If your sailboat has a keel that pulls up, you might consider yourself lucky. This type of boat can be launched just like you would launch a regular motorboat. But if your sailboat has a fixed keel, it will take some detailed procedures. Remember, keep safety first! With a fixed keel, the trailer has to back down to the end of the ramp to get the boat into water deep enough to float and then be disconnected from the trailer. Your tow vehicle cannot back it down far enough without getting submerged. So you must follow a set of safe steps for your successful launch.
Ask yourself if you have the proper equipment to do the job safely. Is your tow truck at least a mid-sized SUV or pickup truck? It needs to be something fairly heavy. That weight is needed for your safety. You must balance all three parts, the truck, the trailer, and the boat.
Your tow vehicle must be a rear-wheel-drive type. That's because when the weight of the trailer presses down on the rear section of the tow vehicle, the front wheels will lose traction. Some good choices of tow vehicles are rear wheel drive with manual 4-wheel drive option, all-wheel drive, or a 2-wheel-rear-wheel drive.
The two safety accessories you need for the job are a good quality rope and a good set of wheel chocks. You need a long, strong rope that is in a very good condition. This will be used to let the trailer into the water, so it must be strong enough to bear the total weight of the trailer and boat. Be sure it is thick enough and in good enough condition. Plan on replacing the rope each season you boat. You need some quality wheel chocks with sturdy ropes attached so you can easily yank them out at the right moment. Do not buy cheap safety equipment. If you have the money to invest in a boat, trailer, and tow vehicle, then you should spend the money to buy some quality tow rope and good quality wheel chocks.
Here is the basic procedure for launching your fixed-keel sailboat:
1. Have the driver back the trailer up to the edge of the water.
2. Place the wheel chocks behind the trailer wheels.
3. Separate the trailer from the tow vehicle. The trailer's spare tire needs to be mounted at the front of the trailer to hold the trailer tongue up. This allows it to roll smoothly.
4. Attach the trailer to the tow vehicle with a long rope.
5. Have the tow vehicle pull forward away from the lake until the rope is taut.
6. Remove the chocks from behind the wheels of the trailer and back up the tow vehicle until the boat and trailer are down in the water. As long as there are no sandbars to deal with, the tow vehicle driver should be able to easily back up until the boat floats, thereby freeing itself from the trailer.
7. Have the tow vehicle driver pull far enough forward to get the trailer out of the water, have the crew chock the trailer wheels, and have the driver back down to hitch the trailer back on.
If you run into sandbars, you could ask a power boater to assist. Boaters are a friendly bunch, and I am sure it wouldn't take long to find a boater who could pull your boat and trailer out far enough to be in deep enough water. If there is a courtesy ramp you could use that. Tie on some dock lines and pull the trailer and boat into the water.
Keep safe and wear your life vest or life jacket. Alcohol and water don't mix, so leave the beers back at camp until the end of the day.
Ask yourself if you have the proper equipment to do the job safely. Is your tow truck at least a mid-sized SUV or pickup truck? It needs to be something fairly heavy. That weight is needed for your safety. You must balance all three parts, the truck, the trailer, and the boat.
Your tow vehicle must be a rear-wheel-drive type. That's because when the weight of the trailer presses down on the rear section of the tow vehicle, the front wheels will lose traction. Some good choices of tow vehicles are rear wheel drive with manual 4-wheel drive option, all-wheel drive, or a 2-wheel-rear-wheel drive.
The two safety accessories you need for the job are a good quality rope and a good set of wheel chocks. You need a long, strong rope that is in a very good condition. This will be used to let the trailer into the water, so it must be strong enough to bear the total weight of the trailer and boat. Be sure it is thick enough and in good enough condition. Plan on replacing the rope each season you boat. You need some quality wheel chocks with sturdy ropes attached so you can easily yank them out at the right moment. Do not buy cheap safety equipment. If you have the money to invest in a boat, trailer, and tow vehicle, then you should spend the money to buy some quality tow rope and good quality wheel chocks.
Here is the basic procedure for launching your fixed-keel sailboat:
1. Have the driver back the trailer up to the edge of the water.
2. Place the wheel chocks behind the trailer wheels.
3. Separate the trailer from the tow vehicle. The trailer's spare tire needs to be mounted at the front of the trailer to hold the trailer tongue up. This allows it to roll smoothly.
4. Attach the trailer to the tow vehicle with a long rope.
5. Have the tow vehicle pull forward away from the lake until the rope is taut.
6. Remove the chocks from behind the wheels of the trailer and back up the tow vehicle until the boat and trailer are down in the water. As long as there are no sandbars to deal with, the tow vehicle driver should be able to easily back up until the boat floats, thereby freeing itself from the trailer.
7. Have the tow vehicle driver pull far enough forward to get the trailer out of the water, have the crew chock the trailer wheels, and have the driver back down to hitch the trailer back on.
If you run into sandbars, you could ask a power boater to assist. Boaters are a friendly bunch, and I am sure it wouldn't take long to find a boater who could pull your boat and trailer out far enough to be in deep enough water. If there is a courtesy ramp you could use that. Tie on some dock lines and pull the trailer and boat into the water.
Keep safe and wear your life vest or life jacket. Alcohol and water don't mix, so leave the beers back at camp until the end of the day.
About the Author:
Mr. Stewart is the webmaster of Sailing Gear, where you can get more information about sailboat parts, sailing accessories, Sailing Clothes, Sailing DVD, and Sailing Video.
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