Keel Boat Challenge

Launching and retrieving a keel boat at WSC presents some interesting challenges.

The depth of a keel boat is the distance from the waterline to the bottom of the keel, according to the specifications submitted by the manufacturer. A listing of data about most sailboats is available at
http://sailboatdata.com
In the case of the ABBOTT 22 shown below, the depth of the keel is listed at 46". Add to this measurement 16" more for the keel's height on the trailer, and you will see that this boat requires at least 62" (6 feet would be even better) of water depth to float this boat off and on the trailer.

This boat on this particular trailer would be a perfect candidate for a crane or something similar e.g. a large transporter to lift the boat off its trailer and pop it into the water. You wouldn't even have to remove the support bar across the rear of the  frame. However, if you desire to launch/retrieve at WSC you must be prepared to do some modifications since cranes are not available.

 To add to the challenge is the fact that the ramp has a slight curve.

 

 

The easy answer is that you cannot launch/retrieve this boat at the WSC ramp

 PERIOD -  END OF STORY.

 

In fact, at the annual Spring 2011 meeting, the club membership passed the following  rule for members.

Sailboats qualifying for membership in the Wildwood Sailing Club include those with swing keels, dagger boards, or fixed keels with a draught no greater than 40 inches. 

 

However, as with all challenges that life throws at you, this problem has a solution but it will require quite a bit of effort to overcome.

This problem will come more frequently for WSC as more prospective members are exposed to really excellent deals on used keel boats as these boats age and the current owners dispose of them at distressed prices.