launch from dock

Hi! I've been stalking this message board for over a year and am anxiously awaiting my TI delivery in a couple days. I've enjoyed reading all the mods and camping trips that you all have done over the years. I just wish I were closer to be able to follow you guys around some.

I live in eastern NC and luckily on the water. I have a dock that tends past the oyster beds. I've been trying to work on the best system for getting the boat into and perhaps more importantly OUT of the water. Likelihood is that it will be mostly single handed though occasionally will have my husband or my dad for help. I am hoping to take the kids out with me -- probably just the 4 yo now and then when I can have another adult with me perhaps the 22 mo too!

Anyone with any experience of using a lift or floating dock with the TI?

Some rough measurements... My dock is 54" wide, over 100' long (over tidal pool and then rise of oyster and sea grass that is out of the water at low tide. At end is a platform that is roughly 20'x20' with ~ 9' between pilings. Piling are only 3' above platform of dock. Platform is roughly 6.5' from ground with about 4-5' tide.

Thank you!

Laurie

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2016 Tandem Island

Laurie, while I unfortunately do not have any experience to draw on to help you, there is one question which might hlp others.

Is that 20 x 20 platform at the end of the dock a floating one? Your post suggests not.

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Tony Stott
2012 Tandem Island "SIC EM" with Hobie spinnaker

Tony, it isn't.
My new boat was however delivered today! It is heavy! And beautiful.

Thanks for asking.
Laurie

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2016 Tandem Island

Thanks for that clarification Laurie. Here are some thought bubbles which might or might not help you in your decision-making! lol

Given that the dock is fixed, this would mean that sometime the water could be as much as five feet below the deck level. That would seem to suggest you would need some sort of hoist (and maybe a ladder so you could get down to the Island easily)

While your TI must feel like it weighs a ton, the actual weight you would need a hoist to handle is very much as the low end of commercial hoists. Similarly, if your dock walkway is 54" wide, you should be able to get the TI to the platform on a trolley OK (not the big one, but one of the smaller ones with the insert on top to spread the load).

I would imagine you could get the hoist to lift the TI up the 3 feet needed to clear the pylons before lowering it into the water. My guess is that the centre of gravity is just about spot on the front aka, which could make installation of a lifting strap easy, as the aka would be a strong enough lifting point (subject to a confirmation from Matt from Hobie hint hint )

Building up a suitable davit would not be to tough a job for a handyman, and you could use an inexpensive boat trailer winch for single-handed raising and lowering. I would assume the TI goes on the hoist with amas folded, and mast raised...

Food for thought?

Tony

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Tony Stott
2012 Tandem Island "SIC EM" with Hobie spinnaker

Laurie, although most of the powered lifts around here are overkill for what you need, some will work just fine. The biggest issue will be the width, as you're only 4' wide collapsed which is kind of small, but opened up it's a little wide for most lifts. I have put mine up on a friends jet ski lift while we went off for the afternoon and that worked okay but left the amas unsupported. They also are designed for much more weight than you'll even need.

Depending on your situation, you might be able to simply lift the boat on and off of the platform with some help from another adult or make a "swing out" lift with a Harbor Freight winch. I was a little surprised by the weight of my boat when it first came as well but have adjusted to it quite well. I do trailer it as I am not on the water and do enjoy putting in at different locations. Thinking about the public launch at the old menhaden processor at the end of town for this summer. I've put the sea kayaks in there but not the TI.

I've only had mine a short time and still learning, but if you want to come to the sound and sail together some time let me know. The town launch here by the EI bridge is very handy for a day trip out on the sound and not far down the road from you.

Bob

Hi,

I have been worrying about the same issue. Also, how do I get my kids and dog into and out of a kayak 4 feet below the dock or sea wall?

There is a Kayak lift that is cool but expensive at this link.

http://www.goldenboatlifts.com/kayaklaunch.php

But, I am thinking a davit with straps front and rear and lines to the amas.

Would like to hear what your final solution is.
Good Luck
Scott

There's a guy or near me who has a little aluminum he pulls up into his dock. Most it gets is about 4 feet below dock height. He uses a little electric winch (looks like one youd have on a jeep), and a roller on the edge of the dock. He kind of maneuvers the bow nto the roller as the winch cranks it up, once the bow is aligned, the winch just yanks the boat right up. Not sure our plastics could take that abuse., but it's worth mentioning.

Boat trailer winches will have all the muscle you would need (whether electric or manual). I wouldn't be concerned about lifting th amas, as the bungees will look after them just fine during the lidting.

Of course, I would always recommend making a safety line out of Hobie 1000# test dyeema rudder line, securely anchoredinside the black plastic ama fittings, with a loop to go over the button on the aka. The amas are never ever going to drop off with those puppies in place.

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Tony Stott
2012 Tandem Island "SIC EM" with Hobie spinnaker

so update...

Haven't figured out dock launch or storage.

thoughts:
dad and I have a zipline scheme that involves a tree and my dock -- to get it both into and out of the water. Dunno if its worth it but its just so cool that I can't help trying.

ramp is easier than davit most likely. Having a hard time finding someone who knows enough about them locally to help -- without costing an arm and a leg.

looking a making a real mooring. Anyone store their boats in salt water for weekends/week at a time? I had gotten a small sand screw and then attached other end to dock. Boat found this AM at 4 in neighbors yard. I felt awful and then so damn relieved it was amazing.

Tom, I like your pool noodle bumper. I scraped up mine tying it to the dock.

I freaking LOVE this boat.

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2016 Tandem Island