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.
Ask yourself if you have the proper equipment to do the job safely. Is your tow truck at least a mid-sized SUV or pickup truck? It needs to be something fairly heavy. That weight is needed for your safety. You must balance all three parts, the truck, the trailer, and the boat.
Your tow vehicle must NOT be a front-wheel-drive type. Why? Because when the weight of the trailer presses down on the rear section of the tow vehicle, its front wheels lose traction. Some good choices of tow vehicles are rear wheel drive with manual 4-wheel drive option, all-wheel drive, or a 2-wheel drive as long as it is rear-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.
Here is the basic procedure for launching your 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. Attach the trailer to the tow vehicle with a long rope.
5. Pull the tow vehicle forward, away from the lake, until the rope is tight.
6. Remove the chocks from behind the wheels of the trailer and back up the tow vehicle until the boat and trailer are down in the water. As long as there are no sandbars to deal with, the tow vehicle driver should be able to easily back up until the boat floats, thereby 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.
If you encounter sandbars you are going to need some assistance. Look for a courtesy dock that might be running along side the ramp, and have your crew tie on some dock lines and pull the trailer and boat into the water. Or ask a power boat owner to assist and have them pull your trailer and boat deep enough into the water for you. I'm sure it won't take long to enlist the help of one of the many friendly boaters.
Keep safe and wear your life vest or life jacket. Alcohol and water don't mix, so leave the beers back at camp until the end of the day.
Ask yourself if you have the proper equipment to do the job safely. Is your tow truck at least a mid-sized SUV or pickup truck? It needs to be something fairly heavy. That weight is needed for your safety. You must balance all three parts, the truck, the trailer, and the boat.
Your tow vehicle must NOT be a front-wheel-drive type. Why? Because when the weight of the trailer presses down on the rear section of the tow vehicle, its front wheels lose traction. Some good choices of tow vehicles are rear wheel drive with manual 4-wheel drive option, all-wheel drive, or a 2-wheel drive as long as it is rear-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.
Here is the basic procedure for launching your 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. Attach the trailer to the tow vehicle with a long rope.
5. Pull the tow vehicle forward, away from the lake, until the rope is tight.
6. Remove the chocks from behind the wheels of the trailer and back up the tow vehicle until the boat and trailer are down in the water. As long as there are no sandbars to deal with, the tow vehicle driver should be able to easily back up until the boat floats, thereby 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.
If you encounter sandbars you are going to need some assistance. Look for a courtesy dock that might be running along side the ramp, and have your crew tie on some dock lines and pull the trailer and boat into the water. Or ask a power boat owner to assist and have them pull your trailer and boat deep enough into the water for you. I'm sure it won't take long to enlist the help of one of the many friendly boaters.
Keep safe and wear your life vest or life jacket. Alcohol and water don't mix, so leave the beers back at camp until the end of the day.
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