Old Salt Surf Launching Tips and Tricks

[Dusty]

I have been thinking of compiling a document together with the help of the experienced skippers her on Sealine. We all understand that there is a pretty basic skipper’s course that one can take in order to fulfill their dreams out on the ocean, but I am sure that we can also agree that 98% of what you know and what you needed to know you learnt after taking the course.
I know it is asking much but we need to pass on experience to us younger guys for the following reasons.

1. To develop the sport
2. To develop a better safety standard
3. To encourage new/nervous skippers
4. To share and collaborate on different techniques

So my proposal is open to anyone who regularly skippers a craft and surf launches. To keep things uniformed we will break it down into the following sections.

1. Trailering
2. Boat warm up/checks
3. Ski slip etiquette
4. Beach Unloading
5. Water entry
6. Initial Launch (from pushing into the water until before takeoff)
7. Takeoff to Back Line
8. Tips for the sea
9. Initial Beaching (Behind backline)
10. Backline to Beaching
11. Beaching etiquette
12. Trailer loading
13. Boat checks/flushing engines
14. Leaving the ski slip

So please give us a write up under the headings of your specific strategies.

I really hope this post get some support and interest as I feel that there is a wealth of knowledge out there that so many of us new skippers can use.

Thanks Dusty

 

[MassynD]

This is a great proposal! I hope you get the support from the experienced chaps. But I wouldn't think that they not offer there knowledge.((goodp

 

[benniejordaan]

Great proposal.

Look forward to commentary from the regular surf launchers.

 

[Emjay]

In the latest issue of the Ski Boat magazine is an article by Anton Gets on trailers and how to tow on the beach. Next issue will deal with surf launching etc. Makes for interesting reading.

 

[willem wikkel spies]

goeie tread die!
ek launch nou nie elke dag nie, en soos jy tereg gestel het, die meeste leer ons eers na die tyd.

n opvallende stelling wat eendag gemaak is; "

luck favours the brave"

n ander aspek wat nie in jou lys genome is nie;
ken jou boot, ken sy hanteering asook jou boot se vermoe.

ek bly gelukkig naby nigel dam.
so net voor my see trip, vat ek die boot dam toe.

daar gaan ry ons hom hard en maak seker als is reg.
ons gaan ook deur alles, in die sin.
stel jouself voor jy .surf launch en die golwe is oppad. en maak enige tyd jou draai ens, sodat jou crew gewoond raak aan die situasie.
oefen jou draaie en weg hardloop en weer neus na die golwe.

dis ook daar wat jy weer, jou crew laat oplet wie kyk waar, wie doen wat, wanneer ens.

al is daar nie golwe nie, maak ek my eie.

n goeie geoliede crew is net so belangrik.

 

[rianc]

WW Spies, ek stem hartlik saam met jou! ken jou boot en sy vermoens. Ek doen presies dieselfde as ek in die dam gaan speel om so groot golwe en kolke te maak dat jy nie OMO kan bygooi en die hele Soweto se klere kan was. Dis natuurlik nooit dieselfde in die see nie, maar ten minste kry jy die gevoel hoe jou boot teen verskillende spoed die maalkol hanteer. Dip and dive en uit die gat. Shame, ek onstig partykeer die speedboat ouens, maar prober altyd so ver weg wees van enige verkeer op die water tydens die sessies. Daar niks lekkerder om net op jou props te harloop in 'n dam nie. Kom jy by die see, het ek natuurlik baie meer respek, en is daar nie tyd vir speel in "manmade" golfies nie.