Glenns post about his launch gave me flash backs to a premature launch I had
on a 30 footer years ago..

I built a 30 version of Star Drift (a Clark Craft sloop).. Multi chine, keel
with with centerboard, about 3ft draft with board up.

The building site was at my beach house and only about 2 blocks from a river
bank.. I moved her to the river bank on her cradle, planks and rollers. Used
my 2 ton station wagon for a 'dead man' for my chainfall..

Once we reached the river bank, I set the largest anchor I could borrow
across the river and hauled the cradle the edge of the river bank. Before
starting down the river bank slope I rigged a preventor to the station
wagon.. Proceeded to haul the boat and cradle over the edge of the moderate
slop of the embankment.... Once it started the decent, it gathered speed and
the preventor came up taunt, stopped the progress of the cradle but the boat
kept on going.. Skidded out of the cradle stern first through the soft mud
and into the water.. No lines had been rigged.

But that wasn't my biggest problem.. I wasn't planning on the actual launch
until high tide the next day and the propeller shaft was still in the
machine shop.. I waded out, reached under and stuffed a rag into the stern
tube. Then climbed on board and tossed a line to shore.

ThenI had to figure out what to tell the invited guests when the showed up
the next day expecting to see the launch..

In retrospect, I shouldn't make fun of the stuff that goes on at the launch
ramps.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions