Launching the Toura Without Slipping
Using a winch on a slipway – and getting her back out again safely
The RS Toura is a brilliant training and family dinghy – stable, forgiving, and happy on both river and sea.
It is also not light.
That combination means launching and recovering her needs a bit of thought, especially on a slippery slipway. Over the years at the club, I’ve seen plenty of near-misses (and a few undignified slides), so here’s the method that keeps both boat and sailors upright.
⚠️ Why slipways deserve respect
Slipways are perfect traps:m
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Smooth concrete
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Algae and silt
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Water exactly where your feet go
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Gravity doing the rest
Even experienced instructors slip occasionally. The answer isn’t bravado – it’s using the winch properly and letting the hardware do the hard work.
🚦 Preparation: before you move an inch
Before the boat goes anywhere near the water:
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Painter attached – long enough to control the boat once afloat
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Winch cable secure – clipped on, locked, and checked
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All loose kit stowed (nothing rolling aft mid-launch)
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Crew briefed – one person in charge, everyone else listening
If you’re not rushed, you’re already doing it right.
⬇️ Launching the Toura with a winch
The golden rule: walk the boat down – don’t shove it.
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Keep the boat on the trailer and attach the winch cable
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Release slowly, letting the winch control the descent
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One person guides from the side, never behind
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Stop when the winch just as the boat starts to float
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Release the painter from the trolley.
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Walk the boat clear of the trailer before turning it head-to-wind and securing the boat.
Winch the trolley back up the slipway and disconnect it from the winch, and store in a safe place.
No running. No sliding. No heroics.
⬆️ Recovering the Toura (where accidents really happen)
Recovering is when fatigue, wet boots, and confidence combine dangerously.
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Lower the trolley down the slipway using the winch.
Line up the boat straight with the trailer before approaching
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Keep the boat head-to-wind or stream for control
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Use the winch to pull the boat up slowly
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Keep hands clear of pinch points
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Stop, check alignment, then continue
If it doesn’t feel right – stop. Gravity will wait.
👟 Small details that make a big difference
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Non-slip sailing boots (not smooth trainers)
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One clear voice giving instructions
The aim isn’t speed – it’s finishing with dry dignity.
🌊 Final thought
The Toura rewards calm, methodical sailing – and she likes being launched the same way.
Use the winch, trust the process, and save the slipping for accidental gybes.
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