Shoal draft launching

[Smiley]

Hi folks,
I've got a question on the ease of launching/retrieval shoal draft-type boats: how easy/difficult is it?
I posted on another forum about a boat we're looking at (admittedly it's not a C-P but it is a shoal draft  - 1971 O'Day 22-foot) and haven't had any response.
Apparently this boat doesn't have a drop board, only the shoal draft with (if I'm correct, about 600 pounds of weight).
I'd love a C-P but we're looking at what is affordable. The owner says the trailer has an extension. She said it's easy to launch but more problematic to retrieve.
As far as sailing characteristics, we're a bit in the dark. Our classes used J/24 boats (racers I know don't compare to a shoal draft). But the C-P boats with shoal drafts would be comparable to this O'Day (I think - seems logical to me).
We would most likely trailer-sail it, towing with a 2wd 3.0L Ranger pickup. Literature I've found indicates the O'Day would weigh under 2,100 lb. empty.
Thoughts?
And thank you for your help and consideration!

Mike

[tmorgan]

We keep out Suncat on a trailer and launch her easily.  It is not much different than launching a large centerboard like a Flying Scot.  I made an extension that extends the trailer tongue for launching on shallow ramps on the coast or when the lake is down in the summer.  The extension stores inside the original tongue when we pull the boat.  The real question in my mind for trailing is long does it take to rig the boat once you get to your destination?  Some boats take hours to step the mast and rig.  A Suncat takes less than a half hour.

[Smiley]

We will find a boat to fulfill our dreams. It may find a C-P in the future (there are several I like).
However, we won't bother with this particular O'Day.
It sat outside for an extended period after extended time in water. They were asking $2500 but have done zero maintenance. It can't even roll from the lot in present condition. Trailer needs work. Boat needs work (underline for emphasis).
It has been sitting on the trailer (tongue down) with water collecting inside. The boom has a sail wrapped around it and covered laying in the cockpit, window seals are shot, a hatch had installed in the deck, but was shot, winches sounded .... it's sad really.
We didn't expect a perfect boat, but we didn't expect a project boat or project trailer from the glowing description.

edit
Forgot to mention, the motor mount was broken off the boat ... there was a stub sticking out from the stern.... /sigh

[Steve Ullrich]

Excellent decision.  There are a lot of good boats out there, be patient.  I bought a 1988 Com-Pac 16/3, motor, trailer on Craig's List here in Minneapolis last Spring for $2000.  The trailer ended up needing bearings but that was the only major work needed.  The Com-Pac 16's are very easy to launch and retrieve.  They are also very stable and forgiving for a new sailor.  I've been sailing for many years and downsized to my 16 last year.

I owned a 1973 O'Day 20 fifteen years ago.  Shoal draft, swing centerboard.  The centerboard was unbalasted.  I'm pretty sure that was the way the 22 came out of the factory too.  Easy to set up and launch, easy to retrieve as well.  Not as easy as my Com-Pac but a LOT easier than the 1986 23' Hunter that I sold last fall.  If you want something easy to launch/retrieve/trailer you might want to stay under 23'.  You can trailer sail a 23', up to 26' for that matter, but it gets progressively more difficult and time consuming to step/un-step the mast and you need more tow vehicle as you go up in scale.  It really starts to get difficult as the draft of the boat increases.  

We will find a boat to fulfill our dreams. It may find a C-P in the future (there are several I like).
However, we won't bother with this particular O'Day.
It sat outside for an extended period after extended time in water. They were asking $2500 but have done zero maintenance. It can't even roll from the lot in present condition. Trailer needs work. Boat needs work (underline for emphasis).
It has been sitting on the trailer (tongue down) with water collecting inside. The boom has a sail wrapped around it and covered laying in the cockpit, window seals are shot, a hatch had installed in the deck, but was shot, winches sounded .... it's sad really.
We didn't expect a perfect boat, but we didn't expect a project boat or project trailer from the glowing description.

[tmolik]

We keep out Suncat on a trailer and launch her easily.  It is not much different than launching a large centerboard like a Flying Scot.  I made an extension that extends the trailer tongue for launching on shallow ramps on the coast or when the lake is down in the summer.  The extension stores inside the original tongue when we pull the boat.  The real question in my mind for trailing is long does it take to rig the boat once you get to your destination?  Some boats take hours to step the mast and rig.  A Suncat takes less than a half hour.

Hi
do you have any pics and/or instructions on how to do this???

tom

[Glenn Basore]

Smiley,

I have an Eclipse Com Pac. one of the reason I bought the boat was the ease of launching.

Since it has a 700 lb shoal keel with a retractable stainless steel center board it really is a nice set up. The center board drops down about 4.5 or 5 feet, cant remember.

With a shoal keel the boat sits lower on the trailer as well making easy access when on the trailer.

Glenn B.

[tmolik]

We keep out Suncat on a trailer and launch her easily.  It is not much different than launching a large centerboard like a Flying Scot.  I made an extension that extends the trailer tongue for launching on shallow ramps on the coast or when the lake is down in the summer.  The extension stores inside the original tongue when we pull the boat.  The real question in my mind for trailing is long does it take to rig the boat once you get to your destination?  Some boats take hours to step the mast and rig.  A Suncat takes less than a half hour.

do you have any pics or directions on how to construct a tongue extension??

tom

[HideAway]

Mine is a bolt on affair that hangs below the main trailer tongue.  I've seen others that slide into the existing trailer tongue but those only work, I believe on trailers without surge brakes.   there are pictures of in on my utube site below - Building a Trailer I. 

The other comments about the degree of difficulty and expense of the larger trailer sailors is right on.   My Compac 23 with its trailer weighs in at 5000# and takes a full sized truck with a complete tow package.   My F150 with the factory tow package can handle it but not anything larger.  There have been times when I wish it had 4 wheel drive.  We are hoping to get the rigging time down to only an hour.   Fortunately she sits with her mast up most of the time so all we do is launch - which is a chore all by itself   Matt

[ka8uet]

I must admit that I usually take someone with me to launch my 23/3.  However, I've been able to walk the mast up by myself.  I leave the shrouds attached, and only release the forestay.  I walk the mast back and let it rest on the stern pulpit.  She trailers well with it in that position.  I put the bolt through the tabernacle and walk the mast up.  Then I take the forestay forward and attach it.  Now I can go back and tighten the bolt, and adjust the stays.  It's easier with two, however.  I can often draft a son or grandson, or a friend.  However, I haven't launched since I've had to wear braces.  That could make it harder for me to do it alone!