off the beach launch and recovery

[Magnet6x6]

I do a lot of exploration diving. I tow a RIB off road for up to ten hours each way, locate a suitable beach, launch and recover from there.<br /><br />My problem is developing a simple but effective way of getting the boat into the water on a gently sloping sandy beach. No ramps where I'm talikng about.<br /><br />I've attached a full trailer hub and wheel to the front of the draw bar and attach a removable telescoping pole for extra reach but it puts two articulation points in the set up and consequently as soon as one of the trailer wheels bogs or come to a small rock the trailer goes sideways.<br /><br />I'm desperate for any inovative ideas you guys might have.<br /><br />Thanks in advace

 

[SlowlySinking]

Re: off the beach launch and recovery

magnet6x6, you might try eliminating the second articulation point at the vehicle hitch by using a piece of square stock the same size as your receiver and welded to your telescoping pole, when you launch jack up the trailer, remove the hitch receiver, attach the telescoping unit with ball to the trailer, plug the telescoping unit in your vehicle hitch, insert the hitch pin and back her up. Good luck.

 

[Magnet6x6]

Re: off the beach launch and recovery

Slowlysinking, thanks for the idea. The towing point is a NATO style locking jaw. However I think I need to employ your idea at the trailer end. Thanks again.

 

[SlowlySinking]

Re: off the beach launch and recovery

magnet6x6, my pleasure, hope it solves your problem,,,,,

 

[y2jericho]

Re: off the beach launch and recovery

I don't know if this will help.. I have heard driving onto colorbond fencing works.. You know the metal fencing or the metal roofing.. Though you got to have space to load it

 

[rudeafrican]

Re: off the beach launch and recovery

Hi Magnet,<br /><br />I understand your problem as here in South Africa just about everybody launches and retrieve from the beach. By law we are not allowed to go out solo so it always helps when you do have crew around to help. <br />A procedure I use to get the boat the boat in as much water as possible without getting the tow vehicle wet is to pace off the distance from the front of the boat to the drivers window. I then observe the surf to get a feeling from where I can drop the boat so that it will float when enough surf pushes in. From that point I then pace off the distance up the beach and stick a marker in the sand. I then wait for the surf to withdraw, reverse the rig into the surf area untill the marker is at my window and apply brakes. The boat slides off the trailer and the next wave that rolls in picks it up and floats it. The crew then holds the boat while I park my rig. You of course need a "beakneck" trailer ie a trailer where the bunk or rollers hinge upwards about 45 degrees.<br /><br />A very simple procedure which takes a little practise but is used by thousands of boaters locally.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: off the beach launch and recovery

http://www.sealegs.co.nz/products.html

 

[Magnet6x6]

Re: off the beach launch and recovery

Hi thanks everyone for the input so far.<br /><br />Rudeafrican, that's similar to what I've tried. However I'm using a RIB with a deep vee so it ends up leaning to one side. As the boat is pushed around by the crew the hypalon takes a bashing. Perhaps we need to work on the technique more.

 

[Magnet6x6]

Re: off the beach launch and recovery

Flathead, thanks for the link

 

[conimicut1]

Re: off the beach launch and recovery

How heavy is your boat? I remeber reading in a book on Baja fishing, the author had these big plastic orange wheels that went on the boat. Due to the beaches and tide and the lack of ramps this is how he did it. You basically launched the boat on the beach and pushed it into the surf on these wheels. I would guess it would only work on a small boat 15' max due to weight. I don't have the book, if you think you can push the boat when its on big wheels, email me and I'll find the book. conimicut1@yahoo.com

 

[skiffer]

Re: off the beach launch and recovery

Back the trailer as close to the water as possible.<br /><br />Unhitch the trailer with boat and push into the water by hand.<br /><br />Launch the boat.<br /><br />Tie a rope or chain from the trailer to the tow vehicle and pull the trailer back out of the water. To prevent the front of the trailer from digging into the sand put a piece of wood, sort of a ski, under the hitch.<br /><br />Refasten trailer to tow vehicle.<br /><br />Recover boat by doing the reverse.