Launching and retrieving trailered R-21EC ?

[baz]

Subject: Launching and retrieving trailered R-21EC ?

I'm about to receive our new R-21EC and will be trailering it. I've not trailer a boat before and more importantly have never experienced having to launch and retrieve a boat at the boat launching ramp.

What are the tips/advice and other things to keep in mind when

1) Launching

and

2) Retrieving

When retrieving I've noted that some people use the engine to carefully propel the boat up onto the trailer. Is this a 'best practice' technique or should this be avoided and in lieu of it, use the winch to haul the boat up onto the trailer ?

My EZ-Loader trailer has hydraulic brakes that get actuated when my auto begins to decelerate. I believe one needs to disable this braking system when launching the boat down the ramp... is this correct ?

I'm assuming the Operator's Guide for the EZ-Loader will have helpful hints/advice about the above. 🙂

Thanks... 🙂

 

[sheral]

I drive ours on and off the trailer. This is what the dealer does and it seems to work well.

With the 5 pin flat connector, I have not needed to do anything more with the surge brake as that alone seems to work fine.

When launching, make sure your hull drain plug is in, your petcock open, trailering straps and bow hook line released and have a couple people to help the first time and it will all be good 🙂

 

[RSC]

I launch with my tow vehicle on a ramp only in fresh water and have it lifted off with straps at a marina in salt water. The salt water no matter how much you rinse with fresh water kills a trailer, the electrical system and breaking system. It damages your tow vehicle as well if it too gets wet.
Bob

 

[Capt’nKarl]

We have a check list that we started before the first time we launched. It includes such things as drain plug in place, raw water stop-cock open etc. You will develop your own check list. The first time we launched I forgot to tighten the wing nuts on the mast and almost lost them. That's now on my check list. I don't mind saying this, regardless of how much you plan, you WILL be a little nervous the first launch and retrieval but practice does make it easier. Here are my tips. #1. DO NOT LET ANYONE RUSH YOU. At some ramps there seems to be a race to see who can get in and out the fastest. Pay no attention to them. Follow your check list! #2. Have your lines attached at the bow coming off the side closest to the ramp. #3. Make sure you have disconnected all the straps from the trailer except the main line attached to the winch. I do not disconnect this line until I have backed the trailer partially into the water. Once I have the trailer lined up close to the dock I hand the bow line to my wife who holds the bow line as the boat is being launched. Once she has the bow line I disconnect the main winch line and slowly back the trailer into the water until it floats off the trailer. My wife holds the bow line with one hand and uses a docking pole to hold the stern. Pull the trailer out of the water and then return to the boat and start her up. Retrieval is just about the reverse. I do not power my boat up to the trailer. If I have to get in the water to winch the boat that's fine. Once we have pulled up to the dock I get off the boat and give my wife the bow line. She keeps the stern held with the docking pole and I go get the trailer. One thing I would recommend is having trailer guide poles to help center the boat on the trailer. Once the trailer is sufficiently submerged I attach the winch cable and winch the boat firmly up to the trailer. Then it's just a matter of pulling the boat out of the ramp to a comfortable place where the mast, the radio antenna and the Bimini can all be secured. Once everything is secure on the boat I attach the straps to the trailer and we go home where I thoroughly rinse the trailer and the boat with freshwater. Trust me , the first time will be nerve-racking but it gets easier with practice. Cheers, Karl & Sara

 

[baz]

When launching and backing the trailer into the water how do you determine the boat is afloat ? Do you note the boat is bobbing as your indicator it's in the water and floating ?

 

[SGIDAVE]

Hello Barry,

There are lots of videos on YouTube demonstrating launching a boat if you learn better by watching.

I do it like Karl when I have help. Definitely make use of a checklist. I boat solo frequently, so in addition to having the dock lines fore/aft ready to go, I secure an additional line from the bow cleat and leave about 8' slack then tie a loop and put the loop over the winch stand on the trailer. I back the boat into the water until it is floating, tap the brakes and she slides right off. Since I'm by myself, I stop the truck, get out, lift the loop of line off the winch stand, and carry it to the finger dock where I secure the boat fore and aft. Fenders were already put in place. I go park the truck/trailer. I don't start the engine until I'm back at the boat and can observe for cooling water flow, unusual sounds, etc.

When launching and backing the trailer into the water how do you determine the boat is afloat ? Do you note the boat is bobbing as your indicator it's in the water and floating ?

When the stern is bobbing the boat is deep enough and at that point I tap the brakes (i.e., STOP). The boat slides right off the trailer. If it doesn't, no problem, back in a few more inches and repeat the quick stop procedure. IF the boat again fails to launch, you've probably left something connected. DAMHIKT!

On retrieving the boat, I secure her at the finger dock, back the trailer into the water to the appropriate depth, and the walk the boat onto the trailer by pulling the bow dock line. I DO NOT power load. This is usually forbidden with signage at the ramps I use to that effect. But, like speed limit laws, that rule is WIDELY violated. Virtually everyone I've seen at the ramps I frequent power the boat onto the trailer. This is a personal choice. It is "forbidden" because it causes major erosion at the end of the concrete ramp such that, if you back your trailer in far enough, like a LOW tide, your trailer tires will "fall" off the end of the ramp because the normal bottom gravel, mud, etc has been blasted away by the powerloaders of the world. You can find pictures of what I'm talking about if you search the internets.

I build a 'cat walk' onto my boat trailer, specifically so I can walk out on the trailer to retrieve (or launch, I suppose) the boat safely and without getting my feet wet. The walk way is just a common 2 x 10 painted with normal exterior paint with nonskid granules added. I had one on my last boat and it helped tremendously. It runs from before the winch stand to just before the wheel. For a 21EC, if you bought (2) 2" x 10" x 8' (NOT pressure treated) you could put one to run from the winch stand aft. Split the second 8' to get a nice standing area in front of the winch stand such that BOTH sides of the trailer's 'V' is covered. Going aft from the winch stand only one side need have a walk way. I'm right handed so my trailers have a walkway on the LEFT side of the trailer's "V" frame so that as I walk back toward the boat, usually with the winch strap in my RIGHT hand, I can conveniently hook it onto the boat's bow eye. Then walk back to the winch and crank her up into position on the trailer.

Easy peasy.

dave

 

[sheral]

You guys are so lucky having a concrete loading ramp. Out here we have nothing, just a gravel shoreline launch where the barge pulls up to. It's like driving on ball bearings, and even our 4x4 diesel 1 ton dually has a tough time of it. We don't have the luxury of getting in deep enough to float the boat on or off the trailer. So I guess we have joined

the powerloaders of the world

elite team. 😱

I was super nervous too the first time, but the best advice so far is to launch when it's quiet and there's no pressure, no one else around except your 'pit crew.' Even if you have to do it at 5 in the morning, the first time, it will help with the nerves 😀

 

[swordmanjosh]

What many of said is great advice but as a fellow boater if you want to provide a little power to put your boat on that's great and I appreciate that but don't go full bore. Not only does this make wash that your fellow ramp goers have to deal with but it will also wash out the bottom of the ramp which is never a good thing. Yep, go ahead, use some throttle but don't use the power.

 

[scross]

I'm not new to trailering and launching but my experience is with a lighter gas I/O powered boat. I have been working my checklist to work with a Ranger Tug. It's pretty long - 50 steps. I'd welcome any feedback on it.

Pre-Launch Checklist (Starting with Tug On Trailer)
1. Check to make ABSOLUTELY sure that the DRAIN PLUG at the stern of Tug is installed and TIGHT!
2. Trailer light plug disconnected from truck
3. Three hold down straps removed (two at rear corners and one safety line at front)
4. Make sure keys are in boat
5. Load boat with food and supplies
6. Ensure mast and antennas are up and locked into position
7. Check engine fluid levels: Coolant, Oil and Transmission
8. Visually check bilge area and hoses
9. Place emergency ditch bag in cockpit.
10. Check Fire Extinguisher charge levels
11. Attach flags & burgees as appropriate
12. Ensure cabin door securely latched in open position
13. Have Nav and helm windows open
14. Cabin overhead hatches closed/secured (personal choice).
15. Quick look to ensure loose items stored and/or secured from falling.
16. Make ready dock lines and boat fenders on appropriate side
17. Move boat down launch ramp to trailer wheel fenders just under water
18. Disconnect the winch strap at the front of the boat
19. Float boat off trailer while person #2 (standing on launch dock) is holding on to fore and aft lines
20. Move trailer and tow vehicle to rinse station (rinse) and then to parking area
21. Secure lines to launch dock
22. Get back on boat
23. Put on Personal Flotation Device (PFD)
24. Seacock CLOSED to inspect/clean strainer
25. OPEN SEACOCK!!
26. Battery switches ON (banks 1,2 and 3)
27. Check again! SEACOCK OPEN!!
28. Shore power rotary switch to OFF
29. DC Circuit breakers ON (Refrigerator, Trim Tabs, GPS, NMEA)
30. Electronics ON (Chartplotter, Autopilot and VHF Radio)
31. Check Chart Plotter, Auto Pilot and Yanmar displays for proper operation
32. Ignition switch to ON
33. Confirm engine gauges working
34. START engine AFTER red light goes OFF
35. Warm up engine (5-10 minutes) & check engine gauges while warming
36. Observe water strainer for bubbles & obvious water flow & check wet exhaust expelling water.
37. Check fuel level, fresh water level and waste tank level
38. Trim tabs fully retracted.
39. Ensure Channel set on VHF radio to appropriate frequency.
40. Windshield wipers tested
41. Wheel/rudder at amidship position.
42. Thrusters ON and short test on both
43. Set up lines for departure
44. Handheld VHF radio close by & is ON and operational.
45. Check that bilge pump breakers are OFF (light off)
46. Re-check other breakers in correct position.
47. Ensure iPad for back-up navigation is communicating with Cellular network
48. Cast off lines
49. Stow all lines and fenders
50. Get underway

What am is missing or have wrong?? Thanks in advance for help!!

 

[SGIDAVE]

Hello Scross,

Your list is very comprehensive.

I would break your list into several smaller lists. Such as the Leaving Home List - that's when I normally put the plug in the bilge, for instance and load the food, towels, other gear into the boat. Then, maybe, a Launch list. Then a Departure List. You get the idea. Try to keep each list short like less than 10 items. Easier to use and follow that way.

dave

 

[baz]

scross:

1) If you have pets onboard make sure they are taken care of.
2) Make sure everyone who needs to be onboard is onboard. 😉
3) Horn working maybe ?
4) Boat's Log entry made ?
5) Boat hook at the ready ?
6) Personally, I would place my PFD on at the start as it's easy to forget with all that's going on. Your dock-handler should also be wearing one.
7) Dinghy secured maybe ?
8) No dangling lines to mess with the prop maybe ?
9) Cruise plan sent to family/friends etc maybe ?
10) If you have electric operated head, set water pressure ON and head's macerator breaker ON and make sure it works -- maybe ?

 

[scross]

Thanks Barry and Dave! Good feedback! I wasn't meaning to hijack this thread but thought the top items on the checklist might help Barry.

I have broken my long checklist into 5 smaller sub-routines per Dave's suggestion.

Also added some the points Barry mentioned that were appropriate - e.g. totally missed getting the dinghy out of the truck bed and secured on the boat! We won't trailer with the dinghy attached to the Tug so that will add a few steps.

But is this right? Turning the bilge pump circuit breakers OFF before getting underway? I stole that item from another TugNuters checklist but am not sure about the OFF part. Seems counter intuitive to me.

Al

 

[SGIDAVE]

But is this right? Turning the bilge pump circuit breakers OFF before getting underway? I stole that item from another TugNuters checklist but am not sure about the OFF part. Seems counter intuitive to me.

Al

Hello Al,

No, you want the bilge pump breakers ON...when the boat is in the water is when you WANT the bilge pump to work...so I usually TEST the pump to make sure it comes on at a minimum.

Having an alternate means of dewatering the boat is a good idea too. Since the shape of the 21EC's bilge is deep and narrow, I carry something like this

dave

 

[baz]

The bilge pump breaker should be OFF. It's a manual operation for the bilge pump in the case the float switch is or becomes inoperative. At least this was true on my R-25 and I'm sure this is correct for the R-21EC.

Sure, check that manual operation does work, but don't leave it ON as it will run for ever and burn out the pump. When you turn ON the bilge pump at the breaker switch you will hear a loud whining sound, or you should do. 😉

 

[scross]

Barry,

That makes sense now!

Vicki and I are getting closer to the acquisition of a Ranger Tug! Things are moving along well so far!

Al

 

[SGIDAVE]

The bilge pump breaker should be OFF. It's a manual operation for the bilge pump in the case the float switch is or becomes inoperative. At least this was true on my R-25 and I'm sure this is correct for the R-21EC.

Sure, check that manual operation does work, but don't leave it ON as it will run for ever and burn out the pump. When you turn ON the bilge pump at the breaker switch you will hear a loud whining sound, or you should do. 😉

OK, I see what you meant. The correct term would be SWITCH; a BREAKER is an overcurrent protection devise. You have a SWITCH at the helm for manual operation of the bilge pump. It should ALWAYS be off unless you need to turn on the bilge pump because the automatic function of the float switch has failed. MOST of the switches at the helm of the 21EC should be OFF for that matter. Nav lights if night time or fog; water pump if needed. My point is that if the bilge pump manual switch at the helm has be ON until you got the boat in the water (or are about to launch at the ramp), it's probably too late as the pump has run for, what, HOURs since the grandkids turned it on whilst they fooled around it the boat as you got ready. In which case, your list needs to remind you to check ALL your SWITCHES. 😉

dave

 

[baz]

Yes Dave.... should have used "switch". 😳

 

[Irishpilot]

Launching a boat from a trailer has been the source of non-marital bliss over the 30+ years my wife and I have been boating ;-) Most of the boats we have had, have lived on a trailer so we have a lot of experience trailering and launching from a ramp. If you don't have a 4 wheel drive or front wheel drive tow vehicle, you need to check the ramp to make sure that it is not too slick to pull the boat out at the end of your boating day as pulling the weight out is harding than putting it in(steep slick ramps are not your friend!). I think the lists provided are great but would add the following:

1) Get the boat ready to launch, prior to backing on the ramp. Everyone at the ramp hates the people who back and block the ramp and then start getting their boat ready to launch. Boat should be ready to launch when you back it in with just the trailer winch line and safety chain attached to the boat. Safety chain is important because the trailer winch will come undone and you don't want your boat slipping off the trailer onto the concrete of the ramp (we disconnect the safety chain from the boat just prior to the bow of the boat going into the water). Since you have prepped the boat for launch you should have dock lines already tied on the boat that you can tie to ramp cleats/pilings prior to pulling the trailer out.


2) And most important, communicate with your spouse/friend/child...whoever you are boating with, exactly what you are going to do and how you are going to do it. This include deciding what side of the ramp you are going to use (if a multi-boat ramp) so that the dock lines are on the correct side of the boat (if crosswind pre-decide if you want the wind to blow you into the ramp dock, or away from it...I prefer into it). Who is going to disconnect the trailer winch strap from the boat? How will they know to tell you the boat is backed in the right distance (you will need to see when most of the boat is floating so it can be pushed/pulled of the trailer...for many boats it is when the water is at the top of the rear wheel on the trailer). My wife and I have the system pretty much down pat...the issue is usually when I take my buddies fishing and they try to be helpful...I tell them exactly what to do and when and the process works fine.

Our boat now is just big enough and heavy enough that regularly trailering is a pain so we keep the boat in a slip. While this is convenient, all the algae growth on the boat makes me wish I had a boat lift or a boat like the R-21 that is easy to trailer.
I have also added trailer guides to make getting the boat easier on heavy crosswind days at the ramp. I have used different brands but think these are the best http://www.veveinc.com And last, I promise, practice launching the boat during the week when the ramp is not busy and get the process down so that you won't be stressed when the ramp is busy. Good luck and patience!

 

[REO6205]

This is a good thread and it came at a good time. My new-to-me '21 goes into the water for the first time as soon as the tide serves.
I've launched boats a lot of ways...shipyards, in and out of dry docks,and large cranes... but I've never launched a trailer boat before...and definitely not one that belonged to me. The boat has been sitting on it's trailer at the previous owner's for over a year. I've done all the pre-launch checks twice. Okay, I've done all the pre-launch checks three times. 😀
Now for the fun.