Transporting a trailer - boat

Channel Ribs · 27 November 2008, 08:13

Has anyone ever deliberately moved a trailer by leaving it attached to a boat?

I know Mythbusters did this, to see if it is plausible for someone to do it by mistake.

But we have some customers that are planning on moving a trailer off the island this way, it would be slung under a large (>5m) inflatable and towed using a RIB.

Edit: Personally I would rather hire a landing craft!

karlT · 27 November 2008, 09:18

The drag will be huge so they will probably by lucky to achieve 3-4 knots!! They would be far better stripping trailer down a bit and putting it onboard or just get it freighted!!

Tim M · 27 November 2008, 13:32

I have done this with trailer for a 4m Searider. Had to get it from Portsmouth to Cowes. We strapped it to top of my Rigiflex and towed it behind Evolution at about 20 knots. Worked fine. My biggest advice is put bits of carpet or something under where the trailer touches the boat; I didn't and it made a few scratches.

Channel Ribs · 28 November 2008, 10:04

Well, the sale has gone through and they are now rigging the trailer for the voyage across some of the fastest tidal currents in the world.

I will post photos as the sage unfolds on our web site here:

www.alderneymarine.com/subtrailer/

Channel Ribs · 28 November 2008, 10:05

This is probably the best photo so far, soon they are going to float test to see if it needs ballast!

PeterM · 28 November 2008, 10:43

Why oh why dont they put the thing on top of the boat ! You coudl defalte the boat & then re-inflate it so you didnt have to lift the trailer. I am sure that boats have been designed for some time to have things in/ on them and not under! Good luck - I cant wait to hear what happens.

I wonder if they drop the trailer somewhere if any insurer would pay out - I can imagine the conversation - 'it was where ?'

Tim M · 28 November 2008, 11:04

That's a big trailer! How far has it got to go?

Channel Ribs · 28 November 2008, 11:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim M

That's a big trailer! How far has it got to go?

It is a 7m trailer and now afloat!

They have 10 miles to do, 6 of which is straight across the Alderney Race.

The nose is a bit heavy, but otherwise it looks interesting!

Nasher · 28 November 2008, 12:48

Good luck to em.

I hope its not being considered a 'new' trailer when it gets the other end.

Nasher.

karlT · 28 November 2008, 12:50

Malthouse,

As a "professional" working in the marine industry you surely have a moral responsibilty to suggest to these folk that they are ******* stupid to proceed with such a dumb ass stunt.

If you do not wish to approach them, I am sure a short call to your harbour master to suggest he takes an interest will soon put a stop to anyone endangering their lives with such a reckless stunt.

I am certain there are a few large fishing boats that can be hired for a day to transport trailer at reasonable cost.

Regards
Karl T

Channel Ribs · 28 November 2008, 13:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by karlT

I am sure a short call to your harbour master to suggest he takes an interest will soon put a stop to anyone endangering their lives with such a reckless stunt.

Hi Karl, we have done so.

As a responsible member of the marine industry there are a number of things our customers do that we do not approve of.

We have given them a long list of alternatives, but they are dead set on the plan. They have also explained that the skipper is coxswain of their local lifeboat and the navigator is a master mariner, having studied the weather and tides for 48 hours they are confident it will be ok.

If it were me, I would not even consider it. But other than advising the authorities and giving them options I do not see how we can (or should) stop them?

Channel Ribs · 28 November 2008, 13:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

Good luck to em.

I hope its not being considered a 'new' trailer when it gets the other end.

Nasher.

Before today it had never been in the water!

PeterM · 28 November 2008, 15:53

I cant wait to see the story on the BBC website - locals rescued after trying to transport trailer under water , rib gets swamped - RNLI coxswain should know better etc etc . Watch out for the Darwin award !

Channel Ribs · 28 November 2008, 17:09

There are now a load of photos on the above link.

They got away this afternoon and had a hard hour before slack water, then they got the bulk of the distance covered and once again are fighting the current as it picks back up. They are about half an hour from landing on the French coast.

So far, so good.

RAD · 28 November 2008, 18:08

Surely thats not good for the trailer?

So how are they getting the tow car across, on another boat??

karlT · 28 November 2008, 18:33

Malthouse,

Not such a dramatic attempt now that you have shown the pics with a nice Pacific to tow it with. No risk to life and look suitably attired.

I thought Jerseymen were tight with the pound notes but that takes the biscuit. At least if they don't make a port they can just land on any of the beaches and are sure to be met by customs to declare the TVA (VAT equivalent).

Regards
Karl T

Channel Ribs · 28 November 2008, 20:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAD

Surely thats not good for the trailer?

Trailers are designed to be in a salt water environment, but total submersion is far from ideal. It will certainly have failure points eventually, but we have probably all seen well corroded trailers in regular use.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAD

So how are they getting the tow car across, on another boat?

They drove to a close-by French harbour, launched their inflatable and made the crossing. They have now returned to their tow car, having gained a RIB and a trailer.

PeterM · 28 November 2008, 21:11

Call me a technophobe , but where is the link to the pics ? The thought of this has kept me going all day !

Nos4r2 · 28 November 2008, 21:55

Here:-

www.alderneymarine.com/subtrailer/

Channel Ribs · 28 November 2008, 22:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackroady

Call me a technophobe , but where is the link to the pics ? The thought of this has kept me going all day !

Like Nosfer says, sorry it was a bit low key.

The latest news is that they made the crossing safely, the fastest record is just over 8 minutes but they have set a new slowest record : just on 4 hours.