tell me your keel hull launch techniques .
- Thread starter db605mw50
- Start date
Well, At our lake the preferred method is to use a strap. Many of our larger boats need at least a 30' strap to reach an appropriate depth for launching. Those of us who have been doing it a while have devised systems that use hitch pins to positively lock the strap ends to both the truck and trailer so no danger of losing either.
Much of it depends on the slope of your ramp. Here AT MDR I understand the 6:1 ratio is intentionally steep to accommodate fin keels. That was one of the reasons I drove 2500 miles to find a shoal draft. C-27 I used a telescoping 4"x4"x 15' galvanized square tube to launch. I drag it out by the tow chains, hook up the tow ball and tow to the ramp with the tube extended. I retrieve the same way. Takes only 15 minutes to launch no more than my old Mac 25. To help with reaching the bow eye, strap and winch, I make the tongue ladder to match up with the ramp slope so I can bridge with a 2x6 board (scrap guys stole my nice 7' aluminum ramp.)
Here is a former post with pictures.
http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=1006551&highlight=caguy tongue extension
There are a number of fin keel boats in Mast-up with some nice launch setups. I'll snap some pictures this weekend for you.
Here is a former post with pictures.
http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=1006551&highlight=caguy tongue extension
There are a number of fin keel boats in Mast-up with some nice launch setups. I'll snap some pictures this weekend for you.
So often many do not take into account the length of the ramp when launching. If at the coast, suggest around high tide. Also find out if the end of the ramp drops as the end of ramps wash out due to power boats and of course over time. One other thing, make sure you look up from where the mast is up going to the ramp for overhead obstruction.
Also take a broom and two 2X6 boards say about 4-5 feet long in the event the axle tires go off the end of the ramp where wash out has occurred by jamming the boards underneath the front axle tires onto the edge of the ramp so you can pull the trailer out of course with no boat on it.
The largest boat I trailer launched into the water was a Hunter 36 and the largest boat using a crane with mast up over a bridge was a Hunter 320.
Also take a broom and two 2X6 boards say about 4-5 feet long in the event the axle tires go off the end of the ramp where wash out has occurred by jamming the boards underneath the front axle tires onto the edge of the ramp so you can pull the trailer out of course with no boat on it.
The largest boat I trailer launched into the water was a Hunter 36 and the largest boat using a crane with mast up over a bridge was a Hunter 320.
"The largest boat I trailer launched into the water was a Hunter 36 and the largest boat using a crane with mast up over a bridge was a Hunter 320."
OK Dave, if Paul Harvey was on this forum he'd ask but he isn't so I will. over a bridge?
BTW there must be more than one here who has had to have their boats lifted off bunks with a travel lift without damaging either,care to chime in?
OK Dave, if Paul Harvey was on this forum he'd ask but he isn't so I will. over a bridge?
BTW there must be more than one here who has had to have their boats lifted off bunks with a travel lift without damaging either,care to chime in?
Yes it did happen with photos on the other computer but not as savy nor the time to post. The mast of course was raised with the crane and I left the wind indicator, wind machine, vhf antenna, boom, sails and so forth off .
With permission from Dept. of Highways on a cold Saturday morning in December, the trailer with mast up was pulled over to the middle of the bridge. Had to do it this way due to a severe drought with all ramps high and dry to include many bulk heads.
We used long straps with the straps on each side secured by thick line so they would not slip out from beneath the hull so the boat was balanced. I did not want to use a spreader as I felt the straps would def. slip out. I rode the boat over and down into the water. Started to release straps when winds gusting 20 mph was pushing us back into the bridge. God sent a miracle of a bassboat which I yelled out for assistance. He held us off from the bridge while I started the engine. Next time I had a boat standing by for this size boat. Held up traffic to include the police but nothing said as how often you will see this occurring. I do not know of any other dealer but only experienced should attempt and have the insurance up to date. I was at the capitol once and that came up in casual conversation which I overheard which was being questioned. I walked over and gave them a blow by blow description. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS TO ANYONE AS YOU DO NOT HAVE THE EXPERIENCE.
The only time I ever caught a 20 lb. stripper at Smith Mt. Lake was with my car. Yes, it sank like the Titanic with the engine running. I still laugh.
As for that, I have photos of that as well. Never got a ticket from the game warden as I did not have a fishing liscense. He scratched his said and said I was CRAZY.
Hope you had a good laugh but launching sailboats over the bridges and bulkheads takes experience and know how and I will never recommend that to anyone.
Jim Seamons; if you have that picture of the bridge launch please post if for me.
With permission from Dept. of Highways on a cold Saturday morning in December, the trailer with mast up was pulled over to the middle of the bridge. Had to do it this way due to a severe drought with all ramps high and dry to include many bulk heads.
We used long straps with the straps on each side secured by thick line so they would not slip out from beneath the hull so the boat was balanced. I did not want to use a spreader as I felt the straps would def. slip out. I rode the boat over and down into the water. Started to release straps when winds gusting 20 mph was pushing us back into the bridge. God sent a miracle of a bassboat which I yelled out for assistance. He held us off from the bridge while I started the engine. Next time I had a boat standing by for this size boat. Held up traffic to include the police but nothing said as how often you will see this occurring. I do not know of any other dealer but only experienced should attempt and have the insurance up to date. I was at the capitol once and that came up in casual conversation which I overheard which was being questioned. I walked over and gave them a blow by blow description. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS TO ANYONE AS YOU DO NOT HAVE THE EXPERIENCE.
The only time I ever caught a 20 lb. stripper at Smith Mt. Lake was with my car. Yes, it sank like the Titanic with the engine running. I still laugh.
As for that, I have photos of that as well. Never got a ticket from the game warden as I did not have a fishing liscense. He scratched his said and said I was CRAZY.
Hope you had a good laugh but launching sailboats over the bridges and bulkheads takes experience and know how and I will never recommend that to anyone.
Jim Seamons; if you have that picture of the bridge launch please post if for me.
To launch my Catalina 250 wing keel I use a 7' hitch receiver extension and the standard slide out trailer extension which I think is 8'. Be sure your trailer wheel is down! (my spare will also rotate down for a 5th wheel if needed on rough surfaces) I carry a 20' chain just in case it is needed. The extensions work fine for launching at Bodega Bay Ca. which is my home seaport.
Chief
Chief
Capri 22, fin keel. Strap launch (2x 15' straps) at the lake.
http://vimeo.com/41704151
Did the same at a steep ramp on the Columbia River once and 1/2 the keel was hanging off the back of the skid plate when I retrieved it at the end of our trip. Scared the crap out of me.
http://vimeo.com/41704151
Did the same at a steep ramp on the Columbia River once and 1/2 the keel was hanging off the back of the skid plate when I retrieved it at the end of our trip. Scared the crap out of me.
Chief;
Do I know oh so well about launching and retrieving a Cat 250 wing keel and Capri22 wing keel as well. Not easy and I give both of you the atta boy award. You are correct about the trailer tongue jack leaving down but suggest the heavy duty vs. the standard supplied by the trailer mfg. Do you carry chocks for the trailer.
Do I know oh so well about launching and retrieving a Cat 250 wing keel and Capri22 wing keel as well. Not easy and I give both of you the atta boy award. You are correct about the trailer tongue jack leaving down but suggest the heavy duty vs. the standard supplied by the trailer mfg. Do you carry chocks for the trailer.
Yes Dave I do carry and use chocks. Have you ever seen the 5th wheel/spare used instead of the trailer tongue wheel? I am also making a gin pole to improve the lowering and raising of the mast. Per Stu's suggestion, I joined the Catalina Assn and forum. The members were great in helping me to learn how to improve the raise/lower system. The method in the book about wore me out getting the mast up the 1st time! Up to my butt in projects and then the house water heater pipe sprung a leak! Thank God for JB weld!
Chris: Couldn't get the video to run yesterday but it ran today. It is great! I just got my boat in Sept. and one launch and retrieve so far, so, that checked me out in case I ever need the chain.
Frank: I checked your system out too. I especially like your ramp!
Chief
Chris: Couldn't get the video to run yesterday but it ran today. It is great! I just got my boat in Sept. and one launch and retrieve so far, so, that checked me out in case I ever need the chain.
Frank: I checked your system out too. I especially like your ramp!
Chief
I took some pictures last Sunday of fin keel trailerable setups. Most used the square tubing that socks into a receiver and pinned. One had 3 12' extensions that when connected gave you 30'. Half of them used a larger swivel wheel mounted on a screw jack. To hers hat a 10"-12" swivel wheel mounted on mounted permanently on they extension.
There were some really cool setups that extended the winch post level with the deck. I watched one retrieve his boat and he simply layer on the bow and cranked it in after attaching the winch strap to the anchor cleat.
I would have videoed it but I was busy trying to beat him to the wash station. He started before me but because he had to take time to disconnect the extension I won, Heh, heh, heh.
Here are some pictures including his.
Attachments
Chief;
I will be back in a week. send me your email with phone and I will try to help you with the mast raise system. I normally do not get involved but for a select few as I am one of the main culprits with that for some mfgs.
By the way, if you read an earlier post where I launched my car and caught a 20 lb stripper with it, I actually was filmed by the Walt Disney crew but was embarrassed thus not allowing it into the movie What About Bob filmed at Smith Mt. Lake. That was a big mistake but I still laugh. Email me week after next
I will be back in a week. send me your email with phone and I will try to help you with the mast raise system. I normally do not get involved but for a select few as I am one of the main culprits with that for some mfgs.
By the way, if you read an earlier post where I launched my car and caught a 20 lb stripper with it, I actually was filmed by the Walt Disney crew but was embarrassed thus not allowing it into the movie What About Bob filmed at Smith Mt. Lake. That was a big mistake but I still laugh. Email me week after next
Dave: I think I have the mast problems in hand but will contact you if my plans do not work well. Have a nice trip. Chief
thanks Chief. I will be where there is no tv reception nor phone of any kind to include computer wife. Now is that the dark age or heaven. Did I say wife but actually meant to say wifi. Have folks guarding the digs while floors being redone. That is one job I will leave others up to.
1big strap
I use a 6"x30' yellow strap rated at 80,0000#,but its serious overkill i think the ..2" tow strap would work fine,when we pulled mine out,i checked the tension on the strap,being a foot off the ground i could stand on the middle of the strap .it would deflect all the way to the ground,and would draw the boat up a little,not ad much tension as i had thought. T
I use a 6"x30' yellow strap rated at 80,0000#,but its serious overkill i think the ..2" tow strap would work fine,when we pulled mine out,i checked the tension on the strap,being a foot off the ground i could stand on the middle of the strap .it would deflect all the way to the ground,and would draw the boat up a little,not ad much tension as i had thought. T
Regarding the above photo with strap, I would be extra cautious with that strap if it is the one rated for 3500 pounds. I would suggest the heavier version to avoid a possible potential accident should the 3500 test strap should break. I have seen it happen before.
Strap was a 5000lb tow strap... and I just upgraded to a 7000 as the 5000 broke (on a stump I was pulling out)... Backhoe/tractor got revenge for me.
Yeah I always use a strap rated to at least the weight of the boat, if not boat and trailer (not like you are picking it straight up, but sometimes its a lot of weight)... the extra $10 for the strap is well spent.
Was a bear finding hooks rated to the strap though.
Note that 6 feet or so extra of length made it so I didn't even wet the axle.
Yeah I always use a strap rated to at least the weight of the boat, if not boat and trailer (not like you are picking it straight up, but sometimes its a lot of weight)... the extra $10 for the strap is well spent.
Was a bear finding hooks rated to the strap though.
Note that 6 feet or so extra of length made it so I didn't even wet the axle.