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Hauling out of a lake for the first time

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Sales
Deckhand

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USA
9 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/24/2003 : 12:51:41

My husband and I are planning on taking our fixed keel '82 Catalina 25 out of a lake for the first time. We had a special tongue for the trailer fabricated, to attach to the original tongue. Any suggestions for this procedure to go smoothly? Thanks.

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nate
Navigator

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240 Posts

Response Posted - 10/24/2003 : 13:25:35

Sue,
Not sure of a couple details regarding the boat/trailer...ie: Keel type, type of trailer roller vs bunks, but there are a couple things that I might suggest. First, go over the trailer before the boat is on it...that sounds simple enough but a problem with the trailer is much easier to remedy w/o 4500# of boat on it. Check tires, wheel bearings and the rollers/bunks the boat rests on. Make sure everything is in good working order.
Next, talk through your plan to pull out and decide who will do what. Nothing is worse than shouting at each other while trying to get the boat on the trailer. I find that the anxiety level is usaully way up if you're tackling something strange for the first time. Going over the proccess beforehand can decrease some of that anxiety.
I'm not sure how busy the ramp is where you guys are but here on Lake Mead the ramps are very busy with 99% powerboaters so I choose to launch/retrieve my boat early in the morning to avoid the crowds.
As far as the actual act of getting the boat out.... bring the boat around to the launch. Take a minute to make sure you're ready....get a couple dock lines ready to help guide the boat onto the trailer...I like to pull my boat up onto the rollers by hand vs motoring because if the trailer isn't deep enough you will catch the keel(wing/fin) on the trailer and if you're motoring that might not be good.
Get the trailer as deep as possible (sounds like you guys already know you have a shallow ramp or a deep keel because you have a tongue extension)without risking your vehicle becoming a second boat, walk the boat into the guides (rollers/bunks) and attach the bow winch cable that you already payed out because you were prepared. Winch the boat up to the bow rest and check to make sure you have the boat on the trailer straight and level...if not, try again. You don't want that thing sitting crooked on the trailer all winter. If you're happy with the way she looks, pull her out and find a nice quiet area to drop the rig and prepare her for the tow home.
I'm sure the gurus will post anything I forgot so you should be well covered. Just remember to take your time and maybe round up a couple folks that have done this drill a couple time to help. Good luck! Oh......don't forget to unplug those trailer light before you roll her into the water!

Nate Adams
C25 #5695 WK/SR/Trad
"Heeling Properties"
Lake Mead, NV

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Sales
Deckhand

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USA
9 Posts

Response Posted - 10/24/2003 : 17:37:30

Thank you for the ideas! We have a fin keel. I guess I'll have to plan on getting wet for this! We have bunks for the bottom to rest on, no rollers. Luckily, the ramp area is quiet this time of year.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 10/24/2003 : 22:32:31

Take some really strong line. Once you get this retrieval started you are not going to want to fail, a long strong rope will get your trailer even deeper. I hope you do not need to use the line. Also, if your trailer tongue is not on your bumper and you have no jack wheel down on the ramp then the tongue weight will be exaggerated. I recently bought a two wheel tongue jack just so I could leave it down and have it work reasonably well if I ever need to use my extension. You can see a picture of it if you go to the topic called trailer project in the general forum. Notice the jack just bolts on to the trailer frame, it took ten minutes to install. With a fin you will need the extension.

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Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2003 : 01:15:35

If your truck is a 4X4 great if not throw some weight over the back wheels to prevent them spining on the ramp when wet.

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aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 10/26/2003 : 06:34:38

Sue, Two lessons learned when launching/retrieving with a tongue extension. First if the ramp is particulrly steep, the seam between the ramp and approach may catch your jack wheel, jamb it, and cause your extendion to bend. Make sure your wheel is up all the way in this case. Two, make sure you disconnect your brake line and electrical connections before extending your tongue. You'll end up replacing both connectors if you don't.
I agree with Nate. In everything you do when boating, visualze the process before hand, anticipate problems, proceed with caution.

Al
GALLIVANT
C25T 5801

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Sales
Deckhand

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USA
9 Posts

Response Posted - 10/26/2003 : 07:01:41

Thank you all so much. The boat is out of the water and safely on the trailer.

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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.