Launching on pebble beach

SimonCh · 23 June 2020, 13:58

Ok,

I'll start with a confession, I sold my RIB a few years ago and just got another boat now. It's not a RIB... am I still allowed to ask questions here? You were always a friendly bunch in the past... don't turn on me now!

I'm looking for peoples experiences of launching/recovering on pebble beaches.

There's a slipway near me but it goes on to a fairly steep shingle beach... apparently people launch and recover here no bother - but i'm terrified I end up up to my sills in shingle, car stuck, unable to recover the boat! I've tried driving up and down it with no boat on the back and it seemed sturdier than I imagined it would... still low on confidence though!

For info - I have a 4WD Nissan X-trail

The Black Pig · 23 June 2020, 15:13

I would use 10mm rubber strips all the way otherwise I wouldn’t bother

neil.mccrirrick · 23 June 2020, 18:15

Maybe take some rope with you. If the trailer bogs down drive to the slip and tow from here. I’ve down this with a van full of dive gear off port Logan beach worked fine

Stevem · 23 June 2020, 20:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by SimonCh

Ok,

I'll start with a confession, I sold my RIB a few years ago and just got another boat now. It's not a RIB... am I still allowed to ask questions here? You were always a friendly bunch in the past... don't turn on me now!

I'm looking for peoples experiences of launching/recovering on pebble beaches.

There's a slipway near me but it goes on to a fairly steep shingle beach... apparently people launch and recover here no bother - but i'm terrified I end up up to my sills in shingle, car stuck, unable to recover the boat! I've tried driving up and down it with no boat on the back and it seemed sturdier than I imagined it would... still low on confidence though!

For info - I have a 4WD Nissan X-trail

I'd be airing the tyres down to about 18-20 psi. Which x-trail btw? If the new 1.6 I thought I read 1st gear is tall and requires revs which won't help.

Peter_C · 23 June 2020, 20:57

What is the boat weight and type of boat you are trying to launch?

SimonCh · 24 June 2020, 06:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevem

I'd be airing the tyres down to about 18-20 psi. Which x-trail btw? If the new 1.6 I thought I read 1st gear is tall and requires revs which won't help.

its a 3 year old 1.6 - Have used it on sand no bother, just not sure how shingle would be!

SimonCh · 24 June 2020, 06:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter_C

What is the boat weight and type of boat you are trying to launch?

It's an 18' Centre console - weighs about a ton including the engine

Peter_C · 24 June 2020, 09:45

Tow strap, air compressor, valve core tool, extra valve cores, a shovel, and lots of throttle if needed. If you even start to get stuck STOP! Let the air out of the tires to under 10 psi (0.689476 bar...really?), and ease back into the throttle. I'd go for the tow strap first.

Getting stuck just means you get to have fun getting unstuck

SimonCh · 24 June 2020, 09:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter_C

Tow strap, air compressor, valve core tool, extra valve cores, a shovel, and lots of throttle if needed. If you even start to get stuck STOP! Let the air out of the tires to under 10 psi (0.689476 bar...really?), and ease back into the throttle. I'd go for the tow strap first.

Getting stuck just means you get to have fun getting unstuck

You make getting stuck sound like an adventure!! thanks for the advice

Jeff · 24 June 2020, 23:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter_C

Tow strap, air compressor, valve core tool, extra valve cores, a shovel, and lots of throttle if needed. If you even start to get stuck STOP! Let the air out of the tires to under 10 psi (0.689476 bar...really?), and ease back into the throttle. I'd go for the tow strap first.

Getting stuck just means you get to have fun getting unstuck

,,,, not much fun if the tide is coming in lol [emoji38]

Peter_C · 25 June 2020, 00:02

EDIT: One other trick to get the vehicle and boat moving is to use the boats power to help the tow vehicle get started until the prop clears the water, then shut the motor off immediately (Shutting down quickly won't damage the impeller due to no water lubricant, but if the boat driver hears rocks hitting the prop, well let off the throttle). Takes two people though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SimonCh

You make getting stuck sound like an adventure!! thanks for the advice

Had a rock crawler for a long time. Breaking, getting stuck, and seeing where a rig can go is the fun part. Often we fought over who got to pull the stuck rig out. Winches allow self recovery IF you have an attachment point.

Might be good to go on a weekend to watch others launch and recover. Learning life's lessons from others...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff

,,,, not much fun if the tide is coming in lol [emoji38]

Shows who works the best under pressure

while the shore watchers are like are they going to get out?

Coastie · 22 July 2020, 20:36

I see Stonehaven- I’m put off there due to numerous folks sat on beach and they get annoyed when you drive over the kids sandcastles. Good slip at Peterhead, Banff, Rosehearty. Cruden Bay is okay but dries right out so need to be hour or so either side HW. Have fun.

SimonCh · 22 July 2020, 21:23

yeah at stonehaven you don’t half learn how to launch a boat under pressure.

The sand castles are half the fun. I quite enjoy getting annoyed at the mums who take a strop when they have to move their kids to allow you to use the slipway for its intended purpose.