technique for launching a c dory?

J

jkswor

New member
So, I recently bought a c dory and am now headed to Valdez to put it in the water and hopefully get a slip.
I have never launched this boat before. I have had smaller open boats and was a piece of cake.
So, how do others launch theirs? Back in and drive it off or push it off and secure to dock before taking trailer to parking area. Looking for input.
The boat launch in valdez is a steep cement area with a launch on either side of a floating dock/walkway. The tide is about 17 ft. so when it is out the launch is really steep.
Will be just the wife and me.
thanks for any ideas.
Jim
 
The dock we use is unfortunately not adjacent to the ramp so you have to drive it off, tie up on the dock, go drive the truck off the ramp, park, go back to the boat...

If you are at a ramp with a parallel dock, by all means back it in until its floating and then walk it down the dock by its ropes, tie off and move the truck. I miss being able to do this, and I've come to realize how tricky it is to get the boat square on the trailer by driving it in instead of being able to walk it on from the dock. Lets just say that in the wind I've managed to wind up drifting onto the side bunks which makes me cringe.
 
great. I was dreading it, now it is just like with my smaller boats, which is what I did. Push boat off, throw line to wife, tie off, take trailer to park.
I have twin 50s, so turning it should be as simple as put motor next to dock in forward, and other one in reverse. It should spin around and off I go.
Thanks
Jim
 
The other trick is in the setup. Get as close to pier as possible in backing down ramp. You can work with shorter lines that way. If you are way in middle,of ramp, it's harder especially with any wind.
 
A couple of suggestions/comments:
1) If the new boat/trailer combination has rollers and you're used to bunks DO NOT unhitch the winch prior to backing the boat into the water. I see guys every year who are used to bunks dropping boats on the ramp when they switched to rollers because they've developed that bad habit of releasing the winch prior to getting in the water.

2) On my 22 I had a 25' line on each stern cleat and a 50' line centered on the bow cleat with half run down each side of the boat. Hence I always had 25' of line from both the bow and the stern available on both the port and starboard sides of the boat. That makes it much easier for a single person to control both ends of the boat.

3) When I was backing down the ramp and a spouse/partner was available, they would walk down the adjacent dock with both lines in hand. Once I got the trailer in far enough that the stern would float, I'd release the winch. Then I'd back down a bit farther if needed and push the boat off the trailer. The person with the lines would simply walk the boat back while I pulled the trailer out from underneath it. No need to get into the boat to drive off unless the ramp was very shallow and at a very shallow angle.

4) If you do need to drive off, it's best to have whoever will do the driving inside the boat prior to backing down. However, if you're single handed or accompanied by someone who can't or won't operate the boat, I found I could carefully walk down the trailer tongue, step on the spare tire mount and climb under the bow rail to reach the bow. Then, I'd drive off, put it on the dock and run back quickly to move the trailer to free up the ramp. It can be done single handed.
 
We've had little practice in Valdez (16 ft Angler), have had few problems.
But -- We now have a sticker on dash saying : "Got bait ?" and "Drain plug in ?"

It seems easier to launch at high tide since more of dock is floating. However,
during silver season it's a zoo and probably more important to use ramp early morning or late evening if possible, rather than time around tides. Light at 6 am, dark by 10 pm or so in mid-August.

You can contact HarborMaster about a transient slip. They will not reserve for you but you can call ahead. Phone # : 907-835-4981 / hours 8am-10pm. They will want to know size of boat and length of stay. Harbor is very full during silver season but they do their best to accommodate you. Sometimes you can raft if that's ok with you and only available option. Transient slip fee is $14/day which includes $10 launch fee so it's a good deal. Do not park an empty trailer in harbor parking lot, it needs to be attached to a vehicle or you will get a parking ticket. No charge for parking vehicle + trailer, if you can find a spot.

Good luck and hope you have good weather ! Beware of fog settling in, it
can happen quite suddenly. Dan & Irene.
 
I have never launched single handed, will have to learn that with the 16 Angler when we move to Birch Bay, I expect to go out fishing a bit and Patty is not quite so interested in that! What we do with the 25 Cruiser is pretty much as Roger describes, she walks out the float with bow and stern lines, while I get the boat in the water and either push it off or "bump" it off by braking the truck. Inertia is cool, truck stops, boat keeps on moving! Retrieval is always a bit of a challenge, especially if there is any wind, since the boat is NOT self-centering on our trailer. We are doing MUCH better since putting on the big "goal post" guides...
 
push it off, secure to the dock, do the reverse on retrieval, float on to the trailer winch tight, drive truck out of ramp.
Click to expand...

I do the same. I don't do the macho VROOM.....VROOOOOOOOMMMMM!!! onto the trailer. The winch works fine, especially now that I've fixed it. Low tide is more work as the boat is farther from the trailer head, but it's all doable.

Single handed is more of a challenge. I use an extra long stern line and run both to the bow, across the tongue and into the truck bed. That way I can control both bow & stern once it floats off. I usually try to "use" the wind to my advantage and launch so the boat is pushed INTO the dock, but in Everett, it's not always possible. I'll walk/float it back so someone else can launch, go back to the truck....
 
The very first time I launched my C-Dory, I unhooked everything, and had my wife hold the lines as I carefully backed to the ramp. Very fortunately the ramp sloped only a few feet to the water from level ground, and I had the motors all the way up. When the trailer wheels started down the slope, WOOSH! my beautiful new boat slid swiftly into the water, luckily without a scrape. But it scared both of us out of a few lives. I've never made that mistake again, but it's easy for a greenhorn to do.
 
I just thought of another mistake I still occasionally make. Once the boat is in the water I'll start winching it down so it'll float off the trailer. Suddenly it will stop, and I think there's something jammed under the boat, until I finally realize I forgot to release the safety hook. At least this mistake only causes a few minutes delay, with no damage to the boat.
 
A 22 is easy. Back it in till the trailer wheels are under water and it floats off. Secure the boat to the dock and park the tow rig. Occasionally, you might have to do this more than once as sometimes it needs some 1-2 mph or momentum for the boat to roll off easily. A helper is nice for sure, but not required. When putting back on the trailer, have the wheels of the trailer under water again, and carefully and slowly drive the boat on the trailer as close as you can to the winch. Then, winch it up the last little distance, drive the tow rig up about a 1-3 feet as necessary and center the boat between the bunks if it isn't, make sure everything is secure not forgetting your safety chain, and drive it up the ramp. Give it a quick look over, strap the transom, put motor up if you need to as required, and hit the road.

I have found the CD 22 to be nearly as easy as all my little boats......I'm sure I missed something.....Oh yeah, don't forget the drain plug.....LOL.....
 
Interestingly enough I experienced this for the first time today with my new C Dory (22ft). I did exactly what some had suggested. Get as close to the launch dock as possible and walk it off and then back on to the trailer.

I must admit, a crowded launch ramp with no one to assist grabbing hold of the dock is a tad stressful, strong winds did not help. I'm hoping I get the hang of it soon![/img]
 
Yep, that works too. Especially if you have a nice ramp and the right tide. Not having a dock really makes things interesting. It just plain sucks......
 
I back down as far as I can while still being able to access the winch without getting my feet wet. Its a personal belief I have that I an always launch without getting wet.

Then I hand the bow and stern lines to my wife, THEN detach the winch line (already nearly floating) and back up a tad more till the boat floats free and she can walk it down the dock to tie it up.

when retrieving I like to back the bunks up as much as I can with just a tad bit on the forward end popping out of the water. lets me float the boat as much as possible to the winch but also keeps it a little better centered on the trailer.


I am always shocked when I take new people with me that I have to communicate that they take both the aft and forward lines when launching or retrieving the boat. for some reason everyone seems apt to grab just the bow line and watch the ass end of the boat swing away.
 
The 16 Cruiser is pretty light so pushing it off and pulling it back on with a rope is pretty easy. I do hate the slippery algae at my feet at the boat ramp. I have to invest in some felt soled sneakers. Yesterday I had to load in a cold pouring rain which came out of no where.
 
First, welcome to the club. With any luck the silver fishing will be great in Valdez (again.)

Second, because it's so busy at the boat ramp during August, the harbor often has one or two guys there who will lend a hand if you look like you could use it. If they do step in and help out, it's worth a tip: they don't get paid that much from what I hear.

Third, I always tie my bow line to the trailer winch or something solid instead of tossing it to a passenger who might get dragged around when the boat floats off the trailer.

Pat
 
One thing I didn't see suggested reference roller trailers is after backing down until the winch is even with the water's edge, secure the stern line foward to a cleat on the dock. Unhook the safety chain and unwind the winch until the stern line tightens up and you can unhook the winch strap. It usually only takes a couple feet of strap. After the strap is unhooked, you can get on the dock, take hold of the bowline, and then loosen the stern line. The boat will continue to roll off the trailer most wonderfully.
 
In general many places do not have docks where you can get right next to them. Occasionally you have to have waders (in cold water) so you can wade, especially if you are single handed launching. (which I have done with the 25 and a 30 foot RV as a tow vehicle).

Generally when it is the two of us, my wife backs the truck/trailer down the ramp, and I am in the boat. Thus it makes little difference if we are near a dock or pier. Back the boat off the trailer, then pull over to the end of the dock--allowing the next boater to launch, right after my wife pulls the rig off the ramp.

Don't forget to wash the trailer after launching or retrieving in salt water. Especially wash the brakes. If you don't have a fresh water wash down, take a garden sprayer of "salt away" and water mixture to at least wash down the brakes.

Some ramps also have a shallow angle--such as at Lake Powell, and there you may have to not only get the truck tires in the water, but have to power on and off the trailer. There are also places where there is a drop off, and you risk putting the trailer tires off the end of a ramp--another situation where you might have to power off the trailer. Many ramps do not allow power loading, for concern of under washing the end of the ramp.
 
thataway":2tezvzrb said:
Generally when it is the two of us, my wife backs the truck/trailer down the ramp, and I am in the boat. Thus it makes little difference if we are near a dock or pier. Back the boat off the trailer, then pull over to the end of the dock--allowing the next boater to launch, right after my wife pulls the rig off the ramp.
Click to expand...

Presuming a bunk trailer with carpet (no rollers or bunk slicks), when you are launching like this, do you completely detach the boat from the trailer before boarding the boat and backing down the ramp? Or..?

Thanks,
Sunbeam
 
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