Ramp launching a CD 25

joelcunningham · Post by **joelcunningham** » Oct 7th, '10, 16:46

Anybody out there have any experience ramp launching a CD 25? ( Not a 25D ) I'll be a brand new sailor in the Spring and have never done this. I would appreciate anyone's comments on their experiences, and or, on the strategy I have envisioned, which is as follows.

My ramp is about 120 feet long and 40 feet wide. There should be about 6 plus feet of water at the end on a good high tide. I don't see any way to do it with the trailer still connected to the tow vehicle, unless I was planning to launch the tow vehicle also. ( ha ha ). I'm thinking of backing the trailer just over the top and then blocking the wheels. I would then disconnect and pull the tow vehicle forward a bit. I would then secure a separate winch and cable between the hitch and the trailer. Finally I would unblock the trailer and winch the boat down the ramp and, hopefully, float off and winch the empty trailer back out. Does this sound sensible? Does this sound crazy? Anybody ever done anything like it?

tartansailor · Post by **tartansailor** » Oct 7th, '10, 17:10

Sounds like a white knuckle ride to me.
Better to stick to the proven method of having a 10 foot extension on your trailer tongue.
Bring the boat laden trailer into the ramp incline.
Block trailer wheels and set brakes if you have that option.
Release the extension and pull forward 10 feet.
Lock the extension.
Release blocking and launch.

Dick

joelcunningham · Post by **joelcunningham** » Oct 7th, '10, 17:23

That sounds very sensible, Dick, but I don't think 10 feet is going to do it. I probably need to back down about 50 or 60 feet to get enough water to float off. Thanks for your comment.

Klem · Post by **Klem** » Oct 7th, '10, 18:59

It is quite common to launch a boat as you described in your original post. The key to it is making sure that it goes down the ramp straight. To do this, you need to get well lined up and you need to use a wheel other than a tongue jack. You can pretty easily install a wheel onto the frame of your trailer which you can use your tongue jack to lower the boat down onto. Make sure that the wheel won't hit the ground as you drive down the road. As for lowering the boat down into the water, you can either pull ahead a ways and attach a line between the trailer and tow vehicle or simply unhook and use a winch with sufficient cable.

This is essentially what a hydraulic trailer that the boat haulers use does. Launching is easy, hauling is harder because of getting everything lined up right.

joelcunningham · Post by **joelcunningham** » Oct 7th, '10, 20:15

I really appreciate your comment. Especially the part about the extra wheel. That makes a lot of sense. It would certainly help to keep the trailer from turning and I'll line her up dead center to start. Once she's in, I just have to learn how to sail her.

Thanks again.

MikeD · Post by **MikeD** » Oct 8th, '10, 05:23

Don't forget to attach a line to your boat!

Bob B · Post by **Bob B** » Oct 8th, '10, 06:34

We lanched a Typhoon, on a shallow ramp by attaching an old climbing rope to the trailer (that had a tongue wheel), releasing it from the truck and actually letting the entire thing roll into the water until the boat floated free. Then, we pulled the trailer back up with the rope attached to the truck, blocked the wheels, then reattached it to the truck.
To pull the boat out of the water, we used the winch and rollers on the trailer with it attached to the truck from the start.
The whole process was great for dockside entertainment but it worked.
We've had a 25D and I wouldn't have tried it with this boat but a 25 might work.

Bob B.
CD Typhoon Liberty

Duncan · Post by **Duncan** » Oct 8th, '10, 10:42

Bob B wrote:... letting the entire thing roll into the water until the boat floated free. Then, we pulled the trailer back up with the rope attached to the truck, blocked the wheels, then reattached it to the truck.

I saw a yard launch a Cheoy Lee Offshore 41 that way. I believe the draft was 6'!
I'm sure it wasn't the first time they'd done this, and the whole operation looked pretty slick.

Gary M · Post by **Gary M** » Oct 8th, '10, 10:59

http://www.xtend-a-hitchnorthwest.com/

wmbwalker · Post by **wmbwalker** » Oct 8th, '10, 13:43

we launch and retrieve our Ty like this all the time. Back the trailer down to the water, block the wheels and put down the tongue wheel, then attach about 40' of chain between the truck trailer hitch and the trailer. backing into the water is slow and easy and we have found a line attached to the trailer near the winch is crucial for steering. We do have a dock alongside the ramp which makes it easier. If someone is willing to get wet it is a piece of cake.

joelcunningham · Post by **joelcunningham** » Oct 8th, '10, 20:35

I really appreciate your help folks. It makes me feel a lot more confident. Oh yeah, by the way...I bought the boat today. Yea!!! I'm a CDer.

The Cape Dory Board

Ramp launching a CD 25

Ramp launching a CD 25

It's the Trailer

sensible

you mean I'm not crazy?

I'd consider one of these

launching

Thanks to all for your comments and encouragement.