THE MELGES 14 : STEP 12
LAUNCHING THE BOAT AND PUTTING IN THE DAGGERBOARD
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There are a number of ways to the launch the Melges 14. You can either launch
it off the dolly from the beach or a boat ramp, or you can launch the boat from
a dock or dinghy dock.
•
Take care to always look above for power lines or electrical wires around
the launch area.
•
Make sure the inspection hatch cover is properly screwed on and the transom
drain plug is tightly screwed in prior to launching the Melges 14.
•
Take care to not slide the hull on any abrasive surface. Sand or debris will
scratch or dent the hull and damage the gelcoat. Always slide the boat on a
clean debris free surface.
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Once the boat is in the water it will be more tippy. You can install the daggerboard
from alongside the boat if you are in shallow enough water, or you can install the board
from on the boat, either tied to a dock or when you push off from the beach or pier.
•
Once the boat is in the water, you can install the daggerboard into the board trunk.
Ensure the the board trunk and daggerboard are free of debris. Dunk the daggerboard
in the water to lubricate the board and slide it into the board trunk.
•
Once the board is all the way down to the board stop, pull the board shock chord
and tube retainer over the board and behind the trailing edge of the board to help
maintain daggerboard height when sailing and to ensure the board does not fall out
of the board trunk when the boat is capsized.
•
Take care of the trailing edge of the daggerboard
and the rudder, they are the sharpest points of the foils
for performance but care should be taken when
swimming around the boat and foils to avoid injury.
MELGES.COM • MELGES14.COM
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