Settin up and De-rigging

[Murv Barry]

Your fine dixcussions in other areas regarding set up time has gotten me to think about improving mine. These are very important areas for trailer sailors and they require planning. If the set up is a hassle it can result in 1 - not using the boat, 2 - putting it in a slip or 3 - selling it. Not my choices! The set up time for my 26X here in San Diego is currently 25 minutes from the time I step out of my tow vehicle till I get back in ready to launch and sail away. I launch 2 or 3 times a month or more year around so I'm not about to spend 1 1/2 hours setting up. Besides I'm too old (72) not to have learned a few things about doing things the easy way. Anyway, the 26D I had for 12 years took 13 minutes to set up so I guess I'm slowing down however I know from experience with the 26D that putting my set up in writing will knock off some time for me so I just made my 26X list. My goal, based on the equipment I have, is 20 minutes, single handed. Here is what I did.

First I made a list of every job I do to the trailer and boat during the set up and in the exact order I do them in. On a second piece of paper I listed the five work areas we all have - Ground, Cockpit, Foredeck, back to Cockpit and back to Ground. From the original list I transferred each of my jobs to the second sheet placing each job in the correct work area and in the logical order of completing the job. Avoiding back tracking and unnecessary foot steps makes the set up organixed and that saves time.

Next, (This can be tough because you may end up getting rid of some added jobs you thought were necessary and important) acting as judge and jury, challenge each job on your list by asking: "Is this job absolutely necessary?" If it isn't eliminate it!!! If the job or task is necessary, take it to the next level, ask yourself: "Is there a faster, easier or safer way to do this job?" Challenging each job on your list will hopefully eliminate unnecessary work but it is up to you to find better ways, if there are any, to do the jobs remaining.

The set up and the de-rigging are absolutely related. Whatever is added to the de-rigging process has to be undone when you set up and vice versa, so KISS. Avoid unnecessary straps, lines, chains, cables, bungy cords and wrenches. Doing work in the correct order, eliminating all unnecessary work and doing the remaining work the fastest, easiest & safest way will produce a tailor made set up for you and your boat that you will benefit from each time you launch. Good sailing, Murv

[Tahoe Jack]

Good concepts Murv....I condensed my checklist onto a single 81/2x11, setup on one side, derig on the other, printed it on bright yellow bond, and laminated it. Punched a hole, and hang it with a mini-biner. I scan it quickly if I haven't done it for a while. I'm sure it helps. Fair Winds

[Tony D-26X_SusieQ]

I got my setup time down to 10 minutes. But then I keep mine on the trailor, mast up in the marina. I just hook up to the truck and drop her in the water. Of course, you can't tow very far that way (D**n power lines! ), but it sure is nice to not have to deal with raising and lowering the mast very often.

[MarkStanton]

I am currently no-where near this 25 minute heaven. So I would like to get closer and can see the merit in optimised lists of rig/de rig tasks.

Can you guys attach/cut and paste the detailed lists here - and or post a reference to a website with them on. I am sure all SLOW people like me would really appreciate them.

I have never taken 3.5 hours but never 20 mins either.

I am really interested in going from motorway(freeway) to sailing away time with everything set up and ready but will take any versions any one has got.

I am sure ultimately I am will have to make my own lists but this is could be a good starter for 10. For me as well as others.

Thanks in anticipation.

Regards, Mark

PS Do you factor in time for the "Oh you sail a How do you find it ? Does it really go that fast that etc etc " question I always get at the slip/ramp !

[deacm]

Sounds to me like the perfect time to put a plug in for Stagg's "Speedy Rigger" video that is usually advertised at the top of this discussion board every day. That is a great investment of money to save you time when launching/rigging the boat. As I watched the video, I wrote down each step and then, like the rest of you, I made a cheat sheet from it. Hey Jeff !! Why not do a sequel for my Mast 28 (Odin 820)??

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

Our list is much to detailed to list here, but you can have the whole thing in pdf format at my web site.

Go to http://www.ddunn.org/Boating.htm and scroll down a bit. Just below the Modifications link and the Storage link you will find the Procedures link.

The document has many things in it. The first to pages are our launching and loading procedure lists. We keep these back to back in a plastic sleeve. We have two copies on board, one for me and one for my wife. On each list there is a column for her and a column for me. We each do the things in bold in our column. Having the full list in each column provides us a reference point to where we are in the overall process and keeps us in sync as some things can't be done until others are done. Some things can be done out of order, others can't. For instance Dawn will often get a jump on her's while she is waiting at the dock and I am in line with the truck. She can get a lot of the put away tasks done then.

Items with * are not always done. We don't mess with the spreaders any more as we now have quick releases on the forward lifelines. We don't always have the dinghy motor along.

The next page is the much shorter process used when we launch and load mastless.

This is followed by a page of misc procedures for everything from the motor, stove, anchoring, docking, and removing the mast.

The final two pages are our master packing checklists. The first is general boat stuff and the second is personal stuff for each individual gear bag. This get's us loaded, launched, and on the water without a worry about leaving something behind.

[Randy Smith]

How come some of you don't want a slip? I drive 20 minutes, and set sail in five minutes.......It takes me a good hour to haul out and about 30 minutes to put her back in. But with the slip, I use my boat anytime I want....curious..why not a slip, expense? The fact that it is trailerable? Different water whenever you want to go? I am just trying to understand how you think which always teaches me something new..... Randy

[Mark Prouty]

How come some of you don't want a slip? I drive 20 minutes, and set sail in five minutes.......It takes me a good hour to haul out and about 30 minutes to put her back in. But with the slip, I use my boat anytime I want....curious..why not a slip, expense? The fact that it is trailerable? Different water whenever you want to go? I am just trying to understand how you think which always teaches me something new..... Randy

Why I don't have a slip
Slips at Lake Mendota in Madison, Wisconsin are $1500 per year. That is more than I am willing to pay.
I like to sail on Lake Michigan and Superior where trailering comes in handy.
I can work on my boat in my backyard.
I have installed a mast raising system which makes it easy to rig.
I can load/unload from boat to house.
I like to look at my favorite toy from a second story window in my house.

[sailpsych]

When talking about the PITA to rig or unrig a Mac26X,consider this. Moving up to it from a Sunfish is like going from flying an Ultralight to a 747. Still have to do the basics, set up the mast, rig the sail, but no stays to mess with.

On the other hand,I sailed with a friend who had an International 14. It took the two of us an hour, 15 minutes to get it rigged and ready to put in the water. Plus, it wouldn't stay up by itself without some human ballast. Intriguing boat, but FAST!!!

Just points for comparison.

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

Why no slip,

Leaving from the same place everytime would become old quickly. Kids want to see new places and new things. There are too many great places to go here in Puget Sound. My cruising ground from the south end of Puget Sound north to Desolation Sound in BC is 270 NMiles long by 30 NMiles wide not counting the side trips into fiords. Who want's to spend days getting there when you can be there in hours at 60mph.

If you consider the extra travel time under way at 6-12knots getting to a destination verses driving there at 60mph and spending an hour setting up you are actually spend less overall time going the trailer route. Plus you can easily go to disconnected bodies of water such as over the mountains to Lake Chelan, into Idaho to Coeur d'Alene and Pend Orielle, or south to visit you on the Columbia.

My boat is heavily modified. Doing this at home where all the tools and supplies are is far easier. Half the fun of owning the boat is working on it. It's far easier to do on the trailer. When I drop stuff nothing goes splash.

There's also much less upkeep when the boat is on the trailer. No bottom paint, no cleaning and scrubbing. The boat stays clean all the time under it's tarp. Bring it home after a trip, hit it with the powerwasher, and cover it back up. It's clean and ready for the next trip. Plus over the long run the boat will stay in better shape out of the water.

Loading over time is far easier than all at once. Particularly for week long or more trips.

And of course, moorage space in the back yard doesn't cost anything extra.

As I tell people, owning a mac on a trailer is an exception to the normal 'hole in the water you throw money into' mentality. Our boat is paid for, the moorage costs nothing. Buy tabs once a year and we are set. Use the boat a lot, or use it a little, it doesn't matter. We don't feel guilty because we aren't shelling out all that money every month. We get near the prime cruising grounds at 60 mph, we get into the cruising grounds at power boats speeds, we then can maximize our time in the great spots as a sailboat.

[Idle Time]

We had ours in a slip in OK for a year. It was really handy. Here in Florida there arnt any available nearby...so we put it in their storage area with the mast up...going to pull it out next week. I like having it in the back yard...it's my little getaway. I am going to practice stepping the mast alone. My husband keeps backing out on me. He has too many other fun things I guess. At any rate. I need to learn to launch, rig and derig by myself so I can spend more time on the water. The only problem I can think of will be moving the mast from the pulpit bracket to the cabin top. Has anyone come up with a good way to do it singlehanded?

[RandyMoon]

I live in Kansas so needless to say, I don't have the San Juan Islands and British Columbia to frolic to. I really wish I did, I love that area. Nor do I have the Gulf or Great Lakes to frolic in. I am landlocked in Kansas ToTo. What makes it worse is I grew up in Sarasota, Fl. so I know what nirvana could be.

I guess the benefit is that my boat sits 20 minutes away in a slip so I can sail daily is I want to. That is a plus.

But I have to admit that I am looking forward to retiring in a few years, traveling to Puget Sound and showing Duane how fast my 90 horse gets me to Friday Harbour.

Unless of course he buys a 90 horse for his wife as an anniversary present.

[Terry]

In real estate they say the three most important criteria are:
1. Location
2. Location
3. Location
When it comes to mooring this is the deciding factor when contemplating cost. Yes it will cost me $1000.00 US dollars to moor at Point Roberts Marina next Easter for only six months. I did it on a trial basis for three months last summer and it spoiled me rotten. It takes only 15 minutes to drive from my home in Delta, Canada to Point Roberts USA, this includes border time which at its worst was only 12 minutes, usually it is a drive thru experience due to the rural location.
This expense provides me with a 6 month time sharing cottage on the water (my boat) which I can go stay at any time wile moored also includes use of all facilities. I can be under way in 5 minutes and in another 5 minutes be out of the marina shutting off the engine and raising sails.
Check out the Location on the chart and you will completely understand the importance of location. I am right out there, smack between the San Juans & Gulf Islands, it's a tough act to beat. I can sail after work every day if I like or just go down there and hang out or do some maintenance.
During the six months of winter I keep it in my driveway and do all my annual mainentance and any modifications I want.
I guess it all depends on where you live and what your access to water is, oh yea this particular part of Delta is a community called Ladner is a fishing village and it sits on the south arm of the Fraser River, has 3 or more free launch ramps with parking and a few marinas but I still choose Point Roberts for location. I enjoy one of the worlds finest sailing waters and I am sure Duane can attest to that. Eat your hearts out sailors!

[RandyMoon]

I'm thinking it is about time to plan the MacGregor Ultimate 21st Century Sailfest at some exotic location. All MacGregor owners show up and compare our mods.

Hey, since Kansas is in the center of North America, and Kansas has more wind than Washington DC, sailors need to come to the heartland and experience Lake Cheney.

[Randy Smith]

How come some of you don't want a slip? I drive 20 minutes, and set sail in five minutes.......It takes me a good hour to haul out and about 30 minutes to put her back in. But with the slip, I use my boat anytime I want....curious..why not a slip, expense? The fact that it is trailerable? Different water whenever you want to go? I am just trying to understand how you think which always teaches me something new..... Randy