Re: Speeding up launch

Bill Combs (ttursine@gnt.net)
Sun, 25 Oct 98 10:46:39 -0500


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Funny, I never think of getting underway from a slip as consuming. The
most burdensome part has been wrestling some ice down to the boat, a task
I'm attempting to eliminate with a new three mode (AC/DC/propane)
cooler/frig.

I leave most systems in sailing mode:
keel down - highly recommended to effect a __dramatic__ reduction
in amplitude and speed of motion of the hull. Something
to do with the Second Moment of Inertia I think.
rudder in place - assuming it's protected from worm (they ate my
original rudder!) and water damage. The Tiller Tamer
keeps things under control.
all sheets attached
headsail bagged on foredeck - and lashed to pilpit. Sheets led out of
bag and tied off on bow pulpit. All hanks, halyard, tack,
and downhaul remain attached.

leaving the following as the drill:
stow whatever you've brought with you
lower engine, attach gas & electric lines, & start
unplug AC power
remove mainsail cover and headsail bag
mount autopilot
cast off

and you're on your way. Takes no more than 10 minutes, often less.

>From the trailer, it's a different matter. I used to be able to go from
trailer to water (or vice versa) in less than 30 minutes, but advancing
age, laziness, and wisdom have stretched this out to an hour or more.
("More" is for doing it without a helper.) Since my taste in sailing Ursa
Minor is evolving from daysailing to cruising, I don't have to
launch/retrieve often and feel the extra time is warranted to make sure
everything is right.

Regards,
Bill Combs
WWP 19 #439 (August 1987)
"Ursa Minor"
Fort Walton Beach FL
ttursine@gnt.net