I launch and retrieve Damsel with a long stout rope. Last time I forgot the rope so I tripled some nylon anchor rode. Worked fine. The salt water is indeed hard on the trailer, but at the price that boatyards charge, I've already paid for the trailer.
I read a funny post (here or elsewhere?) by someone who forgot to remove the keeper straps--the cam straps holding the boat onto the trailer during transport--before backing down the ramp. The boat just floated the whole trailer. Someone else responded that they intentionally did the same thing to transport their trailer to a nearby island where they wanted the use of the trailer (for dry storage perhaps). They just motored the boat over with the trailer strapped in place. That would be a strange sight!
Nathan
Damsel
Albion, California
Re: Off the Trailer:
Sat Mar 8, 2014 4:02 pm (PST) . Posted by:
"Tim" tim_klynn
I launch the Vega off the trailer using a 30' tow strap, it is no big deal.
Around here, none of the lakes have cranes able to lift the Vega or any of the larger boats like j24's so everyone uses straps. The ramps are designed to be steep enough so it become deep quickly near shore. Straps would not work well on a shallow ramp, or a ramp that is very muddy where the trailer gets mired in muck before it rolls out deep enough to float the boat.
To launch with a strap, you need a "launch wheel" that supports the tongue once the trailer is detached from the tow vehicle. I use an old f250 with 200hp/300 ft lbs torque as a tow vehicle.
With a 30' strap, i can keep my axle out of the water. Tim
I read a funny post (here or elsewhere?) by someone who forgot to remove the keeper straps--the cam straps holding the boat onto the trailer during transport--before backing down the ramp. The boat just floated the whole trailer. Someone else responded that they intentionally did the same thing to transport their trailer to a nearby island where they wanted the use of the trailer (for dry storage perhaps). They just motored the boat over with the trailer strapped in place. That would be a strange sight!
Nathan
Damsel
Albion, California
Re: Off the Trailer:
Sat Mar 8, 2014 4:02 pm (PST) . Posted by:
"Tim" tim_klynn
I launch the Vega off the trailer using a 30' tow strap, it is no big deal.
Around here, none of the lakes have cranes able to lift the Vega or any of the larger boats like j24's so everyone uses straps. The ramps are designed to be steep enough so it become deep quickly near shore. Straps would not work well on a shallow ramp, or a ramp that is very muddy where the trailer gets mired in muck before it rolls out deep enough to float the boat.
To launch with a strap, you need a "launch wheel" that supports the tongue once the trailer is detached from the tow vehicle. I use an old f250 with 200hp/300 ft lbs torque as a tow vehicle.
With a 30' strap, i can keep my axle out of the water. Tim