Homemade Shore Boat Launch!

[h8weakness]

More Rookie Questions.. I'm looking to build a Shore launch for my 14' Jon. My father who lives on the river here in good ole Mishawaka IN. has an old (inaccessible by vehicle) boat launch in his yard. Here is what I'm looking to build at that launch. http://www.overtons.com/modperl/pro...ore_Docker_1200&str=shore+docker&merchID=4005
Any better ideas? I don't want to get too fancy. Should I use PVC instead of wheels? My boat and motor don't weigh more then 300 lbs. Should slide easy. hmmm...
P.S. I am not looking to BUY that shore launch... but take ideas from it. Where could I get wheels like that?
HELP PLEASE!!!!
Thanks in advance.
Ross

 

[smallboatlover]

Re: Homemade Boat Shore Launch!

Re: Homemade Boat Shore Launch!

do you have a trailer? if so just push it in and get a come a long to a tree or rock and than pulling it back out. i plan on doing that with my new sailboat.

 

[h8weakness]

Re: Homemade Boat Shore Launch!

Re: Homemade Boat Shore Launch!

do you have a trailer? if so just push it in and get a come a long to a tree or rock and than pulling it back out. i plan on doing that with my new sailboat.

I do have a trailer, but his area of the river is not sandy at all. It's pure muck. I've considered that though but more as a last resort.
I'd like to keep the launching somewhat easy for my father. He's 68 and if he has to do a bunch or work to get the boat in and out.. he'll never do it.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Homemade Boat Shore Launch!

Re: Homemade Boat Shore Launch!

I think I'd just put teflon skids on the lumber. Rollers like that can be hard on a fiberglass boat in storage.

I built a set of skids out of 4x6 (going down into muck, too) for a 14' jon. I use wooden rollers, about 3-4" in diameter and 4-5' long. I lift up the bow and let them roll under, then press down on the bow to get the stern off the surface, and roll it. Best done with 2 people, although a winch would also help (won't work in my set-up). I've also used a double block and tackle to pull it up.

You can also rig a winch, with a pulley, to winch your boat down to launch.

You need a body of water with no tide for a rig like the one advertised. I don't have a lot of faith in the parts lasting, especially if they go under frequently.

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Homemade Boat Shore Launch!

Re: Homemade Boat Shore Launch!

Those Teflon slides would work well but with a light 14 ft boat those Roller Bunks may work well too. If you really want to make it easy buy an electric winch and leave a battery down there!

 

[blifsey]

Re: Homemade Boat Shore Launch!

Re: Homemade Boat Shore Launch!

Are you going to setup boat on this launch thingie and leave it off the trailer? If this is 14' flat bottom jon boat, I would do solid lumber with either bunk carpet or teflon slides. As mentioned, rig up a winch with pulleys to both pull boat up onto launch and pull the boat off the launch.

 

[pootnic]

Re: Homemade Boat Shore Launch!

Re: Homemade Boat Shore Launch!

How about just some round logs sideways across acouple tree trunks.
300 lbs is not that much,you could hook up a pully system or winch to the top if really needed.
How long of one do you need?

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Homemade Boat Shore Launch!

Re: Homemade Boat Shore Launch!

St. Joe River?
I am thinking two 20 foot lengths of 3 or 4 inch pvc, four elbows and two 2 or 3 foot sections of the same pvc pipe all joined together.
Then use a boat winch anchored on one end and the cable going to the other end and back to the winch.
A mid cable connection would then be able to skid the boat in and out.

 

[h8weakness]

Re: Homemade Boat Shore Launch!

Re: Homemade Boat Shore Launch!

Thanks for all the great ideas! I'm still not really sure on what I plan on doing... I'll figure out something. I like the teflon skid plates Idea. Might be a lot cheaper then using those wheels!

 

[the vision]

Re: Homemade Boat Shore Launch!

Re: Homemade Boat Shore Launch!

You can find rollers like that at lowes, home depot,menards, and harbor freight.