Will this car recover a Rib

[Crezzlin]

Hi guys this has probably been ask many times sorry , I'm getting a 5.6m rib with a single axle trailer.. The question is, my mum has a 03 Renault megan scenic 1.6 AUTO, would you guys think this would be useable, it's a stop gap car but as it isn't used much if ever it would save me the money needed for a 4x4 until next winter. Thanks.

[SW Boat Transport]

Originally Posted by Crezzlin

Hi guys this has probably been ask many times sorry , I'm getting a 5.6m rib with a single axle trailer.. The question is, my mum has a 03 Renault megan scenic 1.6 AUTO, would you guys think this would be useable, it's a stop gap car but as it isn't used much if ever it would save me the money needed for a 4x4 until next winter. Thanks.

From a legal point of view, the 2003 Megane Scenic Classic 1.6 Auto can tow 1250kg if you have B+E on your licence. If you only have a B licence, you would be limited to 1130kg due to the unladen weight of the vehicle.

You would need to put the boat complete with its normal kit, fuel, etc on a weighbridge to check the exact weight, but I would guess you could well be over.

If you dont want to go to the expense of purchasing and running a 4x4 and assuming you will be using slipways that are kept clear of slime, a large (preferably diesel) family sized car such as a Mondeo would tow your boat nicely and have plenty of power for going up slipways etc.

[9D280]

I'll echo SW's thoughts on the actual towing, but for actually dragging it out the water, the auto does mean the engine might be operating nearer it's optimal torque at start. Your biggest problem on a steep slip might be traction.

Assuming you use the same slip, could you do an experiment - bring a friend with a bigger car / 4x4 - then tie the two cars together using a slack tow line on your forward tow eye, then if yours starts to wheelspin itself towwards the brine......

[Jamesg514]

Get yourself a winch that can be attached to the tow ball and winch it up with the car on the flat only possible on some slips tho. This is what I have to do as I drive a van that is rubbish to recover with.
The only other way is with a long line and then you need the space.

Winches are abit of money but cheaper than a 4x4.

[Searider]

What boat is it?

It might not be as heavy as suggested above. My 5.4 searider was 745kg all up.

If the slip you are using has a good surface I don't see why the megane wouldn't cope.

Give it a try!

Duncan

[Poly]

As others have said the car should manage the load OK. Check your licence requirements (does IoM use the same rules as the mainland?). The question about recovery up a slip depends on the surface of the slip and the tyres on the car. Can almost always find a way of managing with rope and chocks - but if you have to do it every time it is a bit of a pain. If the slipway is slimey it can help to chuck generous amounts of sand (gravel/broken shells) around where your drive wheels are going and as they spin they abrade the slime.

Obviously if you are going to try it for the first time there are some sensible things to think about. (1) Possibly try it on a hill away from water first! (2) Think about the tides, you don't want to be panicing to get the car in before it fills up! (3) Have a plan what to do if you get really stuck - a friend, a local farmer etc. (4) if the wheels do spin then try chocking the trailer and moving the car on its own first, then use a rope to keep the car on gentler gradient / better surface.

[Crezzlin]

thanks for the advice guys, i live on the Isle of Man so i dont think the towing laws are the same as main land..

as for trying it im going to fit a tow bar this weeknd and try moving the boat on land and see how it feels, try some steep hills.. if its ok i will get a winch..

as for the boat its a 5.6m Osprey Eagle with a 135 BHP Mercury Engine with Spare Outboard aslo. ive only just got the boat as it was up for a good price from a local person who had it in his garage for the last 12 months so ive not used it yet, im going to start a new thread asking peoples advice on what faults etc to look out for and i will post some pics,, Thanks again i will report back it the car sinks

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Crezzlin

as for the boat its a 5.6m Osprey Eagle with a 135 BHP Mercury Engine with Spare Outboard aslo. ive only just got the boat as it was up for a good price from a local person who had it in his garage for the last 12 months so ive not used it yet, im going to start a new thread asking peoples advice on what faults etc to look out for and i will post some pics,, Thanks again i will report back it the car sinks

Thats a proper rib so will weigh a bit more than most.

I would say with the trailer probably close to 1400KG.

[Crezzlin]

This is her

http://i712.photobucket.com/albums/w...401_112915.jpg

[mick]

Dry boat weight 300 kg

[Hightower]

Originally Posted by discomick

Attachment 67061

Dry boat weight 300 kg

I know you're trying to be helpful, that means very little

Adding at the other things, outboard, fuel, trailers etc. You could easily see a tonne.

I reckon that your worst bit is the towing up the slipway. You get this licked and the rest should be easy, providing you meet all the legal requirements of course.

[mick]

[QUOTE="Hightower"]

I know you're trying to be helpful, that means very little

Was just trying to show what you can find with a bit of research that's a starting off point
People need to put there brains in gear and find out stuff before they buy Like would you go and buy a 6.5 redbay and tow it with a ford fiesta cos someone did.

[Shog69]

I have an Osprey Eagle too, great ribs!

[Simon B]

We had a Delta 5.5 with 100hp Yam 4 stroke (not light) single axle trailer. We weighbridged it once 960kgs, not crap inside and no fuel.

HTH.