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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Trailer launch a sailboat sideways?

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shnool
Former Capri-25 Tech Editor

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USA
1032 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/13/2014 : 08:36:16

Yeah odd question... Perhaps better stated can you float the boat off sideways.

Saw this boat on a trailer, and figured the trailer was for transport, and owner's marina has a crane/cradle, so they didn't care... but it leads me to ask the question, would it be possible to get the trailer deep enough, to push the boat off sideways? I mean I know anything is possible, but would it be practical.

My estimation is that trailer can't be used for launch. Yet that boat sits lower on the trailer than my Capri 25 (and I trailer launch)! I suppose it could be modified to have adjustable supports (6)... but it looks like an aluminum trailer.

C&C 32 Smith Mountain Lake Virginia

Edited by - shnool on 06/13/2014 08:37:51

Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2014 : 09:08:45

It appears that once the hull would clear those U-shaped bunks, the boat could be moved to the side. However, getting it back on, in that exact location might be difficult.

Appears to be a power boat trailer modified to carry that sailboat.

Edited by - on

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4018 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2014 : 13:56:13

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Yet that boat sits lower on the trailer than my Capri 25<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Benny First285,Wing keel version, Yep it's going to sit lower. In your scenario I'm wondering where the tow vehicle would be or rather how far under water it would be...

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csmcg
1st Mate

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96 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2014 : 16:11:03

It might work with a strap launch. I have to sink my C250wk trailer to the point that the pads at the bow go under. I looks to me like this trailer would not be much different... except for the sideways bit of course.

Regards.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2014 : 20:39:23

Same here, if I can't get my front pads submerged at least about half a foot, I don't attempt a launch or recovery. I use a weighted line to gauge where the front pads will be submerged where I want them, and make a note of where that is on the pier so I know I have to get at least that far down the ramp, then I go make sure that my wheels won't come off the end of the ramp before I hit that spot. I've had this happen once and don't ever want to go through it again. Of course being able to gauge the landing is a bit more complex since you have to tie up at the pier first, but usually you recover where you launched, so you've already got an idea of what's in store.

I'm not sure how you'd go about the pushing the boat off sideways. I think I'd actually pull it toward me instead. Back the trailer down the ramp far enough away to have at least 1-1/2 boat widths away from the pier or so, then, when it was deep enough, pull it into the pier with a bow & stern line, tie it off, then recover the trailer. As mentioned, you'd almost certainly have to do it with a strap launch. You'd almost have to have at least one helper who understood what was going on so the boat didn't get jacked on the trailer before it was able to clear the supports properly.

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shnool
Former Capri-25 Tech Editor

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USA
1032 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2014 : 14:51:14

I already strap launch my Capri 25, so I am quite familiar with that procedure... sounds like you folks think it's POSSIBLE.. I do too! My take is exactly as was said... launch deep enough to float it above the supports, and do so far enough away from the dock... so you can pull the boat towards the dock.... Getting it back in place would require guide poles, but again, doable.

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shnool
Former Capri-25 Tech Editor

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USA
1032 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2014 : 14:52:50

Anyone have experience with the First 285? Seems like an interesting racer/cruiser. It would need to be configured better for solo sailing for me to like it... the traveler on the coach roof is silly... it needs to be directly behind the wheel... Then my take is the winches should be just in front of that. Self tailers would be better as well.

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islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4018 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2014 : 16:04:43

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"> sounds like you folks think it's POSSIBLE..<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
No not really it's just that you brought up this scenario. My take on it is why would you try to do this at all. It would be good entertainment though to watch the guy attempt it. Yep I can see it now. Lawn chair a 6 pack and a nice Italian hero. On with the show!

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shnool
Former Capri-25 Tech Editor

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USA
1032 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2014 : 17:36:55

If I had my druthers I'd convert those supports to adjustable pads... 4-6 of them.

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awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2014 : 21:44:58

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by shnool
 Anyone have experience with the First 285? Seems like an interesting racer/cruiser. It would need to be configured better for solo sailing for me to like it... the traveler on the coach roof is silly... it needs to be directly behind the wheel... Then my take is the winches should be just in front of that. Self tailers would be better as well.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

My Pearson 28-2 isn't too different from the First 285 (it appears that Pearson 28-2 was pretty highly influenced by the design of the First 29, and the First 285 is an evolution of the First 29).

On my 28-2 and the First 29 the traveller is forward just behind the companionway. That location works well, it gives you close to end boom sheeting but enough travel to make the traveller useful into a beam reach. I tend to sit beside the wheel while sailing singlehanded and can easily reach the winches and traveler from the wheel. It would probably be easy to make the same configuration on the 285.

I like how my boat sails quite a bit, but the high freeboard that gives these a nice cruiseable interior in 29' does add a lot of windage and hurt sailing performance (especially when pointing). The First 29 appears to have the lowest freeboard of the three.

It's interesting to compare the PHRF handicaps on these three boats:
First 29: 168
First 285: 189
Pearson 28-2: 186

My guess is that the deeper draft and lower freeboard of the First 29 help it to windward and make the difference in PHRF.

For cruising I really like having the aft cabin under the cockpit and the aft head. It's a very comfortable boat for a couple or solo.

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shnool
Former Capri-25 Tech Editor

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USA
1032 Posts

Response Posted - 06/15/2014 : 04:17:41

Alex, good info.
First 29 is really a 30.. and not real trailerable with a 5.5' draft, but is a very nice looking boat.

That first 29 also looks like such a stellar performer because of the deep draft, and masthead rig. Not to mention the waterline length. Sounds like a boat I'd enjoy immensely. If I could bring myself to give up my weekday sails, I'd get a real 28+ footer and put in on real water with something like that! Then the S2 9.1 would be on my short list.

Was looking for a trailerable 26-28 footer, with a decent cabin, and single handed capability, and performance.. wing, or shoal draft would allow me to place it on the shallower waters of bays close to me.

S2 7.9 is considered, which really isn't small draft, it's just centerboard liftable.
Laser 28 (hard to find)
Capri 26 (which is a slug - but a pretty boat)
Beneteau 285 (which is a compromise boat)

Budget is a constraint.. Under $20k all up (which even that is a stretch honestly).

Edited by - shnool on 06/15/2014 04:19:47

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 06/17/2014 : 11:20:35

One nice thing about the S.2-7.9 and shallow water is that the keel retracts vertically all the way up into the boat, and the rudder lifts up also. Because of that, it also sits very low on a trailer.
Another skinny water capable boat to consider is the Hake Seaward 26. I know two who own one and both like it very much. Retractable bulb keel is motorized.

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shnool
Former Capri-25 Tech Editor

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USA
1032 Posts

Response Posted - 06/17/2014 : 12:54:47

I'm very familiar with the S2 7.9... we have 6 at our club (because we have no travel lift, no mast crane, and VERY steep ramps with tree cover, with no way to raise the mast until you are in the water they are very popular). I am the only crazy guy who launches a 4' fin keel boat himself at our ramp. I am rarely at the ramp more than 20 minutes by the way. This year 10 of that was trying to get the motor started.

I was hoping for a higher performance (or roughly same performance) boat as I have now, only with a little better "creature comforts." Although Hake makes a beautiful yacht (seawards). Their 32 is trailerable!

The Bene looked interesting in that it's NEARLY as fast as the Capri 25 (I've since read that it is VERY hard to sail to it's rating), but has inboard, wheel steering, and generally decent space below.. the downsides are Steel Keel, traveler on coach roof, and obvoiusly that trailer is useless for anything but transport.

Edited by - shnool on 06/17/2014 12:58:44

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 06/17/2014 : 20:08:57

I would certainly take a Seward 26RK for $20,000

Edited by - Dave5041 on 06/17/2014 20:10:31

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