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catalina 25 Ramp Launching

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bradleybravo
Deckhand

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2 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/24/2003 : 19:56:03

Does anyone ramp launch there cat 25? Can you cranck the boat up the trailer using the trailer winch letting the boat roll over the trailer rollers or do you have to let the boat float off the trailer? Does anyone use a trailer tongue exstention and if so how long? The ramps in my area aren't 4ft deep until you get about 30 to 32 feet from the shore line, does the bow have to be back that far?.

brad perry

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John V.
Admiral

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USA
559 Posts

Response Posted - 04/24/2003 : 21:00:26

Hi Brad, I ramp launch my C25 swing keel. I think the ramp I use is a bit steeper than the one you describe. Because of the shape of the hull it is hard to crank the 25 on to the trailer, in fact you shouldn't do that to your boat. I float on and off. I put the truck into the water up to the rear hubs. That gets me in deep enough. I do have an extension which I built. I used a 3x3" square tube 8' long with a 2" ball on one end and a 2" hitch on the other. 18" below the ball end of the extension is an axel with heavy wheels. When the trailer is positioned at the edge of the water I block all four trailer wheels, unhitch, pull forward and put on the extension. It works fairly well but because there are two points of articulation it is really only good in a straight line. If you have to go out as far as you describe you may have to use a rope from trailer to hitch. Is the ramp you use a double or triple lane? Fishermen and powerboaters are very impatient with sailors and the longer time it takes us on the ramp. Try to plan your launch for a week day when the traffic is low. hope this helps. First time you will be nervous, don't take friends who have no boating experience the first time. Find someone who has done it before to help you.

John V. Nin Bimash II
77 C25 sk/sr #153

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1770 Posts

Response Posted - 04/24/2003 : 21:02:11

Hi Brad,

Welcome to the group!

'Sounds like you are asking questions about two different scenarios, launching and retrieving ... in my mind at least, they are a bit different. You didn't mention your keel configuration ... I'm assuming you have a swing keel ... if you don't have a swinger, then not all of the following will apply.

As far as launching is concerned, if you have a shallow ramp (and it sounds like you do), a tongue extension is a big help. The ramp where I launch is borderline ... so far I've managed to launch without a tongue extension, but I'm afraid I'll plant the rear wheels of the truck in lake slime someday, and then I'll be in BIG trouble. So, I'm planning to make a rope-launch system in the distant future ... here is the idea I'm going to copy from the Tech Tips section:

http://c25c250.best.vwh.net/restricted/fortu.html

The Catalina 25 is a heavy boat ... unless you've got her floating a bit, I sure wouldn't count on being able to push it back yourself when you are launching, no matter how good your rollers are. Similarly, when retrieving your boat, don't expect to be able to move the boat forward on the rollers very far by cranking on the trailer winch ... you'll need to float it on most of the way.

When you retrieve your boat, the important thing is that you lower the swing keel so it is butted against the trailer support or axle ... that way, there is no way the boat is going to roll backward off the trailer. At this point, it doesn't really matter if the bow is snug against the bow chock ... just clear the ramp area, and take care of it in the parking lot (hit the brakes and let the boat scoot forward 'til it is against the chock) ... then tighten the winch strap.

My slip is close to the launch ramp at my marina, so I get to watch people launching and retrieving their boats all the time ... what a hoot! One thing I see ALL the time ... people who will make their engines scream, burn all kinds of gas, belch out smoke everywhere, and kick up enough wake to start a tsunami, trying to get their boat to move that last 4 inches to the bow chock ... and yes, some of them are fellow sailors.

'Hope the link & comments help ... I'm sure there will be lots of others who trailer launch often, and they'll weigh in with more ideas.

Buzz Maring
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3df23b3127cce9306a9b3abad0000001010" border=0>
~~Freya~~
C-25 SK/SR #68

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MattL
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2003 : 02:19:52

I have taken our fin keel boat to a few different ramps. We only had troubles at one, in Alameda CA, all other launchings and retreivals went well.

Step one: Raise mast

Step two: Drive to ramp, look out for trees and power lines.

Step three: Back up to ramp and stop before it gets too steep, but be fairly close.

Step four: Chock trailer wheels, attach front wheel.

Step five: Attach tow strap to trailer and truck. I use two 20' straps looped together on our 1 ton pickup. remember chock then strap.

Step six: After step 5 take trailer off of hitch. I can't stress this order greatly enough, just remember the thing that will roll away is your boat on its trailer.

Step seven: Drive up and take slack out of tow rope, remove chocks.

Step eight: Back up slowly, you can sort of steer the boat by pushing and pulling on the tounge.

Step nine: Stop backing the truck when the boat floats off. With my two 20' tow straps I have never gotten the truck even damp.

Drive up the ramp and reverse the steps. Remember always keep the strap attached till you have the trailer hooked on to the hitch. Here is the admission you have been waiting for. Yes I did loose the trailer during my first attempt. I just got the trailer and was trying to load it for the very first time. and had to go diving to retreive it.

BTW: I do not have a tow hook on my boat nor a winch on the trailer. I have someone back up the trailer with myself on the boat. When all is in place I take a line from a rear cleat aroung the outside of the hull, loop it on the trailer riser in front and back to the jib winch and cleat to tighten up. I found with my old boat that using the front hook the boat would never come up all the way due to the boat and trailer being at an angle to eachother and the water level. Having the rope looped to the back kind of pulls the rear end up and I think I get a better fit.

Matt/Brigitte Loeffler
E.C. Rider
Cat 25 86'
FK/SR _/)

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5906 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2003 : 11:04:37

Brad - <BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>Can you cranck the boat up the trailer using the trailer winch letting the boat roll over the trailer rollers <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

My boat is a fin keel. My trailer is an EZ Loader with rollers and a two-speed mechanical winch, and no tongue extension. I have loaded my boat on the trailer by hooking the winch cable to the bow eye and cranking it up. As the winch pulls the boat forward onto the rollers, the trailer swing arms lift the boat out of the water and it rolls forward onto the trailer. I've only done it once, because it made 3-4 strong men arm-weary, and I needed a 4WD Jeep to hook a chain to my tow vehicle and help me pull up the ramp (because my rear wheels were in the slippery edge of the water), and I don't recommend it, but, to answer your question, it can be done. Believe it or not, someone at my lake accidentally rolled his fin keel C-25 off the trailer in the parking lot, and was able to crank it back onto the trailer using the winch.

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>do you have to let the boat float off the trailer?<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

You don't have to float the boat off the trailer. If you have a fin keel boat with 4' draft, and if the trailer is in less than 4' of water, you can launch the boat so long as there is at least 4' of water at the back end of the trailer. We have a steep launch ramp that was specifically designed to launch sailboats. I have backed my trailer into the water, with the keel rest lowered, the outboard motor tilted up and with the rudder lying in the cockpit, and released the winch cable and safety chain from the bow eye. Sometimes the boat starts to roll back right away, and sometimes it needs a little encouragement, but it will roll off the trailer into the water.

For many years I launched my boat from the trailer in that manner without a tongue extension, but don't recommend it, because if you don't do it just right, it is easy to launch your tow vehicle as well. You have to get the trailer as deep into the water as you can, and block all four wheels of your tow vehicle.

I have never used a tongue extension like that described by either John or Matt, because the thought of it scares me, although I'm sure they have used their methods repeatedly, and without problems. Part of my concern is due to the fact that my boat is a fin keel, and has a higher center of gravity on the trailer. If it was a swing keel, I would not be so squeamish. Part of my concern is also because I saw a dealer try to launch a new C-25 using a similar technique, and the boat ended up sitting on her transom, in shallow water, with her bow pointing straight up at the sky. It's hard for me to get that image out of my mind.

We have a hoist that will lift our boats into and out of the water for only $30-35, and I think it's worth every penny of it. If I can find a good, simple design to copy, I have been thinking about having a local trailer fabricater/repairer make a proper tongue extension for my trailer.

Steve Milby "Captiva Wind" C-25 T/FK #2554

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2003 : 12:48:38

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>

Step one: Raise mast

<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Over the years, more and more of us are raising the mast after the boat has been launched. If someone happens to lose their balance and goes over the side you land in water - not on pavement <img src=icon_smile_dead.gif border=0 align=middle> , and you don't have as far to fall.

Edited by - OJ on 04/25/2003 12:51:04

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Ed Montague
Captain

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USA
499 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2003 : 14:41:30

I agree with OJ. My wife is a little squeamish about working on the boat with the deck so high off the asphalt. She prefers being able to come and go once the mast is up and that is much easier from the dock. And I like the extra adventure of finding dropped parts in 90 ft of water.<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Ed Montague on 'Yahoo'
1978 #765 SK, Stnd, Dinette ~_/)~

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MattL
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 04/26/2003 : 01:05:38

I have always raised the mast on the trailer. Starting out with sea snarks and the like, it was the way to do it. Think I'll try doing it on the water next time. I have only had the cat a couple of years and have raised and lowered the mast a bunch of times, for setting up a christmas display in the yard, going to different sailing locations etc. and havent ever felt like I was going to tip backwards.

Matt/Brigitte Loeffler
E.C. Rider
Cat 25 86'
FK/SR _/)

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John V.
Admiral

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USA
559 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2003 : 22:30:24

I prefer to raise the mast on the trailer. The boat is stable not tipping. as I kneel on the foredeck and drop the forestay pin it falls on the pavement and not in the drink. I only keep one spare and I would prefer to have the spare remain a spare and not the only pin.

John V. Nin Bimash II
77 C25 sk/sr #153

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Gary B.
Admiral

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USA
969 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2003 : 23:30:17

After helping a friend launch a fin-keeled tall rig yesterday, I was made aware of the differences. I never use an A frame or gin pole and fairly easily raise my standard mast with one other person, but this seemed a lot of work, even with the extra gear. The extra 2' or so on the tall rig would seem to make it much more difficult to do while the boat is in the water, a feat I do a lot with my standard rig.

This was a custom trailer (beautiful and heavily built) that had a 40' (yes, you read that right) tongue extension that telescoped. We needed all of it yesterday as the ramp is somewhat shallow.
Man, I am happy with my swinger! So, the point is: the advice one is given can vary a lot, depending on the rig and configuration in question......

Also, I second Matt's advice about trees and power lines. I watched a guy with a C-22 retrieve his boat, drive 300 yards or so across a huge parking lot, then under power lines with the rig up! Ugly.....anybody know of a C-22 mast for sale?????? (he was talking on a cell phone!!!!!!)

Gary B.
Encore! #685 SK/SR

P.S. I now choose to sling the boat into salt water when I go to the San Juans. Then, the only choice is to rig in the water, as the mast cannot be up for the sling to work. Is that not an option for all C25s? I LOATHE dipping the trailer in salt......

Edited by - Gary B. on 04/29/2003 11:21:01

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lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2003 : 00:11:12

I have always raised the mast while the boat is on the trailer. My mast raising "system" uses a 12' long gin pole, which there would be no place to store it on the boat, and the trailer winch for lifting power. In an emergency, I suppose I could do it on the water using the main sheets and the boom as a gin pole, but I think it would be much more difficult and riskier for dropping pins overboard. My Catalina 22 was a different story, that mast was light enough to raise by hand without using a winch or block-and-tackle.

Larry Charlot
Catalina 25 #1205 "Quiet Time"
Sacramento, CA

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77Gypsy
Captain

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USA
356 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2003 : 15:11:07

make sure youtake your rudder off when launching, i've messed up one pretty good on my first boat

Steven de Filippis
78 C25 SR/FK - Gypsy

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