Why launch weight and slipway angle matter

A slipway launch places changing loads on the hull as it enters the water. Too much installed weight can produce unacceptable bending, so some equipment must wait until the ship reaches a fitting-out yard. The launch angle has to suit the hull and the intended movement into the water. Entering too quickly or too slowly can create problems, as can a stage of the launch that puts excessive weight or bending on the hull. These constraints help explain why a slipway is a poor answer to repairing a fully equipped ship with underwater damage.