Color me very bummed out. I just spent 2 days trying, and failing miserably, to launch my Venture 17 in the edenton,Nc Albemarle sound area. Every ramp, and there were many, left my stern, which normally floats off with no problem at my local lake, was at least a foot or more from the water. When I brought the boat I did think that it sat a little high on the trailer but I knew that I had at least an 18" keel to allow for. It was so frustrating to be in this beautiful place to sail and 1 foot off the water. So close but yet so far. I have read of a few different ideas on launching the boat on shallow ramps most of which involve detaching the trailer from my vehicle and using a chain or tow strap to enable that boat to get far enough out so that it will float. Also having some sort of wheel on the front of the trailer such as the spare wheel mounted on the front of the trailer. The main reason I got this size sailboat was so that I could keep it at home,avoiding slip fees, and be able to sail it anywhere. Spending 2 of my days off finding ramps too shallow to launch from is really dispiriting.
Any and all advice most appreciated. I could better understand this problem if I had a 2' or larger keel but 18" once seemed like a reasonable proposition.
Thanks for lending an ear.
Jim Lee
