Launching a Laser from a bulkhead

[steveo]

So the beach I usually launch from has eroded to the point that I cant use my launching dolly. My other option is to launch with a hoist from the bulkhead its about an eight foot drop to the water. Does anyone have recommendations to help me out? I figure I can make up a lifting bridle by attaching to mainsheet block and traveler fairleads. (What do other do?)

Can I hoist with mast in place or do I have to thread the needle of trying to put the mast into the boat while it bobs away alongside the bulkhead?

 

[VWAP]

Go to the other site. there are threads on this

 

[Gouvernail]

I would use a line passed through the Centerboard trunk with an attached board under the boat , 

from that board I would have a ten foot line wrapped around the side and tied above the boat so I could pull the lifting line down through the trunk after use

This could easily be accomplished using a single line and a couple stopper knots one on each side of the plank 

for retrieval it would be nice to have a long stiff bent wire to pass down through the trunk, hook to the lifting line  , and pull the lifting line up through the trunk.

I would do a test lift with the single  line and determine what if any stabilizer lines would be necessary. Perhaps a line to the traveler or a loop around the bow  or both wouid be nice 

 

[steveo]

Gouvernail thanks for the advice I wouldn't have thought of that. Its a good idea as it will support the weight of the boat nicely.



Any thoughts as to mast in or mast out?


VWAP I dont know what other site you mean (I guess its bad protocol to mention the competition  by name here?)

 

[Gouvernail]

He was referring to Bradley’s laser forum. It’s hard to believe he’s pushing 40. He started the Laser Forum when he was in junior high school

https://sailingforums.com/laser/

mast in or out... I think the mast in wouid be great. You could hold the mast while lowering the boat  and walk the boat away from the hoist ...’

you might want to think about The length  of the lifting line... so you can easily reach to unhook and hook up 

 

[xonk1]

eight foot drop! WOW - that's a long way down. How are you going to get in the boat? Maybe more important, how do you get out of the boat and back up the eight foot drop. What about wave action? Is the bulkhead solid concrete? Will your boat be smashed to bits by waves. Hope you can find another beach. Good Luck! 

 

[steveo]

It may be more like 5ft at high tide! I built a davit (from  a 4x4 and an old wood spinnaker pole) which I use to launch a small tender and I'm hoping to either use that for the laser or to upgrade to one with an electric winch. I have a ladder to get down to the boat.

 

[VWAP]

Try one of these they work from what others have said . They clip under the rail. You can add a safety line 

 

[view at the front]

I have a 6' drop from the top of my bulkhead to the gravel beach below, which the water reaches at high tide (We can have a 14' tidal range).  I fabricated a 12' long portable ramp with a horizontal flat 2x12 and vertical 2x6's at each side.  I use a hand trailer winch mounted to a pylon to bring my crab dinghy up the ramp to a wheeled cradle on the bulkhead.  

Your davit seems like a better idea, but this works for me.

 

[Irrational 14]

Don't overthink this. A line the size of your main sheet will work - Small bowline around bow, bigger bowline around stern, loop in the middle at balance point.

We used to hoist launch Lasers with this method all of the time since our club had no dinghy ramp.

I wouldn't try hoisting with rig and sails. Too much to go wrong. Keep is simple, just the hull and then its still easy to put the rig in later.

 

[steveo]

Thanks  Irrational I can see this working. Only problems will be trying to keep boat stable in the chop while I try to install mast and I cant launch with rudder attached ...

VWAP-  I see that bridle available on Amazon. Looks like it may release once the boat is floating so I can launch with rudder attached, just not sure of the mast.

Gouvernail- thanks for  the link to the other site. There was some info there but nothing definitive.

My season is done for now anyway (last sail was Sunday in cold but awesome conditions- I was the only boat on the water) I will play around with options next spring.


 

 

[CaptainAhab]

Toughen up Princess. Rig a retrieval line on your trolley. Get a good running start. Hop on, sheet on and 
Send it!!!

 

[torrid]

The only thing comparable I can think of off the top of my head is Milwaukee.  I wasn't sailing a Laser there, but there were some on site.  They at least had a small dock around the edge of the bulkhead.  Someone from there could offer some insight.

 

[Kenny Dumas]

I made a toggle that I pushed down thru the board slot and turned. Works fine.