How To Launch Your Ladder From Compac 23 Trailer

One of the nice things about storing our Compac 23 on a trailer instead of a wet slip is that it's possible to store a large ladder under the boat next to the keel. 

A Perfect Place to Store a Ladder

Stored here on the starboard side, it is a simple matter to set the ladder up and it's just as easy to store it away when you are done with the task of the day.  Great Idea Eh?  Thank you.

Last Sunday we returned from a sailing sojourn to find that some dirty, slime covered, no good rat had borrowed our ladder, apparently on a permanent basis.  Obviously since it was there when we left and not when we returned some skunk must have it right?  

Where could it have gone ? Hmmmmm

While the Admiral retraced the launch sequence path the Capt wandered down the boat ramp where, after some fishing, wrestled ashore from the cold waters the very same ladder that had gone missing!  What a coincidence.

Pretty fast thinking D.S.C.N.G. rat - throwing my ladder into the water while making good his escape wouldn't you say? 

Lesson Learned

Always tie you ladder to the boat when you are working on it.

And it may be a good idea to tie it to your trailer

Not that you'd ever launch it

It's Important to Have a Plan - Not That It Makes a Difference On HideAway

The first good fall weekend came early this year.  Cool and dry, not too hot and just the right wind velocity.  The Plan was to thoroughly clean and shine HideAway for an upcoming cruise and do some minor maintenance.

THE Plan

The Plan was to do all this at our leisure taking time to enjoy the boat and the day on board.  All good plans end with a phone call and an idea.  Neither of which is bad, but when combined with a plan that might have been good if written down things, can get wild. 

The Phone Call:

Sure we'll keep the grand kids over the weekend.  No problem!

The Idea:

 Wouldn't it be fun to anchor out with the Gk's?  (Remember HideAway is a Compac 23 and they call it "Compac" for a reason)

The Action:

A quick run to the grocery store in Pasadena miles from Gulfport.  Once there we remembered the meat thawing on the counter at home miles away in Largo.  Drive up to Largo, put the meat away, grab some bedding - Naw it's not going to be cold - its only October in south west Fl.  (Ha) Wait we need - - - 

Two hours later we loaded a pickup full of stuff, some food and the kids toys -  Well, you see, they didn't actually know they were going cruising with the old folks.

The Result

The Space Monkeys From Tampa

The Lesson:

The HideAways don't need no stinkin plan!

Small Boats Rock!