Launching more basics

[oGaryo]

Got a pretty basic question on launching a high sided cuddy versus a bowrider single handedly.

I should have the Fletcher 19GTS ready for her first venture out on the water this weekend but it strikes me that I might struggle to launch the boat single handed and my eldest lad's working this weekend

I used to launch the Bayliner 1750 Bowrider single handed by getting her in the water until she bobbed on the bunks, climbed aboard over the bow or the sides in the chesties, lent over the bow and unhooked her.. a little shove on the winch mounting post and I could then reverse her off the trailer no problem.

The difference with my new setup is Cuddy in the way(ish), much higher bow so will struggle to give her a shove off the winch post and I'm not sure I can lean over to unhook her once on board with rails in the way and the hooking point much further down/back.. it's a roller trailer so I'm unsure if I can unhook her from the trailer without being on board and the sides are far too high to scale so I'd need to board via the swim platform ladder.

Is this boat a 2 man job to launch or is there a safe way of lauching something like this single handed?

sense tells me to wait until I have two people available to launch, especially for the first time of use... then there's the safety aspect of sailing single handed in winter, probably not a good idea either

thanks Gary

 

[oGaryo]

been thinking (dangerous)... how about this.


thread rope through on of the lashing eyes on the trailer and tie both ends to cuddy rail.. unhook winch leaving boat secured by the rope.. board via swim platform, start engine, clamber over cuddy and release rope, reverse boat off the trailer which I presume will be easy enough being a roller setup rather than bunk.

 

[AndieMac]

Is your spare wheel mounted on the winching post? They are always good to climb on and over the bow. If not make up a rung or two, clamped to the post, to step on. Then all you need is a pair of sea-boots like the raggies wear.

Start and warm the motor with the leg trimmed up slightly, then put her into gear with just enough forward thrust to hold her against the post (this will depend on how steep the ramp/slip is). Climb forward over the bow via your new access point (spare wheel/rungs) and release the winch cable and safety chain. Remember the fwd. thrust is holding her in place. Climb back to the helm, and gently back off the revs until she slides backwards, controlling the movement with the forward thrust. If the boat wont slide, pull into reverse and drive off.

Don't forget the poly/agricultural pipe between the roller brackets

 

[AndieMac]

Gary....if the roller between the winch and the winch eye (mounted on the stem of the boat) isn't substantial enough, go and get one. They are cheap as chips and offer good protection.
Standard trailer stem rollers are usually silly little poofter things, that have exposed metal brackets just waiting to bark the gelcoat.

 

[oGaryo]

Thanks mate, ultra helpful as usual it's a twin axle SBS roller coaster trailer.. this model

http://www.sbstrailers.co.uk/product_display.asp?m=12&c=7&ProductDisplay=39

Like the idea of the ladder and have seen some for sale on fleabay cheaply with PVC rungs.. will be ideal for hooking over the bow cleat.. that'll be another purchase then

Got all the electronic goodies installed now and the repaired dash has gone back in looking pretty cool and looks like the weather's on the turn... can't wait to give her a run.

 

[gjgm]

crikey.. I dont think I'd want to be clambering about the bow with the boat in gear and no one at the helm.
Gary..the boat shouldnt be floating anyway, or you will have terrible problems with wind and tide, and you will eventaully end up with the boat sitting on the slipway one day.
The trailer should only be deep enough for the stern just NOT to be floating. In the single handed case, this should mean you can untie the winch strap and the boat will stay on. Now climb aboard, warm the engine up, and reverse off, which should be easy with rollers. Alternatively, make up a length of rope to run around the front cleats and onto the winchpost. Thats hould hold you on, and then just slide it through from up on the front deck, when you are ready. Only use this at the bottom of the slip, though;always have the winch strap when towing.

 

[BartW]

If not make up a rung or two, clamped to the post, to step on.

thats how I climb on my boat,
but before that I'll lower her in the water, so that the majority of the weight is in the water,

then I do the same procedure like Andie,
I have the engines pushing, so that the winch cable releases slightly, to be able to unplug the winch hook, by me, from the bow.

This way, I can launch my 3Ton twin engine boat all on my own,
pulling out is not possible all alone, especially not with side wind.

but considering it is your first Lauch of this boat, and winter time, I would find a buddy to help me,
then you 're more at easy to find out if everything works fine.

good luck.

 

[oGaryo]

thanks fellas.. I've got to admit I did think it a tad dodgy regarding the engine in gear thing and agree, I wouldn't want to risk it... think I'll try the dip her bum in the water method first and reverse off, I can always drive the trailer in a bit further if she wont budge on the first attempt

no probs with towing, I had alot of good experience this year with the bowrider and I towed this one 250 miles back from Wales (lashed it down with 3 x ratchet straps too).

If some new fenders arrive in time and I can get the odd few bits sorted (new aerial, winch and split charge batteries need fitting and I need to get this engine idling right), I may be booking in to Berthon this weekend... weather permitting, I'll definitely be down there come the following weekend.

bugga.. just thought of another job needing doing before I can use the boat in this weather.. the darn canopy zips need replacing.. doh.. looking more like the following weekend then

 

[jfm]

crikey.. I dont think I'd want to be clambering about the bow with the boat in gear and no one at the helm.
Gary..the boat shouldnt be floating anyway, or you will have terrible problems with wind and tide, and you will eventaully end up with the boat sitting on the slipway one day.
The trailer should only be deep enough for the stern just NOT to be floating. In the single handed case, this should mean you can untie the winch strap and the boat will stay on. Now climb aboard, warm the engine up, and reverse off, which should be easy with rollers. Alternatively, make up a length of rope to run around the front cleats and onto the winchpost. Thats hould hold you on, and then just slide it through from up on the front deck, when you are ready. Only use this at the bottom of the slip, though;always have the winch strap when towing.

Each to their own on this, but i 100% agree with gigm about NOT floating the boat off. I always keep the trailer hubs/brakes above the water and launch the boat by letting it roll off the trailer, and recover the boat by dragging it up the trailer with the winch. I never float it on or off. And all this is even more a good idea when you have a rollercoaster style trailer like Gary's.

 

[gjgm]

Just to add, the depth of the trailer is even more critical when getting back onto the trailer. You do NOT want the stern floating (ie, maybe the rollers are JUST under water, if practical, then use the power to drive it over the rollers)

 

[oGaryo]

thanks again for the advice guys, I think I know what I need to do now.. will still get a bow ladder as I think that's a good idea and can be put to a number of uses on land and afloat.

I used to drive the Bowrider on to the trailer with it being bunked and got quite good at judging it so the bow gently nudged up to the stop block with no need to use the winch, seems that's not going to be the case here... will power it up as far as safety allows and then employ the 2 speed winch I've purchased to get it the rest of the way (heavier duty than the old one that rusted away on the trailer though lack of use)... it has a fairly substantial cracking handle which will hopefully make things easier:

 

[landlockedpirate]

Gary, I have the same boat and trailer as yours. IT WILL ROLL OFF THE TRAILER if its not tied on. I do launch mine single handed, heres my method for what its worth.

Reverse the trailer back into the water untill the boat's weight is mostly supported by the water. Use the bow line to loop round the winch post (I have a custom cleat on the trailer) and back to one of the rear cleats. Release the winch and the boat is now only held on by the bow line. Climb on board over the bow ( I use the spare wheel as a step and make sure the windscreen is open). Lower leg, run blower, start engine etc. When ready release the line from the rear cleat, and the boat will slide into the water. Put in gear and drive away, leaving onlookers in awe of your boat handling skills.

But TBH its a lot easier with some help and it avoids the dodgy climb over the bow.

 

[tinkicker0]

Gary, I have the same boat and trailer as yours. IT WILL ROLL OFF THE TRAILER if its not tied on. I do launch mine single handed, heres my method for what its worth.

Reverse the trailer back into the water untill the boat's weight is mostly supported by the water. Use the bow line to loop round the winch post (I have a custom cleat on the trailer) and back to one of the rear cleats. Release the winch and the boat is now only held on by the bow line. Climb on board over the bow ( I use the spare wheel as a step and make sure the windscreen is open). Lower leg, run blower, start engine etc. When ready release the line from the rear cleat, and the boat will slide into the water. Put in gear and drive away, leaving onlookers in awe of your boat handling skills.

But TBH its a lot easier with some help and it avoids the dodgy climb over the bow.

Agree. When I launched my 192 cuddy off the rollercoaster trailer, got the stern of the boat in the water, but with the trailer mudguards just submerged. Waded in, climbed on the mudguards and over the side; trimmed the drive up to the limiter, checked the prop and water intakes were submerged, started her up, put in reverse and a good burst or two of throttle and off she came nice as ninepence.

I wont go in to the excitement that followed, getting her into a down wind finger berth in at the end of a dead end fairway and the wind 15, gusting 30.

I will say that forgetting to put the drive down again in the excitement does nothing for the boat's handling, although according to SWMBO, it does make for some impressive slow speed roostertails when the throttle is under a panicked hand.

 

[AndieMac]

crikey.. I dont think I'd want to be clambering about the bow with the boat in gear and no one at the helm.
.

As long as the drive is centred, its only going to push directly against the winch post.
If your trailer has proper efficient working rollers/slide mechanism (teflon), as soon as it is tilted in an aft inclination, it should want to slide off, once released from the straps.
What works for me, anyway, is having the control of the vessels movement back at the helm, if something goes wrong, the controls are right there in your hands.

Anyway Gary needs to use whatever system he is comfortable with, and get used to his new outfit.

 

[oGaryo]

But TBH its a lot easier with some help and it avoids the dodgy climb over the bow.

sounds a doddle does that.... thanks for the advice.


the quote above reminds me of a little mishap earlier this year.. climbing on to the bow of the Binliner, my foot slipped off the trailer whilst my other foot was hooked over the bow.. result was one leg in the air stuck in the bow, one hand hanging on for dear life and my head now dunked in the water with my other leg flaying around trying to right myself... and the really good bit.... it was at Lymington Slipway on a really busy day with 100's of onlookers doubled up in stitches... got in from the side of the boat after that one

 

[andy59]

Gary , if you are launching in lymington this weekend i will be about boat cleaning etc , if you need a hand just pm me your number

 

[AndieMac]

sounds a doddle does that.... thanks for the advice.


the quote above reminds me of a little mishap earlier this year.. climbing on to the bow of the Binliner, my foot slipped off the trailer whilst my other foot was hooked over the bow.. result was one leg in the air stuck in the bow, one hand hanging on for dear life and my head now dunked in the water with my other leg flaying around trying to right myself... and the really good bit.... it was at Lymington Slipway on a really busy day with 100's of onlookers doubled up in stitches... got in from the side of the boat after that one

Gaz.....I think we are going to have to work on our style a bit old son

Great story though.

 

[oGaryo]

Gary , if you are launching in lymington this weekend i will be about boat cleaning etc , if you need a hand just pm me your number

Excellent, thanks... may come down even if the canopy isn't sorted in time to give the boat a good run and clear out the cobwebs as I suspect that's all the engine needs, Will pm you if it looks a possibility

 

[oGaryo]

Gaz.....I think we are going to have to work on our style a bit old son

Great story though.

watch this space mate, I'm fairly sure... nay... absolutely certain, that there'll be more mishaps along my boating journey in the coming months and years... just look at my avatar for gawds sake and you realise dodgy things just seem to happen to me

 

[jhr]

I think you should probably go out this weekend; it looks quite promising, particularly on Saturday. It's going to be effing cold but the wind's from the north, or north-east, so the Western Solent should be reasonably sheltered.

All you need to do is stick the canopy up for a bit of shelter and .... oh; hang on a minute. Erm......