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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Launching a fixed keel C-25

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josh-hansen
1st Mate

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USA
50 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/28/2006 : 18:11:23

First of all, many thanks to you all! Over the past year you guys have really come through for me as I have been reading thru all the past posts. I will finally be launching Nautilus this Friday or Saturday

! I owe you all some before and after pics...stay tuned.

Here is my question: Being the consumate cheapskate that I am, not wanting to pay $85 in launch fees, is it possible and even safe to launch a fixed keel C-25 from a boat launch?

To make the odds better I can do it at high tide, this Friday night here (in the Pacific NW), and have a 1ton diesel truck as a tow vehicle. My trailer also has an extendable tongue (which is probably rusted solid) and I hope not to have to use.

Josh Hansen

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 06/28/2006 : 18:27:03

Josh,
I launched my fixed (fin) keel C25 from the trailer for many years, and also retrieved it a few times. I didn't have a tongue extension, and could do it, but if I didn't set it up nearly perfectly, there was a significant risk of launching the tow vehicle and trailer as well. So, I heartily recommend that you use the tongue extension. Some ramps are too shallow to launch a boat with 4' draft. It takes a minimum of 4' at the rear of the trailer to launch it. If the water is deep enough and you use the tongue extension, it's a piece of cake.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 06/28/2006 : 19:05:29

Before my marina extended their launch ramp, some boaters requiring a little deeper water sometimes backed their trailers in too far which resulted in the trailer tires dropping off the end of the concrete ramp. This is especially problematic if boaters powerload their vessels onto trailers.

Moral of the story...Make sure the ramp you use is not only deep enough, but is also long enough.

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atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 06/28/2006 : 23:50:56

You can bet on having to use a long strap or rope. It is not too big of a deal if you have a launching wheel, long strap, and good chocks.

Where are you putting in at? I am up on Whidbey Island. I put mine in on an old seaplane ramp and needed about a 50 foot extention and wound up swimming to the boat. Lotsa fun.

Tom.

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Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 06/28/2006 : 23:58:49

There are only a few ramps here in Puget Sound long enough to trailer launch a C-25 fin keel. Olympia has a nice one good at medium to high tide. Swan Town . Problem with many of the ramps is the end or have an abrupt drop off / edge once your out under the water. I recomend rope launching. Use a very long heavy 2" nylon strap. A cargo strap (BIG ONE) back the trailer down as far as you can. Chock all the wheels and unhook. Attach the strap to the front of the trailer and to the tow vehicle. Drive forward until tight and pulling trailer off of the chocks. Back the trailer down into the water and let the weight of the boat and trailer pull it into the water. The tow rig should still be well out of the water. Float tha boat off and to the dock. Pull the trailer out and reverse the process to remove the trailer from the ramp.

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Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 06/29/2006 : 00:02:40

Survey your ramps prior to use. Olympia, Bellingham, Anachortes, all have good ramps there are more but you will have to find the ones that will work. Tacoma Point Defiance is iffy. Always carry a bag of sand to counteract the sea weed or slime on a given ramp.

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atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 06/29/2006 : 00:29:26

If you are military, You can use the seaplane ramps. I will bring the canoe! They are over 200 feet long. Oak Harbor marina has an excellent ramp as well.

http://www.whidbey.com/ohmarina/index.html

Tom.

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josh-hansen
1st Mate

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USA
50 Posts

Response Posted - 06/29/2006 : 01:51:52

Some good advise, sounds like it might be doable. I am thinking of launching here in Everett at the 10th street boat launch. It is a fairly new launch and at high tide I think the ramps are long enough. I will bring a tow strap and sand just in case, but my uncle who is helping me has a work truck that is an 06" GMC 4500 4X4 truck, it's a monster.

Good to hear from so many sailors in Washington.

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atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 06/29/2006 : 07:43:17

Where will you be mooring?

Tom.

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josh-hansen
1st Mate

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USA
50 Posts

Response Posted - 06/29/2006 : 10:06:50

Tom,

I just got the slip at the Port of Everett marina, N E06 to be exact.

Josh.

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.