How to launch your rib in saltwater (and not spoil the trailer)

[medlineIII]

It seems simple, but usually on the ramp of my port (Spain) I see as generally trailers submerging it into the water until the rib is afloat, wetting shafts, bushings, brake systems etc.

Salt water is very harmful to all those delicate parts and even the systems that are declared "watertight" , if you want your trailer will last many years without spoiling and are using to launch your boat in salt water, it is very important not but only wet the shaft rubber wheel, then it can be good rinse thoroughly with fresh water, because the salt water of the tires to spin may have something other parts wet.

Should be given back slowly up and if anyone can advise you to stop the trailer when the wheel is wet only the height of the rubber nothing else, but no one to warn you, you can stop and watch if you have to go down a little more.

Nor is it good to leave too separated from the water because it can hit the hull with the bottom having not enough water when you let fall the rib.

Another detail that generally few use is tying two ends to the bow and stern of your boat, the stern can be very useful if the wind pushes the boat against the trailer, or the slope of the ramp is insuficient and , the boat does not fall to the sea.

Pulling out this rope, you can help the boat to glide smoothly and free from trailer. No seen in the video because it was not necessary to use but it is convenient to have it always be prepared just in case.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qyQLwRK5PY

The rope of the bow is always used , as you can see in the video when you start the descent down the trailer into the water, then serves for approaching the dock the boat and tie it conveniently.

It is very important good braking the tractor trailer, if the boat is very heavy also put chocks on the wheels of the vehicle can keep your rib car takes to water!

I imagine all people know this, but may be useful for someone new...

[Xk59D]

Just dunk it and fresh water clean it and call it good.

Leaving the wheels out of water can cause other issues so this doesn't apply to everyone.

[Wightdiver]

You need a VERY steep slip to achieve this, If I were to stop my trailer so that only the tyres were wet the back of the boat would be in less than 6 inches of water, no where enough to float it.

[jeffstevens763@g]

anybody know of a gelcoat repairer?

[Pikey Dave]

Once you accept that a trailer is disposable & an on-cost of owning a boat, you will sleep better at night & enjoy your boating much more. Trying to "preserve" a trailer is a futile exercise & a road paved with angst.


Sh1t happens

[two stroke mick]

Hi have to agree withJeff, I have learnt this the hard way.

[jyasaki]

That'll never work with a bunk trailer, either.

jky

[Uncle Nobby]

Nice to be able to launch where there are no waves whatsoever...

[mick]

There's always this option 😁

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by Uncle Nobby

Nice to be able to launch where there are no waves whatsoever...

Maybe......once in Blue Moon...Nah..still prefer the Briney!

[Tedskee]

That trailer does not appear to big enough for that RIB, too few rollers but then they dont have to abide by UK laws. I would like to see the bottom of the transom, have viewed it a few times and it looks like its touching on the transom, can't see size of engine to gauge weight, but would have expected it to go a bit lower in the water as it enters, seems to straighten out as it enters? Slipway is nice and smooth!

Ah I know what it is,, I am jealous of the nice weather and warm seas, back to reality, stony slipway/beach and ice cold water and rain..happy days.

[The Gurnard]

Nice Video.. they say you cant teach an old dog new tricks but I learn something new every day

I have only got a wee SIB ..but because Im a lazy git..I have to renew the trailer every 10 years or so.. (thats it out in the water..and I always hope the tyres are still on it when I float the boat back onto it.) I often take it that far out..I even have to anchor it to stop it drifting away



I will try it your way next time and see if it is any easier..thanks for the tutorial

[MatFromPoland]

I have waterproof bearings in mine Brenderup BASIC 1300.
I have also flushing system.

So I try:

1. Never slip immediately after trip
2. Flush trailer and brakes (not sure about English name but my trailer has so called "flushing system") after each use of trailer in salt water
3. Always have spare bearings in long trips (but not sure if be able to change them by myself )
4. I have bought also "Salt Away" and will use it this year

[Xk59D]

the chances are more than decent you aren't changing waterproof bearings at the side of the road unfortunately.

it seems that most trailers are coming with sealed bearings these days so it is something we need to live with by far and large.

another thing that will help is if you can go for a 5 min drive round the yard with the trailer just after launching to dry the brakes out. all the better if you can rinse then do it ofcourse.

[paddlers]

Probably doing it wrong but I don't put the wheels in the briney since having 'sealed for life' bearings & brakes.
Bit of a faff for some people probably but I'm never in a rush when launching my old 18ft hardboat.
Drop one of the bunks a couple of inches (4 bolts).
Reverse down the slip until the wheels touch the water.
Push the boat with the winch on free wheel until it's nearly off the trailer then get the supervisor to hold a couple of inflatable rollers under the keel at the back of the trailer to stop it slamming into the concrete if it comes off the last roller too quickly.
To load I just winch it back on. The boat and engine (135 Mariner v6) weigh in about 1000 lbs.

[HDAV]

Christ not get more than the tyre wet on the trailer..... My car wheels are in the water even on a nice slip! Beach launch need a tractor or 4wd up the diff!

[mick]

Originally Posted by HDAV

Christ not get more than the tyre wet on the trailer..... My car wheels are in the water even on a nice slip! Beach launch need a tractor or 4wd up the diff!

Same here

[willk]

No disrespect to the OP but that video shows a tiny rib being launched in the Med (c/w no tide!). So the approach is shallow but the final drop to the water is steep - no worries. Try that with a 5m tide and a 10m rib

No - IMO - this guy has it well sorted:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiIHS5EMvRY

[9D280]

Aye, yer slip will be the makin' or the breakin' O' yer trailer.....

Or, to phrase little more succinctly - yes, I have managed launches like Medline's in a nice quiet marina on a sunny calm day....(we do occasionally get them in Scotland!) but I have a light boat and 10" wheels on my trailer, bringing the whole rig closer to the water thus allowing the transom end to float a lot sooner......

I have also attempted (and remarkably - I succeeded- in the reverse of Willk's launch - yep, I have recovered in a scenario not too dissimilar to that at the end of the old ferry pier under the Forth Bridge at South Queensferry..... If I felt it wouldn't have done the boat or rib any harm I might have stopped winching to take a photo (I could probably have phrased that a little better! ) but it would be safe to say that the trailer had an interesting bend not too dissimilar to the one in Willk's vid - and if the hitch had let go the ball on the car I probably wouldn't be sat here typing this..... Both lived to float and tow another day.


Back to the OP.... Yep, mine goes swimming. It also gets flushed out, and dried thoroughly by the trip home. I also shoot fresh water through the box sections of the trailer to reduce the amount of saline evil eating the trailer from the inside out. Bearings/ - the same set it left the factory on 6 years ago. Brake gear - Ok, I replaced the springs, but that was more out of caution and having taken the hub apart to check them felt I should do something to justify the work!

What I'm saying is with suitable fresh flushing & a decent set of grease packed bearings & a bit of realtime TLC the trailer doesn't become a consumable item!

[lakelandterrier]

Originally Posted by willk

No disrespect to the OP but that video shows a tiny rib being launched in the Med (c/w no tide!). So the approach is shallow but the final drop to the water is steep - no worries. Try that with a 5m tide and a 10m rib

No - IMO - this guy has it well sorted:

I'd love to see how he recovers