journey on
New member
We launched Journey On in Sauslito to visit Tim, our son, on our way back home. Worked out well but I thought I'd mention a few thoughts about available launch ramps. This is just for general information, and your opinion may and probably should vary.
There are three launch ramps in some proximity to Sauslito, which name comes from "small willow grove."
1. Clipper Yacht Harbour, where we rented a slip. This has the flattest ramp at which I've ever launched, and that includes over 300 ramps (by actual count.) Either you bury your truck over the rear wheels or that boat isn't floating. We have a roller E_Z loader trailer, which has the rollers higher than a bunk trailer. So I backed the boat down until the rear wheels were in the water, and that still didn't allow the boat to float off. Next I tied the boat the to dock and drove the trailer out from under, which did work. That was a first and raised doubts about hauling the boat out. $20 to launch and $20/day to store the truck/trailer (after first day.)
So here are the alternatives.
2. Downtown Sausilito. Steeper launch ramp with a dock, but no place to park the truck even for a couple of minutes. It's between 2 restaurants and the approach is 1 truck wide with no area to turn around. So, someone has to be on the boat, another arrives with the truck and backs it in, you load and leave. Free.
3. Loch Lomond Marina, at the entrance to San Rafael Channel. A steeper ramp (though not as steep as I'm used to,) good dock and parking area. $20 to launch and $20/day to store your truck/trailer (after first day.) 10 nmi from Sausalito by truck or trailer.
What did we do? Well, we have a roller trailer so we used Clipper Yacht Harbour, got the trailer as far back in as the truck would allow and then winched it on. I did the easy winching part and then Tim got it on the rest of the way.
I'm convinced that we would have had to go to Loch Lomand with a bunk trailer, so I'm glad (again) that we got rollers. If I had to do it over, I'd start at Loch Lomond. The truck's been great and I have no desire to sink the brakes and differential in salt water.
Boris
There are three launch ramps in some proximity to Sauslito, which name comes from "small willow grove."
1. Clipper Yacht Harbour, where we rented a slip. This has the flattest ramp at which I've ever launched, and that includes over 300 ramps (by actual count.) Either you bury your truck over the rear wheels or that boat isn't floating. We have a roller E_Z loader trailer, which has the rollers higher than a bunk trailer. So I backed the boat down until the rear wheels were in the water, and that still didn't allow the boat to float off. Next I tied the boat the to dock and drove the trailer out from under, which did work. That was a first and raised doubts about hauling the boat out. $20 to launch and $20/day to store the truck/trailer (after first day.)
So here are the alternatives.
2. Downtown Sausilito. Steeper launch ramp with a dock, but no place to park the truck even for a couple of minutes. It's between 2 restaurants and the approach is 1 truck wide with no area to turn around. So, someone has to be on the boat, another arrives with the truck and backs it in, you load and leave. Free.
3. Loch Lomond Marina, at the entrance to San Rafael Channel. A steeper ramp (though not as steep as I'm used to,) good dock and parking area. $20 to launch and $20/day to store your truck/trailer (after first day.) 10 nmi from Sausalito by truck or trailer.
What did we do? Well, we have a roller trailer so we used Clipper Yacht Harbour, got the trailer as far back in as the truck would allow and then winched it on. I did the easy winching part and then Tim got it on the rest of the way.
I'm convinced that we would have had to go to Loch Lomand with a bunk trailer, so I'm glad (again) that we got rollers. If I had to do it over, I'd start at Loch Lomond. The truck's been great and I have no desire to sink the brakes and differential in salt water.
Boris