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Doryman
Joined: 03 Oct 2006 Posts: 3807 City/Region: Anacortes
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Vessel Name: Lori Ann
Photos: Lori Ann
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Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 3:12 pm Post subject: Single-handed launch & retrieve of Tom Cat? |
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I am curious whether any Tom Cat owners here launch and retrieve their boats by themselves, without help. If you do, could you outline the procedure you use?
Most of the time when I am launching I have to give the boat a nudge with the truck brakes to get it to slide off the bunks. If you do that, how do you get into the boat?
Retrieving would not be as hard, but unless you drove your boat all the way up the bunks to the ladder (assuming you have a ladder trailer) how do you get out of the boat without getting very wet?
Does the Tom Cat present more of a challenge in this regard than a 25?
Inquiring minds want to know.
Warren _________________ Doryman
M/V Lori Ann
TomCat 255, Hull #55, 150 Yamahas
Anacortes, WA
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thataway
Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 20813 City/Region: Pensacola
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: thataway
Photos: Thataway
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Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 7:17 pm Post subject: |
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I have single handed launched and retrieved both the 25 and 255. Both are fairly easy to do--as long as the trailer is far enough in the water, and good angle on the ramp. I climb over the front of the bow from the trailer frame on both boats--but am usually wearing waterproof boots. Drive on/drive off. But, we do have slicks on the 8 front feet of the trailer of the Tom Cat and use "Mary Kate Liquid rollers" (silicone spray) on the C Dory 25. We do not "bump" the boat off. _________________ Bob Austin
Thataway
Thataway (Ex Seaweed) 2007 25 C Dory May 2018 to Oct. 2021
Thisaway 2006 22' CDory November 2011 to May 2018
Caracal 18 140 Suzuki 2007 to present
Thataway TomCat 255 150 Suzukis June 2006 thru August 2011
C Pelican; 1992, 22 Cruiser, 2002 thru 2006
Frequent Sea; 2003 C D 25, 2007 thru 2009
KA6PKB
Home port: Pensacola FL |
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Alli Cat
Joined: 26 Jul 2008 Posts: 27 City/Region: Anchorage
State or Province: AK
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Vessel Name: Alli Cat
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Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2009 12:34 am Post subject: |
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Warren,
When Launching, I back the boat in close to the dock and tie the stern line to a dock cleat with slack. I tie the bow line to the trailer ladder (with slack)and climb back in the truck, back up and hit the brakes. She slides right off but does not have anyplace to go.
Fred _________________ Fred and Allison |
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Doryman
Joined: 03 Oct 2006 Posts: 3807 City/Region: Anacortes
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Vessel Name: Lori Ann
Photos: Lori Ann
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Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2009 8:57 am Post subject: |
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Alli Cat wrote: | When Launching, I back the boat in close to the dock and tie the stern line to a dock cleat with slack. I tie the bow line to the trailer ladder (with slack)and climb back in the truck, back up and hit the brakes. She slides right off but does not have anyplace to go. |
Fred, that sounds very workable. Thanks! What about retrieving? Do you drive the boat all the way up on the bunks? Sometimes that is not easy to do if the ramp is not steep enough.
Warren |
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Captains Cat
Joined: 03 Nov 2003 Posts: 7313 City/Region: Cod Creek>Potomac River>Chesapeake Bay
State or Province: VA
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Captain's Choice II
Photos: Captain's Cat
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Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2009 9:18 am Post subject: |
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Warren, I usually get the Cat as close as I can with the engines, climb down the ladder, hook up to something firm and drive up to level ground. It's a fairly simple matter (if you're careful) to drive forward a little and tap the brakes to get it to slide up to the rubber bumper.
Charlie _________________ CHARLIE and PENNY CBRAT #100
Captain's Cat II 2005 22 Cruiser
Thataway (2006 TC255 - Sold Aug 2013)
Captain's Cat (2006 TC255 - Sold January 2012)
Captain's Kitten (1995 CD 16 Angler- Sold June 2010)
Captain's Choice (1994 CD 22 Cruiser- Sold Jun 2007)
Potomac River/Chesapeake Bay
K4KBA |
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Wefings Dealer
Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2086 City/Region: Panhandle
State or Province: FL
Photos: Cruise Ship #4
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Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2009 9:38 am Post subject: |
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Warren , when you come back through Ill show you how we do it . There are a couple techniques that work in different situations.
Marc _________________ Wefings Marine Website
Since 1909 |
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Alli Cat
Joined: 26 Jul 2008 Posts: 27 City/Region: Anchorage
State or Province: AK
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Vessel Name: Alli Cat
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Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2009 2:38 pm Post subject: |
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Warren, I have never had to retrieve the boat alone, but I suppose I would walk it on a little (just like when I have help), then step aboard and run her up. The trouble is how far to power up before using the winch. I like my wife to drive it on as I crank. I don't look forward to ever doing this part alone.
Fred |
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flrockytop
Joined: 04 Oct 2006 Posts: 502 City/Region: Pensacola
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: The Last One (to date)
Photos: C-LOVER
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Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2009 4:50 pm Post subject: |
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Alli Cat wrote: | Warren,
When Launching, I back the boat in close to the dock and tie the stern line to a dock cleat with slack. I tie the bow line to the trailer ladder (with slack)and climb back in the truck, back up and hit the brakes. She slides right off but does not have anyplace to go.
Fred |
Just be mindful of too much slack. If too much slack the line can/will get caught around the wheel fender, then it it can get in bind where you can't go forward or back. Don't ask why I know so much about what can go wrong?
Roger _________________ 2007 22 Cruiser
Track Me HERE
NA4RR
Roger Rockwell
Pensacola, Fl |
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