How many sailors with a water ballast boat keep their boat on the trailer and rig for an afternoon sail and how many got tired of rigging and got a slip?
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NO WAY
Rigging for a launch is WAY too much work for just an afternoon. We haven't gone to a slip but keep the boat on a trailer with the mast stepped and a straight shot to the launch ramp. Quite a bit cheaper than the slip, bottom paint isn't a factor, but it is a little bit of work. I think my best time pulling in and stepping the mast etc and getting it ready to drop in the water is around 2 hours. Not much fun on the black asphalt with the sun beating down on you. Then repeat when you're done sailing. A long weekend with sleeping on the boat makes it OK.
Rigging for a launch is WAY too much work for just an afternoon. We haven't gone to a slip but keep the boat on a trailer with the mast stepped and a straight shot to the launch ramp. Quite a bit cheaper than the slip, bottom paint isn't a factor, but it is a little bit of work. I think my best time pulling in and stepping the mast etc and getting it ready to drop in the water is around 2 hours. Not much fun on the black asphalt with the sun beating down on you. Then repeat when you're done sailing. A long weekend with sleeping on the boat makes it OK.
time to water
I have also found that keeping the mast up in nearby storage is very convenient, but you should be able to go from trailer to water in less than an hour. Stepping the mast doesn't take more than 15 minutes. I found that I was quicker doing it by myself than with help, as the help often distracted me from following my typical routine.
I have also found that keeping the mast up in nearby storage is very convenient, but you should be able to go from trailer to water in less than an hour. Stepping the mast doesn't take more than 15 minutes. I found that I was quicker doing it by myself than with help, as the help often distracted me from following my typical routine.
Not Too Much Trouble
I kept mine in dry storage for a time and from the time we arrived at the ramp till we left the ramp was about 30 minutes usually. Often we took two cars so the wife and kids could head on home while I took care of the boat. It is kind of a trade off as there are lots of things that are easier to do with the boat on the trailer in the drive way than in the slip. I now have a slip the difference in price is is about $60 a month for the slip vs a storage lot and the slip is across the streeet so it is way too convient to not take advantage of.
I kept mine in dry storage for a time and from the time we arrived at the ramp till we left the ramp was about 30 minutes usually. Often we took two cars so the wife and kids could head on home while I took care of the boat. It is kind of a trade off as there are lots of things that are easier to do with the boat on the trailer in the drive way than in the slip. I now have a slip the difference in price is is about $60 a month for the slip vs a storage lot and the slip is across the streeet so it is way too convient to not take advantage of.
Keep mine rigged at the yacht club
I keep mine rigged on the trailer at the yacht club we belong to. I wouldn't have bought a boat if I had to step the mast every time I wanted to take her out. We plan on doing some trailer sailing this summer but for a long weekend it is worth stepping it down and back up. Personally, I wouldn't do it for an afternoon. But if you really want to sail then it is a matter of your priorities. If you really want to sail but don't have a place to keep it then you have to step the mast. If you can find a place to keep it rigged and launch it then the bottom maintenance is minimal and the storage fees are less. Good luck with your decision.
I keep mine rigged on the trailer at the yacht club we belong to. I wouldn't have bought a boat if I had to step the mast every time I wanted to take her out. We plan on doing some trailer sailing this summer but for a long weekend it is worth stepping it down and back up. Personally, I wouldn't do it for an afternoon. But if you really want to sail then it is a matter of your priorities. If you really want to sail but don't have a place to keep it then you have to step the mast. If you can find a place to keep it rigged and launch it then the bottom maintenance is minimal and the storage fees are less. Good luck with your decision.
Well, try to do both
Right now I have it in a marina, but I don't keep it there always. Certainly it is too much trouble for an afternoon sail. But this, of course, has nothing to do with water balast! (I know that really wasn't your question) -- The Hunter 26 is easier to rig then my old boat (though the mast is heavier). In any case -- I love the marina because I can justify a 2-hour sail.
Right now I have it in a marina, but I don't keep it there always. Certainly it is too much trouble for an afternoon sail. But this, of course, has nothing to do with water balast! (I know that really wasn't your question) -- The Hunter 26 is easier to rig then my old boat (though the mast is heavier). In any case -- I love the marina because I can justify a 2-hour sail.
Slip it
I keep my 23.5 in a slip. Like others, I want the convenience of going out for a late afternoon sail without the set up/ take down time. The downside is the cost of the slip and bottom paint. Slips here are apparently a LOT more than in FLA. Rick has a good point on some work is easier on the hard than wet.
I keep my 23.5 in a slip. Like others, I want the convenience of going out for a late afternoon sail without the set up/ take down time. The downside is the cost of the slip and bottom paint. Slips here are apparently a LOT more than in FLA. Rick has a good point on some work is easier on the hard than wet.
once a year
we launch our boat in lake harris, FL in the fall and retrieve it in the early summer. for the winter it stays in a slip for convenient sailing. weather fronts bring plenty of steady winds and cool temperatures. in the summer the boat is parked in the backyard where we perform maintenance, repairs and upgrades. summer sailing involves heat, inland doldrums (except for the gusts in thunderstorms), lightning and lots of bugs. i would have to be on a cruise (2 to 3 nights out) before i would consider rigging and derigging. ed
we launch our boat in lake harris, FL in the fall and retrieve it in the early summer. for the winter it stays in a slip for convenient sailing. weather fronts bring plenty of steady winds and cool temperatures. in the summer the boat is parked in the backyard where we perform maintenance, repairs and upgrades. summer sailing involves heat, inland doldrums (except for the gusts in thunderstorms), lightning and lots of bugs. i would have to be on a cruise (2 to 3 nights out) before i would consider rigging and derigging. ed
Every Time !
We keep our 240 twenty minutes from the ramp. When we race it is easyer becuse we dont load so much gear. When we are daysailing and overnighting we pack it up with all the fun stuff and it can take up to an hour to get away from the dock. Its all about how much fun you get out of it and what its worth to you. Fourty days on the water for us last year while working full time, we really like sailing! Carl & Suzi h240 Relentless
We keep our 240 twenty minutes from the ramp. When we race it is easyer becuse we dont load so much gear. When we are daysailing and overnighting we pack it up with all the fun stuff and it can take up to an hour to get away from the dock. Its all about how much fun you get out of it and what its worth to you. Fourty days on the water for us last year while working full time, we really like sailing! Carl & Suzi h240 Relentless
Almost every weekend
I get up early and tow her down to the ramp. Put up the mast hank on the sails, go for a sail for a few hours or more if the war office gives permission, sail her back to the dock pull the mast down and tow her home. I haven't a problem with the short time it takes to rig the 260.
I get up early and tow her down to the ramp. Put up the mast hank on the sails, go for a sail for a few hours or more if the war office gives permission, sail her back to the dock pull the mast down and tow her home. I haven't a problem with the short time it takes to rig the 260.
mast stepping
We have a 23 not 240 but , just going from the mooring we originally had to a dock we found we were more inclined to go out for short periods of time because of the convience, To many people there is trade off , bottom line is you have an investment that you are more inclined to use if there is less work involved, I know some people here wont agree by their posts so it is a personal thing, when we got our 23 if we had to rig every time we sailed we would not have sailed nearly as much as we did because we had some bad experiences stepping and unstepping , I do understand there are some diffences in the process for the different model boats but think that the same things apply , have a great day sailing ,Mike
We have a 23 not 240 but , just going from the mooring we originally had to a dock we found we were more inclined to go out for short periods of time because of the convience, To many people there is trade off , bottom line is you have an investment that you are more inclined to use if there is less work involved, I know some people here wont agree by their posts so it is a personal thing, when we got our 23 if we had to rig every time we sailed we would not have sailed nearly as much as we did because we had some bad experiences stepping and unstepping , I do understand there are some diffences in the process for the different model boats but think that the same things apply , have a great day sailing ,Mike
In a slip
My h26 is in a slip. Didn't even give any real consideration to keeping it on the trailer. Ron Mehringer h26 Hydro-Therapy
My h26 is in a slip. Didn't even give any real consideration to keeping it on the trailer. Ron Mehringer h26 Hydro-Therapy
Slip or not to Slip
When we bought our boat the original idea was to leave it rigged on the trailer and back her down the ramp when we wanted to go out. I figured 30 minutes each time. I asked around at two different marinas in the area and no one would allow me to do this. One of them actually said it ruined the looks of his area. So we ended up putting her in a slip. Actually the benefits kind of out way the some of the additional expense. Such as I can keep my batteries charged up all the time plus I've got some great neighbors who can help me when I get stumped(which is quite frequently any more). If you were to do a strict balance sheet the leaving it on the trailer would be cheaper but there are lots of "extras" that you get when slipped. Paul H S/V Linda Belle 95 H26
When we bought our boat the original idea was to leave it rigged on the trailer and back her down the ramp when we wanted to go out. I figured 30 minutes each time. I asked around at two different marinas in the area and no one would allow me to do this. One of them actually said it ruined the looks of his area. So we ended up putting her in a slip. Actually the benefits kind of out way the some of the additional expense. Such as I can keep my batteries charged up all the time plus I've got some great neighbors who can help me when I get stumped(which is quite frequently any more). If you were to do a strict balance sheet the leaving it on the trailer would be cheaper but there are lots of "extras" that you get when slipped. Paul H S/V Linda Belle 95 H26
I sure like the slip
I paid US$5000 for a slip for my US$10000 boat. I couldn't have it any other way as the extra time in my case would cut my sailing _way_ down; to less than half for sure. My situation may be different than most: I often go out for 60 to 90 minutes. Even though I could leave the mast up, the launch and retrieve time would be significant, and would break up the social time with my sailing guests. When I visit a friend with a power boat and he offers to take us out for a ride and water ski, I feel it's a burden on him because of the towing, launching and parking issues in his busy marina (with other rude and impatient stickpotters). Sometimes I decline. I wouldn't want my crew (I'm always looking for crew) to feel this way and deprive me of chance to go out sailing! I often go out with just my 8 and 12 yr-old girls, or lately single-handed. Hard to launch and retrieve in these cases.
I paid US$5000 for a slip for my US$10000 boat. I couldn't have it any other way as the extra time in my case would cut my sailing _way_ down; to less than half for sure. My situation may be different than most: I often go out for 60 to 90 minutes. Even though I could leave the mast up, the launch and retrieve time would be significant, and would break up the social time with my sailing guests. When I visit a friend with a power boat and he offers to take us out for a ride and water ski, I feel it's a burden on him because of the towing, launching and parking issues in his busy marina (with other rude and impatient stickpotters). Sometimes I decline. I wouldn't want my crew (I'm always looking for crew) to feel this way and deprive me of chance to go out sailing! I often go out with just my 8 and 12 yr-old girls, or lately single-handed. Hard to launch and retrieve in these cases.
I step ours every time, but
we live 20 miles from where we sail on weekends. We go for 2 or 3 days at a time. I can step the mast and be in the water sailing in just under an hour on our 240. Definately faster doing it by myself, rather then having help. ross
we live 20 miles from where we sail on weekends. We go for 2 or 3 days at a time. I can step the mast and be in the water sailing in just under an hour on our 240. Definately faster doing it by myself, rather then having help. ross
stowed on the trailer
My 260 is in my driveway where I can play (upgrade)after work and on the short weekend. On long weekends I tow the boat to Kerr Lake which is about 2 hours away. My set-up time is under 1 hour if I step the mast while the boat is on the trailer, but 15 min. when I step the mast while underway. My usual routine is to get off work (on a 3 day weekend) say on thursday drive to Kerr Lake launch the boat settle for the night anchered in a cove step the mast early Friday, sail all day Friday, Saterday. Sunday on the way back to the boat ramp unstep the mast pull the boat around noon and get home around 14:30- 15:00
My 260 is in my driveway where I can play (upgrade)after work and on the short weekend. On long weekends I tow the boat to Kerr Lake which is about 2 hours away. My set-up time is under 1 hour if I step the mast while the boat is on the trailer, but 15 min. when I step the mast while underway. My usual routine is to get off work (on a 3 day weekend) say on thursday drive to Kerr Lake launch the boat settle for the night anchered in a cove step the mast early Friday, sail all day Friday, Saterday. Sunday on the way back to the boat ramp unstep the mast pull the boat around noon and get home around 14:30- 15:00
sleep on boat at Kerr lake?
I'm about 2.5 hours away from Kerr Lake. When you go for your long weekends, do you sleep on the boat or sleep on shore (in a camp-ground)...
I'm about 2.5 hours away from Kerr Lake. When you go for your long weekends, do you sleep on the boat or sleep on shore (in a camp-ground)...
A bit of both!!!
I fall into both categories!! My 240 is kept afloat but as we keep her in a boathouse, the mast is kept lowered!!! We don't find raising the mast an issue - you get better at it with practice
I fall into both categories!! My 240 is kept afloat but as we keep her in a boathouse, the mast is kept lowered!!! We don't find raising the mast an issue - you get better at it with practice
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