Association Forum - remove rudder before ramp retrieval?

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

remove rudder before ramp retrieval?

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

wegman
1st Mate

Member Avatar

USA
35 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/16/2011 : 13:37:46

I am about to ramp retrieve my new-to-me C25 89 wing keel for the first time. When the previous owner retrieved the boat, he removed the rudder while in the water, and then he pulled up the ramp. It would seem easier to remove the rudder later, after the boat is on the hard. But will an attached rudder scrape the ramp? The trailer is a DHL with rollers.

I could not find a post in the archive that addressed this point.
Thanks for the help.

Jerry

Jerry Wegman
C25 1989 SR/WK 5994
"Tenacity"

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 10/16/2011 : 17:11:26

I can't envision a ramp that would cause it to scrape while retrieving/launching.

Of course at our marina, as soon as boat axles are on the level the tow vehicles starts up a hill which could cause the rudder to scrape the pavment.

I think you're okay at least until you get the trailer off/above the ramp. Certainly will be easier than installing/removing while on the water!

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

Members Avatar

USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 10/16/2011 : 19:32:32

It's not particularly difficult to remove and replace the rudder afloat, some do it regularly to preserve the rudder. I have a kick-up rudder, and it has kicked up a couple of times over the years, but it is unusual to have happen.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
9076 Posts

Response Posted - 10/16/2011 : 19:45:26

Let's do the math... The WK draws 34". How much lower than the waterline is the bottom of your rudder? Subtract the two, and look at how much ground clearance the keel rest on the trailer has. If the clearance is greater than the difference, it seems to me you're good to pull.

Edited by - on

sfsmith
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
123 Posts

Response Posted - 10/17/2011 : 07:55:44

Jerry, I have the same boat, and I have not had any problems leaving the rudder on. I think the ramp would have to have an unusual dip for the rudder to hit. In fact, I leave Tango's rudder on in storage. It's in a barn, and it only stays outside for a couple of hours after leaving the water.

Edited by - on

wegman
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
35 Posts

Response Posted - 10/17/2011 : 09:46:10

Many thanks to all for your useful information.

Jerry

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
9076 Posts

Response Posted - 10/17/2011 : 11:09:47

I gather you plan to remove the rudder for the winter, which is good. It's best not to let it freeze (in case there's moisture in the core).

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 10/17/2011 : 19:38:23

Safest thing to do is pull the rudder, haul the boat out, then put the rudder back in place and see how much room you have. Each trailer will have a different set-up and clearance. As long as you have about 6" clearance, or more, you should be ok.

Edited by - dmpilc on 10/18/2011 19:51:37

Frank Law
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
159 Posts

Response Posted - 10/19/2011 : 13:44:03

Why take any chances !!! Take the rudder off it only take 3-5 minutes ,, I do it all the time..
Frank Law
About Time
1983 3519
SR SWK

Edited by - on

C255885
Deckhand

Members Avatar

USA
3 Posts

Response Posted - 10/19/2011 : 17:36:34

I have a '89 25 that I dry slip. I only pulled the rudder to tow 500 miles. Never had a problem with scrapping when pulling out. Nor did the previous owner of almost 15 years.

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 10/20/2011 : 05:30:41

My experience on the ramp that I use is that the rudder may make contact with the ramp where it meets the "ramp approach", depending on the angle of the ramp. At this point the rudder clears by an inch or less. Too close for my taste so I remove it once the boat is clear of the water but still on the ramp.

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 10/20/2011 : 09:57:22

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by aeckhart
 . . . where it meets the "ramp approach", depending on the angle of the ramp . . .
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">That's the term I was looking for - or approach to the ramp

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.