itguy1010 wrote:Ok, so when you pull the pin you are what, just backed into the water how far? How much force do you have to overcome to pull the pin and guide the boat into the tilted position? Also, how does this work in recovery? And, can you single-hand this operation?
I single-hand all the time. Before I started racing, I would say, at least half my trips were single-handed or with me being the only one setting up the boat.
For launch, I just get to the point where the trailer hubs are near the water line (half the wheel submerged).
The release takes no unusual force. I don't recall whether the DS needs tilting, or whether it tilts on its own. In either case, it's near the balance point, so not much force to guide it. (Sounds silly, because I just did it last two weeks ago, but I can't remember whether I had to push it up or hold it down, letting go slowly.)The initial "shove" to get the boat going does not need you to hit the gym to prepare for. The DS weighs 600 pounds, so just the inertia feels like resistance, but I'd estimate that any middle schooler could get my boat going.
In recovery, I do not use the tilt feature, because the angle makes retrieval harder. Instead, I back the trailer in just to the point where the rear roller is almost covered by the water. I replaced it with one that has a shallow V with a deeper notch in the middle. That captures the bow and forces the boat to load straight, until the bunks start taking weight (at which point there's no more side slip).