Concerns launching boat

[dalton565]

Hey guys

I'm just posting as i have a querie about launching my boat. My boat is a 16.5Ft fletcher powerboat, and im just looking adivce on laucnhing it, as im pretty new to the whole thing.

The place im laucnhing it have a good concrete jetty, though its pretty steep, we launched it last weekend and it was tricky enough, we had to unhooked the trailor from the car and lower it in manually until the boat began to float then pull the trailor back out. This was ok as there was 3 of us, so we had plenty of man power.

Next we will be launching it off my car, and im just concerned about getting stuck, my car is a bmw 320Diesel, as its rear wheels drive im worried of getting stuck as the rear wheels will be in the water. How far should i reverse the car into the water safely ?

Can you guys give me any advice on launching, that might make my experience easier. The trailer is a break back snipe trailor, in good condition.


thanks guys

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Concerns launching boat

Dalton,

On a concrete ramp, even if you get the tires touching the water you will only be pulling out the trailer. That weight is slight. If you are concerned, I would believe it would be on the retrieval. Just don't dip quite as far and do more cranking on the winch to get it on the trailer. Never ever go in far enough to cover the exhaust.

If the ramp tends to be slipperly bring a bag of sand to pour under the drive wheels for added traction.

 

[dalton565]

Re: Concerns launching boat

Hey, thats sounds cool. So basically i can have all 4 wheels in the water as long as the water doesnt cover the exhaust i should be fine. Theres plenty of torque so pulling it out shouldnt be a problem. Any tips for gravel slipways ??

Buy a 4x4 lol?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Concerns launching boat

dalton, have you heard of this? http://www.xtend-a-hitchnorthwest.com/ I read about it in another thread and thought it looked really cool. I used to tow my boat with a car and due to difficulties at the ramp and ended up buying a truck. If I'd had this thing I probably could still use my car.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Concerns launching boat

Dalton, Launching is the easy part. It is the retrieval that is hard and traction and power comes into play. If the water is tidal, the ramp could have different advantages at low or high tide. For example, at high tide I need to almost drown the car to get the boat deep enough. At low tide, the car stays high and dry, however the lower part of the ramp has stuff growing on it, which decreases traction. Also, the ramp is steeper at low tide. My advice is to get to know the ramp a bit. See if their is advantage to launching or retrieving at certain tides. Keep the drive wheels out of the moss or other growth on the ramp. When you do try to retrieve, make it slow and steady, and if you are making any progress at all keep going. it is kinda of like driving on ice. Keep up the momentum.

BTW, car exhausts sound a bit like a boat exhaust, when under water. Hose off the undercarriage of the car if launching in salt water.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Concerns launching boat

My advice is to watch what other boarters at that ramp do and ask them for pointers. If it were my rig I would not back up and let any part of your BMW get into the water especially if it is salt water. Salt is a killer on cars.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Concerns launching boat

Dalton
Welcome to iboats.
I agree with the other advice you have been given. I used to launch / recover a lot in Wales on various slipways with various cars. Talk to people about each individual ramp before using it. By the way some of those ramps are really slippy at low tide so be carefull

 

[Solittle]

Re: Concerns launching boat

It is also a good idea to carry a chalk block for the car. When I back down the ramp I have the boss lady put the chalk block behind the rear wheel after I put on the emergency brake and before I get out. I have an eye bolt screwed into the block with a long cord attached so when I pull off of the ramp I can drag the block without tying someone up.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Concerns launching boat

It is also a good idea to carry a chalk block for the car. When I back down the ramp I have the boss lady put the chalk block behind the rear wheel after I put on the emergency brake and before I get out. I have an eye bolt screwed into the block with a long cord attached so when I pull off of the ramp I can drag the block without tying someone up.

That makes sense !!!! I have one of my family drag the "chock" that I use out as I pull away. Now I will get an eye bolt from work tomorrow !!!

 

[achris]

Re: Concerns launching boat

Sounds to me as if you may have a roller issue to deal with. If it took 3 of you to push a half floating 16 foot boat off it's trailer then I would be doing some very serious trailer maintenance. As a comparison, I have a 20 foot cabin cruiser and on the mildest of ramp slopes I have to be very careful releasing the winch cable or the whole lot disappears off the trailer faster than I can catch it. At my club ramps they have a jetty and I normally reverse the boat in until there's enough water to start the engine. I have to put it in gear and run at least 1300 rpm before I release the cable. If I don't, it slips backwards on the trailer, even if it's idling but in gear. I then climb back in and pull it out of gear, and vola, we is on our way!!

Chris..............

 

[dalton565]

Re: Concerns launching boat

Thanks guys for all the help. I think your right i might have some roller issues alright, ill have a look at them next time i get it launched. I dont launch it in salt water at all, all freshwater lakes so tides shouldnt be a problem.

Are the roller hard to replace ? I.E could they done yourself ?

cheers