launching laser from power boat ramp..(?)

S

Sunray

New Member
In anticipation of my Laser purchase I have seen that I have a few, local typical power-boat ramps, where I could possibly launch from. I can park all day with a trailer for free, and the launch is free...all with great access to wide water of the intacoastal...with lots of channel markers to use as bouys!(?)

Anyway, I wonder if any of you had launched from these types of ramps and what method worked best for you.

I imagine that I park in the lot and fully rig the boat (perhaps with the rudder and centerboard not in the down position) and back the thing in the usual way. (I will be by myself most times). I guess that I float the boat, put the rudder and centerboard all the way in, tie it up for just enough time for me to be able to park my suv/trailer...and 'away we go'!!

I suppose the reverse is true when finished. Tie up the boat and reverse the car down the ramp, enough to float the boat on and tie her down securely...then pull her up and de-rig....

Anything I missed out??
 
Make sure you put the centerboard down before attaching the clew of the sail to the boom, or you could capsize the boat. :rolleyes:

M.
 
I just mean that if the sail is attached when there is much wind, and the centerboard is not already down, the boat will fall over.
 
Also, there's a part called a "dinghy clew hook" that you should be able to pick up for $8 or so from any dealer. Instead of tying the outhaul and clew tie-down to the sail directly, you tie it to the hook and put the hook in the sail. This is especially handy for landing downwind.
 
that's the exact system I use every time I go racing at the club.

I try to get there early so I don't tie up dock space when I dunk the boat and go park.

Clew hook is a great thing to get. Let the sail flap about and then hook up, and go.
 
Most of our local sailing lakes are variable level reservoirs with long ramps.

Dollies or super lightweight trailers, especially when there is a dock adjacent to the ramp, are a sheer joy on ramp launches.

With the seitech, Kitty Hawk or Trailex carrying systems you can back down a ramp by hand, let the boat float off, toss the trailer off the side of the ramp and leave.

if the ramp is oong enough and deep enpough, When the wind is blowing up the ramp, you can walk down bow first if you tie a long line to the front of the trailer. You simply walk along the dock next to the ramp until the boat floats off, tie the boat to the dock and walk the trailer back out from its position well under water.

Some of our more crazy sailors double deck theor boats on separate bunks. They float the lower boat off and then sink the trailer far enough to float the top boat.

Sometimes it is easiest to rig your mast and boom and sail on shore and simply carry the rig to the boat and insert it after the boat is floating.

If you use the car for launching, vertical PVC pipes on either side of the back end of the trailer and a big wide well cushioned bumper for the bow are really nice for ease of use and boat care. The pvc should be high enough to bang only on the gunwale but not so high you cannot easily flip the bow line over one of them fro m your dry standing point on shore....Restated...You need to pull the boat between the pipes by pulling from between the pipes)
 
Merrily said:
I just mean that if the sail is attached when there is much wind, and the centerboard is not already down, the boat will fall over.
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lol, I THOUGHT it was something like that....just wanted to make sure.
 
Well, thanks for the input. I suppose there are several ways to do it. I can't imagine that inserting the rig (by myself) once the boat is floating is going to be THAT easy, but I would try it once to check it out.......
 
gouvernail said:
Sometimes it is easiest to rig your mast and boom and sail on shore and simply carry the rig to the boat and insert it after the boat is floating.
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Only when you are quite strong and when the wind is <5 mph. Personally, I wouldn't even try this method under those conditions.
 
Only when you are quite strong and when the wind is <5 mph. Personally, I wouldn't even try this method under those conditions.
I disagree. I do that all the time (not with the boom; just the mast/sail), and i've done it in 20plus. As long as the boat isn't dancing all over the place (like in rollers) or very gusty, then it's pretty easy.
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will the us sailing center in coconut grove lt you launch there for free. if not i highly suggest just buying a dollie and if you ask someone at the ramp to help you take your boat on and off the trailer they would be happy to help you.
 
Well, I haven't researched that center, but It's business is primarilly that of a 'location and event' service. I've been there to see if they had any lasers for sale, e.t.c... nice guys..... I doubt whether they would let you launch ANYTHING unless you are some type of member. I tell you, with all the beautiful tropical-type public boat ramps around, I am MORE than happy to use them. I don't think I'll have too much trouble using the method I talked about above...it seems the logical way to go. Car topping is just not an option for me ( a hydraulic system is available but for a kayak only and you have to bring the kayak up to about 2 feet off the ground....thanks for your input folks
 
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