Boats In Registration and Checklist

Boat Launch is upon us. Let’s hope for nice, dry weather so that everyone will be able to get their boats ready well before launch day. Just a reminder that if you need assistance putting your mast up, or if you are able to help others put their mast up, please register for Mast Stepping Assistance and / or volunteer for mast up support day.

​Boat Launch Guidelines

Download a copy here

Prior to any boat being launched, the owner or his designate shall meet with DYC Manager John Brown, to ensure that the boat is properly registered for launching. Saturday April 28, Thursday May 3 and Launch Day, Friday May 4 have specifically been designated as Registration Days. At registration, John Brown will provide a projected lifting order for all boats.

​On Launch Day please arrive well in advance of your projected launch time, and be prepared to stay after your boat is launched, to assist other club members’ launch their boats.

Only owners/crew members directly associated and capable of assisting with launch should be in the yard.  Children and those unable to assist can wait on the walkways/pathways outside of the lifting area.  Once the boat is floating and the slings are removed, the additional crew may join the vessel to move it over to its assigned slip.

​Please ensure that your boat is ready for launch by giving careful consideration to the following:

• ​Mark on your toe rail (bow and stern / port and starboard) where you want the slings placed to lift your boat. “SLING” stickers are available at the club.
• To speed up haul out, and if you are happy with the position of the boat in your cradle, anchor your base keel board to the cradle and screw a block of wood across the front and or back of your keel to show where you want the boat placed back in the cradle @ lift out. Alternatively painting a line on the keel and cradle will be acceptable.
• Hang an appropriate number of fenders on the “PORT” side of the boat, and have a bow and stern line attached and hanging down before the boat is about to be launched. Each line should be a minimum of 30’ and a maximum of 40’ long.
• Start your engine in the compound (let it run for no longer than 15 seconds) to ensure that you will be able to motor away from the launch area. Please dispose of antifreeze solutions in an environmentally safe manner
• Make sure that your boat name and the owners name are on the cradle. Mark the cradle for bow and stern. Erase all other markings.
• Prior to launching ensure that your boat is unlocked when it is lifted in so you can quickly inspect the bilge for any water leaks.
• If you are anti-fouling under your pads, during the lift, be very careful not to get any paint on the slings as it could get on the top sides of the next boat to be lifted.
• Be there early, before your launch or your boat will not be lifted without your presence.
• Ensure that a suitable ladder is available for mounting and dismounting the boat.
• Exercise caution when climbing the ladder. Ensure that the ladder base is at least 1 foot out for every 4 feet up, and that the ladder tip is properly secured to the boat
• All tripping hazards must be removed from the deck and cockpit areas. Decks and cockpits must be clear of all items, no exceptions. Some examples of tripping hazards include, but are not limited to:
• ​Booms, whiskers poles, docking poles, oars must all be removed and stowed below deck or off the boat (this includes removing poles from stanchion storage systems). No exceptions will be granted.
• ​All dodgers, biminis and enclosure canvas must be removed. The metal tubing structures for the canvas are to be removed or securely fastened so they do not pose a hazard to the crew. This is especially important on power boats where standing areas for the crew handling the slings is limited
• ​​Anchors may be left in their normal bowsprit roller but must be securely fastened. Anchor chain/rode may be left attached to the anchor but must be stowed in the anchor locker. If stowing is not possible remove anchor chain/rode from the deck ∙ Mast hole covers must be securely fastened. For example, loose board, rocks or blocks are not permitted.
• ​​No loose personal items should be left in the cockpit or on the deck.
• To reduce risk of damage from the slings, it is recommended that items such as BBQ, life rings, etc. normally fastened to the outside of the bow pulpit or stern pulpit be removed, including dinghy outboards.
• Ensure your sling points are well marked on the hull’s topside, black tape on the lifelines also helps. Keep in mind balance points, propeller, speed and depth transducers, etc.

Once you have secured your boat in its slip, please return to the storage yard to continue to offer assistance as required for launching the balance of the boats.  If your assistance is not needed to directly assist the launch process, clean up the area around your cradle and/or prepare it for summer storage.

All cradles are to be folded down and prepared for storage by the end of Sunday, May 6, 2018.