How to get boat launched daily when caravan camping?

SoCalAngler · 09 February 2022, 22:25

I live in SoCal USA.

Would like to take along my Zodiac 3.5M with HD alu floors. Total weight is approx. 68KG. Boat and floors need to be assembled on a flat surface.

This boat be taken with us when camping in our caravan. It will be stored (folded) in truck bed during travel.

Need to figure out a way to get boat from campsite to launch area. Most campsites are approx. 1.6Km from launch ramp.

I can build a small break down trailer but boat set up is too heavy to lift onto trailer. I've heard of some chaps who trailer down to ramp, albeit slowly, using boat's launch wheels. I'm hesitant of this. Seems like an accident waiting to happen. If boat fell to ground, it would destroy PVC/Hypalon.

I can set up/tear down each time but it would be a royal PITA to do this twice daily for the 4-5 days we camp....especially when ambient temps are 35C-39C!!

Thoughts?
Alternatives way to get boat to launch?

Thanks!

Iankristy · 10 February 2022, 06:15

If you can’t get someone to help lift it on to trailer at campsite then assemble first time next to slipway then launch by hand and retrieve onto empty trailer when your days done. Opposite at end of week?

Steve509926 · 10 February 2022, 11:48

Your SIB is light enough to lift the bow and push the trailer bunks under the tubes as far as you can, then providing your bunks are smooth you can pull the SIB fully onto your trailer.

Take a look at the thread I did about my set up, it may help.

https://www.rib.net/forum/f49/carava...ler-86495.html

Fenlander · 10 February 2022, 14:56

Fully agree with Steve. Before putting the OB on or any kit in it's easy to lift a SIB of this size right up until virtually standing on it's cones then slide the trailer under.

SoCalAngler · 10 February 2022, 15:58

Great trailer and set up Steve! That is precisely what I am looking to do.

What is the total weight of your trailer?

So it sounds like you started with a road trailer and converted it into a portable trailer.....with only 12 bolts for assembly.

What changes/modifications were made to the original road trailer to make it portable?

Thanks!

Steve509926 · 10 February 2022, 17:54

Thanks Socal.

Sorry I don't know the weight of the trailer, never needed to weigh it.

It was a sailing dinghy trailer, just the road base without the launching trolley. I didn't need to make any alterations to the trailer to make it portable, it was manufactured with just the 12 main bolts for assembly.
I did have to add the bunks and I have also added a winch and winchpost to make recovery of the SIB easier.

jeffstevens763@g · 10 February 2022, 20:40

I lift my 435 at the bow then pull the trailer in with one hand whilst supporting the boat with the other and my shoulder then it’s just a case of humping it down the trailer when it’s balance is right I do it with my 25hp fitted, another way is to put the boat on its side trailer close then tip on.

ausaviator · 11 February 2022, 08:54

Can you legally tow it using the launch wheels, assuming you have ones with good tyres and is the road smooth enough?

I've seen people tie the front up on a bike rack type setup and it hangs down under it and just follows you as you drive. If you dropped it, it would be on the thickest part, assuming your V is fairly deep...

Fenlander · 11 February 2022, 09:42

Legal over there may be different to legal here but logic would say no. Most launch wheels don't have any bearings and the ones that do are not up to water immersion and road use. The only time I'd do this would be say on a camp site for a short slow distance.

SoCalAngler · 11 February 2022, 14:16

No; it is not legal to tow using launch wheels. In our state parks and private campgrounds, there probably wouldn’t be much fuss about it (from management) especially at short distances. I agree, the chance for dropping boat is there and would not be good. Too much at stake for me to test it out. I prefer to take a portable trailer with me that isn’t too much fuss to put together and take down. More faff, yes, but much less chance of anything going wrong.

beamishken · 11 February 2022, 17:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalAngler

No; it is not legal to tow using launch wheels. In our state parks and private campgrounds, there probably wouldn’t be much fuss about it (from management) especially at short distances. I agree, the chance for dropping boat is there and would not be good. Too much at stake for me to test it out. I prefer to take a portable trailer with me that isn’t too much fuss to put together and take down. More faff, yes, but much less chance of anything going wrong.

You wont get far with launch wheels or even a launching trolley behind a car anyway , the plastic wheel centres start to melt from the friction pretty quick. A place we used to go to we would take the boat to the beach from the campsite hung on the car this wasnt far as the campsite was on the beach but anything more than walking pace & the wheels melt on the shafts. I made some brass inserts which cured it

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dhaglund · 14 February 2022, 20:54

If you're not bringing too much stuff couldn't you just empty the boat, remove the outboard and then put the boat on the truck bed? Possibly upside down? I imagine this should be doable with a long bed truck, two people and a few boards for sliding maybe. Launch wheels would be helpful I guess. It wouldn't be nearly as convenient as a trailer but...

SoCalAngler · 14 February 2022, 22:12

That could be possible, but....

I have a topper on my truck and it's a short bed.

I'm going to design something similar to Steve's set up. It does not need to be formal city roadway ready....

Needs to be strong, lightweight, portable.... to safely trailer boat back n forth between campsite and launch ramp.

HDAV · 14 February 2022, 22:50

Flat pack road trailer doesn’t need to dis assemble all the way if frame will fit on roof of truck?

https://youtu.be/nJ-4pQ1RKrk

Assemble shoreside first day of trip launch then float on to trailer

SoCalAngler · 18 February 2022, 17:13

Found this one......

https://www.seamaxmarine.com/collect...hand-dolly-set

Steve509926 · 18 February 2022, 18:45

Max speed 7mph, not for road use! At the end of the day, it's a well built launching trolley with a towing hitch. If that's what you need then all well and good, if you need to take it on a public road, I think you'll need to get a road trailer.

SoCalAngler · 18 February 2022, 21:18

My plan is for this one, or something like it, to be for taking on caravan camping trips only. Campsite to launch ramp....1-2 miles max. Keep it at 5mph.

For road use, I'll be getting a used road trailer that I will modify to fit my sib.

Steve509926 · 18 February 2022, 21:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalAngler

My plan is for this one, or something like it, to be for taking on caravan camping trips only. Campsite to launch ramp....1-2 miles max. Keep it at 5mph.

For road use, I'll be getting a used road trailer that I will modify to fit my sib.

SoCalAngler · 23 February 2022, 20:54

Found this trailer/dolly for campsite use. Appears to check all of the boxes.

https://www.seamaxmarine.com/collect...hand-dolly-set

beamishken · 24 February 2022, 08:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalAngler

Found this trailer/dolly for campsite use. Appears to check all of the boxes.

https://www.seamaxmarine.com/collect...hand-dolly-set

Those wheels look like they have plastic bushes, if you try towing 1.5 miles they will likely heat up and melt on the shafts

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