Anyone trailer launch with 3.5' draft or more?

[Barquito]

I have a Calalina 22 swing keel with 2' draft. I was thinking of moving up to a fixed keel boat (Cape Dory 25D or similar). Anyone have experience trailer launching boats with 3.5' or more draft? I would rather not pay crane service to put the boat in and out.

[bheintz]

At Lake Norman Yacht Club (North Carolina) they launch Soverel 33's (5'8" draft) with an add on 48' tounge.

It really depends on how deep the water is around the ramp, AND how long the ramp is under water.



Soverel 33 - Innovations

[farmboy]

You'll need a fairly steep ramp and a good tongue extension, probably in the 10' to 20' feet range, but it can be done. Friends of mine just pulled and launched a Viking 28 (4'6" draft) in order to change a bent prop shaft. A little water came into the cab of the truck, but they got it done. Pay attention to water level to. We launched our Shark (3' draft) when the water was low and dropped the trailer off the ramp. It got stuck. It was a bad scene.