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Catalina 25 Specific Forum

When do you plan to launch?

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5368 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/15/2009 : 21:25:32

For us northerners, as the sun angle increases, the hours of daylight move up (we're at 11 hours and counting +3 minutes a day) and as we get moving toward the equinox, thoughts of launching the boat for the new season begin to fester in our heads.

Of course, that date comes sooner for our mid-Atlantic members and friends, while it comes later for our hardwater compadres north of the border. But one way or another, the date is coming.

I have asked my marina manager to launch Passage during the first week of April and while it can still snow and get really chilly then, we can also have some warm, mild and bright days in April in Connecticut.

I've been working on my wiring all winter and things are looking pretty good at this point. With about 6 weeks left, next on the list is scraping off all the old bottom paint using a hand paint scraper (with goggles, a mask and protective paper suit), then repainting the hull. I also have to replace the stern pulpit that was bent up last fall.

So I wonder, for those currently up on the hard, what is your plan and schedule, and why?

Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain � Milford, CT

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 02/16/2009 : 07:56:07

My marina opens May 1st. Around April 1st, I remove the tarps and start getting her ready for a launch as close to opening day as possible. Sometimes they open the marina a week or so early if they have all the prep work done. One year, they had issues with the dredging company that pushed my launch date to nearly June!

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 02/16/2009 : 10:07:46

Soon! What's a little spring snow? I can travel in the snow with the side-curtains down and the wipers going! I just need the ice to be mostly gone, a little touching-up to the bottom paint, and a quick polish-job (small "p") on the topsides.

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bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1776 Posts

Response Posted - 02/16/2009 : 11:43:35

Our club had a near riot when we were told that, because of a major pier replacement project, we would not be able to begin launching boats until early May! No one complained about the assessment but cutting three to four weeks from the season, now THAT sparked a near revolution! That being said, I typically try to go in Mid May and stay in until early November so I can work on the boat without worrying about the guy next to me gumming up all my work because of collateral damage from his work. How I wish I could store her over the winter in my yard or driveway!

Edited by - on

andy
Navigator

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USA
228 Posts

Response Posted - 02/16/2009 : 11:49:15

as soon as the ice melts.... hopefully mid April

http://mayhardware.com/PAGES/WEBCAM.jpg

I hate this time of year

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aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 02/16/2009 : 12:37:50

In Northern Michigna we generally still have snow on the ground and ice on the lake into April. I usually take the tarps off around 1 May and plan on launching the first week of June......in time for our first club regata. I'd try for earlier but must get docks, wifes boat and lift, other spring chores finished first. Once all that's about done I can put my mooring ball on the chain and work on getting Gallivant in.

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HeelinPatrick
Navigator

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USA
102 Posts

Response Posted - 02/16/2009 : 15:29:51

The marina here in Licoln Nebraska has the docks in by April 15, pulls them Oct 15. The sooner can drop her in the better!

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jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 02/17/2009 : 09:47:28

We're scheduled for the week of 4/6!!

Edited by - on

Deric
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 02/17/2009 : 20:56:39

Looks like the first week of May is when our Marina kicks off the season. Central New York Area.

I shall have the month of April to finish any boat project I had started during the winter.

Still there could be snow on the ground in April. brrrrrr.

Deric

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5368 Posts

Response Posted - 02/22/2009 : 21:26:32

I was down at the boatyard yesterday working on the wiring panel and scraping off the old bottom paint. And although the temps were in the low 40's F / ~5-6C, the sun was strong, there was no wind and the river is clear of ice, it really looked like it would not be too bad going out for a one-two hour sail.

How many "frostbiters" are in our midst?

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 02/28/2009 : 18:29:28

My target for launch is the first week of April. This will give us 6 solid months of sailing.

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5368 Posts

Response Posted - 02/28/2009 : 22:45:14

Now that its almost March 1, I have 4 weekends before the first week of April to get everything done:

1. Rewiring the electrical panel and 120VAC circuit (10-15 hours)
(I've already replaced the battery-to-panel cable with #6 AWG wire, adding a 30A thermal breaker and connecting it thru the battery switch, and also rewired the #8 AWG engine alternator/starter cable. Buss bars are next, then the individual circuits)

2. Scraping down the bottom paint (2 days) & repainting it (1 day). I'd like to refresh the bootstripe

3. Replacing the stern pulpit (thanks Frank) (probably 2-3 days)
I have to refill the existing holes, redrill new holes, rebed the rail, replace the nav light & cable, replace the life-ring & replace the bimini clamps.

4. Clean everything.

Strictly speaking, I have to complete only item 2 before launching, but I'd like to have it all done by then. There will be photos.

As usual, I'm over-committed this month. I guess painting has to come first, then the pulpit . . .

Edited by - on

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4023 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2009 : 13:33:05

Bruce, Sounds like your plate is full. This snow storm tonight and tomorrow sure isn't going to help . Whats the outcome on the on the stern pulpit, Did I miss this story?

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5368 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2009 : 15:04:27

Plate is definitely full, and the snow is reportedly on the way.

Last weekend, Frank and I got together somewhere along the Pennsylvania turnpike to exchange the pulpit.

I trust that it will work, as the 1/2 of the old pulpit I removed and brought home seems to be about the same size and height as the replacement rail.

I have yet to match it to the boat, because of weather and work schedule. I should have some time on Wednesday afternoon to give it a try on the boat.

Another positive is the coming of Daylight Savings time, when I should have a little time after work with daylight. End of next weekend, dark should descend at 7:30pm.

Edited by - on

Old Disco Queen
1st Mate

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USA
66 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2009 : 15:29:27

Oh my God! I wanted to launch TODAY...it is in the 60's here for the first time in this miserable winter in Illinois...can't wait

Stephen

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5368 Posts

Response Posted - 03/07/2009 : 22:12:58

We had a good day in CT today, got a lot done. Confidence is high for an early April launch.

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jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2009 : 10:01:26

The yard was launching like crazy yesterday...I wonder if we've seen the last of old man winter??

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2009 : 11:38:34

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Voyager
 Another positive is the coming of Daylight Savings time, when I should have a little time after work with daylight. End of next weekend, dark should descend at 7:30pm.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">That reminds me of a guy who called in to an Indiana radio station, railing against Indiana adopting daylight savings time, saying the extra hour of sun was going to make his grass grow faster so he'd have to mow it more often!

(He was serious!)

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 03/08/2009 11:39:56

Merrick
Navigator

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USA
192 Posts

Response Posted - 03/08/2009 : 19:22:47

I'm looking at next weekend hopefully to haul the boat out, do projects for a few weeks and re-launch in April. This will be our first time hauling out onto the trailer. I've spent the last month, dismantling, sandblasting and painting our very rusted trailer. We are replacing all bolts, many of which had to be cut off or just broke off with the wrench, and having the brakes redone.
I'm looking forward to inspecting our keel cable and eyebolt after a year in salt water. Also want to get the turning ball replaced this year. Also gudgeon bolts and reefing hardware are on the list.
It was only 75 degrees and breezy today, but not to worry, May is supposed to be our "best" month for sailing.

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