Drive on docks

lakelandterrier · 25 October 2018, 16:24

Instead of keeping the boat in a yard on the trailer with the associated faff of hitching up, waiting for space on the slip, launching,returning the empty trailer to its pitch, the same on recovery with added washing down/ rinse of trailer each time, or strapping down & towing elsewhere depending on tides - which are all serious deterrents for the family, I'm seriously considering marina berthing her next season.

If there was a local drystack I'd consider that, but there isn't.

If I do this I'll want the keep her on a drive-on-dock for several reasons including, no anti fouling, dirt free, not being able to check on her most of the time, rainwater able to freely drain away etc... It would also mean being able to keep her good to go for a nice day in the winter without 3 hours trailing each way.

What experience do Ribnetters have of these, and pros / cons of the various brands- they all seem to have slightly different systems? Some will be better than others. Have searched the forum and have found nothing substantive or recent.

Sprocker · 25 October 2018, 19:45

Perfect timing, I am looking at doing exactly the same with my (yet to be bought) RIB.
I will watch your thread with interest.

HDAV · 25 October 2018, 19:49

The ones made of grey cubes seem very common seen them come up for sale a couple of times but not loads, https://www.tetradock.com are one.

Have a read http://www.rib.net/forum/f8/drive-on...ews-76563.html

crui05 · 25 October 2018, 19:53

would love to dry dock but soneone told me the price to dock
so trailer for me,,

lakelandterrier · 25 October 2018, 20:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by crui05

would love to dry dock but soneone told me the price to dock
so trailer for me,,

Yes the price does seem high at one level , not only cost of dock,but marina costs too....however it it means I can get out much more often, with less hassle, and family enjoys it because of the time not spent on launch & recovery then it may be a reasonable investment...take it over 8-10 years it's not so bad! Well that's what i'm trying to convince myself

HDAV · 25 October 2018, 21:08

Expense is relative to value.....

Some think £300 a year membership is expensive, some think £1200 a year marina fees are expensive, other say £1200 is a bargain and they pay £3k+

Now might be a good time to find a used setup, advantages of the cube ones are you can re configure to suit your needs and berth, just have place to store and a means to collect them if you do spot a bargain...

GuyC · 25 October 2018, 21:21

I always think they seem quite reasonable when they come up second hand.

There's one about the size of a tennis court on Ebay at the moment for £3,500. If you assume you'll get £1500 back for it in five years, then it's just over a pound a day!

You might want to ask the marina whether they'll allow a dock as you will put quite a load on the finger / walkway when you are driving your boat on to the dock.

Orwell boy · 25 October 2018, 21:53

can you put the tetra dock on a river / estuary mooring ,sounds crazy i know ,but sure somebody could engineer a way ? ,would be very cost effective !

lakelandterrier · 25 October 2018, 22:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orwell boy

can you put the tetra dock on a river / estuary mooring ,sounds crazy i know ,but sure somebody could engineer a way ? ,would be very cost effective !

I've seen drive on docks on moorings - but generally as a pontoon "bank" between 2 trots.

I think if just tethered to a single buoy there's no "hard resistance" to driving onto it so you'd just push against it and it would bob around - not a scientific or technical explanation.

lakelandterrier · 25 October 2018, 22:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by HDAV

Expense is relative to value.....

Now might be a good time to find a used setup, advantages of the cube ones are you can re configure to suit your needs and berth, just have place to store and a means to collect them if you do spot a bargain...

Agreed!

Second hand would be ideal -given even broken down they are bulky - .i'll have a scan of ebay once I've worked out which brands work the best so I don't buy something cheap but not fit for purpose over time.

Maximus · 26 October 2018, 09:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by lakelandterrier

Yes the price does seem high at one level , not only cost of dock,but marina costs too....however it it means I can get out much more often, with less hassle, and family enjoys it because of the time not spent on launch & recovery then it may be a reasonable investment...take it over 8-10 years it's not so bad! Well that's what i'm trying to convince myself

Bargains certainly do come up from time to time...at a fraction of new Cost.They sold a load CHEAP as chips after the Olympics

I'd certainly like to make use of one ...if I get the right Location.
It's just a matter of being patient and alert to what's out there...you will get a Bargain for sure.
There are some half decent homemade (Budget options) as well as high end Jobs on YouTube (Dry Docks and Pontoons)you may find interesting to look at

mikew4 · 26 October 2018, 16:02

Get it anti-fouled and keep it on a swing mooring.

surreycool · 26 October 2018, 16:27

Don’t buy anything till you know if they will allow floating dock in a berth! MDL would not allow me to put one in as their explanation was, we can’t let out your berth if you are away and there is excessive wash on other boats when you drive it on. My quote was 5k for a 7.8 Ribcraft with winch and inflating chamber at the Engine end which keeps everything out of the water. Was a great set up which I nearly bought until MDL said no!

HDAV · 26 October 2018, 19:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by surreycool

Don’t buy anything till you know if they will allow floating dock in a berth! MDL would not allow me to put one in as their explanation was, we can’t let out your berth if you are away and there is excessive wash on other boats when you drive it on.

lakelandterrier · 27 October 2018, 17:39

Thanks Surreycool- good advice! I had already checked with my local marina - also MDL. They have a number of drive on docks there, and see no problem.

What they have said is they can't offer the free berthing elsewhere as they can't reciprocate with would be "my" space as it will always be occupied by the dock - which I get. They will let me have free access to slips at their other sites though.

As for excess wash driving on, at this marina the smaller power boat are all kept in the same area - limiting complaints from WAFFIs. Also I beleive the right way t o drive on is a gentle line up to get the bow on then short bursts of throttle - not attack at full revs!

b16rde · 27 October 2018, 19:25

For me, I went airberth, I did do like the idea of over reving a cold engine to get off the dock.

treerat · 27 October 2018, 21:04

If you're quick there's one for sale down here.

Now £1,750
United Kingdom
PRICE REDUCED - Tetra dock. New in may 2018. Would suit a rib upto 6m with 100hp outboard. Situated MDL marina Torquay. Complete with fenders and mooring ropes. Collection only.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Ribs..._comment_reply

lakelandterrier · 27 October 2018, 21:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by treerat

If you're quick there's one for sale down here.
PRICE REDUCED - Tetra dock. New in may 2018. Would suit a rib upto 6m with 100hp outboard. Situated MDL marina Torquay. Complete with fenders and mooring ropes. Collection only.]

Wonder why it's for sale so soon?

Was slightly put off Tetradock when their sales guy thought that an RC with its "heavy transom" would need a system of blocks to pull the boat back a metre or so to allow it it to pull off...sort of misses the point- and there's no room for such a system on the footprint they recommended

I like the "collection" bit......could tow it to Brixham

Will give it some thought, thanks Andy.

Orwell boy · 27 October 2018, 22:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by lakelandterrier

Wonder why it's for sale so soon?

Was slightly put off Tetradock when their sales guy thought that an RC with its "heavy transom" would need a system of blocks to pull the boat back a metre or so to allow it it to pull off...sort of misses the point- and there's no room for such a system on the footprint they recommended

I like the "collection" bit......could tow it to Brixham

Will give it some thought, thanks Andy.

seems to be a trader who sells thes on preloved

Pontoons Ireland · 28 October 2018, 11:47

Give us a call for your Rib Drive up solutions, look up our Website www.pontoonsireland.ie and under projects you will see rib drive ups, do not hesitate to call us to discuss, thanks Porick