First time sailor

[Marlinspike]

Skip,

I can't add anything to what these folks have said, but i will say that I, too learned on a Puffer. What a great little boat! I'm sorry i sold it! (I ALWAYS had a paddle on board and always used it getting away from unfamiliar docks with other traffic around - like impatient bass fishermen).

[sailortjk1]

Have you tried launching from a beach or shore instead of the busy boat ramp area?
In my teenage years, I sailed a Sunfish. On busy days we would just carry it over to the beach and launch from there. Plenty of manuverablity, no other boats to contended with, and no ramp to get in my way.

A boat ramp is generally not needed to launch a small boat.
You should be able to do it from shore. (Unless the shore line is all rock or similiar)

[txmatt]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Of course, to do what Matt has suggested requires the wind be coming from across the land or docks... which may or may not be the case.

Not really... it depends on how the dock is designed. Many places have a square dock at the end of a long walkway near the ramp. This allows you to tie off the bow and let the boat point into the wind for just about any wind direction. Just depends on the dock.