launching and landing in surf

[118118]

hi,
i have finaly managed to get my searider together, and want to go out!

the problem i have is that i am going to be launching and recovering from a beach

does anybody have any tips for launching and landing in waves, as i am only used to harbours

i dont have problems getting the boat in and out of the sea as there is a tractor available!

thanks

[slimtim]

118118, where abouts are you on the island and what beach is it?

Tim

[118118]

I will probably be going from yaverland in sandown bay most of the time

[Andy]

My tip for recovering. Follow a wave in behind the crest and drive up the beach. Take care not to trash the prop and skeg, got to trim up. Have people standing in the surf leg deep to give you a depth marker. As you hit the sand, your helpers should drag the boat up the beach and keep it bow up the beach. Once landed and out of the dangers of the surf you can winch the boat onto the trailer off the sand. Some trailers are better than others, especially break trailers. Having friends to help is a must. Let the trailer pull itself under the boat rather than keeping the trailer still and pulling the boat up the trailer.

If you are going to do this alot you may consider a metal rubbing strip on your keel to prevent GRP damage to the hull by pebbles.

This technique sounds mad, however in surf its the only way. You will find trying to get it on the trailer and pulling out as you would do on a slip very hard. The boat is likely to swamp and become very heavy. Getting that water out is near impossible as you are repeatedly swamped. Also the trailer will sink into the sand. You will need a large 4x4 to pull it out. I learnt this method from professional fisherman in Withernsea. After we struggled for 2hrs trying to recover a 5.5m RIB in rough surf and requiring the eventual assistance of a tractor. The fisherman in a 7m RIB cruised through the surf up the beach and recover in less than 5 mins!!!!

Launching is less of a problem, just get it in fast and turn bow to the waves. Once the boat is off the trailer pulling the trailer out is not as difficult as recovery. Keep the boat bow into the waves until you have power then drive over the surf and into calmer water.

With both launch and recovery, you should get help, more bodies to hold and help you makes light work. Brief them all very well so they understand what you are going to do before you do it. Finally get the right kit ... drysuits etc ... so you are not affraid to get wet & stay warm.

[Rogue Wave]

Beach landing for me too

[The Garfish]

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

Beach landing for me too

yus butt yew waz aymin forr sowfamptun att de tyme

[Rogue Wave]

Well it didn't cost that much to get the Tug off the beach and it was dark

[Swifty]

Word of caution here. It is perfectly feasible to launch and recover from a beach, but please, get someone to show you or advise you for the first couple of times. It may look strait forward, but trust me its not.

More damage has been done whilst launching or recovering in unfavourable or moderate conditions. And there lies the problem, how do you describe an unfavourable wave? The advice of coming in hard on the back of a wave is sound advice, but remember your still gonna run aground!
If there is anything more than gentle waves that you wouldnt let toddlers into then, chances are you wont be able to hold your rib in it. For some sound advice learnt the hard way read bilge rats tale about how his rib flipped over on a beach launch (see thread What would take to flip a rib ) Ribs are great in rough waters but they need space.
If you can travel, then launch from a slipway, its a lot easier.

A well executed beach landing can look a most slick manouver, just remember to get the weight to the back of the boat. If necessary drop the crew off and wait until they are ready to receive you, or drop the anchor far enough out to hold the boat head to wind.

Have a plan of what ifs... and be aware this is sods back yard, he learnt most of his most cunning foul ups on a beach. Nearly everyone who has tried it will have a tale or two. Ask around.

More than anything its good entertainment!!!
Good luck.

[Andy]

Got to agree with Swifty ... launch and recovery in surf is not for the faint hearted ... I have seen this go wrong on many occasions trashing boats and people. If possible stay clear of surf and breaking waves completely and find a slip. However it is all very possible providing the surf is not too big, with planning and guts!

[Bilge Rat]

My situation was slightly different, the beach i launched from was very steep shelving with a nasty steep lip worn out of the beach by the waves, it was nearly high tide and small steep dumpy waves were breaking onto this ledge, everything happened so fast and there was absolutely no way we could have held the boat steady once the deck had become swamped.

Beach launching is just like anything else in life, get it right and your'll make it look easy, however catch the wrong wave or take your eye of the ball for a sec and your in a whole world of shit, its definately a skill i wont be practicing again in a hurry.