In the belief that the only stupid question is the one that isn't asked and being a very novice boat owner and having never launched a boat from a trailer at a ramp, here goes: Particularly when handling the boat by myself, do any of you have any suggested techniques to use when launching the boat? Do you board it while it is still partially on the trailer then use the outboard to back it the rest of the way off? Is this even possible with a 6 hp outboard? Do you try to manuever the boat around so it can be boarded from the swim ladder or do you take a swim to board it from the ladder? The dock at the ramp I will be using is situated in such a way that manuevering the boat with dock lines to the dock would be impossible, so the boat must be motored to the dock so I can get back to the ramp to move the trailer. Also, how is the line to the topping lift secured to the topping lift. Is it run through the pulley then secured to the eye under the boom?
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ken.shubert
One way to do it
Launching single handed requires some careful planning. Be sure the boat is ready when you back down the ramp. Be sure the center board is held up, ballast closed, docking pole, pfd, winch line unhooked, and a bow line of 50' or so tied to the tow vehicle. Back it down far enough to float it off of the trailer which may or may not need the extension depending on ramp slope. When it floats free, I board by jumping into my pickup bed, stepping off the tailgate onto the tongue/ladder and onto the bow. It's a stretch but can be done and don't forget to untie the line and take it with you. Start the motor and back it off. Manuevering with only the motor, no rudder, no keelboard, and no ballast is nasty.... so if you can head for some clear water where you can get everthing in place it's better. If you have to dock with only the motor, then take your time and use the pole and any help you can get at the dock. My biggest disasters so far: 1. Not securing a bow line to the tow vehicle. Required some Olympic free style swimming. 2. Not pulling center board up. Had to board fiddle for 1/2 hour to get the board cleared from the trailer. 3. Motor wouldn't run. I put the rudder down and paddled in. Sculling I think it is? If you have winds and currents it'd be worth hiring someone to help. If the ramp is very busy, then someone will help and move your vehicle just to get you out of there. I have boarded via the swim ladder in warm weather but the boat is 'free floating' whereas from the trailer ladder, it's held untill I actually climb aboard. It's possible to not even get your feet wet, believe it or not. The boat should be floating so a 5hp motor is plenty.... don't try to power off the trailer or all the bottom paint stays on the bunker boards. My topping lift is just tied at 'full down' position and throwing a loop or two around the boom will hold it up. The rope was never long enough to go down thru the boom to the little jam cleats but if you have the rope that works OK. It's inconvenient when removing the boom, though. Ken S/V Wouff Hong
Launching single handed requires some careful planning. Be sure the boat is ready when you back down the ramp. Be sure the center board is held up, ballast closed, docking pole, pfd, winch line unhooked, and a bow line of 50' or so tied to the tow vehicle. Back it down far enough to float it off of the trailer which may or may not need the extension depending on ramp slope. When it floats free, I board by jumping into my pickup bed, stepping off the tailgate onto the tongue/ladder and onto the bow. It's a stretch but can be done and don't forget to untie the line and take it with you. Start the motor and back it off. Manuevering with only the motor, no rudder, no keelboard, and no ballast is nasty.... so if you can head for some clear water where you can get everthing in place it's better. If you have to dock with only the motor, then take your time and use the pole and any help you can get at the dock. My biggest disasters so far: 1. Not securing a bow line to the tow vehicle. Required some Olympic free style swimming. 2. Not pulling center board up. Had to board fiddle for 1/2 hour to get the board cleared from the trailer. 3. Motor wouldn't run. I put the rudder down and paddled in. Sculling I think it is? If you have winds and currents it'd be worth hiring someone to help. If the ramp is very busy, then someone will help and move your vehicle just to get you out of there. I have boarded via the swim ladder in warm weather but the boat is 'free floating' whereas from the trailer ladder, it's held untill I actually climb aboard. It's possible to not even get your feet wet, believe it or not. The boat should be floating so a 5hp motor is plenty.... don't try to power off the trailer or all the bottom paint stays on the bunker boards. My topping lift is just tied at 'full down' position and throwing a loop or two around the boom will hold it up. The rope was never long enough to go down thru the boom to the little jam cleats but if you have the rope that works OK. It's inconvenient when removing the boom, though. Ken S/V Wouff Hong
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Mike Epp
my method
You might get a little wet but I can usually walk down the tongue of the trailer and push off the bow while holding onto a bow line. It helps to have a second person on the dock with a stern line in hand (or if the line is long enough you can have both lines in hand) to keep the boat parallel to the dock. Once she's free of the trailer, I'd jump back on the dock and bring the boat over and tie her off. Then get the trailer outta the water to free up the ramp. Of course make sure all your lines and hardware are in working order so you don't have to mess around too much at the dock. I even like to start the motor before launching. I know it shouldn't run for any length of time or it'll get hot, but just like to see it fire before I need it.
You might get a little wet but I can usually walk down the tongue of the trailer and push off the bow while holding onto a bow line. It helps to have a second person on the dock with a stern line in hand (or if the line is long enough you can have both lines in hand) to keep the boat parallel to the dock. Once she's free of the trailer, I'd jump back on the dock and bring the boat over and tie her off. Then get the trailer outta the water to free up the ramp. Of course make sure all your lines and hardware are in working order so you don't have to mess around too much at the dock. I even like to start the motor before launching. I know it shouldn't run for any length of time or it'll get hot, but just like to see it fire before I need it.
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mg
single hand launch
here is my 2 cents worth . on a capri 18 ( 28"draft wing)i back the boat into the water until it foats then unhook the winch strap and leave a line tied to the trailer. the i climb up at the bow and go aft to start the engine and put in in forward at idle. the boat wont go too far forward due to the bunks. i then go forward and undo the line and return aft to back away from the trailer. i like this method as if there is a problem wiht the motor im not floating around. also if you run the impeller dry it will damage it . i never do it though i see many who do . asking for trouble if you ask me . good luck . mg
here is my 2 cents worth . on a capri 18 ( 28"draft wing)i back the boat into the water until it foats then unhook the winch strap and leave a line tied to the trailer. the i climb up at the bow and go aft to start the engine and put in in forward at idle. the boat wont go too far forward due to the bunks. i then go forward and undo the line and return aft to back away from the trailer. i like this method as if there is a problem wiht the motor im not floating around. also if you run the impeller dry it will damage it . i never do it though i see many who do . asking for trouble if you ask me . good luck . mg
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Jesse
Thanks!!
Thanks for your responses. I've been perplexed by this for a few days now but with your help, I think I have a handle on it; I guess I'll see when I put it in the water for the first time---hopefully next week!
Thanks for your responses. I've been perplexed by this for a few days now but with your help, I think I have a handle on it; I guess I'll see when I put it in the water for the first time---hopefully next week!
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Sam
don't use full power to get back on the trailer
I had a H19 for a few years. We loved it. I really like the 240 (more than the 19). The biggest lesson we learned the hard way was when trying to get back on the trailer just idle up between the guides and use the winch. Do not try to power the boat on the trailer like a ski boat. If you do it could corkscrew out of control. Make sure your trailer has a nice big winch with a long strap and tall trailer guides. Good lucka and happy sailing!
I had a H19 for a few years. We loved it. I really like the 240 (more than the 19). The biggest lesson we learned the hard way was when trying to get back on the trailer just idle up between the guides and use the winch. Do not try to power the boat on the trailer like a ski boat. If you do it could corkscrew out of control. Make sure your trailer has a nice big winch with a long strap and tall trailer guides. Good lucka and happy sailing!
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Eric C Lindstrom
Successful every time
My wife broke her arm this year while sailing, so needless to say I put the boat in and out by myself numerous times this year. With the "goal posts" on my trailer, getting the boat ONTO the trailer is a piece of cake. With the boat tied to the ramp dock, I simply back it up as close to the dock as possible. I know when I'm deep enough based on a mark on the trailer tongue as well as the water level when I open the Jeep door (usually JUST at the walk-out level). Once this is in place I walk around to the boat, make sure the rudder and outboard are kicked up ... untie the boat and pull her forward with a long bow line. The "goal posts" causes the boat to slowly center by bouncing back and forth until I need to stretch onto the ladder and lean to attach the winch. Crank her up tight and it's done. Did this 6 times this year and never had a problem or got wet. Launching was even easier: I would line myself up with the dock/ramp, detach all straps on the boat, UNLATCH the winch crank (so it can freely unwind) and SLOWLY back in. Once I hear/see the winch handle letting cable out I know the boat is floating. By leaving this attached I know it's IMPOSSIBLE to lose the boat. I then climb out of the Jeep and meet the boat at the dock. We have the option of choosing sides at the park where we launch so we can easily choose leeward. I then walk the boat back, detach the winch cable, tie the boat to the dock and drive away. In both launching and retrieving I have the ballast tank open full time (and of course the centerboard up). I would happily show anyone my launching prowess today but it's 8 degrees out right now and the boat is in the back yard! Boo hoo.
My wife broke her arm this year while sailing, so needless to say I put the boat in and out by myself numerous times this year. With the "goal posts" on my trailer, getting the boat ONTO the trailer is a piece of cake. With the boat tied to the ramp dock, I simply back it up as close to the dock as possible. I know when I'm deep enough based on a mark on the trailer tongue as well as the water level when I open the Jeep door (usually JUST at the walk-out level). Once this is in place I walk around to the boat, make sure the rudder and outboard are kicked up ... untie the boat and pull her forward with a long bow line. The "goal posts" causes the boat to slowly center by bouncing back and forth until I need to stretch onto the ladder and lean to attach the winch. Crank her up tight and it's done. Did this 6 times this year and never had a problem or got wet. Launching was even easier: I would line myself up with the dock/ramp, detach all straps on the boat, UNLATCH the winch crank (so it can freely unwind) and SLOWLY back in. Once I hear/see the winch handle letting cable out I know the boat is floating. By leaving this attached I know it's IMPOSSIBLE to lose the boat. I then climb out of the Jeep and meet the boat at the dock. We have the option of choosing sides at the park where we launch so we can easily choose leeward. I then walk the boat back, detach the winch cable, tie the boat to the dock and drive away. In both launching and retrieving I have the ballast tank open full time (and of course the centerboard up). I would happily show anyone my launching prowess today but it's 8 degrees out right now and the boat is in the back yard! Boo hoo.
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John Larsen
H25 launch etc.
My H25 trailer has an extension tongue, about 8 feet. I can get the whole shootin' match far enough in the water so the ship pretty much floats of the trailer. Sometimes a slight sudden stop backing up is needed for the final shove off. To put the beast back on the trailer, I've found from experience that it's easier to use water boyancy for final winching and placement of the boat on the trailer instead of winching the final couple of inches on land. Make sure everying is in the correct place and tied before towing. Saw someone with a 20-25 foot sailboat in the median on the way home last October on I35 south of Duluth. It wasn't pretty.
My H25 trailer has an extension tongue, about 8 feet. I can get the whole shootin' match far enough in the water so the ship pretty much floats of the trailer. Sometimes a slight sudden stop backing up is needed for the final shove off. To put the beast back on the trailer, I've found from experience that it's easier to use water boyancy for final winching and placement of the boat on the trailer instead of winching the final couple of inches on land. Make sure everying is in the correct place and tied before towing. Saw someone with a 20-25 foot sailboat in the median on the way home last October on I35 south of Duluth. It wasn't pretty.
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