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I'm contemplating the purchase of a 26S or D, primarily to save serious $ on moorage. So I will be launching / retrieving often.

This is my local boat ramp:


First pic is the south ramp, second is north east, so at least there is a choice depending on the wind direction.

However it lacks a proper dock, just this raised concrete side on one of the ramps:


Located here, which strikes me as rather exposed: Cattle Point Boat Ramp https://maps.app ... y2bSr1SGf9.

I've picked up lots of useful tips on the forum for easier launching / retrieving: bring side bunks all the way forward, centerboard / rudder partly down and ballast full, practice crabbing in crosswind.

I think on a calm day with 2 skilled people it will be fine once I've had some practice.

My questions are:
- What wind conditions would make this ramp unusable? Initially I'll be sticking to moderate conditions, but as my skills improve it might be nice to go sailing in something more spicy. Also if something blows in and I have to run for home, it would be nice to know I can still retrieve the boat (there are marinas nearby where I could presumably request safe harbour in a real emergency).
- How would it work without a dock for single-handing, or with only one skilled person (e.g. a friend who can hold a line but not back the trailer down or handle the boat)? Would it work to hold the boat as in the pic above, given the size / large freeboard? Is there a way to 'beach' on the ramp and hold it there? The concrete ramp does not look kind to gelcoat... Some sort of 'landing mat' I throw out / bow fender at the waterline (I don't mind looking daft)?

Thanks very much!
Ralph

Hi Ralph,

Good luck with your purchase.

That ramp would be a PIA for even the most experienced MacDriver in any significant crosswind.

If it is shallow enough for you to get the bathing suit on and walk the boat on to the trailer, then that makes things much easier.

The BEST solution to a ramp like this is to modify the trailer. With welded guide-posts connected with a padded bumper, and ropes connecting the guide-posts to the bow-V, you have a much better chance of driving the boat on to the trailer. All you have to do is get the nose between the guide posts, and even if the boat is crooked at that point it will align itself (for the most part) by bouncoing off the bumper and the ropes. Some people have tried PVC guide-posts but when a trailer-recovery is cross-wind and tricky, then the boat will snap them off like twigs when things go sideways. And they will.

With a cross-wind/cross current, you want to have as much steering control and side-slip resistance as possible, which means as much centerboard and rudders as depth allows. Without the boards down, the boat crabs into the wind and just doesn't align with the trailer.

The modification might look like this (I've tightened up the ropes using turnbuckles since taking this photo).

Single-handing is going to be difficult. With a buddy, you should be fine, depending on the weather. Trying to hold a boat in place in a blow is both strenuous and dangerous. Also, how is the footing at the ramps? If they are slippery, moss-covered, messes that you can't stand up on, this will be a challenge. If not, great. Your idea of easing into it, starting in light weather, is spot-on.

The 26s and d don't have the windage that the X and M have, so you're better off than I am on that point.

With the keel and rudder up, you have shallow draft, so that your capable assistant could step out and hold the boat in place while you round up the tow beast and trailer. I don't think you will be driving onto the trailer with that setup (you have someone holding the boat in the water). This depends on ramp depth/grade of course. Try to pick a day that's not too busy for your first try.

A rig like Starscream shows would make things much easier to line up on the trailer - which will be handy if your doing things without docks.

Proper ramp etiquette requires that you put all of your crap in the boat, have your mast raised, and have everyone ready to board BEFORE you line up on the ramp. The only exception would be overhead power lines. Ramps are for launching and retrieving- not boat prep and maintenance. (My public service announcement for the day). Nothing will get you in a fight quicker in my neck of the woods than taking too long on the ramp. Both of the pics you show are one lane, making efficiency a necessity when there is traffic. If you already know this, please forgive me.

I think you will be able to get an S or d in and out just fine if you have an able-bodied helper. Eventually, you may be able to use a stern anchor and shore tie to go solo.

Good luck, and post up when you get your boat!

Looks like a 2-person job to me. How will you get the trailer in the water when you're on the boat otherwise? You could anchor out and swim or dinghy in, put the trailer in the water, then swim or dinghy back out to the boat, but absent those options, I don't see it. And that would take a lot of time at the ramp, which won't earn you many friends.

As to cross winds, with a lot of practice, and some good side bunks and/or guides, it's perfectly do-able. Easier by far with two people, but since I single hand even with a crew, it's better to be able to do it all yourself and not have to rely on anyone else.

Launch and retrieval at that ramp would be a 2 person job. I don't see any way to attach dock lines to that concrete walkway. With a significant cross-wind it could be difficult for someone to hold the boat there by hand. In any case it does not look like you will be able to get very far up alongside it even if you could tie up while you go get the trailer.

From what I can see you would pull up and drop your tow vehicle driver and then go back out until they have the trailer in place. Boat driver would get it on the trailer as much as possible while the car vehicle driver winches it the rest of the way onto the trailer. "Beaching" the boat on the ramp is going to damage your hull.

Two people on a calm day and the ramp not busy is doable. As the wind comes up and the ramp gets busier it's going to get harder. As long as you have two people and you work your way up gradually I think you can use this ramp.

Spend some time at the ramp and see how other people are launching and retrieving. Folks who use that ramp regularly may have figured out some tricks that we can't imagine from the pictures.

It's unclear from the pictures but have you considered how you will step the mast? Is there room to unship it (move it back from the bow to the mast step) without blocking traffic? Are there any overhead restrictions you need to watch out for?

We do a two person launch, but we have a good pier sticking out in the water. Back it in, pull it off the trailer, and tie it while I park the truck. (we launch and retrieve during lower traffic times so we're not holding up the fishermen.) We always winch onto the trailer (never drive).

I can't imagine doing it without the pier (a typical floating plastic one in our case). Any wind that is notstraight off the ramp (on your bow), and the stern is going to go sideways and you'll have a mess. Even just a piling to tie to would be valuable.

--john

Thanks everyone!

I assumed single-handing would be out of the question without a dock, but didn't want to miss some trick to make it work.

Plenty of space for rigging in the parking lot, am aware of the protocol for not getting in the way. Thankfully the ramp is not often crazy busy.

Sounds like cross-wind rather than absolute wind speed is the main factor? I'll try and scout the ramp conditions on an exciting sailing day...

Starscream wrote: ↑Wed Aug 25, 2021 5:19 am The BEST solution to a ramp like this is to modify the trailer. With welded guide-posts connected with a padded bumper, and ropes connecting the guide-posts to the bow-V, you have a much better chance of driving the boat on to the trailer.

I was sort of hoping that boat ownership would be a good excuse to buy a welder...

ralphe wrote: ↑Thu Aug 26, 2021 8:55 am I was sort of hoping that boat ownership would be a good excuse to buy a welder...

Absolutely! In fact, the welder is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg in "required boat tool" acquisitions.

I have launched and retrieved a couple of times single-handed on a ramp without a dock. It's not easy. I will only do it very early in the morning when there is no wind or launch traffic. I would not attempt it alone with any cross wind.

With two people, it can be done but each need to know their roles.

I would suggest launching and retrieving a number of times at a site with a dock to gain experience.

I trailered & launched 20+ times my first year I had the boat. I now have a slip at a local lake and sail more often. I do pull the boat once each summer to take on vacation and that's where I have run into challenges at different ramps.

Andy