technique for launching a c dory?

Valdez is easy to launch/retrieve from. Don't know what trailer you have, but I back down the ramps til the trailer is in front of the water. Unhook the strap and safety chain. make sure there is someone (usually my wife) on the dock holding the front rope. Make sure they know NOT to try to drag the boat off the trailer -when the front trailer tires are submerged, hit the brakes and it will float off. I take the truck and trailer to park and she ties it up.

Linda has had two hip replacements, one knee replacement, and a shoulder replaced (not in the best shape!) but she has no problem controlling the boat and tieing it to the dock. Getting into the boat is another story.

Good thing about Valdez is that we can use any of the 3 launch ramps with the C-Dory's shallow draft. Hope to see you on the water there soon. Just got back on Saturday.
 
To answer Sunbeam's question about when I detach the boat: I detach the winch strap just prior to backing off the trailer. A lot depends on the ramp. At Powell, with a shallow ramp, I would detach when I switch off for Marie to back the boat further down. At Sequim, with a steep ramp, I would detach when the boat's stern was in the water. So the answer is it "depends". But I sure don't want a boat sliding off the trailer--and would be conservative. Single handing only when I am boarding the boat ready to back it off. In some of those cases this may mean having waders on in cold water.
 
one thing this thread has me thinking about... is that I'd like to learn how to dock my boat by myself. Launching solo isn't a big deal, just steps and time, but it always feels like docking is a bit of an art.
 
The nice thing about the C Dory is that big window by the helm. There is a cleat by the window. I pre-position a fender and a dock line there, and by the aft cabin door. Bring the boat starboard side to the dock, and reach out the window to a cleat, bull rail or piling, to secure that line by the window. Then go aft and secure a stern line. If necessary hold the boat next to the dock with the engine in gear at idle, using that foreward line as a spring. One of the easiest boats to handle. But as with any boat-never get a body part between the boat and a solid object!
 
thataway":3ebh7h85 said:
The nice thing about the C Dory is that big window by the helm. There is a cleat by the window. I pre-position a fender and a dock line there, and by the aft cabin door. Bring the boat starboard side to the dock, and reach out the window to a cleat, bull rail or piling, to secure that line by the window. Then go aft and secure a stern line. If necessary hold the boat next to the dock with the engine in gear at idle, using that foreward line as a spring. One of the easiest boats to handle. But as with any boat-never get a body part between the boat and a solid object!
Click to expand...

honestly I have a hard time fitting through the window by the helm. I routinely hook up a dock line and bumper to the cleat there, but I have a really tough time fitting through to reach the dock. I keep meaning to try an experiment... Previous owner (digger on this forum) put a helm in the aft deck, very cool. I want to try running my forward dock line back to the helm, and an aft line, control with the aft helm up to the dock. I'm thinking that should give me enough control where I can just get on the dock myself, or grab the aft cleat on the dock and hold the forward line while I get on the dock. it sounds complicated in type but I picture a rather graceful display in my mind... :mrgreen:
 
I single hand most of the time, on a 22. My 25' bow line runs along side of the cabin, to the handholds on the aft cabin wall. My forward fender is hung from the midship cleat and a sm all line goes from the bottom of that fender, forward and up through the bow rail and then back along the cabin wall to the cockpit so I can raise or lower that fender from the cockpit. The forward fender is up on the gunnel until after the boat has slopped the bunks and side boards and then they get dropped to protect the boat from the dock.

My stern lines comes forward to where it meets the forward fender line so when walking down the dock after the boat floats, I can drop that fender and secure the stern along with having the bow line in hand as well.

Sounds complicated, but the steps are numbered 1,2,3 and 4 and always done in the same sequence, takes only seconds to accomplish.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon
 
A word of caution about the algae that can sure make a boat ramp slippery. El was helping retrieve our C-D by lining it up with the trailer when ZIP -- both bare feet in the air and down she went. In Paducah KY. They have a great hospital and good orthopedic doc and they patched her broken leg with a bit of metal bolted in. We spent a part of winter (and Christmas) at a great condo on the water while her leg healed and we visited with CD friends, family and tow skippers (on the radio).

http://cruisingamerica-halcyondays.com/luck.htm

So -- get good shoes and watch out for the slimy ramps!
 
Does anyone share the same problem I have? The admiral does it all, she won't let me have a go! I just stand on the dock holding a rope, inspecting my navel fluff.

Martin.
 
El and Bill
I once slipped on the slippery algae while reeling in the Duffy Electric. Went down under the water right next to the trailer. I was shocked and stunned. It is very easy to do and your pleasant day turns into a nightmare. I also embarrassingly missed stepping into the Gheenoe from the dock right into the drink. You can't be too careful out there.
 
El and Bill":3fckxbbj said:
A word of caution about the algae that can sure make a boat ramp slippery. El was helping retrieve our C-D by lining it up with the trailer when ZIP -- both bare feet in the air and down she went. In Paducah KY. They have a great hospital and good orthopedic doc and they patched her broken leg with a bit of metal bolted in. We spent a part of winter (and Christmas) at a great condo on the water while her leg healed and we visited with CD friends, family and tow skippers (on the radio).

http://cruisingamerica-halcyondays.com/luck.htm

So -- get good shoes and watch out for the slimy ramps!
Click to expand...

ouch that is about the worst case scenario! sounds like you guys are pretty talented at making lemonade though :thup
 
A couple questions for those with more launching experience than I have (that would be everyone :wink: because I've never launched a trailerable boat before). Reading through this thread, I was visualizing backing down until the boat could float off (buddy will have lines; there is an adjacent dock) and then buddy lining it to the least busy place on the dock while I park the vehicle. There I'm hoping to have a moment to check systems, start things up while not on the actual ramp, etc. (I have checked them already on the trailer but... that's not quite the same.) Then yesterday, while searching/reading about something else, I read this:

My C-Dory [22 now has]... a couple of nasty scratches on the starboard side of the hull, into the bottom gelcoat, and very near the bow. These were caused by an experiment in launching the boat which involved attempting to submerge the trailer until the boat floated off. When the trailer is submerged enough to cause the stern to float free the boat and trailer lose their parallel relationship and the bow (being lowered by the rising stern) makes contact with the end of the main trailer beam (opposite the tongue). A short but very ugly scratch of the gelcoat results from this unwanted contact...I know I will always remember to keep my boat and trailer relationship in perfect parallel harmony from now on!

And yet, several people in this thread say they launch by floating the boat off. Does it depend on how steep the ramp is? The trailer design? Do you make a special effort to keep things parallel? (I can't visualize how you could, unless the ramp was very long and shallow?)

Also...

What is normal/acceptable as far as taking a moment at the dock to check things over (as far from the actual launch part of the ramp as possible). I hope to have everything set up and ready ahead of time as much as possible, but I (and my buddy who is along) would really rather not try to power launch right from the trailer. We're somewhat used to lining boats along a dock, so that seems preferable. Also, I'll be driving the van and I'd like to be back to the dock (after parking) for the checks. Does the "buddy" have to motor away during this time and then come back to pick up the vehicle parker? I hope not as buddy would probably prefer not to do either of these this time. I have a perception that it's good etiquette to not take any longer at the ramp than necessary, and just wondering what's normal. Hoping not to be "that guy" everyone dreads, if possible :oops:

Thanks,
Sunbeam

PS: Perhaps we should just go to the ramp without the boat and watch for awhile to check things out.

PPS: Driving to ramp (sans boat) to have mid-morning coffee; will check back afterward :D
 
I always get stuff squared away while at the dock, but out of the way. As for launching, I back in till the winch stand is right at the water line then I undo the chain and the winch, tie the end of the painter around the winch stand then back down a few feet more and hit the brakes and it scoots off. I do this because I am usually launching by myself. boat floats back till it runs out of line then I untie the rope and walk the boat back out of the way and tie it off.
 
We do all the "getting ready" at the prep lane so we don't block others wanting to use the ramp, that means rear tie down strap off, antennas and anchor light up, flags up, engine supports off, engines down, towing chain off bow eye, bulbs pumped, mooring lines coiled on dockside gunnel. Then I back the boat down until the rear floats and I can see the boat move. If Patti is with me she is on the dock and picks up both lines before the boat floats, walks back with them as I continue backing. When the rear is floating I turn the truck off, set the parking brake and walk back to stand on the trailer where I can reach the winch, free the ratchet and wind the tow strap out until I can reach through and take the hook off the bow eye. Push the boat back using the anchor pulpit, Patti walks the boat back and ties the lines, I pull the truck up and park. Once in a while I'll have to back in a little further to get the boat off the trailer easily. NOTE:our drain plug is always installled in the boat. If you take yours out, make sure it is reinstalled and tight before backing down the ramp!! While I am parking Patti puts fenders out, starts the engines, turns on the electronics and gets lifejackets ready.
 
I always launch my 25 solo and do it the exact same way as Lloyds describes: a short line from the bow to the winch stand and then back down and tap the brakes. Slides off until it's floating, but doesn't get away from you. With a buddy helping you, it will be even easier.

I bookmarked this Youtube video last year shortly after I bought my boat. It's a good overall launching video and he also shows the method I described above.

http://youtu.be/Ajrwuv7aCLw
 
Generally we run the engine at home before we head for a ramp--even if it may be several days away to the launch. Agree on taking straps off, antennas, etc in the Prep lane--We also have a big strap all of the way across the trailer--make sure that the door is unlocked, and that the ignition key and safety lanyard are in place.

The actual leaving the ramp varies--depending on the steepness. Usually I get the boat to where I can step on the trailer, up the the boat deck without getting my feet wet--most of the time I do this I will take the bow strap off at this time, since the boat will not yet be floating. I then go back to the cabin, lower the engine down and signal to Marie to back down another XX feet. We usually use radios for communication. I then start the engine--and most of the time a little reverse will take the boat right off the trailer. If I am solo, I will get the boat about to where it is floating aft, and then get on the trailer--to the boat--this may require some wading, or going thru the SUV depending on the ramp. back the boat off, and tie up at the outer end of the dock, run back and take the truck and trailer to park.

It is rare that we are at the loading dock for more than a couple of minutes--the time it takes the car driver to get the vehicles parked. If it may be longer, we may go to the outside of one of the docks, where we would not be in the way of boats launching.
 
Thanks for the replies (and not to discourage more). Your detailed, step-by-step advice is most useful (I'm sure it some point it all becomes "obvious," but I'm not there yet).

We're having lunch/coffee at the ramp and it's been very interesting watching the various boats launch. Saw one small "oops" that just goes to show how hardy PNW'ers are: Retired age fellow was backing the trailer/boat down, while buddy held bow line (maybe a 21' aluminum boat). Just as boat floated free (tow driver had tapped brakes) the guy on dock dropped the bow line. In he went to retrieve it. He had sea boots on, but he went in nearly up to the waist. Got the line, tied up the boat, then got up on the dock and took his boots off one at a time to pour the (cold, salt-) water out of them. Then the other fellow came down, they hopped in the boat and away they went. It's in the 60's and cloudy/rainy, and he's going to be in an open boat (all day?) with wet, salty jeans on. Call me a wimp but, brrr!

Most of the folks here look like well-oiled machines. If there are any "newbies," you sure can't tell! Glad we came down to check it out.
 
I do pretty much the same as Patti and Barry on C-Cakes except I leave the engines up until the boat is floating. Backing down a ramp with my engines down puts them a tad close to the ground for my liking.

Martin.
 
Sunbeam, sorry about the war wounds on your bow! Did you have your winch loosened off? Years ago when launching my first boat I ran into trouble when my stern floated free and my bow was still held tight by the winch. Now I set my winch to off - pull out about a foot & a half of line then reset the winch to on.

I used to use the "slam on the brakes and drive away" method of launching while the admiral walked the lines down the dock. This worked fine until late in the season one year I did not realize they had already shortened the dock. My wife was almost pulled off the end by the time she got the boat stopped!! I don`t launch that way any more! :oops:

Some experts say that you should start the boat before the trailer is pulled away. This way if the boat will not start - it can be pulled out right away instead of tying up the ramp while you go back to get the trailer and back it down again. It also gives your engine time to warm up while you are parking.

Regards, Rob
 
Robert H. Wilkinson":1jwdbr2z said:
Sunbeam, sorry about the war wounds on your bow! Did you have your winch loosened off?
Click to expand...

Just to clarify, that was not me who had the "parallel" problem and nicked the boat. It was something someone else wrote that I happened to read (while searching for something else). Now I *may* very well cause some nicks, but I haven't yet (because I haven't tried launching yet 8))
 
I really detest boat ramp nesters. :amgry We rig up and get lines and bumpers on I detach my turn buckle that goes to the bow eye in the parking lot. I leave the chain and strap connected and my motor up as we have a bunk type trailer. My wife already has the lines in her hand as I back down the ramp. I let the water just cover my trailer fenders which has the stern floating. We have tall trailer guides at the rear of the trailer so it can't float off side ways. I stop set the parking brake get out undo the safety chain and the winch strap. Then I get back in the truck release the brake pull up a couple feet and back up slowly till the fenders are just covered slightly and then hit the brakes and the boat gently slides off and my wife cleats a line off on the mid cleat, then the aft line. I go park the truck and trailer and climb on lower our motor and start up and get out of the way. Any other checking out I do as I slowly motor away from the ramp area at an idle. If they have an accessible back side of the ramps dock you could pull the boat around while you do what ever you need to do. launch ramps are not the place for folks with obsessive compulsive disorders or anal retentiveness.
D.D.
 
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