Sib Launch and recovery dilemma

[ian parkes]

The main reason or buying a SIB was easy launching and transporting and no need for a trailer .

However for regular use in the summer pumping it up at the slip each day and then deflating again is a bit of a chore .
I use my Transit but lifting it onto the roof is hard enough for 2 men and impossible for my wife or me alone .

Launching so far has been ok using my canoe trolley but recovery especially at low water is not so easy as i have to wade in and lift off the motor so that we can lift the boat out .

I feel I may end up with a small purpose made road trailer but then parking can become a problem especially in Cornwall in the summer .

Any advice or ideas on how other sib owners have overcome these problems would be welcome , ie easy system of roof topping the boat onto a van or better still a decent launching trolley that would fold up and store in the van or be supportive enough to ride on top of my box trailer should I wish to use it that way .
My boat is a 3.8 honda so its big enough to lift especially if iam alone .

[codprawn]

First thing you need is a decent set of launching wheels - the kind that fit to the transom and swing up out of the way when you are at sea.

Surely with a Transit the thing should be inside - not on the roof? An estate car with a roof rack may be what you need.

[BOG RAT]

Originally Posted by codprawn

First thing you need is a decent set of launching wheels - the kind that fit to the transom and swing up out of the way when you are at sea.

Surely with a Transit the thing should be inside - not on the roof? An estate car with a roof rack may be what you need.

YEP I agree, OR have you considered using the type of combi trailer that the sailing dinghy dudes use, you have a road going trailer, with a launching trailer riding piggy back with your boat sat on top, with a quick realese the launching trolley comes free complete with your sib, also you can adjust the trailers to suit your hull
They also take up no room at all, or I have seen folding trailers.

[Hugh Jardon]

couple of hints here

get an electronic inflator, even the cheap yellow ones for around 6-7 quid work great and put the bulk of the air in the tubes so you just need to top it up with the pump, i use the cheap yellow ones which i have adapted

then for wheels on the transom, i have used 4 different sorts of wheels and the type of wheel makes a huge difference believe me, i have probably the most expensive ones i saw now, the arm curves under the transom at the rear and gives perfect balance, they cost around 120 per pair but worth every single penny when you have to pull up a sandy beach.

i will post some pics if you like, they are the best wheels i have had and used if it helps you..

Originally Posted by ian parkes

The main reason or buying a SIB was easy launching and transporting and no need for a trailer .

However for regular use in the summer pumping it up at the slip each day and then deflating again is a bit of a chore .
I use my Transit but lifting it onto the roof is hard enough for 2 men and impossible for my wife or me alone .

Launching so far has been ok using my canoe trolley but recovery especially at low water is not so easy as i have to wade in and lift off the motor so that we can lift the boat out .

I feel I may end up with a small purpose made road trailer but then parking can become a problem especially in Cornwall in the summer .

Any advice or ideas on how other sib owners have overcome these problems would be welcome , ie easy system of roof topping the boat onto a van or better still a decent launching trolley that would fold up and store in the van or be supportive enough to ride on top of my box trailer should I wish to use it that way .
My boat is a 3.8 honda so its big enough to lift especially if iam alone .

[peteb]

Get an LVM inflator/deflator, it will blow that up in 2 minutes or less and when you have finished it will suck it down, with some careful folding as it gets sucked down it will be in a nice small package.

see here :- http://www.seamarknunn.co.uk/catalog/items/item1104.htm

Buy one of those cheap battery booster boxes to attach the LVM to, it can also be used for loads of other purposes.

see here :- http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...l%26homeRef%3D

I use this system for my tender and it works very well for me, inflates a 2.6 Zodiac in less than a minute, Good luck!

[Phil Davies]

The problem with the air-floor Hondas is that they have two large buoyancy pads at the bottom of the transom to enable the boat to operate with the heavier 4-stroke outboards (specifically Honda of course). There is therefore no room to mount any launching wheels, permanent or otherwise. If you really don't want the hassle of a road trailer, your only real option will be one of these folding launching trolleys:

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/BMB369/

I remember when I bought my RibLite with the intention of folding it up and putting it in the car, the dealer told me 90% of people with SIBs end up trailering them around after getting bored with inflating and deflating them the whole time. I ended up buying a small Ifor Williams general purpose trailer which the Avon sits on fully inflated and leaves a handy load area underneath for all my gear.

Have no fear, you will eventually end up buying a RIB

[Jono Garton]

Originally Posted by peteb

Get an LVM inflator/deflator

Phil Davies purchased one of these, he tells me it gets it mrs inflated in no time att all.

[Richard B]

I heard a rumour that Phil has been a bit enthusiastic and Mrs Davies has a puncture!

[Jono Garton]

Originally Posted by Richard B

Mrs Davies has a puncture!

No Pucture, all his previous girl friends tell me lets them down every night!

[Jono Garton]

.