[Rhodes22-list] How to Launch Your Boat

John Tonjes johntonjes at earthlink.net
Mon Jun 2 12:21:30 EDT 2003


Bill,
That's too funny. Good one.

Rummy


> [Original Message]
> From: Bill Effros <bill at effros.com>
> To: R22 List <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> Date: 6/2/2003 9:04:14 AM
> Subject: [Rhodes22-list] How to Launch Your Boat
>
> I sent Stan's boat launch comments out to some friends.  Following is an =
> unedited response:
>
>
> I have read the launch instructions and find them not entirely thought =
> through. I think we could make some suggestions which would help. For =
> example: The swim ladder is on the stern of the boat, but the boat is =
> launched stern first. This means that the launcher must set the brakes =
> on the launch vehicle, depart the vehicle, wade and then dive into the =
> water, catch up with the boat which is accelerating away from the =
> launcher, swim aound to the stern where the swim ladder is, get aboard =
> and apply the boat backing up brakes, get the boat tethered to something =
> stationary, get back off the boat, swim or walk back to the launch =
> vehicle, deal with the really pissed off other launchers who have been =
> waiting twenty minutes for the launcher to return to the aparantly =
> abandoned launch vehicle. There are now ten launch vehicles in line =
> impatiently waiting there turn to launch. The ramp is now so crowded =
> that there is grid lock and getting out is near impossible. The Harbor =
> master is trying to get to you to give you a ticket for spending more =
> than the allowed 10 minutes on the boat ramp further delaying the 10 =
> (now 12) other boaters trying to get their boats in the water. They are =
> now chanting to an increasing creshendow" arrest that owner, arrest that =
> owner" You can see by the look in the Harbor Masters eyes that he is =
> trying to figure a charge with which to do just that.
>
> At minimum a swim ladder on the bow of the boat could help this process =
> considerably. It seems to me that Mr. Rhodes could offer this an option =
> which could increase his margin on each Rhodes 22. Further to the extent =
> this launch proceedure has merit it might be workable in Florida in June =
> but be less desireable in late October in Northern Maine. If Mr. Rhodes =
> had a little heart attack on the Newport launch, the late October Maine =
> launch would likely finish him off, drifting toward some super yacht or =
> not.
>
> I have an idea which you could share with Mr. Rhodes (along with the =
> rest of this letter) on how the launch proceedure could work smooth as =
> silk without anyone having to get more than their ankles wet. Much =
> better for the Northern Maine launch.
> A specially designed bungee cord. It would work like this: The long =
> bungee would attach to the bow clete on one end and the trailer on the =
> other. When the brakes are applied and the boat slides off the trailer =
> it's backward momentum would be absorbed by the bungee and then the the =
> bungee would return to it's original legnth bringing the boat back just =
> enough to nuzzle the boat to the back of the trailer in ankle deep =
> water. Some experimenting would have to be done with the bungee to get =
> it perfect as it would be frustrating to have the boat be pulled back so =
> hard to just have it right back on the trailer. Four or five trys at =
> launchung which only resulted in the boat back where it started would =
> also likely piss off the launchers in line . Or maybe they would find it =
> humorous, sort of like Meadowlark Lemon at the foul line with the rubber =
> band on the basketball.=20
>
> Details, details. I'm sure Mr. Rhodes can figure it out. Oh, by the way, =
> you can offer this solution without any design fee to me. Consider it my =
> gift to the boating world.
>
> My best all for the easier boat launches I can envision.
>
> Uncle Russ
>
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