Too shallow to launch

I like Woody's idea. What would a few salvage airbags cost to rent to raise the boat? Are they kind on the gelcoat (since I doubt a salvage job cares) and tow it with something smaller. A few buddies with dinghy's to maneuver like tiny tugs.
 
depth of the entrance between 3’ and 3-1/2’

Any way to know for sure which? Your draft is 3'4". if depth is 3'6", you have lots of room. if 3' you'll be sucking mud into the engine. Welcome to boating Chespeake-style.
 
Woody said:
I do that twice a year, from the water to storage, storage to water, 1.25 miles and 700 bucks each way. We're running on the state hwy but just use the marina yard trailer.
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That’s what I was thinking.... I am also thinking no charge
 
Pirate Lady said:
depth of the entrance between 3’ and 3-1/2’

Any way to know for sure which? Your draft is 3'4". if depth is 3'6", you have lots of room. if 3' you'll be sucking mud into the engine. Welcome to boating Chespeake-style.
Click to expand...
I just quoted what they said the depth was.... last week it was 4’..... I wouldn’t trust them either way
 
Pirate Lady said:
depth of the entrance between 3’ and 3-1/2’

Any way to know for sure which? Your draft is 3'4". if depth is 3'6", you have lots of room. if 3' you'll be sucking mud into the engine. Welcome to boating Chespeake-style.
Click to expand...

i would think even at 3'6" you're churning up mud and potentially sucking it into your strainers. I know that happens to me.
 
Blueone said:
That’s what I was thinking.... I am also thinking no charge
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Just a caution if using the yard trailer. With no suspension something like a speed bump will have your boat airborne, separated from the trailer it then comes slamming down, if they don't slow and crawl over. I'm sure you can guess how I know that.:eek::mad:
 
Woody said:
I do that twice a year, from the water to storage, storage to water, 1.25 miles and 700 bucks each way. We're running on the state hwy but just use the marina yard trailer.
Click to expand...

My boat stores a couple of miles from the launch and is hauled by a yard trailer with a guy on the bow with long poles to hold up the wires. LOL No biggie...
 
Pirate Lady said:
OK, as a salt water, tidal-water boater can someone explain to me how water depth goes up and down on a lake. Rain levels, snow run off, toilet flushing ?
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8A1AB5F6-404E-415F-8A68-2E0B21D80E4D.jpeg

Fluctuates every day depending on wind direction and atmospheric pressure. We saw daily changes of 6” or more at our lake home off of Lake Michigan. Snow melt and rain drive long term levels.
 
Last year in the spring the red line was below the rollers at the surface of the dock.... that’s a lot of water

B57EDDC5-FD79-4596-B200-64BE6FB68B71.jpeg
 
Pirate Lady said:
OK, as a salt water, tidal-water boater can someone explain to me how water depth goes up and down on a lake. Rain levels, snow run off, toilet flushing ?
Click to expand...

The Great Lakes level's do not fluctuate like tides, but they do change. Last year was an EXTREMELY high year, with water levels up 60"+ on Lake Michigan and many marina's / docks flooded out. It took a few years to build to that, however in 2012 it was record low water levels. Also seiche's as weather changes.

I dock right on Lake Michigan and I've seen the water change 12" in one hour...

Here are two links for you...

https://weather.com/storms/severe/news/2020-11-16-lake-erie-seiche-flooding-buffalo

https://www.lre.usace.army.mil/Miss...vel-Forecast/Weekly-Great-Lakes-Water-Levels/

Based on that last link, Lake Michigan is down 13" from this time last year. Based on what I saw at my marina earlier today, that is 100% correct.
 
firecadet613 said:
The Great Lakes level's do not fluctuate like tides, but they do change. Last year was an EXTREMELY high year, with water levels up 60"+ on Lake Michigan and many marina's / docks flooded out. It took a few years to build to that, however in 2012 it was record low water levels. Also seiche's as weather changes.

I dock right on Lake Michigan and I've seen the water change 12" in one hour...

Here are two links for you...

https://weather.com/storms/severe/news/2020-11-16-lake-erie-seiche-flooding-buffalo

https://www.lre.usace.army.mil/Miss...vel-Forecast/Weekly-Great-Lakes-Water-Levels/

Based on that last link, Lake Michigan is down 13" from this time last year. Based on what I saw at my marina earlier today, that is 100% correct.
Click to expand...
That seems to be about ideal. All those docks just about under water will be usable.
 
When docked far up a river a pontoon pulled in and a woman asked how we got up river so far. My buddy not missing a beat said, We make it under the railroad bridges by filling the cabin with water thus lowering the boat. Then when through run the bilge pumps! Hope you find a reasonable solution!
 
Agreed. I'm looking forward to Grand Haven this year....we woke up one morning last year and water was up over the sidewalk.

I was up at my marina today and it was looking perfect.
 
Blueone said:
The bayside doesn’t seem like a good option just looking at the charts. There are a lot of bridge boats at BP that don’t look like they can get under the bridge...so there must be a way thru...
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I delivered a 402 Regal to Bay Point dock F11 yesterday afternoon from Lakeside Yacht. Went under the bridge no problem, just had to put the antenna down part way. Plenty of depth. If you have a bridge boat you'll have to go around and in the other way.


Where are you launching your boat, or trying to launch it?
 
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