second (or third) pair of hands (and feet to drive) makes it move along. Worst case is a short steep ramp. The boat floats off quickly but getting it back on and in the correct positions is not as easy. One time, the boat floated above the guide posts and got hung up as we pulled it out. Also, its not as easy getting the bow snugged up against the bow support. Just takes a little practice. Markdb
Lots of questions about the 26s lately. Loading the 26 on the trailer can be simple or a disaster depending on the ramp. The best ramps are wide with the concrete going pretty deep. As discussed below, its not simple and requires a bit of patience and a second (or third) pair of hands (and feet to drive) makes it move along. Worst case is a short steep ramp. The boat floats off quickly but getting it back on and in the correct positions is not as easy. One time, the boat floated above the guide posts and got hung up as we pulled it out. Also, its not as easy getting the bow snugged up against the bow support. Just takes a little practice. Markdb
Launch H26
Launching is pretty easy. The extension helps. However, getting it back on straight is a little more difficult. There are two mods to the standard trailer that helped me. One is to prevent the bow from being damaged by the front roller. The other is a "V" on the bottom bunk that aligns the boat straight on the trailer. Other than that, the boat pretty much floats on and off like a standard ski boat. Pics on my site of these mods
Launching is pretty easy. The extension helps. However, getting it back on straight is a little more difficult. There are two mods to the standard trailer that helped me. One is to prevent the bow from being damaged by the front roller. The other is a "V" on the bottom bunk that aligns the boat straight on the trailer. Other than that, the boat pretty much floats on and off like a standard ski boat. Pics on my site of these mods
Easy with a little practice
As mentioned earlier, something on the bunks to center the swing keel helps immensly during retrival. Also check the adjustment of the goal posts on the trailer. I have better luck with the ballast full during retrival, the boat lists to one side with the tank empty. The steepness of the ramp definately makes a difference. Good luck.
As mentioned earlier, something on the bunks to center the swing keel helps immensly during retrival. Also check the adjustment of the goal posts on the trailer. I have better luck with the ballast full during retrival, the boat lists to one side with the tank empty. The steepness of the ramp definately makes a difference. Good luck.
Guide post problems
I seem to run into problems with my guide posts more often than not. They often get caught on the underside of the deck/hull lip. On my last retrieval the starboard side post got stuck on the lip, bending the post and when it popped out it came up under my stern rail seat, pushing it up and tearing out the wood screws. I gotta reevaluate the setup and make some changes. Ron Mehringer h26 Hydro-Therapy
I seem to run into problems with my guide posts more often than not. They often get caught on the underside of the deck/hull lip. On my last retrieval the starboard side post got stuck on the lip, bending the post and when it popped out it came up under my stern rail seat, pushing it up and tearing out the wood screws. I gotta reevaluate the setup and make some changes. Ron Mehringer h26 Hydro-Therapy
Extending the poles
I remember someone once overcoming this problems by extending the poles with PVC but I cant remember the details. 2cents
I remember someone once overcoming this problems by extending the poles with PVC but I cant remember the details. 2cents
Ron, how tall are your guide posts?
Mine are 2" PVC pipe over the steel square tube of the guide posts. The top of the PVC is about 6 feet above the trailer bunks.
Mine are 2" PVC pipe over the steel square tube of the guide posts. The top of the PVC is about 6 feet above the trailer bunks.
Here's a pic
Here's a pic of my port side guide post. The top of it is about even with the stern rail. As you can see it's bent back about 30 degrees from prior launches and retrievals. The post is a galvanized tube, plastic coated at the top. Ron Mehringer h26 Hydro-Therapy
Here's a pic of my port side guide post. The top of it is about even with the stern rail. As you can see it's bent back about 30 degrees from prior launches and retrievals. The post is a galvanized tube, plastic coated at the top. Ron Mehringer h26 Hydro-Therapy
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