Launching boat and the front trailer wheel

[Snowdog2]

Kenr74,

I don't mind putting the rubber on my tires in the water, but beyond that with sea water it isn't ideal. I'd feel very different with fresh water.

Yes, I agree there is a lot of good information here. (Thank you everyone for your contributions and insights!!!) It is clear to me that I will not be using the wheel that swings up. I just have to figure out how to use a spare for the front wheel (or a caster).

Just curious, what is the towing capacity of your truck? Is it an 8 cyl? I have a newer 4wd 6 cyl Toyota Tacoma rated at 6500 lbs, which, with a weight distribution hitch I think should be able to handle local drives, but I don't think it is adequate for any long hauls. Pulling it up the ramp I plan to use 4WD LOW.

I also have an ODAY 19 (with a 12" draft and I find that it is helpful for me to add a 36" extension to the trailer to keep my truck's brakes out of the water, but it could be different with the Chrysler, as the trailer is different and the boat is longer, even thought the draft is 1.25 feet deeper. I measured the slope at our harbor and the distance to the front edge of the keel, and though my calculations could be way off, it seemed that a 15' extension would be good (it would give me an extra foot clearance more than needed). It is all theory, til I try it of course. If I find the strap does not work well, then I can move towards an extender. I'd love to find that I need neither.

Thanks

[Lepke]

Some people put a ball on the truck front for easier control on the ramp. But you probably need 4WD because the rear wheels become light.

[Kenr74]

My truck is a 1996 1 ton Chevy with an 8 cylinder diesel. It is rated to tow 8,000 lbs. It is a big truck, so I like having extra tongue weight, but it is by no means a powerhouse. It will struggle keeping the boat at highway speeds up any significant incline.

[exkma367]

Originally Posted by Snowdog2

Exkma,
Do you have a picture of your spindle set up? I can't quite picture it.

Thanks

Sorry no close ups. The boat and trailer were sold and are somewhere in FL right now. Think receiver hitches on the back of pickups. Drill a whole through the square part of the product Amazon sells and use a hitch pin to secure in place. Hope that helps.

http://www.amazon.com/Single-Assembl...ler+hub+square

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by exkma367

Here is how us redneck sailors do it. I welded a couple square tube 'Receivers' above and below the trailer tongue. I purchased a spindle from Tractor supply and welded square tubing that fit inside the receivers. I mounted the trailer spare to the spindle. Going down the road the spare goes in the top receiver, launching it goes in the bottom one. I used a bolt on trailer tongue jack to support the trailer when moving the tire. Twenty feet of chain, big wheel chocks and some pvc or old windsurfer masts to locate the trailer when submerged. Worked great for us and always drew a crowd.

Just another example of how the ol' C26 is a great pocket cruiser! Great set-up, and with a fixed keel!

[SeeMonstrEd]

Go all the way redneck and put the hitch on the front of the truck so you can see the water flood your engine as you slide down the ramp.

[Snowdog2]

Is there any formula to calculate the distance from the ball of the hitch to the point the boat will float for launching if one knows the ramp angle, the boat draft, the distance from the hitch to the front edge of the Keel (swing Keel boat), and the height of the keel while on the trailer (or does one need to know different distances and heights (like the transom of the boat). Given that I am launching into Saltwater, I don't want my truck in the water.

Simply put, I am trying to figure out how long of an extended hitch or strap I will need to launch and retrieve the boat.

Thanks

[TurninTurtle]

basic geometry...

Height of water needed at the boat axle to float the boat.
Angle of the ramp to the water surface.

Solve for the distance from axle to edge of water... add how far you want the tow vehicle's trailer hitch to be from the edge of the water.

CosSinCalc · Triangle Calculator

The angle from surface of water to axle gets set to 90 deg.

The problem is knowing the angle of the boat ramp.

****************
Assuming 10 deg ramp (not all are the same....)
And measured 5 ft from ground to boat waterline at the axle (generally the boat can float off the trailer a little earlier)

10 deg angle ramp with 5 ft depth needed = 28.79 ft from water edge to axle

If the hitch ball can overhang the water by a foot you need 27.79 ft from axle to hitch. Or you can have the hitch 12 ft from the water with 40.79 ft from axle to hitch.

Now you just measure from axle to the hitch on the front of the trailer....

Add a few feet (like the + 12 ft example) and you can guarantee that the boat will float before the tow vehicle wheels are wet.