The perfect launch - almost

[Chinook]

While chatting recently with my new found friend and fellow Mac owner from Tasmania (see related post), the subject of setting up and launching our boats arose. I remarked to him that, after having set up and launched our boat more than 50 times over the past 12 years, I had yet to accomplish what I would consider the perfect launch. I seem to always forget a step, get something wrong, or get fouled up on one way or another. Some problems involve having to completely lower the mast, to change something on the rigging or install the VHF antenna or windex I forget to attach. Other problems involve failing to pull the sliding hatch all the way closed when lowering the mast (result - crunch on the front of the hatch). I've run my mast raising line above the baby stays instead of inside them. I'm forever hanging up shrouds or back stay on some projection. I've pinned my roller furler with the opening facing forward, pinched my antenna cable under the stepped mast, and, of course, experienced the dreaded "kerplunk" while rigging the boat on the water. You name it, I've done it, and I simply can't recall a setup/launch going perfectly, or even close to perfectly -- until this trip. I was determined to finally achieve the elusive flawless setup, even with the added complication of the "Mac-pac" lazy jack rigging to contend with.

The scene of my attempt was Narrows Marina in Tacoma, a new launch point for me and chosen because of the inexpensive parking and proximity to my chosen cruising waters (we were going to explore South Puget Sound for the first time). I found a handy place, near the ramp where I could rig the boat. Before starting, I congratulated myself on noticing the overhead wires which angled across the ramp approach. I was able to position the boat so that I could raise the mast and back down the ramp without hitting the wires. The pressure was on because the tide was falling, and we were a little more than an hour ahead of a minus tide. Setup and rigging went without a hitch, and I commented to Sandy that I'd finally achieved the perfect setup. I backed down the ramp, slid the boat off the trailer, and we got her secured to the dock. I parked the truck and returned to the boat, to get my roll up hose so I could rinse off the trailer. Before going back to the truck, I decided to move the boat further down the dock, so there would be space on the dock if another boat came in for take out or launch. I grabbed the bow line and Sandy took the stern line, and we were walking the boat ahead when Sandy shouted "Whoa!". I looked her way and she was excitedly gesturing upward. More overhead wires! They ran across the water, from a building to a sling launch framework, and my mast was in contact with them. Amazingly, we had touched them gently and there was no electrical contact. They must have been sufficiently insulated. We backed off, but then were faced with a new problem. With the mast up, we were trapped at the dock, with no clear path to open water and a quickly falling tide. I had to reinstall the mast raising pole, connect lines, unpin the mast, and lower it enough to clear the wires. We then moved the boat ahead on the dock to a place where we were past the wires and in somewhat deeper water. I reraised the mast and while trying to pin the furler for a second time -- you guessed it -- "Kerplunk". I donated my roller furler pin to the deep. After saying a few appropriate words I fetched a spare from my parts box, which is conveniently located deep in a bilge locker and beneath major piles of temporarily stowed gear. Once the pin was in, I returned to my trailer rinsing task and we were ready to go. Oh so close, but I'm still in search of the perfect launch.

PS: While walking back to the boat, I realized how I'd missed seeing those wires. In part, I never thought to look for wires out on the water. Also, the wires were very hard to see because they were camouflaged by the horizontal lines of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and by the horizontal lines of the sling launch framework. Needless to say, I'll be scrutinizing launch ramps and approach waters more closely from now on. Maybe next time I'll achieve my perfect launch.

[Catigale]

I'm so glad that touching wires.... ended with no injuries.

[vizwhiz]

+1

[Obelix]

I'm still looking for that perfect launch myself.
Reading that I'm not the only one, helps in a way.
By the way, is there a link to your Alaska and Sea of Cortez travel reports, the posted one doesn't work anymore?

Obelix

[Don T]

Hello,
I've long since decided the perfect launch is the one where we get out without a mishap. To heck with not doing something in proper order or "kerplunking" a tool or parts overboard. I've gotten all the way to the ramp 40 miles away to discover the keys to the boat are back home sitting on the kitchen counter. If I can launch and head out onto my vacation adventure the rest of it is gravy.

[Chinook]

I just tried opening our webpage and, sure enough, I couldn't get it to open. I'll contact my tech support (translate: youngest son) and try to get it working. I'll post as soon as it's back on line.

[bartmac]

Whilst nearly launching last year...there was the sound of an outboard and a bang and a scream....2 fellows in a small speedboat had gone the wrong side of a marker and launched their boat over just submersed rockwall.....cut a long story short....we stopped our launch and instead got in our inflatable to rescue them.....they were luckily in waters not all that deep but badly cut by rocks and oysters....got them back to a sand bottom where they could stand....not much thanks for our efforts.Launched our 26X but did NOT check our outboard water squirt due to the interruption and nearly cooked our nearly new motor....just lucky I notice a hot smell....the moral of the story....a lot to think about and forget!!!!!! under pressure
One thing though.........common sense is actually not that common...we watch people doing stupid stuff all the time...like a mate says...modern medicine has negated the survival of the fittest .....the idiots are surviving and reproducing and creating a whole crop of idiots

[Chinook]

With input from tech support son, the webpage works just fine. The address is: http://chinook.cecka.us For some reason, my Yahoo browser had added an s to read https:// on the home page. When I tried it earlier, I added the specific address to the lead in, including the s. The website doesn't like the s. I have no idea where the s came from on Yahoo. I assume it's just part of the great conspiracy to confuse and befuddle me.

[kmclemore]

... For some reason, my Yahoo browser had added an s to read https:// on the home page. When I tried it earlier, I added the specific address to the lead in, including the s. The website doesn't like the s. I have no idea where the s came from on Yahoo. I assume it's just part of the great conspiracy to confuse and befuddle me.

"HTTPS" is used to designate a 'secure' website. It employs an additional protocol layer to provide a password 'handshake' between you and the website so that your data (presumably) can't be diverted to a third party (read: hacked). Not sure why Yahoo was adding that for you, but there's your answer as to what it is, anyway.

[tlgibson97]

I was out for 3 days this past weekend. I would call the launch perfect this time around. I even discovered my bow light was broken and was able to repair it well enough to get me through the weekend. I have two things that must be remembered. 1. Attache the windex before moving the mast back to the step. 2. Check the mast lighting.

I even had mutiple dockings that were so good the passengers didn't know we were at dock so I was happy about that. All my anchorings held well. Though I am a little stiff and sore from pulling up all those anchors.

The whole weekend was perfect up until I tried to put the boat back on the trailer with a crosswind. I missed the V-block and drifted through te trailer. Luckily the back of the trailer was deep enough my prop didn't hit. With a bit of cussing I finally got it loaded. One plus is I actually got it fully into the v-block once the stern settled onto the trailer.

The only flaw I had in derigging was the companionway hatch was open when I lowered the mast. It was noticed quickly and everything else went smoothly.

All in all it was one of the best sailing weekends I have had in a long while. This was the first time I had the chance to use the new set of JudyB sails I got back in March. The difference from the old sails was really impressive. I actually feel like I can sail now rather than just heel over.

[Catigale]

HTTPS" is used to designate a 'secure' website.

Don't listen to Kevin..he is an IT NooB.

Everyone knows httpS just means it has a daggerboard and thus is faster...

[Obelix]

Chinook,

Thank you for clarifying the link to your travel reports, IMHO some of the best around and well worth re-reading

Obelix

[aviro]

hi
this is what you can expect wen you have to use a compulsory valet service to pull out
that was mi first pull out after my first days with my new boat.
the compulsory valet service pick me in the water with my 5 passengers, the guy drove my car , pick the boat with us inside
and run with everything and refuse to stop when I told him. 200 feet's later something happen
http://patrouilleursmedias.com/2011/07/ ... lery-1343/
nobody dyes
J.F.

[taime1]

Wow, that must have been absolutely terrifying I hope you are all doing better and that the injuries are healing. This could have been a tragedy.

[aviro]

well well well
everybody have some drops of aluminium everywhere, a girl have a lot bigger burn on the neck but incredibly nobodies
dies