2017-05-28 by Paul C
Hi Shorty,
Took my new 'to me' vagabond 17 out for the 1st time... boy, what an ordeal to get it out of the trailer! Maybe the trailer is not set up correctly, but I had to disconnect the trailer from the car and roll it out tied to a strong rope or risk turning my jeep Cherokee (pretty high car) in to a submarine!!! Did you had any issues like this?
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Hi there --

Frustrating isn't it ?? The issue isn't just with Vagabonds, all shoal keel sailboats can need some extra work to get them in the water. The problem is the ramp angle, some ramps are easy to launch straight off the trailer and others need various tricks. Here are some of the tricks:

Slam The Brakes -- When backing down the ramp, get as far down as you feel comfortable then slam on the brakes to slide the hull off and into the water.

Tether The Trailer-- Back down as far as you feel comfortable, unhook the trailer using the wheel winch post and let the trailer roll down into the water to launch. Before doing that, make sure to tie the trailer to the car with a tow strap or heavy line so you don't have to go diving for the trailer.

Loop of Line Around The Hull-- When retrieving if you can't get her on the trailer just by floating and need to pull her up, instead of pulling too hard on the bow eye, can take a loop of line and run it around the hull crossing through the bow eye. Then winch her up onto the trailer using that line.

Parking Lot Scoot-- If you can't get the hull fully back onto the trailer properly but can get it on enough to pull out of the water, you can pull her out and go up to the parking lot on flat ground and slam on the brakes to scoot the hull forward on the trailer.

Trailer Tongue Extension-- If you are continually having to employ tricks at your favorite boat ramps, consider making a trailer tongue extension. Google around to see what others have made. Some are as simple as a couple of 2x4's and others are very elaborate telescoping metal secondary tongues that are permanently attached to the trailer just offset to the side.

Modified Trailer Frame-- On one of the vagabonds I owned, I inherited a really neat modified trailer (shown in the picture above). A channel was cut in the frame and then reinforced from below. That allowed the hull to sit about 4 inches lower on the trailer which doesn't seem like much but does make it easier to launch. The compromise is that the reinforcement piece underneath snagged on a ramp and got bent since it was so much lower to the ground.

Tilting Bunk Boards-- Some trailers have bunk boards mounted on a pivots which can make it easier to launch.

So yea, its a bit of extra work to get some pocket cruisers launched but they are fun to sail so its just one of those things you gotta figure out what works for your situation so you can go sailing. If its a pain and you are interested in an additional option to quickly go sailing and want to get in and out of the water quickly, nothing beats a puddle duck. :) Checkout PDRacer.com

Shorty

Date Posted: 2017-05-28
Comment ID: 1181
Posted By: Paul C
Sailboat ID: 1
Sailboat: Vagabond 17 / Holder 17 Sailboat by Vagabond Sailboats / Holder Marine