Association Forum - Is it possible to use a launch ramp?

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

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.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Is it possible to use a launch ramp?

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

ChrisandCheri
1st Mate

Member Avatar

USA
30 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/07/2007 : 17:08:41

I have a Catalina 25 fin keel. I draw 4 feet and keep it on Cayuga Lake all summer. I do not own a trailer, only a cradle for winter storage. We would like to take it to Cape Cod etc. in the summer. I would need a trailer of course. Do I have to have it hauled out and in with a travellift each time though. I know that is what I have read. Has anyone tried to put it in using the launch ramp? Would it ever work on a ramp? Has anyone tried it?
$150.00-200.00 every time I want it in/out seems like a deal breaker for me. Is there a less expensive way to put it in the water?
We are flexible on our vacation plans. Anywhere between Cape Cod and the Chesapeake would be great. Is everyone paying about the same for a haul-out? thanks in advance. btw-we just love our new to us boat!!

1982 Catalina 25 std rig
Cayuga Lake, NY

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2007 : 18:04:56

I wouldn't cosider the fin keel C 25 a trailer sailer.

Edited by - on

ChrisandCheri
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
30 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2007 : 18:40:09

I know you can put it on a trailer. My question: Is there anyone who ever tried anyway other than a travel lift?

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2007 : 19:13:48

It draws the same as a J-24 and people ramp those weekly. The ramp will determine the logistics, just decide you are going to make it happen.

Edited by - on

EAbrams
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
130 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2007 : 21:55:09

Chris

Check out this link http://www.triadtrailers.com/index.htm . This company has built many trailers for boats with keels like yours. Go to the photo page. I'm almost positive the Catalina 27 has 4 foot keel depth. He will make either a float on type or cradle type trailer. The cradle type would require the boat to be hauled. You would still have the ability to take your boat to other sailing locations. Give him a call. Ask for Mike, he is the owner and can help you.

For me finding a ramp deep enough to launch my wing keel (less than 3 foot keel) wasn't hard, but it was not convenient. All the ramps near to where my boat slip is located are to shallow.

Good luck

Edit
I just read the company's home page. He specifically mentions the C25 fin keel.

Edited by - EAbrams on 10/07/2007 22:00:11

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3323 Posts

Response Posted - 10/08/2007 : 11:09:44

We trailered "This Side Up" (TRFK) from San Antonio to Lake Cheney for the Nationals. It is a tough boat to trailer because it sits so high - but it is doable! We ramp hauled and splashed.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 10/08/2007 : 19:37:03

Depending on how much time you have, the price difference might be enough to consider www.sail-trailers.com.
You'll see a picture of a fin keel C-25 on one of their trailers. For you, the rub is that they are located in Columbus,GA. i think that their price will be around $2,500-$2,800, depending on options. I wanted to get one, but the admiral vetoed it.

Triad will be $3,500 - $4,000.

Edited by - dmpilc on 10/08/2007 19:38:38

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 10/08/2007 : 20:10:04

Ramp launching a fixed keel takes a lot of practice - something I wouldn't want to obtain while on the road. Make sure if you have a trailer built you let the builder know you intend to ramp launch the boat, they will probably put the cross struts in a different configuration.

Much of New England is a day or two sail. At worst its a few hour car ride. Have you considered paying to launch in a central place and then docking it for a week or two?

Keep in mind if you launch retrieve repeatedly with the travel lift you are now at the mercy of the schedule of the yard.

Edited by - on

bear_tm4
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
143 Posts

Response Posted - 10/08/2007 : 21:14:53

I have trailerd my fin several times, its not hard, just have to have help and lot of ramp, its not bad to do. I have a 25 ft extension that use. I would say the tuff part ist gettin back on the trailer, but its not bad, you just have to come in dead slow and not have lots of boat wakes and wind. If I had a travel lift its a sinch. as far as trailer down the road she sat back there like she born there. trailed great. well no more trailer for me, cant trailer a C42. any how...oh, My 83 Catalina 25 is for sell see swap meet.
Cheers
Barry

Edited by - on

MattL
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 10/08/2007 : 22:26:47

Please excues my mistakes here, I can't find my glasses and therefore can't see the screen very well.
I trailer my fin keel at least 4 times a year. this year I did it either 5 or was that 6. I can get it set up by myself and one other person helps with launching. to get it on the trailer two is a minimum, three is best. I have never had to get in the water for launching or retreving. Loading is easier than it was with the Santana 21 I use to have. The trailer was made with a removable launching wheel at the toung. I attatch two 20 foot tow straps that are linked together to the truck and the trailer. Note: do this before disconnecting the trailer or you may have to go for a swim. Chock the wheels remove from truck. drive truck till you get tension and can remove the chucks. back up till the boat floats. Oh did I say tye a rope to the bow and stern. Drive the truck up and put it back on the hitch. Do not I repeat Do not drive the trailer thorugh the parking lot at the end of the rope. I shouldn't say this, but my wife did that once, kind of fun explaining to the insurance man about that one.
to retreve do the reverse. I don't have a trailer winch nor a bow hook on the boat. What I do is get on the boat with a couple of frends holding the bow line and stern line. I have a rope ready from one of the cleats at the stern bring it around the front, hook it on the part of the trailer where a winch would be and bring it around to the jib wench on the other side. I lean over the bow to hook the trailer and the bow line person holds us tight till I get back to the wench to tighten my line. dock people toss their respective ropes on the boat and one of them drives slowly forward. I think my success rate has been about 97 out of 100 perfect retrevals. Misshaps have been that the pads wernt level and the boat was a kilter on them, or I wasn't far enough forward. I solved the pad mishaps by putting a bungy coard around the base of the pad to keep it level while submerging. I find that if you back the trailer in a little dee[er the boat tends to settle far enought froward ont e trailer. With mine the base for the keel is wood with a metal bar across the front. If the keel isn't over the bar it could break the wood (experience speaking here)
I then climd down at the bow and check that the boat is far enough forward. re attach to the truck then go take the mast down.
Hope that helps. Like anything a little practice helps a lot.

Edited by - on

ChrisandCheri
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
30 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2007 : 05:48:23

Everyone here has been great. "The right ramp" means that it is built far enough out into the water that it is at least 5-6 feet deep. Is that what I am looking for? We drive a 2005 k1500 avalanche. The truck should do the job.

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

1608 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2007 : 10:42:18

The 'right ramp', in my understanding, is a ramp that has all the conditions for launch or retrieval. It can also mean, being there at high tide, and having enough room to maneuver. You are correct, there has to be enough ramp underwater, so that your submerged trailer is on something solid, when your boat floats on or off the trailer. Getting a trailer out of the water (boat on it or not) is the real consideration. For a fin keel, you will need a very good ramp.
We launch fin keel sail boats at our lake all the time. Knowing how much water you need, and how far out your trailer needs to go beforehand, is key to a successful launch and retrieval.

Edited by - on

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

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.