Tricks for launching a M17 in shallow water?
Hey all, We want to take our 2005 M17 with the standard Pacific single axle trailer to a small lake (a group of us are camping there and I thought it would be a blast to have the M17 to take people on the water). The lake is about 3/4 mile wide and maybe 4 miles long, so not huge but big enough I think for some fun. Very deep (270 feet) but it looks like the level is down some 5 feet and the boat ramps are shallow. I put a stick in about where I thought we could back the keel to and it was around 2.5 feet deep. It was another 50 or 60 feet before it got to 5 feet, then it gets really deep. I am not sure if our boat will float off the trailer at 2.5 feet. I was trying to think of some tricks (inner tube tied under the transom or something). Any thoughts? Rick
I sail my M17 on a lake in Minneapolis. I need 3' of water in order to launch. I use a 10' trailer extension to avoid having to back my Honda Odyssey into the water. Rich Makela M-17 #233 - Harmony -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Richard Everett Sent: Thursday, June 20, 2019 9:07 PM To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Subject: M_Boats: Tricks for launching a M17 in shallow water? Hey all, We want to take our 2005 M17 with the standard Pacific single axle trailer to a small lake (a group of us are camping there and I thought it would be a blast to have the M17 to take people on the water). The lake is about 3/4 mile wide and maybe 4 miles long, so not huge but big enough I think for some fun. Very deep (270 feet) but it looks like the level is down some 5 feet and the boat ramps are shallow. I put a stick in about where I thought we could back the keel to and it was around 2.5 feet deep. It was another 50 or 60 feet before it got to 5 feet, then it gets really deep. I am not sure if our boat will float off the trailer at 2.5 feet. I was trying to think of some tricks (inner tube tied under the transom or something). Any thoughts? Rick
You can get a tongue extension, which is basically a really long ball mount that is only safe for very low speed use. Another trick is to look up how launching is done on fixed keel sailboats. Basically use a long rope or tow strap as a trailer extension, which requires going really slow and using extreme care along with a very strong trailer jack that has a wheel that rolls easily. Sincerely, Tyler ----- Original Message ----- From: "Richard Everett" <1.064um@gmail.com> To: "For and about Montgomery Sailboats" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Thursday, June 20, 2019 7:06:49 PM Subject: M_Boats: Tricks for launching a M17 in shallow water? Hey all, We want to take our 2005 M17 with the standard Pacific single axle trailer to a small lake (a group of us are camping there and I thought it would be a blast to have the M17 to take people on the water). The lake is about 3/4 mile wide and maybe 4 miles long, so not huge but big enough I think for some fun. Very deep (270 feet) but it looks like the level is down some 5 feet and the boat ramps are shallow. I put a stick in about where I thought we could back the keel to and it was around 2.5 feet deep. It was another 50 or 60 feet before it got to 5 feet, then it gets really deep. I am not sure if our boat will float off the trailer at 2.5 feet. I was trying to think of some tricks (inner tube tied under the transom or something). Any thoughts? Rick
Rick: To add to Tyler's recommendation. Do a www-search for 'strap launching a sailboat'. Many YouTube videos and sites with pictures. Be sure to have a strongly attached pilot wheel on the trailer tongue as a trailer tongue Jack is likely not up to the stresses of a rough launch ramp. :: Dave Scobie :: M6'8" #650 :: SV SWALLOW - sv-swallow.com :: former owner M17 #375 SWEET PEA - m17-375.com :: former owner M15 #288 SCRED - www.freewebs.com/m15-named-scred/ On Thu, Jun 20, 2019, 9:22 PM <casioqv@usermail.com> wrote:
You can get a tongue extension, which is basically a really long ball mount that is only safe for very low speed use.
Another trick is to look up how launching is done on fixed keel sailboats. Basically use a long rope or tow strap as a trailer extension, which requires going really slow and using extreme care along with a very strong trailer jack that has a wheel that rolls easily.
Sincerely, Tyler
----- Original Message ----- From: "Richard Everett" <1.064um@gmail.com> To: "For and about Montgomery Sailboats" < montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Thursday, June 20, 2019 7:06:49 PM Subject: M_Boats: Tricks for launching a M17 in shallow water?
Hey all,
We want to take our 2005 M17 with the standard Pacific single axle trailer to a small lake (a group of us are camping there and I thought it would be a blast to have the M17 to take people on the water). The lake is about 3/4 mile wide and maybe 4 miles long, so not huge but big enough I think for some fun. Very deep (270 feet) but it looks like the level is down some 5 feet and the boat ramps are shallow. I put a stick in about where I thought we could back the keel to and it was around 2.5 feet deep. It was another 50 or 60 feet before it got to 5 feet, then it gets really deep.
I am not sure if our boat will float off the trailer at 2.5 feet. I was trying to think of some tricks (inner tube tied under the transom or something).
Any thoughts?
Rick
participants (4)
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casioqv＠usermail.com -
Dave Scobie -
Rich Makela -
Richard Everett