Trailer Sail boats

[lshobie]

I used to pull this

A 20 Mystere 6.0 Catamaran with 10 foot beam. Was scarry in a big wind - on the trailer that is, on the water was insane in a big wind, could just about keep up with windsurfers if the conditions were right. Should have worn a helmet on that thing.

I find that big boats should stay in the water most of the time, you press your luck the more you trailer them.

We used to own a hobie 16, it was a good beginner boat, easy to right, no dagger boards, we had ours going 25 knots (on gps) one day, had it going faster on other days. We had it out on a 35 knot day with gusts up to 61 knots (canada day 1999), we needed 3 guys to keep it sailing. We bent the forward crossmember - but didnt break it, a very tough boat. Very scary day - but fun.

Regards

 

[honk]

As someone who uses the local boat ramp two or three times a week, my only advice is to go when it's not particularly busy. Sailboats take a little time to put in and out and tend to tie up the ramps longer than normal and will not make a lot of friends waiting to put their boats in. Just be aware of that and try to keep yer launch time to a minimum especially on weekends.

Well, there's always pissed off people at boat ramps, and any new, and sometimes old, boater can screw up at launch or pullout time. One of my old chief amusements has always been to go and take a bench alongside a boatramp just to have a beer and watch the show.

That said, and given that I've not done a lot of trailersailing, anybody who launches a sailboat at a ramp should have it fully rigged and ready to sail on the trailer out in the parking lot before taking a place in line to launch. And when it's time to pull out either yank the boat fully rigged and get it somewhere away from the ramp to drop the rig and secure everything for the ride home, or drop the mast at a dock before going for the trailer.

The main reason I haven't trailersailed is the hassle. You could spend half a day rigging ang unrigging a boat. What fun is that?

 

[honk]

I am a newby sailer....



GB

Gold Boy,

When you float your boat make sure to put down the centerboard/keel BEFORE raising a sail.

 

[stayalert]

I have great memories of being with my mom when I was abpout 12 and we went to launch our '69 16' Boston Whaler. The crowded ramp had just enough room to thread our boat in between two that were in the middle of launching. We pulled into the area, I got out, dropped the boat to trailer ties, jumped in the boat and my mom swung the station wagon around and threaded the needle with zero hesitation....As soon as the 70HP outboard hit the water I started it and floated off, while my mom parked the car I circled once, and put the bow of our boat into a boat width space between two tied up boats and she stepped on and we backed off and were gone. I will never forget the gapers who were standing around...One of the coolest things about it was we didn't even say a word to each other....just a couple of nods and we were out of there.....I'm 41 and remember it like it was yesterday. here's a timesaving tip...put all of your crap in the boat before you launch it, not while everyone's patiently waiting for you to clear the ramp.

Agreed tho....boat ramps are often places for pulling up a seat and some

 

[Rugster]

I have great memories of being with my mom when I was abpout 12 and we went to launch our '69 16' Boston Whaler. The crowded ramp had just enough room to thread our boat in between two that were in the middle of launching. We pulled into the area, I got out, dropped the boat to trailer ties, jumped in the boat and my mom swung the station wagon around and threaded the needle with zero hesitation....As soon as the 70HP outboard hit the water I started it and floated off, while my mom parked the car I circled once, and put the bow of our boat into a boat width space between two tied up boats and she stepped on and we backed off and were gone. I will never forget the gapers who were standing around...One of the coolest things about it was we didn't even say a word to each other....just a couple of nods and we were out of there.....I'm 41 and remember it like it was yesterday. here's a timesaving tip...put all of your crap in the boat before you launch it, not while everyone's patiently waiting for you to clear the ramp.

Agreed tho....boat ramps are often places for pulling up a seat and some

My fishing buddy and I have the launch and retrieve down to a science as you describe above.

I also have been asked several times by other boaters to back up their boats for them after they themselves failed to get it right. Growing up on a farm gave me plenty of practice in backing up different trailers and wagons. If you think boat trailers are hard to back, then try a farm wagon..


What burns me up is the loading and unloading while tying up the ramp for everybody else.

 

[beaufort-fj60]

My fishing buddy and I have the launch and retrieve down to a science as you describe above.

I also have been asked several times by other boaters to back up their boats for them after they themselves failed to get it right. Growing up on a farm gave me plenty of practice in backing up different trailers and wagons. If you think boat trailers are hard to back, then try a farm wagon..


What burns me up is the loading and unloading while tying up the ramp for everybody else.

riff raff, that's why you keep your boat at a marina, or tied to the dock in the back yard

 

[Rugster]

riff raff, that's why you keep your boat at a marina, or tied to the dock in the back yard

Not the case at all... For my Saltwater fisher I have my own dock.. But I have several smaller skiffs that I use to fish different waters with. I went cat fishing on the lower Rappahannock River this past weekend. I really fit in with all the good old boys and their beat up pickups and me in my 100 .

 

[stayalert]

I can hold my own backing a trailer but I would be entertaining to watch with a wagon, having never tried it. This (see below) is the best for putting a trailer where you want it to go....Courtesy of Christo Slee Thanks again Christo!