trailer launching

[roland cobine]

     i need a bit of advice, as usual. when i back my 16 into the water, i usually have the jib reefed in and the main set, the sheet close hauled. depending on the wind direction, i might turn the boat around before tying her up to the dock. its not really a problem with my wife along, but when im alone i have to tie the boat off while i park the truck. any advise would be greatly appreciated. the "kicknbug" is a real clean 81 and i want to avoid any damage if i can.

[KPL]

I think I understand what you are asking.

I wouldn't recommend setting the sails with the boat on the trailer.  A gust could make things real messy in a hurry.  What you could do is furl the main along the boom with a few bungees, with the halyard in place, so you can raise it easily when you are ready to go.

As far as getting the boat to the tied up, the cheapest route would be a small trolling motor and 12v battery.  I use a 34lb motorguide and a group 24 battery.  Entire setup was less then $150, and is plenty to manuever the boat.  In calm weather, it good for about 4-5 miles (75 minutes or so).

I routinely launch and retrieve my 16 myself with no real problems.  I haven't figured out how to do it without getting wet, so I bought chest waders, which is nice when the water is 34 and the air is colder (last sail of the season )

Good luck

[roland cobine]

thanks a bunch kpl. 15 years away from sail takes a toll.

[Paul]

KPL, I like the waders idea!

Roland, KPL is right.  Could get messy in a hurry.  I like to use short lengths of line or even webbing (12-18") to tie my mainsail to boom and maybe one to tie the jib to the bow pulpit rail.  Just remember to point into the wind to raise the main first, then the jib.  If single handing, a tiller tamer is nice to assist.

Hope this helps.

Paul

[roland cobine]

   thanks a lot paul. i fashioned a tiller tamer and it works great. you guys helped a lot

[multimedia_smith]

I mount both sails and then wrap the main on the boom with the boom bungie (see my pics) and have the jib on the deck with the dounhaul pulled tight.  I have both halyard ends looped around the cabin top cleats.  The sheets are all run and pulled tight.

After I get the van put up, my PFD on, and push away from the dock... THEN I raise the sails.

I have a line from the bow cleat to the stern cleat with a bridle line looped along the line.  After backing down almost to the water, I detatch the bow ring from the trailer and walk back to the van.  I hold the bridle line with my left hand out the door while I back down the ramp.  When the boat starts to float off the trailer, I set the brake and while holding the line, I walk down the side of the ramp and tie the boat off... I like having the line attached to both the bow and stern because it keeps the boat in check.  For recovery, I walk on the dock next to the the boat ramp with the same bow stern line to control the angle of the boat onto the trailer.  I then step onto the trailer tongue while holding onto the lifted hatch of the van, I only have one step to make before I can hold onto the trailer winch.  After hauling the boat up the rest of the way (a foot or so) to the trailer... I walk back up the trailer tongue (one step then hang onto the hatchback)  I continue to walk through the center of the van and hop into the driver's seat... All without getting so much as my feet wet.

Oh, and I forgot to mention that I am using a long trailer extension... that really makes the whole thing work without getting the tires or bumper wet.

The trailer extension was my first project and I appreciate it every single time I use it.

boom bungie
http://www.com-pacowners.com/gallery2/displayimage.php?album=49&pos=12

trailer extension pic
http://www.com-pacowners.com/gallery2/displayimage.php?album=49&pos=20

Dale

[roland cobine]

 thanks a lot dale, i knew this site would provide some great advice, i was right
shame i have to wait for spring to try it out.  i sure do appreciate it

[Rick Klages]

I have seen some pictures of launching and recovering with the mast down!  Easier to raise and lower on the trailer.  Managing the trailer is just a matter of practice. The more you do it the easier it becomes.

ick