How do you do this?

[HeaveToo]

The idea of a trailer sailor opens up a lot of possibilities.  Taking the boat on a trailer to a place for a cruise in new water or getting a head start on known water is a cool thought.

For those of you that have done these types of cruises, how do you plan the logistics of this?  Where do you leave your vehicle?  Do you worry about security for your vehicle and trailer?  Do you often have to pay marinas to launch and keep your vehicle there?  What is the longest cruise that you have undertaken this way?

I have been thinking of a few ramps that I know of around the Chesapeake Bay.  They are good, deep ramps and they are public access (free).  I would worry about leaving my vehicle for a week as I would worry that someone would think that it was abandoned or it could be towed for being there unattended for a while. 

That leads to the idea of launching and leaving your vehicle at a Marina.  How much do they usually charge for this?

[NateD]

I've left my truck/trailer at public ramps (that allow and charge for overnight parking), and at marinas. The longest I've left a vehicle is 4 nights, 5 days. In the places I've been (MN/WI), I've felt pretty comfortable leaving the vehicle/trailer, I don't think anyone would steal them, maybe just break a window and take the tools out of the truck (which I try to keep hidden). Some marinas charge a launch fee and no parking fee, some public ramps have charged a launching fee but no parking fee, and some marinas have charged both a launch and park fee (for overnight parking). I have always launched myself on a ramp, so no travel lift fees. Launch fees tend to be in the range of $10-20 for using their ramp and parking for the day. Overnight fees have ranged between $5-10 per night for parking. Sometimes parking gets waived if I rent a slip for those nights. Sometimes you can get away with parking on the street for a night or two, but I would rather pay the fee and know I won't get towed/ticketed.

[kahpho]

Good questions. I'll be interested in responses to this. My sailing has been mostly day sailing or from a marina slip so I've pondered just these same things.

mel

[Ted]

The best way to find good "anchorage" for your tow vehicle is to ask other sailors in the area. For sure not all marinas will allow you to do it but many will.

My brother once got dropped off at a launch point in remote northern Minnesota (canoes). There were cars parked there. When he came back a week later, the cars were trashed, the hoods opened up, and all the batteries were gone. So it's worth knowing that you will have a secure spot. I wouldn't just leave the car anywhere.

South Dade Marina, for example, lets you park your car and the last time I did it I paid $10 per day for the tow vehicle/trailer storage.  A few weeks back I wanted to put into East Lake Toho in Central Florida. There is a public ramp and I wanted to put in there and overnight. I called the park service and they issued me an overnight parking pass. So, doing the research ahead of time pays off.

If you post on this forum (as you have) you will no doubt get some good advice. I am pretty sure that there are places in your area where you can park for a few days that are relatively secure for a nominal fee. Call local sailing clubs for starters.

[relamb]

I typically use city/municipal boat ramps in many cities around Lake Michigan, and also public ramps in FL.   Most now charge a reasonable launch fee ($6-$25) and daily parking fee, and they're patrolled by somebody (at least somebody who comes around on a regular basis to make sure you've paid).
I have never had a problem with theft, leaving the vehicle for 4-5 days or more, although I tend to use ramps that are well trafficked and have many other vehicles, as opposed to some isolated ramp at the end of a dirt road.

[tmorgan]

I use Navimatics Charts & Tides iPAD app with Active Captain to explore the areas I want to cruise and get information about the marinas with ramps.  I have not parked my car and trailer in a public launch site.  I have always parked my car and trailer at a marina. I email or call the marinas and ask what they would charge.  I generally spend a night at the marina I'm using when I arrive to get a feel for the area.  I've found the small marinas with ramps are very reasonable and ready to help especially if you are renting a slip for a day or two!  BTW, you can use the Active Captain website for planning if you don't have a tablet.  The tablet just lets you take the info with you on the cruise and check charts when you have wifi access.