Powering a RIB on to a Trailer

[Hightower]

Just some advice needed when powering my RIB on to my trailer.

I've recently changed my technique in launching and recovering my RIB and done this the last 4 times I've gone out. When I returned home on Thursday I noticed some damage to the prop where a stone or something had been sucked up and put some tiny dings in the leading part of the blade and a ding in the skeg too. When I recovered yesterday I was very particular in making sure I trimmed out as to give the prop maximum clearance. After recovery I noticed further evidence of damage, not as bad as before, but I'm now considering manually recovering again.

Has anyone else had problems like this, and did you manage to modify your technique so this didn't happen or revert back to manual recovery?

[spartacus]

Originally Posted by Hightower

Just some advice needed when powering my RIB on to my trailer.

I've recently changed my technique in launching and recovering my RIB and done this the last 4 times I've gone out. When I returned home on Thursday I noticed some damage to the prop where a stone or something had been sucked up and put some tiny dings in the leading part of the blade and a ding in the skeg too. When I recovered yesterday I was very particular in making sure I trimmed out as to give the prop maximum clearance. After recovery I noticed further evidence of damage, not as bad as before, but I'm now considering manually recovering again.

Has anyone else had problems like this, and did you manage to modify your technique so this didn't happen or revert back to manual recovery?

Is manual recovery particularly difficult? I've seen the 'drive-on' approach a few times with 20'+ speedboats, but not RIBS. Obviously a lot depends on water depth and if it's a sandy bottom or shingle. Personally I manually retrieve every time.

[Hightower]

It's not very tricky where I normally slip. But just trying a new way to launch and recover without getting my feet wet or having to don my wellys in the winter. I must admit it's much easier and quicker this way and I'm not so prone to side winds affecting me as most of my launch and recoveries are single handed affairs and can be very awkward by ones self.

[biffer]

i haven't got a winch on my trailer never had one, keep the leg trimmed up as far as possible, the only other difference between our rigs is my trailer is on bigger wheels

[BogMonster]

I always did with the Humber but the design of my trailer was better for this than a roller trailer. I used to use momentum to get onto the trailer rather than power, you could approach the trailer, and when you were 100% sure it was lined up and not going to drift (usually about 6 feet from the trailer) give it a blip on the throttle and then back off as the boat hit the trailer and let the momentum carry the boat up. With a bit of practice I could get it within a foot of the bow snubber (sometimes snug tight) every time. I don't think it would work with a roller trailer though, you'd probably bust the swing bracket unless it was a lot stronger than most roller trailers you see.

I learned at an early stage that power + lack of forward movement = shower of rocks sucked up from the bottom, got a couple of bent props under the bench to prove it...

It's one reason I am getting the SBS bunk trailer with the Vipermax because it is close enough to the old trailer that it should either work or if it doesn't I can mod it so that it does

[two stroke mick]

High tower

I have recovered my rib in the same manner you discribed and have also taken a few chips out of the prop. I dont think I will do it anymore.

TSM

[redthunder]

I have been recovering my boat for a few years by driving on. I now have four bunks which are great. Once in contact I thottle up the trailer with the leg trimmed out half. I had rollers before and if you miss it can make some nasty scratches and noises. Not had a prob with the prop but our slipway doesn't have many stones.

[Cookee]

We never winch a boat on RIB or hard boat - we have stone free slipways though!

[Nos4r2]

I power load if it's a nice steep slip too. Makes life loads easier!

[Hightower]

Obviously the main problem is a Stoney slipway and the fact I've got rollers. I normally just touch the bow onto the swing beam then use the steering to square up the stern. Then blip the throttle to get things rolling, but because it's a roller trailer I need power all the way to the bow snubber on the trailer and until I've leant over to connect the winch hook to the bow eye. only after that I can knock off the power. It's during this last phase I'm sure the stone thing is happening. I guess this technique will be reserved for concrete slips in the future.