Natural C-lection launch and first cruise

M

Mike_J

New member
I managed to get Natural C-lection launched today (after a bit of trouble... more later). We launched at the Tulista Ramp in Sidney BC and motored our way up past Saltspring and Prevost Islands to Wallace Island. This is an area I have kayaked often so i wanted to check out some old haunts. When we arrived at Chivers Point at the north end of Wallace what should I see but two C-dorys tied up to the rocks! They also had blue trim, so it was a mini C-dory gathering! It was great to meet Raincoast and NoddyBleu and get a few handy tips and ideas.
I had trouble getting m 22 foot c-dory of the trailer and wonder if I have a poorly set up trailer. I had run into a similar problem the weekend before and aborted the launch, but this time a couple of kind guys on the ramp suggested I tie a line from the stern cleat to the dock and then pull the trailer away from the boat. This was successful and we were off for a nice afternoon run around the southern Gulf Islands. I also found that the boat slipped back six inches or so after pulling it up the ramp. The boat was pulled right up tight to the bow roller when in the water, but was a few inches back after coming up the ramp, Not sure why.
I will post a few pics in a minute.
 
Mike, regarding the boat being a couple of inches back after recovery, one thing I have done, even with a TC255, is to get the rig on level ground, go forward slowly and "tap" the brakes. The boat will move forward a little.

After you do it a few times, you'll know how fast to go and how hard to "tap". Be careful though, the boat could end up in the bed of the truck... :cry

Congratulations on the new boat.

Charlie
 
Mike, you didn't indicate what kind of trailer you have - bunks or rollers. If you're having a hard time getting the boat off the trailer, my suspicion is that it's because you're not backing the trailer in far enough. Perhaps that's because the ramp you're using is too short or too shallow. If you can't float the boat off the trailer easily because the ramp is too shallow and you still have plenty of ramp left but can't back in farther without getting the tow vehicle wet, you can use a hitch extender. However, it might be better to find a different launch (if possible) or wait until a more favorable tide (if in salt water).

As for the boat being tight against the bow stop when in the water and loose after pulling onto the flat, that's fairly common. The back end of the boat is often still afloat prior to pulling the trailer out. Then when you pull it out, the back end settles onto the trailer and applies a lot of leverage to the strap. It also changes the angle of the bow relative to the trailer. Bottom line is you always should re-tighten the bow strap once you are up the ramp and on the flats.
 
Thanks Roger and Charlie. The ramp issue is exactly as you describe. I have bunks, but would like to be able to launch at more tide levels! I am considering getting the teflon pads that will make it easier to slide off. I had these on another trailer and they worked well.
How long do they make hitch extenders? Have you seen any good ones?
 
Mike, I see you have a Roadrunner trailer. I had a similar problem with mine and had to back further into the water even though I was fortunate to have long steep ramp. Roadrunner sets up the bunks so water will drain out of the cockpit when on level ground, thus the boat is not level on the trailer and sits higher at the bow making it more difficult to launch and load.
My solution for Blue Skies was to cut down the brackets supporting the front of the bunks and drill new holes for the support bolts. Blue Skies now sits level on the trailer and is easier to launch and load. You will have to slide and adjust the roller at the front. Hope this helps.
Bill
 
Mike,

One of the Tomcat owners on the board used an "Extend a Hitch" on his trailer to solve a similar problem.

IMG_5263_2_1.sized.jpg

Here's a 2006 thread discussing the use. It's certainly not all positive but I didn't see anything in the thread that would make me concerned about doing an extend a hitch with a 22'. With the Tomcat, the tongue weight is pretty high already and adding the extra lever arm of the hitch extender might be a problem. With a 22', I'd be a lot less concerned.

The link in the old thread to the manufacturer is broken so here's a new link. Of course, it would be better if you could use a different launch or simply time your launches for better tides. As for the teflon, that will help a lot but it also will (of course) make the bunks slippery under all conditions. You might want try teflon pads only on the front half so that the stern of the boat still sits on the stickier carpet. You could also try a spray on silicon product (liquid rollers) on the carpet.

Finally, if you're used to bunks you may have a practice of taking off the bow strap just prior to launch. If you have the habit (a friend of mine did), abandon it with the slicker bunks (and for sure if you ever get a roller trailer). A friend of mine was helping me launch one day with my roller trailer and unbeknownst to me undid the bow strap when I was aft undoing the the transom straps. The boat almost rolled off the trailer short of the water. If I hadn't had noticed the problem and increased my backing speed up to prevent the roll, I would have been in one of those pictures you see of "idiots" who launch the boat onto the ramp cement (instead I was just an idiot who let a friend "help"). The same thing can happen with the spray on solutions - e.g. the boat slides off a lot easier so leave the bow strap on until the boat is floating or safely over water.
 
Thanks for the advice, Roger and Bill. The extend a hitch idea looks promising, and the idea of leveling the bunks makes sense too.
 
Hi Mike. I launched at Tulista to got to the Friday Harbor gathering. Good ramps. I usually back down till I see the boat change attitude to level. My tires are usually just wet. A little brake tap and she floats off. On retrieve I drive on and then winch snug. I then use a bow hold down strap. This keeps the bow in the roller. It used to slide back a couple inches.
 
Thanks for the advice. My problem at Tulista was at lowest tide level. It was much better when I came back! What trailer do you have? Mine is a RoadRunner 4800 lb. Which tires are wet? Truck/Van? I'd be interested to see how the bow hold down strap works. Do you have pics?
 
Hi same trailer. Truck tires just wet The hold own is a Tiedown brand bow strap from West Marine. some folks use a turnbuckle and chain but the 22 is pretty light the 1inch web rachet lever handles it well. I retrieved at noon today and the tide was about the limit to get on. Going to a minus tide about 1 pm. No problem getting on. Mid tides are real easy. Glad you had a good trip. George
 
Thanks George - sent you an email with a few more questions!
I think my front bunks may be a bit high as I can't see lowering the bow much.
 
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