Launch & retrieving your boat

[nictim]

I have a v17
Im looking at one of those plastic trailers just drive on no problem

[GregT]

Whitworths and Bias marine stores both sell retrievermates at around the same price

[bidkev]

I tried using the rope system.However I couldnt get this to work ,as when you stand near the winch, the rope is at to sharp an angle to the stern, and vertually run up the side of the boat. More explanation need guys.
David
PS saw the video at the tinnie show for the Retrievermate, looks great but a bit expensive

dnej,

What you have to do is forst get the nose between the rear rollers whilst holding the rope that is on the "up" side of the wind or flow. Once the nose is locked in you can see how the rear of your boat is positioned and you move off to the windward or flow side and pull on the rope. As the back end of the boat swings into straight alignment with your trailer you then pull her slightly further uptide/wind and, keeping the rope tight (puling in the slack as you move, return to the winch quickly. If you are quick enough, or have pulled far enough uptide/wind, the boat should still be slightly misaligned, although this time, uptide/wind. wait till it swings straight to your trailer and winch like buggery.

Sounds difficult, and at first it may be, but you will get the "feel" after a few sessions and thereafter it will be as easy as beating an English rugby team :-)

kev

[familyman]

You could also try changing your winch cable to something like spectra or kevlar based cord that is soft.You then can pull the slack out with the winch through your hand ie hold the slack in a loop so that the rope is tight on the front on the front of the boat holding it into the rollers.The other two alternatives are an electric winch with remote or go to a different ramp where the wind is blowing the boat away from the ramp.In my experience it is easier to keep control of the boat if the boat wants to drift away rather than onto the trailer.Given 18.5 feet an electric winch would be my suggestion.good luck.

[Mr__Bean]

I have similar issues with the ramp at Rhyll on Westernport Bay Vic.

My boat is a 5.65 Fraser half cabin which is a fibreglass boat of similar size to the half cabin mentioned earlier.

At Rhyll the ramp is subjected to a strong cross tide and is also wind blown at times making it not only hard to get a boat on at times, but quite entertaining to see how different people cope with the challenge.

For me it is the drive on method, my trailer in a multy roller trailer that was pretty much setup for drive-on application, however I did have to add a couple of guides to ensure the keel aligned on the centre rollers rather than skid along beside them if offline.

Prior to doing that I had a couple of incidents whereby I chipped some gelcoat on the bottom corner of the keel - not happy about that.

I find driving on to be the safest in these conditions but you do have to have a good look at the trailer to make sure there are no areas that will catch the keel if you are a little off line.

The boat must be able to slide sideways a little to centre itself if it is going to work properly.

Once setup, it is a dream. Now I just align the boat a little upwind, or uptide of the trailer as I approach. Slow it right down as you get up to the trailer, then let the wind or tide take me across the last bit until it is in line. Then a little bit of power to touch the boat up onto the trailer.

Once touching the trailer you can gently steer the back of the boat around to align it and then straighten the motor and give a bit more power to go up the trailer.

All of this should be done slow and carefully, I don't know how many people I have seen that charge the trailer only to get it wrong and bash the boat into the side of the trailer or up into the mudguard area.

Main thing, keep cool and take it slow. If you are offline back away and go again.

Good luck.

- Bean