Gary, We have the same trailer, I think, but as you say there is the ramp steepness variable. In your case, I seem to recall that you moved your axle forward to reduce tongue weight, which might be even more important. As I envision it, your boat would float even sooner at a given depth over the axles. Regardless, as long as there is uncertainty, there is hope. Thanks, Tom On Nov 1, 2013, at 4:02 PM, GARY M HYDE wrote:
I have a 2005 M17 with a 2005 Pacific trailer. My rule of thumb is to get the trailer fenders under water for launch and retrieve , but ramp steepness can modify that.
G M Hyde Sent from my iPad
On Nov 2, 2013, at 3:02 AM, Tom Smith <openboatt@gmail.com> wrote:
I love using the wench to crank her up...
On Fri, Nov 1, 2013 at 9:27 AM, Randy Graves <rkgraves@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Tom,
We brought our M17 (1988) home last weekend, as the lake level is dropping for the winter, and I noted that the top of the trailer fenders were under the water when I had enough float to get the boat on/off the trailer. The top of our fenders is roughly 34 inches (1988 Trailrite trailer with drop-down axle & 15 inch wheels). The top of our fenders is roughly 6 inches below the bottom of the waterline stripe. Taking all this into account I recall that the stern of our 17 is floating and we can push her off the trailer our use the wench to crank her up onto it. I know your setup is different but maybe this will help.
Randy Graves
On Fri, Nov 1, 2013 at 8:14 AM, Tom Jenkins <tjenk@gte.net> wrote:
Out here in the west we are having some water level issues at launching ramps. Just wondering if anyone has measured the depth over the axle necessary to float a 21st century Montgomery 17 with a stock Pacific trailer. I hate to drive several hundred miles to find she won't float. Someone told me that 4' is a rough figure, but I have always been too busy at the ramp to confirm this number. Thanks much.
Tom Jenkins M17 Scintilla, Hull 626