[Rhodes22-list] Trailer Launching and Retrieving

[Bryan Childs]

Thanks for the advice.  I take everything out of all the areas aft of the axle (motor, rudder, battery, gear, etc).  I have a bow "V" support which I move all the way forward.  I have it marked as to the acceptable location once I remove the boat. If I am not near that mark I am scarred shitless when I drive on the highway.  

I have heard of people that actually winch the trailer to the boat when it is in the water.  This lead me to the idea I mentioned which seems easier.  

I have taking my Rhodes to Florida to sail the Keys for the month of March.  Hope to get to the Dry Tortugas this year. The beauty about the Keys is that you can sail along and take out the boat in many locations if the weather is bad or you just get tired.  There is a bus system that can get you back to your truck/trailer. 

-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Alm <salm at mn.rr.com>
Sent: Jan 14, 2005 4:22 PM
To: Rhodes <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Trailer Launching and Retrieving

Bryan,

I understand your problem well.  Quite a few of us have had the same
difficulty getting the boat far enough forward on the trailer.  In order to
get sufficient tongue weight, I had to remove the outboard and lash it on
the tongue, remove the rudder assembly and stow it forward along with any
other gear that could be moved forward.  In other words a major pain in the
butt!  I solved the problem by adding a second axle to the trailer.  I know,
I know - pretty drastic and not inexpensive, but it totally fixed the
problem.  

Before adding the second axle, it didn't seem to matter how steep the ramp
was.  The boat came out of the water in about the same place on the trailer
no matter what.  I kinda doubt your idea to float the trailer will help, but
it's worth a try.  Be sure to use two lines - port and starboard - so the
trailer and/or boat doesn't tilt to one side.  Don't use nylon line because
it will stretch too much.  Maybe chains would be best.  Put a plug in the
aft cockpit drain because the extra weight will probably force water back up
the drain hole decreasing buoyancy.  If you have an adjustable bow stop on
the trailer, be sure it's all the way forward.  You may have to back in and
out several times tightening the winch each time.  Proceed SLOWLY and watch
for anything to go wrong.  Should one of the lines/chains let go, you'd have
a much bigger problem!  I'm talking myself out of this - it sounds too
scary.

Good luck and let us know if/when you try it.

Slim

On 1/14/05 12:08 PM, "Bryan Childs" <bchilds1 at peoplepc.com> wrote:

> First, thanks for all the help in determining the surface coating for my dingy
> floor boards.  I am adding the West resin. The job is almost done.
> 
> Another question relating to launching the Rhodes, actually retrieving it.  I
> have a single axle trailer and it is very important to get the boat as forward
> on the trailer as possible.  For ramps with a gentle slope it is not
> difficult, but for steep sloop ramps it is near impossible.  When the boat is
> pulled out it rotates from it's steep position to a position that is to far
> back.  I thought of a solution and would like to run it by the group.
> 
> Pull the boat out.  For a steep sloop ramp the boat will be too far rearward.
> Then tie the stern of the boat to the rear of the trailer and put it back in
> the water.  I would only need to go back to take some of the load off the
> trailer.  I should be able to move the boat forward on the trailer.  Then when
> it comes out it will not rotate back.  Has anyone tied this?
> 
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