Towing a 6.5m Redbay with 150hp

[TerMc1]

Hi Everyone, would my 2 wheel drive audi A6 190hp be sufficient to tow and launch a 6.5m RB and 150hp honda?

My local slip is not very steep and in good condition.

Many thanks I'm advance

[CJL]

Yes. Keep the car on the flat at the slipway (use a strap or something) and that will be fine.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by TerMc1

Hi Everyone, would my 2 wheel drive audi A6 190hp be sufficient to tow and launch a 6.5m RB and 150hp honda?



My local slip is not very steep and in good condition.



Many thanks I'm advance

It’s not the power that’s the issue with launching boats, it’s traction & gearing. 190hp is plenty, most of the tractors that you see launching small boats will be 40-80hp. It’s getting the power & torque onto the slipway that’s the issue. If you’re only driving 2 tyres, they need to be good ones.
Have a backup plan in case you get stuck, be prepared to unhitch the boat & trailer & leave them to the mercy of an incoming tide.
Launching/recovering a boat on an uh-hitched trailer can be “interesting” at some point in both operations, the hitch/jockey wheel/winch could end up 6feet off the ground. Be aware of this especially when launching as the front of the trailer will shoot up into the air as the weight of the boat transfers the trailer CoG rearwards.
I’m not say all this will happen, but it has happened to me over the years & I’m just passing on experience

[TerMc1]

Thanks Pikey Dave, I see what you mean
I had a smaller 4.8m rib a few years back but as it was quite small, very manageable.

Thanks for the warnings....

[TerMc1]

Thanks CJL, I may well.be able to use your idea assuming the tide comes up close enough to the flat section.

Great idea thanks

[beamishken]

Id say as long as the ramp isnt thick with slime You'll probably be fine. If you float the boat onto the trailer on a long rope to the car you'll avoid the drawbar in the sky scenario pd explains but you will need bigger wellies. You just need to watch the boat settles onto the trailer correctly as you recover up the slip & be prepared to try again if it comes out sat wonky. If all else fails you can use the car as an anchor & use the trailer winch to pull the trailer to the car once you've tied off the boat.

[TerMc1]

Originally Posted by beamishken

Id say as long as the ramp isnt thick with slime You'll probably be fine. If you float the boat onto the trailer on a long rope to the car you'll avoid the drawbar in the sky scenario pd explains but you will need bigger wellies. You just need to watch the boat settles onto the trailer correctly as you recover up the slip & be prepared to try again if it comes out sat wonky. If all else fails you can use the car as an anchor & use the trailer winch to pull the trailer to the car once you've tied off the boat.

Thanks Beamishken, inhave used ropes from the trailer to the car hitch with my smaller rib and the slip was is very clean so fingers crossed.

I now have a.decision to make between a Redbay 6.5 with a 150 Honda engine (2019 with 180 hrs) or a Delta 5.5 with a 2006 115 Suzi (600hrs) but with brand new tubes. Both have double console. The RB has seats for 6, the Detla has 4 (2 shock absorb seats). Both are c €20k and come with a trailer. Decisions decisions. Thanks again all..

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by TerMc1

Thanks Beamishken, inhave used ropes from the trailer to the car hitch with my smaller rib and the slip was is very clean so fingers crossed.



I now have a.decision to make between a Redbay 6.5 with a 150 Honda engine (2019 with 180 hrs) or a Delta 5.5 with a 2006 115 Suzi (600hrs) but with brand new tubes. Both have double console. The RB has seats for 6, the Detla has 4 (2 shock absorb seats). Both are c €20k and come with a trailer. Decisions decisions. Thanks again all..

Redbay, no question. It’s in a different league to the (wet) 5-5. A 2019 will be good for another 20years.

[mhill]

Originally Posted by TerMc1

Thanks Beamishken, inhave used ropes from the trailer to the car hitch with my smaller rib and the slip was is very clean so fingers crossed.

I now have a.decision to make between a Redbay 6.5 with a 150 Honda engine (2019 with 180 hrs) or a Delta 5.5 with a 2006 115 Suzi (600hrs) but with brand new tubes. Both have double console. The RB has seats for 6, the Detla has 4 (2 shock absorb seats). Both are c €20k and come with a trailer. Decisions decisions. Thanks again all..

Redbay all day long, seems a fair price too. Strange for it to have a Honda they are usually all Suzuki.

Might be worth considering one of these, https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/353593578...luNIz8AIAAAAAA

[Wave Rider]

Redbay.
You will develop a technique with car & slipway.

[Jon Tallis]

You don't say what year your A6 is. I presume you've checked towing capacity Vs all up trailer weight. The later A6's are 2.5te so no probs there but the earlier ones are 1.5te and a 6.5 Redbay, honda 150, trailer, fuel etc could easily equal or exceed that.

[mick]

Originally Posted by mhill

Redbay all day long, seems a fair price too. Strange for it to have a Honda they are usually all Suzuki.

Might be worth considering one of these, https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/353593578...luNIz8AIAAAAAA

My Redbay has always had Honda on

[mick]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

It’s not the power that’s the issue with launching boats, it’s traction & gearing. 190hp is plenty, most of the tractors that you see launching small boats will be 40-80hp. It’s getting the power & torque onto the slipway that’s the issue. If you’re only driving 2 tyres, they need to be good ones.
Have a backup plan in case you get stuck, be prepared to unhitch the boat & trailer & leave them to the mercy of an incoming tide.
Launching/recovering a boat on an uh-hitched trailer can be “interesting” at some point in both operations, the hitch/jockey wheel/winch could end up 6feet off the ground. Be aware of this especially when launching as the front of the trailer will shoot up into the air as the weight of the boat transfers the trailer CoG rearwards.
I’m not say all this will happen, but it has happened to me over the years & I’m just passing on experience

Back up plan Yorkshire style rope 2 Discovery together

[mhill]

Originally Posted by mick

My Redbay has always had Honda on

Ive only ever seen them with Suzuki as pushed by the factory and a couple with Merc's. The brand is well in bed with Suzuki from all the marketing.