Launch / recovery ropes

Rich L · 11 October 2004, 19:10

For rope launching / recovering a 3 tonne boat on a slipway selecting the correct rope is clearly essential, although I assume that there is far less than 3 tonne on the rope, most of the weight being through the wheels (er physics wasn't my thing...).

I'm assuming that I don't want polypropylene (too weak) or polyester (no stretch) so choice is Nylon? or Kevlar (too expensive?), but what diameter / spec.? or am I worrying unnecessarily? Say 15 metres.

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks

Daniel TD5 · 11 October 2004, 19:14

rich

go have a look on ebay for tow straps they will do the job you want
and will have loops made on

dan

Tim M · 11 October 2004, 19:19

I use a 5-tonne rachet strap sometimes. That brings the advantage of being able to pull the boat up slightly if needed.

Tim

peteb · 11 October 2004, 19:39

Contact Jimmy Green Marine, 01297 20744 or see www.jimmygreen.co.uk They will tell you exactly what you need and can splice or fit whatever you want to it, very friendly and great efficient service. Free postage as well.

Jono · 11 October 2004, 19:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich L

.....a 3 tonne boat.......

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks

Yeah! Get a second opinion on the weight!

Richard B · 11 October 2004, 20:03

- assume you're not talking about your RIB?

Rich L · 11 October 2004, 20:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jono

Yeah! Get a second opinion on the weight!

Mate, I didn't say it was MY boat.

Rich L · 11 October 2004, 20:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard B

- assume you're not talking about your RIB?

Oooohh Richard, your so much more subtle than that Jono bloke.

. Yeah, it's a Regal sports boat but probably it's closer to 1.5 Tonne I guess.

Had an 'interesting' time trying to launch it on Saturday. It has what they call an 'award winning' Fastrac Hull which basically adds a step across the beam which is probably great in the water but prevents the boat from launching unless the hull is floating (cause the roller coaster wheels jam in the step) - and thats not easy without detaching the trailor or getting your car very wet. Either way the trailor has to be submerged.

and no, my mate doesn't have a 110 nor does he want one before anyone suggests it.

About the hull if your interested...http://www.regalboats.com//hull.cfm?vid=ft

Richard B · 11 October 2004, 21:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich L

my mate doesn't have a 110 nor does he want one before anyone suggests it

No, you definitely don't want a 110 'cos you're not "thinking outside the box"...

I'll tell you what you want, what you really really want...

A crane

Now where could you get one of those?

Paul F · 11 October 2004, 21:16

Dont know how far you need to extend,but had a boat in a while ago that must have belonged to a scaffolder as his aux bracket was made of that sort of plank. But he did have a good easy extension, that was made up of 2 saffold clamps welded to draw bar on trailer(about a metre apart)with a scaffold bar that had a tow hitch bolted to it. When not in use bar was slid back out of way. Quick undo with spanner to extend then tighten up again.
Paul

peteb · 11 October 2004, 21:24

See :- http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread....ight=duo+conic for the answer

This is an example of the type of trailer that will take a stepped hull :-

Richard B · 11 October 2004, 21:27

Looks a bit wonky there on the trailer, Pete!

Rich L · 11 October 2004, 21:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul F

Dont know how far you need to extend,but had a boat in a while ago that must have belonged to a scaffolder as his aux bracket was made of that sort of plank. But he did have a good easy extension, that was made up of 2 saffold clamps welded to draw bar on trailer(about a metre apart)with a scaffold bar that had a tow hitch bolted to it. When not in use bar was slid back out of way. Quick undo with spanner to extend then tighten up again.
Paul

Sounds good but the trailer in question looks like it cost more than most peoples boats. Can't imagine him welding bits on somehow. Beautiful but impractical (a bit like my Mrs......

)

peteb · 11 October 2004, 21:34

Yes it was a little wonky, It had been craned on, I don't have that problem now when it gets pulled out of the water, getting a bit better at it, but still crap myself when driving with that behind me

Just have loads of tyres to pump up now

Rich L · 11 October 2004, 21:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by peteb

See :- http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread....ight=duo+conic for the answer

This is an example of the type of trailer that will take a stepped hull :-

Ah ha, thanks missed that. Is there actually a stepped hull trailer then? What exactly is the difference?

peteb · 11 October 2004, 21:53

All those pneumatic tyres are on stalks and are adjusted to fit the hull, because they are pneumatic the step rolls over them easily and causes no damage to the hull. The only thing is if your winch strap breaks and you have no other forms of holding it on, you could really piss off the cars behind

Nick Hearne · 12 October 2004, 07:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by peteb

All those pneumatic tyres are on stalks and are adjusted to fit the hull, because they are pneumatic the step rolls over them easily and causes no damage to the hull. The only thing is if your winch strap breaks and you have no other forms of holding it on, you could really piss off the cars behind

Your safety chain will hold it on!
Which I am shore is fitted & used!
Nick

peteb · 12 October 2004, 09:10

That's a good idea Nick

Don't worry I have a good few straps in strategic places 'just in case', with a 2 tonne breaking strain one from the bow eye to the winch post (see photo).

The other thing to look out for is when you launch it, if you undo the winch strap too early it could roll off and clunk onto the slipway

I use a strap around the winch post and cleats at the bow to hold it there, then these are released when ready, this saves wading out from the shore to release the winch strap

If anyone else has any good hints I would be interested to know.

Rich L · 12 October 2004, 09:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by peteb

The other thing to look out for is when you launch it, if you undo the winch strap too early it could roll off and clunk onto the slipway

I use a strap around the winch post and cleats at the bow to hold it there, then these are released when ready, this saves wading out from the shore to release the winch strap

Pete, can you expain that again please?

peteb · 12 October 2004, 09:27

Yes Rich, because of the angle of the slip, if I was to release the winch strap after before the boat was in the water, it would roll off and have a slight collission with the slip, even if it was partly submurged but not deep enough and I did the same it would still roll off. So, I fix a line from one forward cleat around the winch post and back up securing it to the other bow cleat, that way when I release the winch strap it doesn't roll off. I must say it can be scary when you release the winch strap as there is a slight movement whilst the line I have secured takes the strain. If that was not there I guess those lovely pneumatic tyres and greased wheels would quite quickly despatch the boat onto the slipway with a bit of a thud

Now, if I have got something wrong here, please let me know, maybe I am over cautious. I have in the past waded out when the boat is in deep enough water to release the bow strap but the novelty wore off. With the shape of the bow trying to release the strap from the bow eye whilst on the boat is not the easiest of operations, releasing the line attached to the cleats is a piece of cake.