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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Trailers and travel lifts

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/18/2008 : 18:30:07

I had an interesting discussion with the service guy at my marina the other day. I got an invoice for my lift in and I thought that to be part of the winter storage fee. But, the reasoning I got for why I was charged an additional fee was strange.

They said that because my boat was on a trailer and not on stands or a cradle and it's more difficult to hoist with the travel lift. I watched them. They lifted the boat about 6 inches, pulled the trailer out from under it and then continued the lift into the water. Wow, complicated!

I asked how this was more complicated (and therefore more costly) than lifting a boat off of stands (or a cradle), putting it on a yard mover, transporting to the travel lift, lifting and splashing. No answer. He told me he'd get back to me. After about 15 minutes, I got a return call and was told they made a mistake and would reverse the invoice.

John Russell
1999 C250 SR/WK #410
Bay Village, Ohio
Sailing Lake Erie
Don't Postpone Joy!

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stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 04/18/2008 : 20:25:24

Ahhh, the profit motive.

Good on ya for questioning that move.
I use a lift at my marina as part of my moorage fees. It is dead simple and definitely a lot easier when a trailer is involved.

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 04/18/2008 : 21:11:53

Do your lifts let you put in with your masts up? I'm just curious why the lift at Cap Sante (gateway to the San Juans in Puget Sound) won't let you. Doesn't seem like a big deal, I've been lifted out on my San Juan 21 with the mast up.

I'd have asked that same question seems pretty simple to me.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 04/18/2008 : 21:41:11

Yeah, the mast can be up. The lift is 3 sided. I think what amazes me most is that I like this marina and the people there. I really think that they somehow made this decision without thinking it through and then stuck with it. The prices aren't out of whack with everyone else in fact, there better than most. Anyway they did the right thing.

Edited by - John Russell on 04/18/2008 21:43:15

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/18/2008 : 21:43:03

Typical... in some places.

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sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 04/18/2008 : 22:06:47

I launched last season at Cap Sante at the new hoist and I now wonder if I could have had the mast up? The height of the system would be enough for my mast to be up but maybe getting around with their separate double lift straps would be a problem. They can adjust the separation between the straps for the boat being moved and the capacity is 24 tons. Maybe Paul can get an answer of our question?

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 04/18/2008 : 22:26:27

Jim,
Do they help you get your mast up, or are you on your own (hence Randy wanting to make a gin pole)?

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 04/18/2008 : 22:32:28

The lift at Cap Sante cannot accomodate the mast up due to beams on the lift itself. See photo. No, they do not have a mast raising service. There is a nearby marine center that will lift you in with mast up. Round trip at the Cap Sante lift is $55. Round trip at the other place, with mast up, is $160 with reservation a week ahead. I'll keep working on the gin pole.

Edited by - on

Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 04/18/2008 : 22:44:38

No launch ramps? Because of the tides?

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 04/18/2008 : 22:50:21

How did you get your mast up on that trip? Just muscle it up?

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 04/18/2008 : 23:00:00

There are launch ramps but:

1-I don't want to put my trailer in salt water.

2-I don't know how long they are and with a strap launch (I used 80' to launch two days ago) there is the danger of going off the ramp and then you've got trouble.

The gin pole technique is time honored and we'll make it work.

Last year I actually tied the trailer mast tower to the bow railings of the boat and used the trailer technique. It worked but was not sturdy enough and I want a more elegant solution that can be carried in the boat. Getting the mast down last year involved a nice group of volunteers and the mainsheet attached to a piling. Again, effective but shaky and not a good long-term solution.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 04/18/2008 23:04:27

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 04/18/2008 : 23:22:45

Randy (and other 250 WK sailors),
I've found that if I have about 5' of water roughly 35' from the water's edge, I can launch (presuming a constant slope). I use a clevis on a line to sound the water from the dock if I'm concerned, and pace the 35'. So far I've only had the one near disastrous launch, and that was my first so it doesn't count. Your concern about dropping off the edge is well founded, and I've decided to not launch once simply because I felt I didn't have enough ramp, and the drop off was about a foot or more (at Shilshole marina in Seattle). Fortunately the ramps around here are reasonably well marked where the drop off is, there's usually a yellow plastic line that indicates the end of the ramp.

Since my marina's in salt water I have no choice but to launch in it. However, I've learned my (expensive) lesson, I will no longer be getting the rear of the truck in the water. I bought about 60' of 1-1/4" braided nylon to launch with. I also bought a garden sprayer to rinse the trailer with, especially the brakes & actuator. Not sure how effective that'll be, but it'll be better than nothing.

Edited by - delliottg on 04/18/2008 23:23:39

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2008 : 00:13:24

The ramp at our club is not steep at all, hence the 80' of strap to get to 5' 6" of depth which is my target launch depth.

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