[Rhodes22-list] Steep Launch Question

[Julie Thorndycraft]

Wally--

Thanks for the suggestion and the words of encouragement for Julie.

The launch speed is a detail missing from our initial description of the
inaugural launch: I was backing the trailer into the water very, very slowly
before the boat came in contact with the bow stop and broke it. We also had
people manning dock lines on both sides of the boat as it backed down the
ramp.

The boat may have been slightly askew on the trailer from the long haul from
Edenton to Minnetonka. Could that be a factor? If so, is there a solution
for righting such a heavy boat on the trailer?

Would it be prudent to have someone in the boat to lower the motor and start
it up as soon as the stern is afloat, then put it in reverse? We see power
boats do that.

Finally, would the type of bow stop make a difference? Would a roller stop
be better than a V-shaped stop, or is that not the purpose of a roller stop?
It looks as though a roller stop has to be mounted on a bracket, which would
not be as strong as the square steel that supports the V-stop. Is hard
rubber the best material for the bow stop? Boating catalogs also sell
mon-marking polypropylene V-shaped bow stops and roller bow stops.

Dan (and Julie)
s/v Blue Loon

----- Original Message -----
From: "Wally Buck" <tnrhodey at hotmail.com>
To: <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Friday, May 30, 2003 6:57 AM
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Steep Launch Question


> Julie,
>
> As one who has broken ribs on two different occasions I feel your pain. I
> hope you have a quick recovery.
>
> Regarding launch I am not sure my trailer is set up the same why but in
the
> past with deep ramps we have backed in very slowly. When we got close to
the
> point of the boat floating we let the bow line going to the winch out so
> there was some slack. Then we backed a little more until the boat just
> started to float and pushed the boat off the trailer. If it needed to
float
> more we would back in just a tad more.
>
> It has worked for me on several different boats. Go slow!
>
> Good luck.
>
> Wally
>
>
> >From: "Julie Thorndycraft" <julie at circle7.net>
> >Reply-To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> >To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> >Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Steep Launch Question
> >Date: Thu, 29 May 2003 22:47:18 -0500
> >
> >With the patient and generous help of Steve Alm (aka Slim), our newly
> >delivered recycled Rhodes 22, Blue Loon, was rigged yesterday and
launched
> >today on Lake Minnetonka just outside of Minneapolis. The launch was at a
> >marina used mostly by keelboats and they generally use a travelift/sling
to
> >drop them in the water rather than from trailers. Because of the this,
the
> >ramp is short and very steep.
> >
> >We ran into a problem with the stern floating completely and the front
> >still resting on the bunks. The angle forced the bow onto the V-shaped
> >rubber bow stop on the trailer, popping it off completely and dropping
the
> >bow onto the metal support underneath - end result:  the boat now has a
> >long, deep scratch on her previously unblemished new paint job.
> >
> >Prior to the launch the bow was 4-5 inches away from the bow stop and the
> >support arm was retracted. The marina manager suggested that we may have
> >had better success had we moved the bow support arm out so that it was
> >actually touching the boat before we started and tying a line from the
bow
> >eye to the the support to keep in snug. I'm not convinced that that would
> >have made a difference.
> >
> >Does anyone else have any experience launching with short, steep ramps
and
> >suggestions about avoiding future mishaps like this?
> >
> >Slim - if you want to add a more detailed explanation, please feel free.
> >
> >On a more positive note, the new Yamaha that we got from Stan (9.9
> >extra-long shaft) fired up and ran beautifully. Steve and Dan enjoyed a
> >nice but somewhat calm sail on Blue Loon's maiden voyage under new name
and
> >new sails.  They also tested out the 'new' modified IMF batten sail but
> >you'll probably have to wait for a stronger wind to get a report on how
> >well it functions.
> >
> >I unfortunately had to stay on shore and watch - I was in a major auto
> >pile-up on Friday and spent the holiday weekend in the hospital. My
sailing
> >season will have to wait until my broken ribs have some time to mend.
> >
> >Julie (and Dan)
> >S/V Blue Loon ('96 Rhodes 22, recycled April 2003)
> >__________________________________________________
> >Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
>
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