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Launch Anyone?

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superbob
Navigator

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USA
200 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/13/2011 : 14:58:59

Okay, I'm taking the advice and working toward a strap launch (sounds a bit kinky)which will take place the end of this month. It's been a long winter without sailing.

In checking within our forum its been written that a spindle wheel is necessary or at least helpful for a strap launch:

Spare Tire Carrier w/Eliminator Removable Spindle/Hub
It runs about 120 bucks. Several on line stores carry it. Already have the five bolt spare wheel & tire. Check.

Besides picking up the spare tire/spindle wheel carrier what strength strap (4,000 lb?) is needed and at what length?

Bob Watson
Sparkle Plenty
'99 Catalina 250/WK #421
Oak Bottom Marina
Whiskeytown Lake CA

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 04/13/2011 : 16:17:31

[url="http://www.harborfreight.com/2-inch-x-30-ft-heavy-duty-recovery-strap-67228.html"]30'[/url]

[url="http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=strap"]harbor freight[/url]

paul

Edited by - on

jml
Deckhand

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USA
19 Posts

Response Posted - 04/13/2011 : 16:46:53

Bob

The length of the tow rope depends on how steep your launch ramp is and whether you want to get your tires wet. I use two 20 foot tow ropes attached together with a shackle. Last season my rear tires barely touched water but this season with the fluctuation with our lake I had the rear bumper in the water. My advice would be to get a couple of straps. Also check that the launch ramp extends in the water as far as you plan on launching your boat, you don't want your boat and trailer to suddenly fall off a ledge at the end of the launch ramp.

Picks from last year, the harbor that these pictures were taken in is dried up,the good news is the lake is supposed to rise 20-40 feet this year.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 04/13/2011 : 20:10:36

I use two 30" straps just in case.

We also use a long-travel jack that retracts far enough to allow the wheel to reach the ground.

We use a special pintle hitch to attach the strap to the tow vehicle.

We have a small trailer jack at the rear of the trailer. Sometimes the ramp is steep enough that if a person climbs up the swim ladder the trailer will tilt back. Lowering this jack prevents that.

Looks complicated but the process is really straight forward and works well. We have found the key is to make sure the trailer is aimed STRAIGHT on the ramp so it doesn't veer of to one side or the other.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 04/13/2011 : 20:17:12

Here are our launch and retrieve instructions:

Launching and Retrieval Equipment

• Buoys and line for slip
• Fenders with hangers
• Several long lines
• 3 tow straps
• regular hitch
• Pintle hitch
• Wheel chocks
• Dock lines and spring line
• Dock-A-Matic
• Boat poles
• Tool bag
• Rubber mallet to pound hitches if needed
• Fuel tank with fuel
• Battery
• Tie-down ratchet straps if needed

Launch

• Make certain outboard is ready to go including battery
• Deploy fenders on boat
• Back trailer to water’s edge
• Unhook trailer winch strap from bow eye
• Place chocks behind trailer wheels
• Deploy aft port jack on trailer
• Unhitch trailer
• Pull vehicle forward
• Lower trailer jack to set spare tire/wheel on ground
• Change vehicle hitch to pintle hitch
• Attach tow straps to trailer A-frame and to pintle hitch
• Pull vehicle forward to tension tow straps
• Remove wheel chocks
. Back up tow vehicle
• Use boat lines to float boat off trailer and to dock
• Secure boat to dock
• Pull vehicle forward to get trailer out of water
• Chock wheels on trailer
• Back up vehicle to slack tow straps
• Remove tow straps
• Remove pintle hitch and deploy regular hitch
• Back vehicle to trailer
• Hitch vehicle to trailer
• Put up port aft jack on trailer
• Pull vehicle away from ramp
• Retrieve chocks

Retrieval

• Deploy fenders on boat
• Let outboard run out of fuel
• Move boat to ramp dock
• Back trailer to water’s edge
• Place chocks behind trailer wheels
• Deploy aft port jack on trailer before trailer goes in water
• Loosen trailer winch strap 2’
• Unhitch trailer
• Pull vehicle forward
• Lower trailer jack to set spare tire/wheel on ground
• Change vehicle hitch to pintle hitch
• Attach tow straps to trailer A-frame and to pintle hitch
• Attach line to trailer mast tower
• Pull vehicle forward to tension tow straps
• Remove wheel chocks
. Back up the tow vehicle
• Submerge trailer so pads are under water – rear pads 6” under
• Step onto boat with line from trailer mast tower
• Start motor one more time to finish running out of gas
• From bow of boat pull line to move boat onto trailer
• Pull boat forward as far as possible
• Attach trailer winch strap to bow eye – through middle of roller bracket
• Tighten winch strap
• Pull vehicle forward to get trailer out of water
• Chock wheels on trailer
• Back up vehicle to slack tow straps
• Remove tow straps
• Remove pintle hitch and deploy regular hitch
• Back vehicle to trailer
• Hitch vehicle to trailer
• Put up port aft jack on trailer
• Pull vehicle away from ramp
• Retrieve chocks
• Secure boat with tie-down ratchet straps if needed

Edited by - Nautiduck on 04/13/2011 20:18:35

booyacht
1st Mate

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53 Posts

Response Posted - 04/14/2011 : 19:07:04

Randy, does that tongue wheel flip down for launch or is it fixed at that location?

Edited by - on

superbob
Navigator

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USA
200 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2011 : 10:50:06

Great response to my question. Thanks everyone. Randy: Your checklist is priceless.

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2011 : 12:08:41

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by booyacht
 Randy, does that tongue wheel flip down for launch or is it fixed at that location?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
It is fixed in that location.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 04/15/2011 12:09:04

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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.