If your sailboat has a keel that pulls up, you might consider yourself lucky. This type of boat can be launched just like you would launch a regular motorboat. But if your sailboat has a fixed keel, it will take some detailed procedures. Remember, keep safety first! With a fixed keel, the trailer has to back down to the end of the ramp to get the boat into water deep enough to float and then be disconnected from the trailer. Your tow vehicle cannot back it down far enough without getting submerged. So you must follow a set of safe steps for your successful launch.
Do you have the proper equipment to do the job safely? Your tow truck needs to be at least a mid-sized SUV or pickup truck, something fairly heavy. That weight is needed for safety. It is essential to keep all sections balanced, the truck, the trailer, and the boat.
The tow vehicle must not be a front-wheel-drive type. That is because when the weight of the trailer presses down on the rear of the tow vehicle, the front wheels lose traction. Some good tow vehicles are rear wheel drive with manual 4-wheel drive option, all-wheel drive, or a rear-wheel 2-wheel drive.
Of course you need safety accessories, namely rope and wheel chocks. You need a long, strong rope that is in very good condition. This will be used to let the trailer into the water, so the rope must be strong enough to bear the weight of the trailer plus your boat. Be sure it is thick enough and in good condition. Plan on replacing the rope each season if you boat often. You also need some quality wheel chocks with sturdy ropes attached so you can easily yank them out at just the right moment. Do not buy cheap equipment. If you have the money to invest in a boat, trailer, and tow vehicle, then you have the money to buy some quality tow rope and quality wheel chocks.
Follow these basic steps to safely launch a fixed-keel sailboat:
1. The driver backs the trailer up to the water's edge.
2. The crew places the wheel chocks behind the trailer wheels.
3. Detach the tow vehicle from the trailer. Mount the trailer's spare tire at the front of the trailer. This step holds the trailer tongue up and allows it to move easily.
4. Tie a very long rope from the trailer to the tow vehicle.
5. Pull the tow vehicle forward, away from the lake, until the rope is tight.
6. Pull the chocks out from the trailer wheels and back up the tow vehicle until the trailer and boat are submerged. Unless there are sandbars, this should go smoothly and the boat will float, thus freeing itself from the trailer.
7. Drive the tow vehicle forward until the trailer is out of the water. Chock the trailer wheels, then back the tow vehicle down to hitch the trailer back on.
So what do you do if your boat ramp has not been maintained properly and you encounter those dreaded sandbars? You are probably going to need extra help. If there is a courtesy dock running beside the ramp, then your crew can tie on some dock lines and attempt to pull the trailer and boat into the water. If that doesn't work, you could call upon the brotherhood of the power boaters and enlist one of them to pull the trailer in deep enough for you! Most boaters are friendly folk and I'll bet someone will offer before you even get a chance to ask!
Wear a life vest or life jacket and stay safe. Leave the beer back at camp and stay safe all day.
Do you have the proper equipment to do the job safely? Your tow truck needs to be at least a mid-sized SUV or pickup truck, something fairly heavy. That weight is needed for safety. It is essential to keep all sections balanced, the truck, the trailer, and the boat.
The tow vehicle must not be a front-wheel-drive type. That is because when the weight of the trailer presses down on the rear of the tow vehicle, the front wheels lose traction. Some good tow vehicles are rear wheel drive with manual 4-wheel drive option, all-wheel drive, or a rear-wheel 2-wheel drive.
Of course you need safety accessories, namely rope and wheel chocks. You need a long, strong rope that is in very good condition. This will be used to let the trailer into the water, so the rope must be strong enough to bear the weight of the trailer plus your boat. Be sure it is thick enough and in good condition. Plan on replacing the rope each season if you boat often. You also need some quality wheel chocks with sturdy ropes attached so you can easily yank them out at just the right moment. Do not buy cheap equipment. If you have the money to invest in a boat, trailer, and tow vehicle, then you have the money to buy some quality tow rope and quality wheel chocks.
Follow these basic steps to safely launch a fixed-keel sailboat:
1. The driver backs the trailer up to the water's edge.
2. The crew places the wheel chocks behind the trailer wheels.
3. Detach the tow vehicle from the trailer. Mount the trailer's spare tire at the front of the trailer. This step holds the trailer tongue up and allows it to move easily.
4. Tie a very long rope from the trailer to the tow vehicle.
5. Pull the tow vehicle forward, away from the lake, until the rope is tight.
6. Pull the chocks out from the trailer wheels and back up the tow vehicle until the trailer and boat are submerged. Unless there are sandbars, this should go smoothly and the boat will float, thus freeing itself from the trailer.
7. Drive the tow vehicle forward until the trailer is out of the water. Chock the trailer wheels, then back the tow vehicle down to hitch the trailer back on.
So what do you do if your boat ramp has not been maintained properly and you encounter those dreaded sandbars? You are probably going to need extra help. If there is a courtesy dock running beside the ramp, then your crew can tie on some dock lines and attempt to pull the trailer and boat into the water. If that doesn't work, you could call upon the brotherhood of the power boaters and enlist one of them to pull the trailer in deep enough for you! Most boaters are friendly folk and I'll bet someone will offer before you even get a chance to ask!
Wear a life vest or life jacket and stay safe. Leave the beer back at camp and stay safe all day.
About the Author:
Scott is the webmaster of Sailing Gear, where you can get more information about sailboat parts, sailing accessories, Sailing Clothes, Sailing DVD, and Sailing Video.
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