If your sailboat has a keel that pulls up, you might consider yourself lucky. This type of boat can be launched just like you would launch a regular motorboat. But if your sailboat has a fixed keel, it will take some detailed procedures. Remember, keep safety first! With a fixed keel, the trailer has to back down to the end of the ramp to get the boat into water deep enough to float and then be disconnected from the trailer. Your tow vehicle cannot back it down far enough without getting submerged. So you must follow a set of safe steps for your successful launch.
Be sure you have the proper equipment to do the launch safely. Your tow truck needs to be at least as large as a mid-sized SUV or pickup truck. In other words, something fairly heavy. The weight is needed for safety. You must keep all three components in balance, the truck, the trailer, and the boat.
The tow vehicle must not be a front-wheel-drive type. That is because when the weight of the trailer presses down on the rear of the tow vehicle, the front wheels lose traction. Some good tow vehicles are rear wheel drive with manual 4-wheel drive option, all-wheel drive, or a rear-wheel 2-wheel drive.
The most basic of safety accessories you need are a rope and wheel chocks. You need to get a long, strong rope in very good condition. Since this will be used to lower the trailer into the water, the rope must be strong enough to bear the weight of the trailer plus your boat. The rope must be thick enough and in good enough condition. Plan on replacing the rope each season. You also need some good quality wheel chocks with sturdy ropes attached that can be easily yanked out at just the right moment. Do not buy cheap safety equipment. Since you have the money to invest in a boat, trailer, and tow vehicle, then you have the money to buy some high quality tow rope and good quality wheel chocks.
Here is the basic procedure for launching your fixed-keel sailboat:
1. Back the trailer up to the edge of the water.
2. Have the crew place the wheel chocks behind the trailer wheels.
3. Detach the trailer from the tow vehicle. Be sure the trailer's spare tire is mounted at the front of the trailer. This is necessary to hold the trailer tongue up and allow it to roll smoothly.
4. Attach the trailer to the tow vehicle with a long rope.
5. Have the tow vehicle pull forward away from the lake until the rope is taut.
6. Pull the chocks out from the trailer wheels and back up the tow vehicle until the trailer and boat are submerged. Unless there are sandbars, this should go smoothly and the boat will float, thus freeing itself from the trailer.
7. Drive the tow vehicle forward until the trailer is out of the water. Chock the trailer wheels, then back the tow vehicle down to hitch the trailer back on.
If you run into sandbars, you could ask a power boater to assist. Boaters are a friendly bunch, and I am sure it wouldn't take long to find a boater who could pull your boat and trailer out far enough to be in deep enough water. If there is a courtesy ramp you could use that. Tie on some dock lines and pull the trailer and boat into the water.
Wear a life vest or life jacket and stay safe. Leave the beer back at camp and stay safe all day.
Be sure you have the proper equipment to do the launch safely. Your tow truck needs to be at least as large as a mid-sized SUV or pickup truck. In other words, something fairly heavy. The weight is needed for safety. You must keep all three components in balance, the truck, the trailer, and the boat.
The tow vehicle must not be a front-wheel-drive type. That is because when the weight of the trailer presses down on the rear of the tow vehicle, the front wheels lose traction. Some good tow vehicles are rear wheel drive with manual 4-wheel drive option, all-wheel drive, or a rear-wheel 2-wheel drive.
The most basic of safety accessories you need are a rope and wheel chocks. You need to get a long, strong rope in very good condition. Since this will be used to lower the trailer into the water, the rope must be strong enough to bear the weight of the trailer plus your boat. The rope must be thick enough and in good enough condition. Plan on replacing the rope each season. You also need some good quality wheel chocks with sturdy ropes attached that can be easily yanked out at just the right moment. Do not buy cheap safety equipment. Since you have the money to invest in a boat, trailer, and tow vehicle, then you have the money to buy some high quality tow rope and good quality wheel chocks.
Here is the basic procedure for launching your fixed-keel sailboat:
1. Back the trailer up to the edge of the water.
2. Have the crew place the wheel chocks behind the trailer wheels.
3. Detach the trailer from the tow vehicle. Be sure the trailer's spare tire is mounted at the front of the trailer. This is necessary to hold the trailer tongue up and allow it to roll smoothly.
4. Attach the trailer to the tow vehicle with a long rope.
5. Have the tow vehicle pull forward away from the lake until the rope is taut.
6. Pull the chocks out from the trailer wheels and back up the tow vehicle until the trailer and boat are submerged. Unless there are sandbars, this should go smoothly and the boat will float, thus freeing itself from the trailer.
7. Drive the tow vehicle forward until the trailer is out of the water. Chock the trailer wheels, then back the tow vehicle down to hitch the trailer back on.
If you run into sandbars, you could ask a power boater to assist. Boaters are a friendly bunch, and I am sure it wouldn't take long to find a boater who could pull your boat and trailer out far enough to be in deep enough water. If there is a courtesy ramp you could use that. Tie on some dock lines and pull the trailer and boat into the water.
Wear a life vest or life jacket and stay safe. Leave the beer back at camp and stay safe all day.
About the Author:
Scott is the webmaster of Sailing Gear, where you can get more information about sailboat parts, sailing accessories, Sailing Clothes, Sailing DVD, and Sailing Video.
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