Single hand launching/sailing a CP 19 (Or other tips that may help me!)

[MacGyver]

Hey everyone,

With my sudden single life, and CLR 2017 having just renewed my love for the boat, I have realized that I need to be able to launch and pull by myself along with the mast and etc.

Any tips or tricks that you have found over the years to help make this work better for me? Any pictures would be awesome as well, and any plans or etc would be great too.

This post is a generative post for me to help give me some projects to work on to help me through this divorce as well as it will help me refocus my life on something I enjoy while also making that easier for me to attain.

Thanks everyone!
Mac

[brackish]

Mac I single hand 90% of the time, primarily because I'm old, retired, and all my friends are younger and still working.  I go mid week when the crowds are gone and the winds are good.  I have never launched or retrieved with help, always by myself.  It is not that difficult. 

In the DIY section of this forum is my mast raising system which I have always used by myself.  I just used it to lower my mast last Tuesday with the boat in the water.  Smooth as glass.  After I haul home for maintenance, I'll try to make a video when I raise the mast, once again by myself and on the water.  It is the best thing I've done to make single handling possible.

[alsantini]

Hi Mac.  Although we have never met I feel that I know you from your frequent posts.  Like Brackish, I sail frequently alone.  I have an Eclipse with the mastender system, so getting ready to launch is no problem.  I assume you either have a mast raising system in place or you are young enough to step the mast.  I am 71 so mastender is greatly appreciated.
When I launch by myself I tie my stern line and bow line together leaving about 6 feet of extra line.  I loop this extra over the trailer winch post.  As I back in slowly the little extra line allows the boat to float off the trailer, but just sit there waiting for me.  I unwrap the lines from the post and pull the boat to the dock.  Tie it off and pull the SUV and trailer to the parking lot.  Sometimes I have to untie the lines to use the dockside cleats but most of the time I leave the lines tied together.  If I am just out for a day sail, I leave both lines attached and pull them into the boat and under the cushion.
Works for me and I would think your 19, being about the same size, could be launched in a similar fashion.
Looking forward to hearing how CLR was.  It bummed me out to not be there but after a week teaching in Florida, and two weeks in Yellowstone/Grand Tetons, there was no way that I could get it together,  Next year!

[Garyandjoanlee]

Hi Mac,
I have a Com Pac 16 ll and sail solo. While this stunningly spectacular little boat is new to me- sailing isn't. I have so many projects lined up.... First though, launching: Similar to other posts, I tie off a long line from the bow but cleat the other end to the dock / pier beside the ramp. I back it in and try to take note of how deep I am when it starts to float (for pulling it out ) I already have the bow hook off  the trailer so it just floats away- At least until I get it back with the line at the dock. (Just make SURE the line on the bow & dock are very secure.) and i'm off to the races. I am about to install a lever type tiller tamer  so I can let go of the tiller when I need to. I am adding a second group 24 battery / battery box and a cool little Garmin chart plotter.  My hat goes off to any of my sailing friends who can take the boom / mast down while still in the water! I just haul out then do it in the parking lot. I am about to add a pair of carpeted keel boards to the sides of the trailer rollers to help center the keel on haul out. I am also adding a pair of 60" goal posts with colored markers to the trailer to help me both guide the boat onto the trailer and to figure out the trailer depth when the boat first "floats" off the trailer- so I don't back in too deep to retrieve her. Hope you find peace out there in the warm breeze to take your mind off doors that just closed.
Warm winds my friend
Gary Lee
CP16 Passing Wind
Colebrook, NH

[Tim Gardner]

Mac,

You may not need this checklist, and I'm not the original author, But I updated it to my needs.  It's a good starting point for prep, launch and retrieving a CP19.

[Citroen/Dave]

Tim,

Wow! I love your boat, but that list is too much like work.  My CP 16 sneaks in an out in nearly an instant compared to your list.
Everything but food, water, and the battery store inside.  Sometimes, I leave the battery in and charge with an extension cord while parked in my side yard, just to save the lifting out effort. 

I now charge with a supper small and super light weight Noco Genius  G3500 and leave that in the boat incase I need an overnight recharge at a marina.

Good winds to you,
Dave

[crazycarl]

single hand launching?

i call bull @#$%!

i know mac, he has 2 perfectly good hands.

although, one is usually scratching his head.

[Tim Gardner]

CC,

And the other hand is where?