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Worried about trailering

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Mike013
1st Mate

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USA
64 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/18/2007 : 13:32:42

We just purchased “Ariel” in San Diego. She is a next to new wing keel 250. Our plan is to trailer her home to Central California. My understanding is that we will place her on the trailer at the boat launch ramp on Shelter Island. We plan on doing this during the first week in April. Not being familiar with this location has me wondering and worrying about what we will encounter when we pick her up.

I’ve read just about every post I can find on trailering, launching and mast raising I can find in this forum. I plan on using many of the ideas I found there. I would deeply appreciate any advice or assistance anyone would like to offer. What is the best time and what is the best method to place a boat on a trailer at this location? Any special problems I should look out for? Does anybody have any alterative suggestions? I’m open to all ideas.

I’m a neophyte at trailering so you can appreciate my concerns.

Mike
"Ariel"
2006 C250 WK #859
Central California

Edited by - on

johnsonp
Admiral

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USA
606 Posts

Response Posted - 03/18/2007 : 13:51:56

It will be interesting to see if they let you use your mast raising system to lower your mast.
No worries it's a southern California thing.
paulj

Edited by - on

At Ease
Admiral

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672 Posts

Response Posted - 03/18/2007 : 15:09:27

Do you have an adequate tow vehicle?

Edited by - on

Mike013
1st Mate

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USA
64 Posts

Response Posted - 03/18/2007 : 15:53:37

Bert,

The tow vehicle is rated at a 9,000 capacity and was used for towing a very large fifth wheel camper.

Edited by - on

Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 03/18/2007 : 17:15:56

Mike

Biggest thing is the tow vehicle. I use a Ford 150 4x4 and that would be the minimum for a distance haul. Make sure you buy ratchet straps (10,000 lb) to strap her to the trailer. Make sure the trailer brakes are working and correct air in the tires - all the common things that come to mind. I pulled mine 1000 miles from Kansas to Ohio with no incidents at all. At every stop feel the hubs for heat. I brought a grease gun with me. Bring duct tape to keep everything on or inside the boat! Take off the tape ASAP at the end of the journey.

There was a thread with Nautiduck (?) a year back or so with a lot of us commenting on his trip.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 03/18/2007 : 18:48:57

I would suggest you go to the link below, and post under Ask All Sailors. It sounds like you want local knowledge about the ramp, etc. You might also want to search the archives here and on that site for "rope launch" and "strap launch" as you may have to do that. Best would be for the current owner to get it onto the trailer for you and show you how to launch and retrieve. My other tip would be to have the trailer checked out first for condition of bearings, brakes and lights. Oh, and make sure the electric fitting on your tow vehicle matches the fitting on the trailer or have the correct converter.

Here is that forum - http://www.sailboatowners.com/forums/index.htm?fno=20

Welcome to the C250! Join this association.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 03/18/2007 18:51:57

Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2007 : 16:56:08

Check out this link. It has a video of the ramp. Looks pretty tame but is affected by the tides. Make sure you are not going on a negative low tide. High tide would be best.

http://www.sdboating.com/ramps.htm

Edited by - on

atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2007 : 23:31:01

ASK for help. People on this forum are more than willing to lend a hand. Someone who has been there is a potential lifesaver until you get the hang of it.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 03/20/2007 : 00:08:52

I agree, you should ask for help, particularly from the owner. However there is a pretty good presence in San Diego, you should be able to find some other C-250 sailors who would be willing to help. You might also consider getting Ariel lifted out and onto the trailer instead of trying to recover up a ramp the first time. There are any number of boatyards all along Shelter Island that would be able to do this for you. While I'm from San Diego, I haven't lived there for more than 15 years, and the only launches I've done at Shelter Island were with a Boston Whaler when I did some bottom surveys for dredging prior to one of the America's Cup races. As I recall the basin is a bit small, and there are a lot of fishing boats going in and out so it's busy. The ramp is somewhat steep which is good for our wing keels. It's also well enclosed so the tidal effects would be minimized. Here's the [url="http://www.portofsandiego.org/sandiego_sdhp/boating_info_page/sd_bay_services_page/launch_ramps_page/shelter_island_page/index.asp"]official website[/url] for it. If you decide to do the recovery yourself, there is plenty of space outside of the launch area to lower your mast and prep the trailer for towing. Figure on at least two+ hours to go from mast up to ready to trailer. Don't let yourself get caught in the dark, it just makes everything harder, especially the first time around (trust me). You don't want to be fumbling with a flashlight when you're trying to lower the mast for the first time.

My first experience with a strap launch and recovery was less than successful: [url="http://catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=13603&SearchTerms=swimming"]I don't know about you, but I'm going swimming...[/url] Fortunately, I learned a lot, and I'm reasonably sure my next launch will go much better.

As far as a tow vehicle, it seems that each of us who joins the assocation goes through this line of questioning, me included. If you search the archives for "tow vehicles" you should find plenty of advice. For us, we decided on an F-250 diesel Super Duty. My only regret is the poor fuel mileage I get from it, which I've lamented here before. I've already put larger exhaust & intake on it, and this Friday, I'm having a chip installed, all in the name of fuel economy. However, that said, it tows our wing keel like it's not even back there.

Good luck and welcome to the forum, let us know how it goes.

Edited by - on

Mike013
1st Mate

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USA
64 Posts

Response Posted - 03/20/2007 : 19:04:02

Our trailer is being fitted with the flip mount spare tire carrier to enable rope/strap launching. My next question is what do you use for a rope or a strap and where do you get one?

This forum has really been a great help and I thank all of you who contacted and helped me. I'm glad I joined the Association and have access to a great crew.

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 03/20/2007 : 20:08:56

Mike,
Here's my [url="http://www.bellsouthpwp2.net/t/o/tompotter/my%20web/page10.html"]setup[/url]. Along with the strap and launch wheel make sure you get yourself 4 good wheel chocks. You don't want the trailer to get away from you on the ramp.

Welcome to the forum and the 250 family!

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 03/20/2007 : 21:11:50

The tow strap is inexpensive from wallys mart. We got our tow strap and tie downs from there.

rule #1, pull it out slowly! you can just crawl it out painlessly, unlike the blue smoke, tire screehing, folks aplauding event we had on our very first recovery.

Paul

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atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 03/20/2007 : 22:01:10

I purchased a 3 inch 30000lb tow strap. It is about 30 feet long. I usually double it up for a 15 foot extension. Make sure to get a quality name brand strap unless you like swimming! Only buy one that has loops for shackles. The cheap walmart straps with hooks are for toys, not 5000lb+ boats.

I use a keeper brand strap with a large shackle. It is a very safe setup.

Edited by - on

atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 03/20/2007 : 22:09:21

If you can, have someone help you the first time or 2 It makes all the difference. You will learn exactly where/how/why, it all works. Also, keep everyone clear of the rig while doing the strap/launch/recovery. God forbid, it anything happens to go wrong, it has the potential to kill! Be carefull.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 03/20/2007 : 22:52:38

I launch like Tom and use a 3" strap with loops at each end. I also bought a cool hitch that works great with a strap. It is a Cushioned Ballmount / Clevis Hitch which helps reduce stress on the drivetrain and is rated for 10,000lbs.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 03/20/2007 23:04:34

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 03/21/2007 : 00:06:47

Hey Randy,
I like the look of that hitch attachment, where did you get it? I currently chain my strap to my receiver through it's loops and don't like the arrangement.

Edited by - on

Mike013
1st Mate

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USA
64 Posts

Response Posted - 03/21/2007 : 00:32:02

A picture is worth a thousand words. Does anyone have photos of the connections at both ends?

Edited by - on

CaptRon400
1st Mate

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USA
90 Posts

Response Posted - 03/21/2007 : 09:42:00

Nearly everything was covered, but here's a few other tips.

Measure the water depth at the end of the ramp if possible. You'll need just about 5 feet of water to get the wing keel 250 on (or off) of the trailer. If less, wait for a higher tide. I made a 7 foot pvc pipe marked up like a ruler for this purpose, and had to wait almost 2 weeks to get enough water. Some ramps have a lip at the end and I'd really try not to hook the back tires of the trailer over it.

Depending on the angle and length of the ramp, you may be able to get away with the tongue extender that's standard on many of the trailers. The extra 9 or 10 feet enables me to launch or retrieve at mine (but only at high tide or close to it - less than 5 feet of water at other times).

Unless you have a heavy or super duty truck (3/4 ton or bigger), seriously think about a weight equalizing hitch. The 600 plus pounds of tongue weight could screw up the handling of the whole rig, especially if the truck is loaded down with other stuff as well. Some of us went with the Equal-i-zer hitch which also has built in sway control.

Keep the speed down when towing. The wing keel boat sits much higher than the truck and it feels like you're pulling a parachute. I averaged about 8 or 9 mpg towing this 12 foot high load from NJ to FL. Don't listen to anyone who suggests that you don't have to strap this load down.

Get some help to take down the mast and retrieve the boat. You may be able to do it youself someday, but not on the first try.

Good luck.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 03/21/2007 : 13:57:54

David, I got it and the cleavis pin from etrailer. Here is the link:

http://www.etrailer.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=E&Product_Code=AMCC2&Category_Code=P

Edited by - on

glenda
Deckhand

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USA
7 Posts

Response Posted - 03/22/2007 : 22:20:25

We have launched many times at Shelter Island. It can be an experience on the weekend. We suggest a weekday around 10:00AM. The fisherman should be out by then. The launch area is small and sometimes hard to maneuvre at low tide. Motor boats give you no mercy!! Good Luck!! We are thinking about selling ours and was wondering how much you paid for yours. We have a 1995 250 water ballast. We are not sure how much to ask for her.

Edited by - on

Mike013
1st Mate

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USA
64 Posts

Response Posted - 03/23/2007 : 01:06:22

Glenda,

I went to Shelter Island today to check out the ramp. It IS very small and confining. I spoke to locals who were launching and their advice, like yours, was very informative. I have decided that, rather than risk any damage, we will have Ariel hauled out at at a local yard and placed on the trailer.

My problem now is locating a mast carrier since the previous owner did not trailer. The part may not be available at Catalina prior to our target date of April 4th.

As for a good price for your boat, you might check out the following link:

http://www.nadaguides.com/SectionHome.aspx?l=1&w=24&p=0&f=5601&aid=75276&iid=56865&nozip=1

Hope this helps you.

Edited by - on

glenda
Deckhand

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USA
7 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2007 : 19:14:13

Mike,

Thanks for the website, we checked it out. Informative.
We had checked about having our boat hauled out at Driscolls on Shelter Island. It was in the neighborhood of $250. My husband says that retreiving our boat is not that bad at medium to high tide. We have a water ballast, wing keel maybe a little more challanging. As far as the mast holder, you may want to contact Ron at Fast Lane Sailing Center on Mission Bay. That is where we bought our boat. He is very helpful and may have some extra parts laying around. Good Luck

Edited by - on

Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2007 : 10:34:52

Mike,
If I might suggest an alternative, Mission Bay is only a short distance away and has a very nice, lightly used ramp off Sea World Drive that does not suffer from the same problems you are encountering in SD Harbor. You could motor or sail over there and take your time getting the boat out of the water. If that sounds like to much to tackle in a single day you could get a slip at Marina Village($30)for the night and load it up the next day. If you have a tall rig you may need to check the bridge clearances but I believe a standard rig can clear both of the bridges within the bay. This may be a much less stressful and cheaper approach.

Edited by - Sloop Smitten on 03/25/2007 10:36:00

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