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Launch experience check

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mjnee
1st Mate

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USA
36 Posts

Response Posted - 02/12/2008 : 16:38:35

How does the tow strap work? I have a WB. Last year was my first year and I still have nightmares about hauling out. My Trail-Rite trailer has to be completely submerged with my tailpipe bubling underwater.

Edited by - on

americanrascal
1st Mate

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USA
50 Posts

Response Posted - 02/12/2008 : 17:30:11

I think this link may be what your looking for in explaining a rope (strap) launch:
http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/tech/tech250/fortu.asp

It works well. Many seem to use a tow strap instead of a rope to link between the trailer and tow vehicle. Keeps the tow vehicle out of the water and provides the depth needed for the boat for a safe launch. Be cautious to pay close attention to each detail though. If not done right you can make a mess of it (spoken from experience).

Edited by - americanrascal on 02/12/2008 17:31:51

bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Response Posted - 02/12/2008 : 18:31:10

Did you follow previous posts about blowing the water ballast before removing boat from water and soap on the bunk boards so boat slides easier?

Edited by - on

Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 02/12/2008 : 19:27:22

Mjnee, I have to do the same as you. No nightmares as I got really used to this routine. Note that my engine is linked to my rudder with makes handling much more easier. Again it depends on the angle of the launch but overall it looks like this:

LAUNCHING: (< 5 minutes at ramp)
1. Back up truck until I see 1.5 feet of the two white trailer guides. They are marked where the water line needs to be. I don't need to backup as much since I have no ballast at this time. Boat floats. Now by this time muffler is usually bubbling and my front tires are at the water line.
2. Admiral takes on the truck while I get out and step on my step bar up to and into the rear box. (dry feet).
3. Unwinch, unhook and lower until the front roller doesn't suppor the boat anymore and bow against it.
4. Mount the boat from the ladder.
5. Start engine (now at this point if my engine doesn't start I can go back and rehook).
6. Pull the boat out in reverse and off I go. Admiral pulls out and parks.

RETRIEVAL (7 minutes at ramp)
1. Backup the truck and trailer until I see about 1.5 feet of the two white trailer guides. By this time my rear truck bumper is about 3/4 of its height in in the water. Muffler is bubbling away.
2. Admiral takes my seat and I get the boat and make sure my water ballast valve is open.
3. Motor the boat all the way in with the last 10 feet just going on momentum. (I'm going real slow here motor in neutral and ready in case I need to backup and aim again). Front bunk (the V shaped rubber bumpers) gently hits the bow. Note that the boat floats all the way up and never touching the 2 main bunks.
4. Walk up to the front and attach the winch hook. Down the ladder I go and start winching.
5. Get in the pickup's rear box and signal the Admiral to pull on ahead. Water is pouring out.

I usally launch and retrieve much faster than people with powerboats nearly half my size. I think the trick is to keep to your routine until it becomes second nature and preparing BEFORE getting in the ramp line.

Edited by - on

mjnee
1st Mate

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USA
36 Posts

Response Posted - 02/14/2008 : 16:37:13

Thanks. I like the spare wheel set up. What I did was add a heavy duty trailer wheel jack with double wheels to my existing jack. So I have two jacks (3 wheels). I put rubber wheels on it (lawn mower type) but I'm not sure it can handle the weight rolling down the ramp.

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 02/14/2008 : 21:51:39

Steve, again, peggy would haul me up the mast, gagged, by the feet with the main halyard if I put the truck wheels in the water!

Paul

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 02/14/2008 : 22:04:32

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by britinusa
 Steve, again, peggy would haul me up the mast, gagged, by the feet with the main halyard if I put the truck wheels in the water!

Paul
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Admiral AND Sergeant-at-Arms

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 02/15/2008 : 00:01:13

I think you will find that trailer jack wheels may not cut it because of the weight involved. I use a spare tire carrier that has a built in hub. When the jack is lowered the wheel is in contact with the ground and ensures a straight backup. We sometimes use up to 70' of strap and the trailer is submerged. The spare tire setup cost about $80. Here is is.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 02/15/2008 00:01:55

Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 02/15/2008 : 00:23:42

LOL. Yeah, not too environmental friendly I must admit, and kind of weird to see my truck half way in the water. But it's a questions of angle. The launch ramp just isn't steep enough. I guess it's built more for powerboaters? For instance when I used the launch at Sylvan Lake last summer there was REALLY no need to put my truck tires in the water. On the other hand the angle was so steep that I couldn't retrieve the boat with the water ballast tank full, had to wait 10 minutes for it to empty. Made a nice tire smoke show for everyone (I have a 2X4). Maybe Stampeder could comment on the Ghost Lake launch (he uses the same ramp as I did).

Paul, I'm guessing you come up to some ramps that requires you to use the trailer tongue extension? Is there some sort of standard when it comes to designing launch ramps and angle of steepness?

Edited by - Steve Blackburn on 02/15/2008 00:25:53

Tradewind
Admiral

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USA
531 Posts

Response Posted - 02/15/2008 : 08:40:14

The PO used the strap launch method for my boat, the trailer does not have the 5th wheel so I'm not sure how he did it. I'm going to add a 5th wheel to ease the launch/haul out, time to research this forum for plans and ideas. I suppose something will have to be fabricated at a metal shop. Any easy ideas out there?

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 02/15/2008 : 10:25:53

Randy,
Does your 5th wheel rotate down into position, or is it welded in place? I HATE my 5th wheel setup (Kevin can attest to this after he watched me destroy my trailer jack while launching). I like idea of a second jack to lower onto the 5th wheel, or even just using my current one (bought a pretty heavy duty one to replace the original). Plus it would lower the nose of the trailer hopefully making it easier to get the bow snubbed up. I need to rethink my plans for my 5th wheel...

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 02/15/2008 : 11:43:57

My 5th wheel does not move down. Total simplicity. It is a stock piece of gear. I bought the long-travel jack so that when the jack is lowered the 5th wheel is on the ground. Raise the jack for trailering and the 5th wheel is off the ground. Easy! Here is the part:

[url="http://www.iboats.com/Tie_Down_Spare_Tire_Carrier_W_Removable_Spindle_Hub/dm/keywords.brand_473_Tie_Down_Engineering--session_id.748749255--cart_id.590111289--category_id.217614--list_time.1203097929--view_id.237373"]Tie Down Engineerinf Tire Carrier and Hub[/url]

I think I paid about $90. Can't remember what site.

By the way, I also have a regular fold-up jack at the aft end of the port side of the trailer so that when on a ramp and disconnected from the vehicle there is no chance of the trailer tilting backwards when someone goes aft on the boat/trailer. I have see this happen. The jack, with wheel, stays down through launch/retrieval.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 02/15/2008 11:56:47

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 02/15/2008 : 12:09:52

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Steve Blackburn
Is there some sort of standard when it comes to designing launch ramps and angle of steepness?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Well, I was trying not to say this, but now I have to. US army corps of engineers does have ramp standards. I'm not sure if we have any here (Canada).

I believe normal slope is between 12% to 14%, although the US Army Corps of Engineers states that 12.5% to 15% is allowed on the ICW (They say 14% is optimum).

Edited by - on

mjnee
1st Mate

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USA
36 Posts

Response Posted - 02/15/2008 : 13:12:17

Randy, I just went on-line and ordered the 5th wheel setup. I'm not sure why the trailer does not come with this. Great idea. No longer dreading launch. Thanks.
Mike

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 02/15/2008 : 13:33:36

Mike, you may need the jack I use too as it lets the trailer go low.

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americanrascal
1st Mate

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USA
50 Posts

Response Posted - 02/16/2008 : 06:50:13

Steve(Tradewind):
I forgot to show you the wheel set up I configured from Tractor Supply. Remind me if your at the lake today and I'll show you the set up.

Joe
PS Thanks for the help with the mast

Edited by - americanrascal on 02/16/2008 06:51:35

Tradewind
Admiral

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USA
531 Posts

Response Posted - 02/16/2008 : 08:46:36

Joe, I'll be there around noon to help launch.

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americanrascal
1st Mate

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USA
50 Posts

Response Posted - 02/16/2008 : 18:15:26

Well the boat is now launched and am pleased to report the methodoglogy recommended by Tom Potter was utilized and was extremely successful. The main objective- remain dry and out of the frigid waters.

Riding the ladder while B#2 son backed the truck with the tow strap attached to trailer seemed to be the ticket. The Mrs. manned the helm (wasn't needed but was good to have her there) while the launch proceeded. She tossed dock lines to daughter awaiting on the adjacent dock.

After the launch I rode to high ground on the trailer ladder while remaining high and dry!

I think we've finally nailed this process down, but I do yearn for the day we have a lift to do the deed here on our lake.

(and many thanks to Steve (Tradewinds) for his great help with the mast rasing and process)

Thanks all for the advice!
Joe

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 02/17/2008 : 10:28:56

Glad it worked out okay for you Joe, I sometimes thought of mounting a cheap lawn mower seat on the top rung of the ladder so to have a place to sit while launching (kidding).

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Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 02/18/2008 : 06:54:20

Boy, I'm glad I have another boat ramp down the street that is steeper that I can use.

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