Trailer Launch and Retrieving

A

albinvega1493

.
Dec 15, 2006
139
Hey Group,

I know there are a number of owners who launch and retrieve their
Vega's from trailers. I have mine on a trailer and am trying to get it
set up to launch and retrieve. Any helpful hints about the process
would be welcome. Right now, the plan is to use a 20 ft. tongue
extension to get the trailer deep enough, then just back it in and let
the boat float off. Retrieval would be reverse, just connet the bow to
the bow V-fitting on the trailer and drive out. The boat should set
down on the trailer. I am also making a keel guide to guide the keel
down onto the trailer keel support. If anyone has done this, I would
appreciate input.

Larry Bissell
Hull 1493
"Kemanalea"
SF Bay Area
 
P

pjacobs55

.
Oct 30, 2019
1,459
Larry:
Never had much luck with tongue extensions, but I've used a heavy
strap (old concrete pipe sling) about 25' long instead. I hooked the
end of the strap up to the front hitch on the truck so I could keep a
close eye on things.

You need a strong 5th wheel on the trailer to support the tongue
weight.
The first time I tried it the Fulton wheel buckled when it hit a
pothole on the ramp, and I was forced to use a plank under the tongue
to slide the trailer down. We had quite an exiting time of it!
Picture:

I built a new reinforced wheel that worked like a charm and steered
straight down the ramp.

Peter
#1331 'Sin Tacha'
 
V

vsschreffler

.
Apr 22, 2008
47
Albin Vega 27 San Francisco
Hi Larry,

I've launched from my trailer several times--no problem at all. Didn't
even need a tongue extender for that--full size pick up worked fine.

Retrieving is another story. I thought I could simply reverse the
process but ran into a difficulty. The winch on the trailer is lower
on the trailer than the deck of the boat. Thus when trying to pull the
tailer out with the strap joining boat and trailer the pivoting that
occurs when the tailer is coming out of the water results in upward
pressure.

I believe it would work if you had a bar that raised the angle from
the strap to deck level so it could pivot freely. It'd be a lot
easier to explain in a drawing--or if you wanted to come by and look
at the trailer, it's at my house in Walnut Creek.

Contact me off list if you like.

vsschreffler@...
 
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