technique for launching a c dory?

Will-C":3nf80dnh said:
I really detest boat ramp nesters. :amgry launch ramps are not the place for folks with obsessive compulsive disorders or anal retentiveness.
D.D.
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At my local ramp, crowds gather every day and take up the best seats around the ramp. One lady arrives in her red truck nearly every day. She parks near the top of the ramp and sits in her truck for hours watching launchings and recoverys. She never gets out of the truck, does not have a disabled sticker, so I assume she does not have mobility issues. Sad really.

Martin.
 
The spectators at the ramp don't bother me. They are the typical sidewalk superintendent type. Sometimes however they can provide valuable info about where the end of the ramp is so you don't back off the cliff created by people power loading. You just wonder if there is not something better to do than to watch for the dumbasses at the boat ramp.
D.D.
 
Will-C":3ss4xovs said:
I really detest boat ramp nesters. :amgry ...launch ramps are not the place for folks with obsessive compulsive disorders or anal retentiveness.
D.D.
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Ha ha, not intimidating at all (gulp).

I'm definitely particular and careful (you might say "anal"), and try to have a routine for boat-related operations. That part of me is probably not going to change. But, I'm also considerate of others, so hopefully I won't raise the ire of the experienced folks. Certainly won't plan to do any prep or testing work in the launching lane or the near-dock area (obviously not good etiquette). If something unexpected does cause us to take longer than we should, we'll just hope that the regulars are tolerant of beginners and can at least see that we tried to be efficient and considerate.
 
We normally use boat launches that have a dock or two to tie off to once the boat is floating off the trailer. I will push the boat off the rollers, jump to the dock with the bow and stern lines and tie off out of the way of the next launching boat. Then park the truck and trailer. We retrieve the same way, with the trailer submerged enough so I don't have to winch very far.

Well we learned a new lesson recently. Launching into the Skagit river current, with no dock nearby I had to have the motors running to reverse off the trailer, and motor to a safe place to park the boat, walk back and park the truck and trailer.

On the retrieval, I did the reverse. I had to use the motors to line the boat up against the river current. I backed the trailer into the water at the same depth I normally do when I have a dock to walk the boat on to the trailer. That was my big mistake! :smiled I drove the boat onto the trailer, but it was too deep. The keel hit the front crossmember of the trailer hard! The rubber keel guard paid for itself this day. It gouged a nice chunk out of the guard but no damage to the boat.

Lesson learned! When powering the boat back onto the trailer with the motors, DO NOT back the trailer that far into the water! Now I know :D
 
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