I've just bought an SR4 !!! + storage question

[Shaz]

Hi, after lots of time being entertained by you guys, I finally feel I can join the forum. I've bought a little 4 metre Searider from a nice man on Ebay, picking it up on Friday so very excited ! (I don't think it's quite as nice as the one I nearly bought from here, but hopefully will still be lots of fun.)

I will be back very soon for lots more advice I'm sure, but first question: does anyone use the dry stack at Cardiff Marina ? If its as good as it looks I'm considering it as I've only got a normal car so launch & recovery's may be a bit stressful, as a beginner* it might be good to get someone else to do the hard bits, and get to know one area of water quite well. Or have I been taken in by their flashy website and its really not worth it ?


Shaz.


*beginner to ownership, I've got some bits of paper that pretend I know what I'm doing.

[Polwart]

welcome.

dry stack is a relatively expensive option for most people with SR4's who usually like them because they are cheap to own and run (and good fun!).

SR4 should be small enough to launch on most reasonable slipways with a fairly ordinary car.

But that said - my wife claims that Launch and Recovery is the "most stressful" bit of using our boat. Have to say its a lot less stressful when she's not there!

[SPR]

I launch/recover my 5.5 metre RIB, with my A3. 2 people and long bit of rope wrapped around the tow bar as pully.....

Go on a RYA Powerboat II course, the best thing that new person should do....Will teach Launch/recoverly and will get you discount on insurance.

S.(cott)

[Avocet]

Originally Posted by Shaz

I've bought a little 4 metre Searider....

Congratulations and welcome to Ribnet!

As Polwart says, dry-stacking for a small boat does away with its advantages of transportability and relatively easy launching. How far do you reckon on going in a boat that size and is there enough within such a radius of Cardiff to keep you (and the family?) interested? If not, you're likely to start trailering anyway. Can you sign up in Cardiff for a short term to develop your confidence in the boat without having to worry about launching? It may also depend on whether you can store the boat at home or have to pay for elsewhere. There are a good number of interesting places (including the Solent, if you don't mind a couple of hours driving!) that you can access from Thornbury without having to cross the bridge. Why not make it to the Searider gathering on 10 October?

If so, I'll see you there (I'm planning on going even though I don't have a Searider: someone's got to make the sandwiches and keep Blackroady company!).

[JSP]

What car is it Shaz? And have you towed much before?
Great book for all things Powerboats, RIBs' and launch and recovery...
http://www.littlehampton-marine-elec...5d87641e61e930

[Shaz]

Wow loads of replies already - thanks !

I did the Level 2 course a couple of years ago, and have towed & launched a Jeannau Rigiflex which is a similar size.

The car is a Peugeot 306 (don't laugh!), it's the 2 litre diesel version so should be fine, I'm
just always a bit worried that it was never really designed as a 'working' car, its not quite a 'girly town car' but nearly. The Rigi has a 4 stroke 25hp though, and the new boat has a 2 stroke 50 so shouldn't really weigh that much more (I will go and research that now).

I may have to pay for use of the garage anyway so might try the short term option while I
have a look around. It wasn't quite an impulse buy but there are a few things I should have
maybe arranged first rather than now....

Oct 10th gathering sounds cool, where is it, Southampton ?

[9D280]

Welcome!

2L diesel 306 should be more than capable of towing an SR4. A quick google is showing tow weights around the 1 ton mark - an SR4 will be nowhere near that. (but check your handbook for the official numbers!)

Launch & recovery is easy singlehanded with a swing beam roller trailer. Bunks are more of a pain if you're alone, but like anything not impossible. If you go to the SR bash there will be more than enough assistance & advice whatever your boat is sat on!

[Nos4r2]

Actually I found the bunked trailer under my SR4 an absolute doddle to recover with solo. Once the boat was driven partially on (only about 1/3, at tickover), I could get off and winch it on without the boat moving at all.

[Downhilldai]

Originally Posted by Shaz

The car is a Peugeot 306 (don't laugh!), it's the 2 litre diesel version so should be fine, I'm
just always a bit worried that it was never really designed as a 'working' car, ?

I used to tow a 1000kg RIB rig with a Pug 306 1.9 TD with no problems at all. Coped easily with all slipways.
A SR4 will be a doddle - probably only half a ton all up.

[Bam Bam]

Dont panic sunshine. I was just like you only a few moths ago. I even looked at buying a land Rover Defender than I discovered that most of the slips I have used are really tame and my 6 year old Mazda 6 copes very well indeed. Thats even when you look at boatlaunch and the pictures look as though you need a 4x4. Save your money and enjoy you boat from practical slips before you charge into wasting any money on a motor to simply launch your boat.