Launching

Abraxas has a history of trailer launching.  At Great Salt Lake trailer launching is a viable option but it does have negative consequences for the trailer due to the extremely salty water.

Crane launching saved wear and tear on the trailer, but it is limited by cost and scheduling.

Abraxas ready to relauch after getting a brand new barrier coat bottom. So here we are ready to use the crane. 

Dave Shearer hooks up the slings to the hook to begin lifting boats.

Setting up the sling.  The spreader pipe assembly is set to keep the lifting straps from squeezing the hull while the boat is lifted.
We use a big crane because of the reach required to get from the parking lot to the water. So we need a really BIG crane.  You can see the spreader assembly doing its job in the image.

Abraxas about to go into the water

Heading for the water. 

Abraxas in the water but still on the sling

Ouch! That stings.

Keeping the bow pointing the right way while flying through the air

Using a line to control the boat in the air.

Trailer Launching, or how to make your trailer into a submarine!

Wheel chocks in place and a keel close up with brand new VC17m

 So you bravely back down the ramp.  Then you stop and chock the wheels on the trailer.  Once the wheels are chocked, unhitch the trailer from the tow vehicle.

Before submerging the trailer in the salty water, let your wheel bearings and hubs cool by waiting or dousing them with fresh water.  The cool, salty lake water will be pulled into the hubs when they contract otherwise.

Additionally, all the electrical connections are sealed and the lights on the trailer are waterproof (NOT just submersible).
About to pull the trailer off the chocks and ease it into the water

In this image you can see the third wheel.  The hub and axle is fixed in square tubing and is simply dropped down while the trailer is jacked up.  The wheel on the trailer jack will also work, but it does not roll as easily, and since it swivels, the trailer might go off in a unintended direction.  A fixed third wheel is better.

Disconnect everything holding the boat to the trailer.  Put someone on the boat or use a long line to bring the boat to the dock.

Using the long rope, pull the trailer off the chocks, remove them, and let the trailer roll into the water.  Observe the waterline in the mirror so you can stop before your trailer disappears.

On a side note, a Santana 525 can clear the reef down to lake levels at 4196.5 with about a foot to spare.

At Great Salt Lake I can trailer launch if the water level is at 4196 feet above sea level.  This gives me about six feet of depth at the bottom of the ramp.