Major trouble getting boat lined up with trailer at ramp...

[Québec 1]

Solo sailor retrieving set up for 26M. Goes in right first time all the time!

Q1

[Wa2paa]

For those Captains, that don't have First mates that are willing & able to help launch or haul the boat out.

Get a Second Wench , WINCH.... The smaller winch, with the yellow fabric strap is used to just center the boat between the trailer goal posts. Then the heavy work , done by remote control upper winch.

I always single hand launch , and retreive with this dual system. Just too old to crank, and just cant be troubled wrestling a high freeboard boat... on a windy day.

It Works for Me !



Happy Hauling
Jack

[Divecoz]

For those Captains, that don't have First mates that are willing & able to help launch or haul the boat out.

Get a Second Wench , WINCH.... The smaller winch, with the yellow fabric strap is used to just center the boat between the trailer goal posts. Then the heavy work , done by remote control upper winch.

I always single hand launch , and retreive with this dual system. Just too old to crank, and just cant be troubled wrestling a high freeboard boat... on a windy day.

It Works for Me !



Happy Hauling
Jack

Jack you and others have stated the MOST IMPORTANT PART! It Works for Me !

[Steve]

thanks for all the responses. The ramp I put in at has no dock and moderatly steep. I'm typically single-handing the whole process. I have no problem typically putting in, it's just getting in lined up and putting it back on. I'd like to "walk" it onto the trailer, but I'd have to get into the water waist-deep every time to do this, and my goal is to get no more than my ankles wet.

I'm going to try the rudders down, full-ballast, 1/4 centerboard down and see how that goes. Would be nice though if I had a dock next to the ramp and could walk it on.

[MadMacX]

Steve, I'm in the same boat your in. I am always by myself when it comes to launching and retrieving as my wife wants nothing to do with either of those exercises. The usual places I sail do not have a dock, so that is why I went with the two lines attached to the goal post mod. I get the boat partially on the trailer, then climb down and walk it on the rest of the way.

Good luck,
Pat

[ALX357]

[ALX357]

This really does work, just drive the boat in and if it gets blown sideways, the rope-reinforced PVC pipe corral just bounces it back into line. I also put running boards on the trailer, carpet covered ..... to keep the hull from contacting the trailer tire fenders.



Also use this method ... keep a rudder down, and the centerboard down a little .... have a long enough raising line to be able to pull it from behind the pedestal, using the motor of course, but with the help of the fins controlling steering, drive onto the trailer, pulling the centerboard up just at the last moment to keep if from hitting the trailer bunks.

[Bransher]

Here is the power version of the rope corral that ALX357 has built. Just press a button on the remote and the power winch reels you in.
This should keep you from getting your feet wet. Just exit by way of the bow ladder.
http://www.rope-a-boat.com

[ALX357]

Either way, even if you are completely solo with no other driver of the vehicle to help, with the power winch system or without, you don't have to get your feet wet when going over the front via the trailer ladder, and walking across the tongue until you get to the vehicle's bumper. At that point, if your vehicle allows you a way to not step into the water, you are still dry. I used to go from the bumper, around the fender by stepping onto the back tire and then was far enough up-ramp to step onto damp or dry concrete there without soaking my shoes. Having a roof rack gave me a hand-hold to manage that manouver, on a Chevy Venture mini-van. If you have a pickup truck, it's really easy. With a car having a trunk lid, use a mat on the trunk.. With rear doors, on an SUV, or van, you could go in thru the vehicle that way.

It helps to have a dedicated line available on the top of the trailer ladder, and when driving onto the trailer, I leave the motor IN GEAR at idle, to keep the boat from bouncing back away from the nose rest of the trailer, while I walk foreward and lean over the bow to grab the line and secure the boat. Then I can lie down on the bow and reach the winch strap's hook to clip to the boats bow eye. Then remember to raise the rudder and turn off the motor and trim it up where they won't drag on the ramp. It is pretty easy to forget because you are forward and ready to get into the car to drive it up the ramp.

[Steve]

Once I get the nose about to the trailer fenders I'm fine. My problem is the drifting off course when trying to line up. But using the ballast w/ rudders and centerboard should help. BTW, I have capped PVC pipes covering my goal posts on the trailer. They tend to leave shiny streaks of plastic (?) on the bow and sides of the Mac. Is there an easy way to get rid of these PVC streaks on the sides?

[Captain Kimo]

I found that leaving the ballast in helps the center the boat on the trailer. When I dumped the ballast with the vents open and made an high speed run prior to going to the ramp, the boat would never center, and the clearance on the trailer tire fender is only about 3-4 inches.

Rather than PVC pipe for the goal post, I have used pipe insulation. It takes a beating between getting hit and the sun, but is cheap enough of a cushion to keep hull from rubbing on the goal posts. Usually have to replace it every couple of years.

[puggsy]

Hi divecoz...My remarks were really about churning the soft bottom at the end of concrete ramps, where deep keel trailers have to go to recover...the practice always cause a "drop off" hole when the poweries blast their way onto their trailers...I know it would not bother owners as much.
Its about consideration for the OTHER user of the ramp.

[Divecoz]

Hi divecoz...My remarks were really about churning the soft bottom at the end of concrete ramps, where deep keel trailers have to go to recover...the practice always cause a "drop off" hole when the poweries blast their way onto their trailers...I know it would not bother owners as much.
Its about consideration for the OTHER user of the ramp.

I understand puggsy, and in fact it against Florida State Law to Power on .... I contend if your needing to add power after your boat bow passes the end of the trailer........ your trailer is to high out of the water..... if its sliding all around and hard to center........ your trailer is too deep in the water..
Some ramps as stated by others here, dont have docks and some have ......resident Gators near by .
I sail for crap I admit.... but ask Bill at Boats 4 Sail.... I can back my boat and trailer with the very best of them( 1 1/2 Tight S curves my first launch) and I slide her on, most the time smooth as silk ..
Practice Practice Practice... for many of my 39 years of towing..... Boats , Bikes ,U-hauls and Travel Trailers.