How to recover RIB in chop

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Peter_C

Does anyone over "there" user a trailer tongue extension? Mine is around 15ft to keep the surge far away from my aluminum wheels.

They are not common but I've seen three approaches used:

(1) A scaffolding bar with a tow ball on one end and a trailer coupling on the other. I think this requires the jockey wheel down to keep the trailer nose up. It also isn't a "stiff" link at the trailer so is not good for steering when launching - but is probably better than a rope for recovery. It may be better than option 2 in tight turns.

(2) An 'extendable' tongue on the trailer. Essentially a long box section which can slide along the trailer's "spine" and be locked in place to give a second hitch. It is fixed so can steer / push etc for launching too. It also doesn't need the jockey wheel down, but a very long tongue on a low tow vehicle can ground out if there are big variations in slope.

(3) A bit like 1 but with a pair of small (8"?) wheels on the trailer end of the bar so that jockey wheel on trailer is not required. IIRC it was used with a special tow vehicle that had a second hitch offset from the first one and a linking bar that fixed that so the hitch at the vehicle end would not rotate. Both the vehicle and the 'dolly' live in one place so don't need to be transportable or road legal. They use it with front mounted tow balls - which I think would be my preference for a "perfect" set up as the vehicle driver has better visibility of the tow.

[Ribtecer]

BOAT TRAILER 3 SECTION LAUNCH AND RETRIEVAL BAR | eBay

[ShinyShoe]

Originally Posted by Poly

(3) A bit like 1 but with a pair of small (8"?) wheels on the trailer end of the bar so that jockey wheel on trailer is not required. IIRC it was used with a special tow vehicle that had a second hitch offset from the first one and a linking bar that fixed that so the hitch at the vehicle end would not rotate. Both the vehicle and the 'dolly' live in one place so don't need to be transportable or road legal. They use it with front mounted tow balls - which I think would be my preference for a "perfect" set up as the vehicle driver has better visibility of the tow.

My WAFI club has one of these but doesn't use the offset bit. They do have an offset thingy but its for attaching a scraper to move sand from the slip (or snow from the car park!)

You learn pretty fast how to drive with two bits that bend. We push down the slip with the trailer on the front hitch and then with the rib at the water edge apply its breaks (or a brick if unbraked). Reverse 'jeep' up 10ft and stick the draw bar in the gap and then remove brake and push it in...

Recovery is reverse procedure.

[Ribochet]

This is an extension that I made for my rig, in action, which works very well.



However there are a lot of "issues" with using extensions on larger boat/trailers - any longer and mine would have major problems with bending moments and bottoming out.

[CJL]

Alternatively you can drive the boat on to a soft beach and recover by reversing the trailer to the front of the rib then carefully winch it back on to the trailer.......or if its not your boat, then do this........

[John Kennett]

When I was on holiday in Portugal a few years ago the local fishermen all recovered their boats like that!

[GJ0KYZ]

Originally Posted by CJL

Alternatively you can drive the boat on to a soft beach and recover by reversing the trailer to the front of the rib then carefully winch it back on to the trailer.......or if its not your boat, then do this........

Effing hell! And I thought I liked shallow water!!

[kerny]

Originally Posted by GJ0KYZ

Effing hell! And I thought I liked shallow water!!

Less of your cursing or your rabbi will be washing your mouth out with soap and water.

[Dhf]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

That's not quite how it reads from the thread title though. Maybe you would have had a more positive reaction if it wasn't posted as a "how to" video!

Fair point, however having considered my wording I can't see where I was actively encouraging others to actually use this method themselves, which is why I made that comment, personaly I don't think "How to" neccessarly means "the only way to do it", Its just one example of how it can be done.

I am suprised at the responce actually, usually the vids I post on here of more pleasant conditions are completely ignored by most.

[Dhf]

Originally Posted by Ribochet

This is an extension that I made for my rig, in action, which works very well.

Attachment 86704

However there are a lot of "issues" with using extensions on larger boat/trailers - any longer and mine would have major problems with bending moments and bottoming out.

This method does look best for my needs, A good solid extendable drawbar, or something which could run parallel with a 4inch offset from the main drawbar with suitable bracing, only suitable for steady beach use of course, but wouldn't effect the trailer brake mechanism as it would fold or slide back for road use.

Originally Posted by CJL

Alternatively you can drive the boat on to a soft beach and recover by reversing the trailer to the front of the rib then carefully winch it back on to the trailer.......or if its not your boat, then do this........

These lads got the hang of it too

Prototype lifeboat being beached at high speed - YouTube

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Festinghouse

well maybe he should google 'salt water corrosion' it doesnt matter how many lives he may have saved, his car will still rot - and fast. if the vehicle were to break down whilst the tide was rising then theres a good chance of losing it. if he wants to do it then fine, but dont go encouraging others to follow his lead. length of rope is the way to do it

Jaysus man! the bloke only posted a video of something that was boat related & of interest to some, it wasn't a "This is how you must do it" instructional guide. Anybody who's numb enough to think that that's the only way to do it shouldn't be allowed out in the first place. What next, a warning before each video "Don't try this at home children, please get a responsible adult to help with the scissors" "Do not use microwaves for drying pets"....hang on, that ones been done
Give the bloke a break, carry on DHF

[Dhf]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Jaysus man! the bloke only posted a video of something that was boat related & of interest to some, it wasn't a "This is how you must do it" instructional guide. Anybody who's numb enough to think that that's the only way to do it shouldn't be allowed out in the first place. What next, a warning before each video "Don't try this at home children, please get a responsible adult to help with the scissors" "Do not use microwaves for drying pets"....hang on, that ones been done
Give the bloke a break, carry on DHF

Well thank you Sir, carry on I shall, I found this well dodgy vid earlier, showing how not to recover a jetski, proper nutters.

VAN SINKS WHILE TRYING TO LOAD JET SKI - YouTube

[captnjack]

Despite all the hoopla about dumb youtube videos...

I did find a relatively local drawbar extension manufacturer. I'd never thought much about this before and I'm going to see about having one made up!

[Dhf]

Originally Posted by captnjack

Despite all the hoopla about dumb youtube videos...

I did find a relatively local drawbar extension manufacturer. I'd never thought much about this before and I'm going to see about having one made up!

Looking forward to the result Captnjack, I'm in production of similar myself.

For now here's another example of "how not to"!!!

Carry on recovery

Funniest boat launch ever! - YouTube