Single -handed launch from ramp without pontoon. How?

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Jaguar 25

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Advice please.

Is there a recommended method for single handed launching off a trailer using a ramp without a pontoon? The main query is how to secure the boat whilst you move the trailer off the ramp?

Doesn't seem possible to me or am I missing something?
 
I have been known to use the anchor if there is no alternative. Either that or a long painter secured somewhere to stop the boat floating away. It depends on the location and conditions. Sometimes there is a handy volunteer who will give you five minutes of their time to hold the boat while you park.

I agree it can be a problem.

Tim
 
Alfie168 said:
.......... Sometimes there is a handy volunteer who will give you five minutes of their time to hold the boat while you park. ...........

Tim
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Usually there are 20 tourists watching, hoping to see/video fun and games.. :o
Are you looking to beach a smallish boat while you park the car/trailer, stepping off into shallow water? Or mooring the boat afloat. If so are you using a tender to get ashore then return?
If tidal, and not busy, you could unhook and remove the tow car after parking the rig appropriately and let the tide float you off
 
On a falling (not too fast) tide I've allowed the bow of the boat to rest on the ramp for a few minutes while I got ready, but that was a light enough boat that I could lift the pressure off the bow and shove it back into the water by main strength. Try that on a rising tide and you're liable to lose it though :)

Pete
 
Jaguar 25 said:
Advice please.

Is there a recommended method for single handed launching off a trailer using a ramp without a pontoon? The main query is how to secure the boat whilst you move the trailer off the ramp?

Doesn't seem possible to me or am I missing something?
Click to expand...

Not a sailing club ramp where other members would be willing to help then ?


Find a different launch location where there is a pontoon nearby where you can tie up briefly while you recover the trailer and park the car.

A marina with launching ramp ???

Cannot help with suggestions for the Liverpool area I am afraid
 
Jaguar 25 said:
No, I was thinking of launching from a concrete ramp.
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What is each side of the ramp? What the foreshore like? What are the tidal conditions like, is there a permanent current like a river. What do others do...assuming there are others around? There are so many variables.

Not that I will know it, but can you identify the location of the ramp you have in mind...you never know...forumites are everywhere!

Tim
 
Alfie168 said:
What is each side of the ramp? What the foreshore like? What are the tidal conditions like, is there a permanent current like a river. What do others do...assuming there are others around? There are so many variables.

Not that I will know it, but can you identify the location of the ramp you have in mind...you never know...forumites are everywhere!

Tim
Click to expand...

I was thinking generally but as an instance, Liverpool Sailing Club have a long concrete ramp into the Mersey. Each side of the ramp (as I remember) is a muddy sea floor. The Mersey spring tides are up to 10 metres, so apart from slack water there would be a flow past the ramp. Not sure what speed at the ramp but up to 6 knots outside
Liverpool Marina, which is a couple of miles seaward.
Never seen anyone launching or recovering single handed. Usually involves a minimum of two people.
 
Jaguar 25 said:
I was thinking generally but as an instance, Liverpool Sailing Club have a long concrete ramp into the Mersey. Each side of the ramp (as I remember) is a muddy sea floor. The Mersey spring tides are up to 10 metres, so apart from slack water there would be a flow past the ramp. Not sure what speed at the ramp but up to 6 knots outside
Liverpool Marina, which is a couple of miles seaward.
Never seen anyone launching or recovering single handed. Usually involves a minimum of two people.
Click to expand...

Having motored into the Albert Dock in a three masted bark I can sympathise as the current was wicked and the window of opportunity to get over the sill was comparatively brief...it was more of a crash landing than anything.

If you are a member of the club, then ask for help by putting a card up with contact numbers. If not...then join the club if you can and ask the commodore of sailing sec. for help. They will have a mate who will help I'm sure if you make the right noises.

Tim
 
Jaguar 25 said:
Advice please.

Is there a recommended method for single handed launching off a trailer using a ramp without a pontoon? The main query is how to secure the boat whilst you move the trailer off the ramp?

Doesn't seem possible to me or am I missing something?
Click to expand...

I would get a biggish weight like used on old balance scales and place it next to the car while launching. Once the boat is off the trailer I would attach the bow line to the weight until I return then pull the boat in and climb aboard with the weight.

Weights like the 2 bigger ones here

Test-Weights-1024x835.jpg


If the tide is running fast you could also deploy an anchor from the stern as well as the land anchor from the bow.
 
Rogershaw said:
I would get a biggish weight like used on old balance scales and place it next to the car while launching. Once the boat is off the trailer I would attach the bow line to the weight until I return then pull the boat in and climb aboard with the weight.

Weights like the 2 bigger ones here

Test-Weights-1024x835.jpg


If the tide is running fast you could also deploy an anchor from the stern as well as the land anchor from the bow.
Click to expand...

I have considered the use of a lump of concrete to do the same thing. Big issue is the hull scraping on the concrete ramp although deploying an anchor as well could help.
 
I frequently launch single-handed. Places without a dock or pontoon I just beach the boat next to the ramp (in the mud if I have to), park the car and trailer and go jump on the boat.

Never takes more than 5-6 minutes to park the car, which should not be enough time for the tide to come in or out and float your boat away or stick it hard aground.
 
Assuming that you have a dinghy, it wouldn't take much to lay an anchor offshore with a block attached. A line through the block with one end fast to the boat, and the other end ashore, would let you launch and then pull the boat clear of the shore, while you park up.
 
Assuming there is some sideways movement of the water. You might consider backing the boat/trailer into the water then climbing on board down to the stern where the drop the anchor if possible into the mud on the upstream side but attached to the bow. ie hook the anchor on the side edge of the ramp. Now with a bit of luck (skill and planning) the boat on shoving off the trailer will swing to the anchor hopefully just off shore edge. Hopefully you can wade out to grasp the hull and manouver it to a point where you can board it. You should have a means of boarding from the water. A stern ladder. If not forget any attempt to launch without a pontoon next to the ramp. No matter how many helpers. if the mud is really deep and sticky and the boat ends up over the or in the mud you will need some sort of waders or similar. Anyway just plan carefully. olewill
 
Jaguar 25 said:
Big issue is the hull scraping on the concrete ramp
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I also had that issue so I fitted a biggish stainless U -Bolt onto the bow /keel intersection just at the point where the boat hull would contact the concrete ramp to stop the damage and provide an extra line attachment point.
 
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