Hi,
I am an absolute DS 1, 2 and 3 neophyte windsurfer transitioning to a small sailboat and am wondering if it is at all possible to beach launch a DS?
I have absolutely nothing against using a ramp but I would rather not be tied down to one. I have a feeling the answer will be a resounding NO.
I love the DS concept, dry, simple, not into racing anyone, but the other path I am thinking of is getting an admittedly less dry 14' footer that will be light enough (~250pounds) that I could beach launch it where a ramp is not available. I guess I am trying to find the intersection of a boat large enough to keep me dry but small enough to beach launch with a heavy duty cart of some kind. Something much lighter than the trailer would be.
I am pretty sure that I am handy enough to make something that would allow me to move a 600 pound boat on level ground, without sand to contend with but scooping a boat OUT of the water would be a farther bridge to cross I am sure. Has anyone beach launched a DS and lived to tell?
Without any real experience....save beach launching a sunfish (~150pounds)....I came up with the 14/15 foot limit as I see that the weight of these boats passes the 300 pound line with boats larger than 15 feet. I might even be wrong in thinking that I can remove a 300 pound boat from the lake but I have at least heard that it has been done.
I think that alot would depend on the actual spot on the beach. Too great an angle bringing up the boat and too soft a sand could determine success or failure I would think.
Any suggestions for boats that would be close to that intersection of beach launchable (sp?) and 'kind of' dry would also be most welcome.
Thanks very much,
Jim Lee